"Mr Far rant, who was telling me something of the history of the house and the village, said that lemons were grown here as early as 1690 and that your family had wanted to carry on the tradition! Only fancy! He is a very agreeable gentleman, is he not?"

Polly, who had allowed her thoughts to drift in the inevitable direction of Lord Henry, was amused and a little surprised at the determined manner in which Laura had already steered the conversation on to what interested her.

She smiled.

"Indeed, he is! We have known Charles Far rant for an age and always found him a most pleasant and congenial man."

"I was surprised," Laura said a little hesitantly, avoiding Polly's gaze, 'that such an amiable man was as yet unmarried. But perhaps he has some understanding with. that is, perhaps there is a lady. " Her voice trailed away and she fixed Polly with a hopeful look from her grey eyes.

Polly pushed open the orangery doors and they entered the humid interior, heavy with the scent of citrus.

"Oh, no, I think it is simply that Mr Far rant has not yet met a lady who made him wish to give up his bachelor state! He was a great admirer of Lucille-- Lady Sea grave--before her marriage, but I believe he has never sought to enter the state of marriage himself!"

Laura was listening with attention. Polly was diverted by the concentration the younger girl was devoting to the topic. Clearly it mattered to her a great deal.

"And his family?" Lady Laura pursued, pretending to admire the orange trees in their ornamental tubs. "It is perfectly respectable, is it not?"

Polly's lips twitched.

"Oh, entirely unexceptionable! But..." she hesitated, thinking it only fair to sound a word of caution 'forgive me, I have no wish to pry, but I am not entirely sure that Mr Far rant would be smiled upon as a suitor for the daughter of a Duke! His estate is relatively small and although the family name is an old one--' She broke off, shocked, as Laura burst into tears and sat down rather heavily on one of the painted wooden benches.

"Oh, my dear!" Polly, both taken aback and touched, sat down beside her.

"I am so sorry! I had no wish to upset you--' " No," Laura said, groping for a handkerchief, 'it is entirely my fault, Lady Polly! Oh, thank you--' as Polly pressed her own handkerchief into her hand '--it is just that I love him so much and I do not think that I can bear it!"

Polly was silenced by this frank admission. Evidently the March night household was not one in which feelings were repressed--or else Laura simply felt so strongly that in her youth and inexperience she could not conceal it.

"It is as you say," Laura was continuing desperately, dabbing at her reddened eyes.

"I believe that Henry had no objection for Mr Far rant is a friend of his, but Mama spoke to me this morning--she said that Mr Far rant, whilst being a perfectly pleasant man, was not a suitable match for me. She felt that his attentions were becoming too marked and that I should discourage him. But I don't want to discourage him!" Her voice rose.

"I am sure Mama will warn him off! Or I shall be sent away! Oh, what shall I do?"

Polly reflected that she was not necessarily the best person to advise Laura on the wisdom or otherwise of going against her family's wishes.

Laura was the same age as she had been when she had been persuaded to refuse Henry's proposal, although Laura could not know that. For all her gentleness, Laura March night seemed to have more cert.i.tude and determination than Polly had ever felt. She was certain of her love for Charles Far rant and would not scruple to admit it. Polly, remembering her own doubts and indecision, felt curiously unqualified to advise her.

Fortunately Laura seemed to feel better simply as a result of pouring her heart out, and was now drying her eyes and tidying herself.

"I expect I look a shocking fright," she said, with a brave attempt at a smile.

"I do apologise, Lady Polly--' Polly touched her hand.

"Do not! Believe me, I can understand how you feel! And that is why my advice is that you can only follow your heart.

But make no hasty decisions! It may be that your parents may relent when they see how steadfast is your affection. " The bright light of determination was suddenly in Laura's eyes.

"Oh, I will! Thank you!"

"You had better come up to my room to tidy up," Polly said, getting to her feet.

"It is unconscionably hot in here, anyway! And it is fortunate that it is such a sunny day! We may tell your mama that the sun has made your eyes water!"

It was unlucky that they came down the staircase at the moment the gentlemen were crossing the hall from the stables. Henry gave his sister a searching glance and followed it up with a no less penetrating look at Polly, which she tried to meet with equanimity. Laura's eyes were still a little pink and puffy, and her hastily proffered excuse that she had been out in the sun met with Henry's look of blandest disbelief. He made no demur, however, when Polly suggested that they join the others.

"I supp pose Laura has been telling you of the scene about Charles Far rant,"

he said sotto voce in Polly's ear as he held the drawing-room door for her.

"It is to be hoped that you were suitably un encouraging!"

Polly's eyes flashed.

"I seem to remember that you professed friendship for Mr Far rant yesterday!"

she hissed, under cover of ringing the bell for more refreshments.

It was impossible to pursue any further conversation, but Polly's heart sank when she considered the implications of Henry's words. If he was not prepared to support his sister, her case looked unhappy indeed.

Fortunately, the d.u.c.h.ess did believe Laura's pretence where her son had been more discerning. Scolding Laura for going out in the sun without a parasol, she also scrutinised Polly's complexion for blemishes and gave a small nod when she failed to spot any freckle.

"Perhaps Lady Polly might like to accompany me out into the garden--with a parasol, of course," Henry suggested wickedly.

His mother frowned.

"A splendid idea, my boy, but not today! Had you forgotten that we are promised to the Fitzgeralds shortly?" She lumbered to her feet and gave a gracious farewell. Polly wondered fleetingly whether Laura would ever be as fat as her mama.

"Charming," said the d.u.c.h.ess, pinching Polly's cheek painfully on her way out.

"Quite delightful. You are to be congratulated on your daughter, ma'am! We shall see you again soon, I hope!"

Nicholas Sea grave was trying unsuccessfully to repress his laughter as they watched the coach rumble off.

"I believe you have just been given the maternal seal of approval.

Poll," he observed.

"What an accolade! The d.u.c.h.ess of March night favours you as a daughter-in-law!"

Polly, examining her mixed feelings, was obliged to acknowledge that one would have to love Henry very much to willingly accept such a mother-in-law.

"Well," the Dowager Countess said fairly, "Laura March night is also a charming child, dutiful and well behaved! Sarah March night was only saying just now that Laura had never given them a moment's trouble!

Why, Polly--' she looked at her daughter with concern '--you look quite pale all of a sudden! Too much sun, I suppose! Oh, the evils of a hot summer!"

Polly was in fact dwelling more on the twin evils of leading the innocent Lady Laura astray and being considered as a potential bride for Lord Henry.

If her mother only knew the advice she had dispensed to Laura but fifteen minutes ago! And the irony of suggesting that Lord Henry should marry anyone when he was so obviously incapable of a necessary steadiness of character!

Polly wandered slowly back up the steps as her mother forged on ahead, instructing Medlyn to have the drains checked, "For this heat is causing all kinds of noxious va pours!"