" 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.

"My lord, I must speak with you... There is a very urgent matter--'

Polly was amazed to find that she was out of breath, sounding quite shaken.

"It concerns your sister--' Henry's attention sharpened. He took her hands in a strong grasp.

"Concerning Laura? What is it? You are shaking, Lady Polly! What can be the matter?"

Polly glanced around instinctively. Most of the guests were preoccupied with the serious business of eating and drinking, but a few glances were being cast their way.

"Not here," she said softly.

"I have a letter for you. It is a delicate matter..."

Henry nodded, offering her his arm.

"Perhaps you will be good enough to show me your father's sculpture collection before supper. Lady Polly? I have heard tell that it is very fine."

It was dark outside and not secluded enough for a private conversation.

They re-crossed the courtyard hastily and went in through the long library doors. The library was in near darkness, only one branch of candles throwing its shadowy light over the sculpture which was indeed accounted very beautiful. Henry shut the door behind them and Polly moved to light some more candles. From a purely practical point of view. Henry would hardly be able to decipher his sister's script in the gloom. Her hands shook a little as she lit the wavering flame and turned back to him.

Henry was standing with his back to the door and Polly felt once again the little leap of her heart that his presence always caused.

"Here." She took the letter from the bodice of her gown and pa.s.sed it over, still warm from the contact with her skin.

"You will be wanting to read it in peace, I am sure, my lord--' But she was not to get away so easily.

"Just a moment--' Lord Henry said, sounding preoccupied. He had already unfolded the missive and scanned its brief contents, but when he looked up at Polly, his gaze was intent.

"When did Laura give this to you?"

Polly glanced at the clock.

"No more than fifteen minutes ago, my lord."

"Then why does she imagine that I will be reading it several hours hence?"

He tapped the letter.

"She states quite clearly here that she will have been gone for several hours, yet you say it is only fifteen minutes! I could catch them up quite easily if I chose!"

"Yes." Polly struggled a little, wishing she had beaten a retreat sooner, 'that is. she asked me to give it to you in a little while but--' She broke off with a slight gesture.

"I thought that you should know at once--' Polly stopped again. This was coming out all wrong and Henry was frowning deeply as he watched her.

"Why?" he demanded.

"Were you so determined that I should put a stop to this? I have not forgotten your aversion to elopements!"

"No!" Polly was stung.

"It is unfair of you to bring that matter up between us again, my lord!

I wish Lady Laura every good fortune! But I could not just stand by with your letter for a few hours and then give it to a servant to pa.s.s to you and pretend that it had not been in my possession all the time!

I just hoped that you would make the right decision--' She broke off. "

Truly, my lord,"