Anne Herries – Drawn to Lord Ravenscar (страница 9)

The thought caused her no pain. She would not break her heart over him if he did not come up to scratch...but if he should ask she thought she might be able to find contentment as his wife.

All the months of breaking her heart over Paul Ravenscar, all the waiting for him to come to her in Italy, seemed far away. It was as if a dark cloud had been banished. She was recovering at last, Lucy thought. Everyone believed that the change in her was due to Mark’s death, and it had played its part, for she had mourned a friend...but it was Paul who had broken her heart.

She would not allow him to do it again. Lucy lifted her head, determined now that the next time they met she would do so with indifference. If he looked through her as though she did not exist, she would give as much in return.

She was not going to waste her life in regret.

Chapter Four

‘I rode over with the invitations to my dance,’ Lucy said as she was shown into the elegant parlour. Jenny was sitting at a very pretty lady’s writing table, made of a pale satinwood strung with ebony, preparing what appeared to be a letter. She sanded it and applied a wax wafer, impressing the Ravenscar seal. ‘I hope I do not disturb you?’

‘Of course not. You are always welcome,’ Jenny told her and rose, approaching her with outstretched hands. ‘Please do sit down. You are not disturbing me in the least. I was writing to my aunt. She asked that I visit her in London, but I do not feel able to get away and have told her she may come here for a few days if she wishes.’

‘How is your patient?’ Lucy asked, sitting down on an elbow chair, which was close to Jenny and by the long window that overlooked a lawn and rose beds. It was a restful room, its colours pale blue with touches of green and white in the long curtains and the light came from two aspects, making it seem bright and airy.

‘He is a great deal better,’ Jenny said, her face lighting up with real pleasure. ‘This morning he apologised to me for giving us all a fright...but he was very ill. His doctor is calling it a little miracle. I think having Paul home has made all the difference—given him something to live for again.’

‘How fortunate that is for you all,’ Lucy said. ‘You do not think of returning home now?’

‘Paul has begged me to stay for a few more weeks and I have agreed. Adam left this morning and will be gone for some days. He had business to attend, as he often does—but Ravenscar is well situated for him and he does not mind living here for the time being. I can be happy anywhere that I have my family.’ She reached out and rang the bell. ‘We shall have some tea, Lucy. Will you stay for nuncheon today?’

‘I wish that I might,’ Lucy said, ‘but my cousin and uncle are arriving this afternoon and I must be back in time to change and greet them.’

‘Your uncle?’

‘Sir John Gresham,’ Lucy said. ‘He is Mama’s brother, of course—and his daughter is a widow. Her name is Judith Sparrow. She is older than you and I, Jenny—but only a year or two.’

‘How unfortunate for her that she has lost her husband so young,’ Jenny said.

‘Yes, I feel for her. I wondered if you might come to tea tomorrow and meet her—if you can be spared?’

‘I am certain I could spare an hour or so. I shall have someone drive me to your house, Lucy. With Adam away I sometimes feel a little at a loss.’

Lucy was about to reply when someone entered the room. Glancing towards the door, she saw that Paul was standing just inside the threshold, looking at them.

‘Do I intrude?’ he asked and smiled in a way that took Lucy’s breath. How long was it since she’d seen that smile? For a moment it was as if he had never been away, never cut himself off from them all. ‘I was told refreshments were to be served here and I came to keep you company, Jenny—but I can go away if you prefer to be alone with your friend?’

Did he no longer think of her as his friend? A slashing pain cut through Lucy, but she kept her smile in place.

‘Of course not,’ Jenny said. ‘Please come and join us. Lucy has brought invitations to her dance, which is just a few days away now. I am hoping Adam will be back in time, but I shall certainly go...and I am sure Lady Dawlish would be happy to see you, Paul.’

‘Yes, I have not been to visit your mama yet, Miss Dawlish,’ Paul said and sat down in a comfortable wing chair near the fireplace, stretching out his long legs. The large hearth was empty since no fire was needed in the sunny parlour that day. ‘It is remiss of me, but I have been riding about the estate most days... There is much to do, for I fear my father has made no important decisions for years and some of the housing has been neglected. However, it was remiss of me. I must find time to visit my neighbours.’

