Part 75 (1/2)

Ina was flushed and laughing. d.i.c.k Guyes still obviously nervous, but, also obviously, supremely happy. They went by Avery into a perfect storm of rose-leaves that awaited them from the crowd outside. Yet for one moment the eyes of the bride rested upon Avery, meeting hers almost as if they would ask her a question. And behind her--immediately behind her--came Piers.

His eyes also found Avery, and in an instant with a haughty disregard of Tudor, he had swept her forward with him, his arm thrust imperially through hers. They also weathered the storm of rose-leaves, and as they went Avery heard him laugh,--the laugh of the man who fights with his back to the wall.

They were among the first to offer congratulations to the bride and bridegroom, and again Avery was aware of the girl's eyes searching hers.

”I haven't forgotten you,” she said, as they shook hands. ”I knew you would be Lady Evesham sooner or later after that day when you kept the whole Hunt at bay.”

Avery felt herself flush. There seemed to her to be a covert insinuation in the remark. ”I was very grateful to you for taking my part,” she said.

”It was rather generous certainly,” agreed the bride coolly. ”d.i.c.k, do get off my train! You're horribly clumsy to-day.”

The bridegroom hastened to remove himself to a respectful distance, while Ina turned her pretty cheek to Piers. ”You may salute the bride,” she said graciously. ”It's the only opportunity you will ever have.”

Piers kissed the cheek as airily as it was proffered, his dark eyes openly mocking. ”Good luck to you, Ina!” he said lightly. ”I wish you the first and best of all that's most worth having.”

Her red lips curled in answer. ”You are superlatively kind,” she said.

Other guests came crowding round with congratulations, and they moved on.

Piers knew everyone there, and presented one after another to his wife till she felt absolutely bewildered. He did not present the best man, who to her relief seemed disposed to keep out of their way. She wondered greatly if anything had pa.s.sed between him and Piers, though by the latter at least the incident seemed to be wholly forgotten. He was in his gayest, most sparkling mood, and she could not fail to see that he was very popular whichever way he turned. People kept claiming his attention, and though he tried to remain near her he was drawn away at last by the bridegroom himself.

Avery looked round her then for a quiet corner where Tudor might find her if he so desired, but while she was searching she came upon Tudor himself.

He joined her immediately, with evident relief. ”For Heaven's sake, let us get away from this gibbering crowd!” he said. ”They are like a horde of painted monkeys. Come alone to the library! I don't think there are many people there.”

Avery accompanied him, equally thankful to escape. They found the library deserted, and Tudor made her sit down by the window in the most comfortable chair the room contained.

”You look about as fit for this sort of show as Mrs. Lorimer,” he observed drily. ”She had the sense to stay away.”

”I couldn't,” Avery said.

”For goodness' sake,” he exclaimed roughly, ”don't let that young ruffian tyrannize over you! You will never know any peace if you do.”

Avery smiled a little and was silent.

”Why are you so painfully thin?” he pursued relentlessly. ”What's the matter with you? When I saw you in church just now I had a positive shock.”

She put out her hand to him. ”I am quite all right,” she a.s.sured him, still faintly smiling. ”I should have sent for you if I hadn't been.”

”It's high time you sent for me now,” said Tudor.

He looked at her searchingly through his gla.s.ses, holding her hand firmly clasped in his.

”Are you happy?” he asked her suddenly.

She started at the question, started and flushed. ”Why--why do you ask me that?” she said in confusion.

”Because you don't look it,” he said plainly. ”No, don't be vexed with me! I speak as a friend--a friend who desires your happiness more than anything else on earth. And do you know, I think I should see a doctor pretty soon if I were you. If you don't, you will probably regret it. Get Piers to take you up to town! Maxwell Wyndham is about the best man I know. Go to him!”