"I did not understand-- still do not, to tell the truth--why you could not confide in me. You must have known that I would not have shamed Miss Mark ham by making the knowledge public, and yet you did not trust me--" The pain in his voice caused Polly to look up at last.
"I wanted to tell you," she said hesitantly.
"That night at the a.s.sembly, I was on the verge of telling when Tristan came in and put a stop to our conversation. I know I should have trusted you more--all those times I doubted you, the foolishness over the smuggling, my suspicions over your activities in London--you must think me so stupid!" Her voice broke. "I don"t know why I could not commit myself, Harry... I was so close to trusting you, yet I always held back, perhaps because I have loved you for so long that I could not bear to take the final risk and gamble on losing it all! I found it very difficult to forgive myself for refusing you all those years ago!"
Henry slid an arm around her and pulled her to him so that her head rested comfortingly against his shoulder.
"I must take my share of blame," he said, very softly.
"I fostered the impression of a wastrel and a rake, which is scarcely the kind of behaviour that would encourage a gently bred girl to rely on me! I could have warned you about Dit ton--I knew you would not tell anyone, but I was afraid that you would not be able to behave naturally in his company if you knew he was a criminal. If I had to take the same decision now, I would have to do the same..."
"I know," Polly said softly. Henry looked so wretched that she touched his cheek.
"You did the right thing. When I was thinking about it all last night, I remembered how you had risked the whole endeavour to save me in the riot in London. You must have cared a great deal to do that for me..."
They sat quietly for a long time. Henry"s arm warm about her, his cheek rough against the smoothness of hers.
"Polly," Henry said at last, his voice m.u.f.fled against her hair, "you have not yet agreed to marry me! " "Oh!" Polly turned to him and their lips met with a tenderness that was both sweet and instinctive.
"I a.s.sume," Henry said, much later, "that that is an acceptance. I should not allow another rejection anyway! " Polly snuggled closer to him.
"How much time we have wasted! When may we be married. Harry?"
"In the interests of making up for lost time," Henry said seriously,
"I.
suggest the wedding should be very soon. Tomorrow, perhaps? " Polly sat up and stared at him in confusion.
"Tomorrow? But how--" " I thought, perhaps, that you might be persuaded to elope with me. " Polly looked at him for a long time.
"You mean-- to come away with you now?" she asked, a little breathlessly.
"But--" She saw the faint look of withdrawal that came into his eyes.
"I.
understand if you do not wish to do so--" "No!" Polly put out a hand quickly and touched his. It was suddenly essential to make him understand. "Henry, listen. I will gladly go with you. I would follow you anywhere, or do anything you asked." The tears gathered in her eyes.
"Oh, I am so very happy to have the chance to run away with you!"
Suddenly they were both laughing like children, tumbled back once more in each other"s arms.
"I had not intended to go to Gretna," Henry said after more kisses had been exchanged, "but my home at Ruth ford is but a day"s journey from here, and I have a special licence and a priest who would be very happy to marry off another of the March night brood! Indeed, I imagine he would be particularly glad to officiate at my wedding since he has been deploring my bachelor life this age! " Polly stood up.
"I had best return to the Court and gather my belongings.
Oh! " She looked down at the blanket still clutched about her.
"I had forgotten--my dress is still by the pool! I can hardly return to the house like this or we would have to be married even sooner to avoid Mama falling into the va pours!" She looked suddenly shy.
"Will you help me down the steps. Harry?"
Henry got to his feet.
"Of course--but take care that the blanket does not slip!"
He tactfully stepped outside whilst Polly was donning her dress again, and gave her a critical look-over when she emerged into the sunshine.
"Not bad, although I do not think it would stand the scrutiny of a discerning eye! You could always tell them the truth, of course!"
Polly came close to him.
"I should like to be able to tell Lucille and Nicholas where I am going," she said, a little hesitantly.
"I know it seems strange, but..."
Henry gave her a brief kiss.
"If you wish to do so, let it be so. I am confident they will not stop us."
Polly had one last question.
"Henry..." She did not quite raise her gaze to his.
"If"we are to be married tomorrow, what happens tonight?"
When she finally looked up into his face it was to see a mixture of amus.e.m.e.nt and speculation that made her blush all over again.
"What do you think?" he said.
It was just over an hour later that the Earl of Sea- grave, striding in at the door of Dilling ham Court, was distracted by the sound of his own mother in strong hysterics. Hastening into the drawing-room, he found the Dowager prostrate on the sofa and Lucille hovering with a bottle of smelling salts whilst the Dowager"s maid tried ineffectually to calm her mistress and Peter and Hetty stood helplessly by.
"Nicholas!" the Dowager Countess said, immediately sitting up and recovering at the sight of her elder son, "Do something! Your sister is eloping with Lord Henry March night! I have seen them with my own eyes--the carriage has been gone but five minutes!"
Nicholas Sea grave strolled over to the table and poured himself a gla.s.s of wine.
"But, Mama, I thought that you liked Lord Henry! You have been forever praising him these months past!"
There was a snort of laughter from Lucille, quickly suppressed. Peter bit his lip and Hetty turned a smile into a sort of cough.
The Dowager looked outraged.
"Like him! Of course I like him! He is precisely the sort of man I would wish to marry Polly! But what is that to the purpose, pray? She is to be married at St. George"s, Hanover Square!
I have it all planned! " The Dowager wrung her hands.
"The foolish chit told me that they were mnning away together, and when I told her that there was not the least need to do so, she told me that there was every need! I have no notion what she meant!"