‘I am sure everyone will be pleased to see you. I know that both my mother and father would welcome you at any time, sir.’

‘Then I must certainly come—but you understand these properties must come first.’

‘Yes, I noticed that some of the houses in Little Mallows were in poor condition as I rode by, sir. Papa always says that it is unwise to neglect one’s tenants, because it causes resentment.’

‘Yes, I think I agree with him,’ Paul said and frowned at his own thoughts. ‘However, I shall visit your mama tomorrow, Miss Dawlish—if that is convenient?’ He smiled at her and for a brief moment she glimpsed the man she’d known and loved.

‘I was telling Jenny that my cousin and uncle arrive later today,’ Lucy said. ‘She has promised to come to tea—perhaps you might escort her?’

‘Yes, why not?’ he replied. ‘That will suit me well, for I may see to business in the morning, as usual. You will be pleased to hear that my father is much recovered, Miss Dawlish. He is sitting up in bed, reading the latest newssheet at the moment.’

‘I am very glad to hear it,’ Lucy said. She glanced at him again and saw a thoughtful look in his eyes; the half-smile on his lips made her wish that he would truly talk to her, laugh with her as he had when they were children. She told herself not to expect too much and by the time a maid had brought in tea and little sweet almond macaroons, she had recovered her equilibrium and was able to speak without feeling breathless. Paul was looking at her attentively, as he might a guest he had just met—but there was none of their old intimacy, the shared jests that had struck them both as being funny when others could not see it.

‘How did you enjoy your trip to Italy, Miss Dawlish?’

‘I found it interesting and the lakes were wonderful,’ Lucy said. ‘I loved the sunshine, which was more reliable than our own, for we never know here from one day to the next how it will be. In Italy, day after day passed without so much as a cloud—here we cannot have two days without a hint of rain.’

‘Yes, I fear that is the truth,’ he agreed. ‘Though for myself I love the changing seasons and would not wish for everlasting sunshine.’

‘I am sure we should all tire of it in time,’ Lucy replied and sipped the tea Jenny had poured for her.

‘However, I should not care for the rain if my roof leaked,’ Paul went on. ‘I must make sure that the inhabitants of Little Mallows do not suffer when the next downpour comes.’

‘A leaking roof would be most unpleasant,’ Jenny said. ‘You should certainly see to it, Paul.’

‘I intend to,’ he replied, put down his cup and stood up. ‘It has been pleasant to see you again, Miss Dawlish. Please excuse me now...’

‘I, too, should be going if I am to be home in time to prepare for my cousin,’ Lucy said and stood up. She made a little curtsy to Paul. ‘I shall tell Mama to expect you both tomorrow—she will be so pleased. I shall see you tomorrow, dearest Jenny.’

‘I shall walk with you to the door,’ Paul said politely and stood back to allow her to leave the room first. He followed her into the hall. ‘Do you still prefer to ride rather than use a carriage, Miss Dawlish?’

‘If you recall...I was about to be given lessons when...’ She faltered and looked at him. ‘Forgive me, I should not have mentioned it.’

Paul stared for a moment, then inclined his head. ‘I had forgotten, but it was I who promised to teach you to drive in my phaeton, was it not?’

‘Yes...’ Lucy blushed. ‘It is not important. My father sends a carriage and groom if the weather is damp.’

‘A promise should always be kept. You will be busy with your cousin visiting, but if you would like to handle a phaeton and pair I shall be happy to oblige you, Miss Dawlish. I believe we have a suitable rig and horses that are amenable to a lady’s hands.’

‘Thank you, sir. Perhaps when my cousin has settled in. It would be rude of me to leave her to amuse herself too soon.’

‘Of course.’ He bowed his head to her as they reached the door. ‘Your gown is very becoming, Miss Dawlish. Yellow was always your colour—and I fancy your hair is done in its former style today.’

‘Yes.’ Lucy felt a tingle of pleasure as she gazed into his eyes. For a moment her breath came faster and she wished that he would give some sign that he cared for her. ‘You are observant, Captain Ravenscar. I would not have expected you to notice.’