Polly steeled herself against the memory of that brief time when they had been in such perfect accord. " And I would be astounded were he even to return to Dilling ham for the wedding next week! " she finished with relief.

The Dowager raised her dark brows.

"Now there you are fair and far out!" she said triumphantly.

"I have had the most delightful letter from Lord Henry, engaging himself for the wedding and the breakfast! He will be escorting his mother and sister. Oh, and the Vereys are also coming up from London!

Is that not fine? Perhaps," the Dowager said, brightening, 'it will be almost as good as a Society wedding, after all! " Lord Henry did not come to the wedding. The d.u.c.h.ess of March night, accompanied by the Vereys and stately in Dowager purple, explained graciously that her son had been detained on business but hoped to join the wedding party later in the day. Polly was acutely disappointed. She tried not to lose interest in the proceedings as a radiant Hetty wafted up the aisle on Nicholas Sea grave's arm to be joined in holy wedlock with his brother.

The service went very smoothly. The Dowager Countess cried becomingly into a large lace-edged handkerchief and Mrs Mark ham sniffed slightly less elegantly in the pew opposite. Hetty and the Dowager both wore expressions of faint relief as she floated down the aisle again, this time on her husband's arm. A happy end to a potential scandal, Polly thought with a smile. Now that they were safely married and Hetty had the protection of Peter's name, the whole unfortunate episode could be allowed to slip into the past where it belonged.

The wedding breakfast at Dilling ham Court seemed interminable to Polly.

Had Henry been there she would have been consumed with nerves, but as it was, she felt both disappointed and let down. Eventually they rose from table to take a rest before the evening dance and supper for the Sea graves' tenants and the villagers. Polly felt out of sorts.

Misery had prompted her to eat too much and the meal weighed heavily on her stomach. She lay down in the cool of her room and allowed herself to doze.

She was awoken by the sound of hooves on the gravel outside and voices raised in greeting. Hurrying across to the window, Polly was in time to see Henry March night hand his reins to one of the grooms as Nick Sea grave came forward to shake his hand and lead him up the steps into the house.

That put a different complexion on the evening. Polly, lethargy forgotten, rushed to the bell and rang energetically for Jessie.

By the time she was ready, the dancing had already started in the Long Barn.

Peter was energetically twirling his bride around in a spirited country dance whilst the villagers, made merry by drink and good food, roared their encouragement. The older folk had retired from the fray, but the Vereys had remained and Lady Laura March night seemed to have persuaded the d.u.c.h.ess to allow her to stay. Polly was immediately swept into the dance by Simon Verey.

Henry was dancing with Therese Verey and Polly attempted the difficult manoeuvre of trying to see his face whilst executing the complicated steps of the dance. She could read nothing there. Nothing of encouragement or liking or interest. He did not even glance in her direction. She sighed inwardly.

Perhaps they were back as they had been a few short months ago, mingling at the same social events but apart, almost strangers. It seemed intolerable and yet she might have to learn to live with it.

Then Simon Verey was steering her across the floor towards Henry and was saying, "You must grant Lord Henry a dance. Lady Polly, for he has ridden all this way solely for that privilege!"

Henry gave him a droll smile.

"What a good friend you are, Simon, giving all a fellow's secrets away!"

Simon smiled imperturbably, gravitated back to his wife's side, and Henry took Polly's hand with grave courtesy.

"Will you dance. Lady Polly? Good manners might compel you to accept after that introduction!"

"I need no compulsion, sir," Polly said, looking up into those steady grey eyes and feeling a little dizzy. Hope and fear were warring within her.

Did they have another chance?

They danced in silence. The country jigs and figured dances favoured at such rustic gatherings hardly leant themselves to conversation. All about them the chatter and laughter ebbed and flowed, the tankards of ale were drained and replenished, but Polly was only conscious of Henry's eyes following her through the movement of the dance and the brief touch of his hand on hers.

"You have been good enough to grant me this dance. Lady Polly," Lord Henry said when the music ended.

"Will you go further and grant me a private interview? There are matters we must discuss--' " Lord Henry! " It was Hetty, bright-eyed and beaming with happiness, who was at his elbow.

"Oh, I am so glad you were able to be here!"

