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!"

The sound of horses' hooves on the gravel gave Polly pause just as she was about to go inside. A lone horseman was galloping up the drive, sliding from the saddle in front of her and flinging his reins carelessly to a grinning groom with a familiarity that suggested that he was happy to be home.

"Peter!"

Peter Sea grave picked his sister up and twirled her about.

"h.e.l.lo, Poll! Who was that visiting just now? Pretty little piece, ain't she!"

"Peter," Polly said with asperity, 'that was Lady Laura March night and she has come to the country precisely to avoid rakes such as yourself!

Besides," she added with a little smile, 'you will have to fight Charles Far rant for the privilege--he only met her a sennight ago but he is already smitten!"

"Oh, well..." Peter let her go and gave her a smile that seemed a little frayed at the edges '. I'll secede graciously to Far rant's prior claim! I daresay I am not very welcome here, am I? But I had nowhere else to go! " Polly slipped her hand through his arm.

"You are not in Mama's good books, certainly, but you know she is always glad to see you at heart! What has happened, Peter?"

"Pockets to let," her brother admitted reluctantly.

"I haven't a feather to fly! Oh, G.o.d, Poll, I've been an unmitigated fool!

I heard that Hetty had become betrothed to Edmund Grantley and I got blind drunk and let Weller den's cronies fleece me. So I've come to throw myself on Mama's mercy!"

"It's not just Mama," Polly said, bluntly.

"Nicholas is here too. He and Lucille returned early from their tour, for Lucille is increasing. You have missed all the news, Peter!"

"So it seems," Peter said, clearly torn between pleasure at the news of an impending niece or nephew and concern at finding his brother unexpectedly in residence.

Polly squeezed his arm.

"It will be all right. But how did you hear about Hetty's betrothal?"

"Lady Bolt told me," Peter said bitterly.

"She was at Weller den's place.

Said she'd had a letter from Hetty herself! Straight from the horse's mouth!

" Polly reflected that there were plenty of things one might call Lady Bolt, of which a horse was the most flattering.

"I scarcely think Mrs Mark ham likely to allow Hetty to correspond with Lady Bolt," she said carefully, 'foster sister or no! I think you may have been duped, Peter! " Her brother seemed much taken by this idea.

"Lord, I never thought of that!" He paused in the entrance hall.

"The scheming harpy!"