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!"

Nicholas's eyes met Lucille's and they exchanged a smile of complicity.

"Do something, Nicholas!" the Dowager besought again.

Nicholas crossed to his wife's side and took her hand.

"But Mama, there is nothing more I can do! I had already met them at the gates and offered them the use of my travelling carriage! Harry a.s.sured me that they should make Ruth ford late tonight and are to be married in the morning!"

The Dowager Countess gave a m.u.f.fled squeak. "Tonight! But Polly is unchaperoned! Even if they are to be married tomorrow, what is to happen tonight?"

There was a brief silence. Peter and Hetty studiously avoided each other's gaze. Nicholas Sea grave raised his eyebrows.

"What do you think?" he said.

It was early evening when they reached Ruth ford. Polly had fallen asleep on the journey, her head resting on Henry's shoulder, and awoke just as the carriage pulled up in front of the house. She had a confused impression of mellow stone and part-timbering before Henry ushered her up the steps and into the hall, handing her over to his housekeeper, Mrs Owen, to show her to her room. They ate alone in a small but tastefully appointed dining-room and, after the meal, took a turn along the terrace as dusk was falling. Away to the west the clouds were building and Polly shivered at the sound of distant thunder.

"I have spoken to Father Beck ham and he is very happy to marry us in the morning," Henry said conversationally.

"You are very quiet, Polly. I hope..." he took Polly's cold hand in his warm one 'that it is not a sign that you have changed your mind! "

The warmth of his touch helped to rea.s.sure Polly. "It is just that it seems so strange," she said excusingly, 'and so unexpected, for all that I have been wanting to marry you these five years past! And suddenly we are alone.

" "Yes." Henry tucked her hand comfortingly through his arm.

"It is bound to seem a little strange at first. Perhaps we should retire to the drawing-room and I shall read my paper and you may essay a little needlepoint, and we shall be like any old married couple!"

Polly laughed.

"I had no idea that marriage to you would be such a dull affair, my lord!

Perhaps I should change my mind--' " Too late," Henry said cheerfully.

"You are compromised beyond redemption, I fear, and..." he drew her closer 'should there be any doubt I should be happy to confirm that I had seduced you thoroughly! " "I wonder how Hetty and Peter ever came to--,?" Polly broke off, blushing rosily.

"Well, no doubt I should not speculate..."

"Were you shocked when the truth came out?"

Polly considered.

"Not shocked, precisely, at least not at what they had done. It was... understandable. But I was surprised and perhaps a little--' "

Envious? " Henry's grey eyes held a spark of mischief.

"A pity then, that we are to be so respectably married on the morrow!"

"There is always tonight," Polly said, casting him a look under her lashes.

Their eyes met in a long moment of tension, then Henry shook his head reluctantly.

"For once in my life I am determined to behave in an honourable fashion!"

he said.

It did not seem, however, that Henry's scruples prevented him from kissing Polly goodnight in the most thorough way imaginable. They made slow progress back inside and up the wide wooden staircase, entwined as they were in each other's arms. They stopped again outside Polly's bedroom door.