She stood on tiptoe as Henry bent to kiss her cheek and wish her happy.

Polly wondered fleetingly how Hetty had managed to achieve such an easy friendship with him. But then, Lucille had also found him both friendly and charming. It seemed that she was the only one who had difficulty in achieving such intimacy and that was only because she could not escape that powerful attraction he held for her. As Henry had said only a few months before, they could never be comfortable with each other.

"You must not be angry with me. Lord Henry," Hetty was continuing sweetly, 'but I am come to take Polly away! She has promised to attend me this evening and my new Mama. " she nodded towards the Dowager Countess 'tells me it would be fitting for me to retire now! It seems a shame..." for a moment Hetty looked at the revellers a little enviously 'that I must miss the party!

" Henry stepped back with a slight bow.

"Then I shall hope for an opportunity to continue our conversation later, Lady Polly."

Polly hoped that her disappointment did not show as sharply on her face as she felt it inside.

It was much later that she was able to rejoin the party. Hetty had retired to bed with becoming modesty and there was only a small moment of awkwardness when both mothers clearly felt they should make mention of what to expect on the wedding night, only to remember that this was hardly necessary. Mrs Mark ham had become quite tearful now that her only fledgling was married and had to be dosed with medicinal brandy in the library. As Lucille had been too tired to stay late, this duty fell to Polly, who patiently listened to Mrs Mark ham's rambling tales of Hetty's childhood. Eventually Mrs Mark ham hauled herself to her feet a little unsteadily and went off to bed and Polly cut through the empty ballroom, where the chandeliers still blazed, and out through the conservatory.

It was very dark on the terrace. The sound of music and laughter still drifted through the trees from the Long Barn, and the torchlight glowed faintly. As Polly closed the conservatory door behind her, a slight figure came hurrying along the terrace and almost collided with her.

There was a m.u.f.fled exclamation, then the figure put back the hood of its cloak and revealed herself to be Lady Laura March night.

"Oh, Lady Polly!" Laura gasped.

"How you startled me! I did not see you there!"

She cast a swift look around.

"Please could you pretend that we have not met? Indeed, it is of the utmost importance, for you see, I am eloping!"

She brought the words out with a certain nourish and in the moonlight her eyes were bright with excitement.

"Mr Far rant--' Polly began.

"He is waiting with the carriage at the end of the lime drive!" Lady Laura interrupted excitedly.

"He was a little unhappy with the plan, but I persuaded him! Mama was quite immovable over the scheme to send me to Northumberland and I knew I should not see my dearest Charles for an age were I to comply! Oh, dear Lady Polly, say you will not betray me!" She caught Polly's hands in a desperate grip.

"Of course not," Polly said hastily, giving Laura's hands a rea.s.suring squeeze.

"But are you certain that you are doing the right thing? Your family will be very displeased by a runaway match--' " If I am Charles' wife I shall have my whole happiness," Laura said confidently, her eyes shining like stars, 'and though it grieves me to go against the wishes of my family, I cannot lose that which is most precious to me! Wish me joy!" She reached up to give Polly an impulsive kiss.

"I am so happy!"

"I wish you all the luck in the world," Polly said, a lump in her throat at such transparent happiness. "Now, you had best begone before anyone else sees you!"

Laura paused on the edge of flight, fumbling in the deep pocket of the coat.

"Oh, I almost forgot! I was going to leave this with a servant, but perhaps you would be so good... It is for Henry, but please do not give it to him until the end of the evening. I could not bear for him to worry about me, but rather that than that he should catch up with us!"

The letter was crisp and smooth between Polly's fingers. She watched Laura's hurrying shadow disappear along the colonnade. Polly was not sure how long she stood there alone in the darkness, but it was long enough for the glow of the carriage lights to fade away between the trees.

"Do not give it to him until the end of the evening..." She did not want to break her word to Laura, but even less could she lie to Henry or keep a secret from him. She thrust the letter into the bodice of her dress and walked slowly across the cobbled yard towards the barn.

There had been a break in the dancing whilst the guests partook of supper and Polly spotted Henry quickly, deep in conversation with Nick Sea- grave. As she hesitated to approach them. Henry looked up and their eyes met. Sea grave said something, smiled and sauntered away, leaving Henry alone.