‘Just a trifle hot. It is nothing. Lucius Radstock has just gone to find me some lemonade, but you can be sure he will return with Godmanchester. I said nothing, but he is frighteningly acute, and they are close friends. Even if it were only the heat he would fetch him to me, but, oh, trust him to guess at something more.’ She blushed, and her eyes misted slightly. ‘Though it might be he has guessed from Godmanchester’s demeanour. Bless him, he is so pleased.’ She sighed and took Elizabeth’s hand. ‘I only wish I could see you as happy as I am, my dear friend.’
‘I think you found the best of men, Helen. I doubt I17could be as fortunate, and if not, then I am happier single.’
‘Do not say so, please. To think of you hiding yourselfaway in Sussex …’
‘Hiding? No such thing! Were I but older it would be easy. I admit that at present the thought of having to have a companion and oh, all the constraints, is irksome, but far more irksome it would be to be wed to some man or other without real love. And that is rare. You are very fortunate.’
‘I am. He is such a dear. Overprotective, of course, at themoment, but …’
‘Well, even I would not deny a man the right to feel so in such circumstances.’
‘Even you?’
‘Ah.’ A dimple peeped in Elizabeth’s cheek. ‘I would prefer to deny men everything, but …’
‘Your lemonade, my lady.’
Elizabeth flushed and half turned, looking over her shoulder. Sir Lucius Radstock presented the glass to Lady Godmanchester, and she wondered if he had overheard her. If he had done so he gave no sign, and Elizabeth heaved a sigh of relief.
‘I took it upon myself to tell Godmanchester that you were a trifle indisposed,’ the grey eyes held far too much understanding, ‘and he will be here … Ah, now.’
‘My love?’ Godmanchester’s handsome face wore a frown of concern.
‘My lord, really. It is nothing, except that the warmth of the room became a little oppressive. I beg you will not look so, nor whisk me away on the instant, for it would be as well to announce everything in the newspaper, and I18shall have no peace from the busybody mamas with their sovereign remedies and recommendations from now until I have to retire from Society.’
‘Not immediately then, but soon.’ He smiled, but the worry remained in the hazel eyes.
‘Oh.’ Lady Godmanchester put her hand to her lips. ‘How imprudent of me. Sir Lucius, I beg of you …’
Sir Lucius bowed. ‘Not imprudent, my lady, since I had already surmised, and you may be sure I shall not reveal anything, especially to any, er, “busybody mamas”. My felicitations, to you both.’ He acknowledged his friend with the briefest of touches upon the arm. ‘And now I find myself somewhatde tropand will go in search of something rather stronger than lemonade. Ladies.’
With a bow and a smile he turned, and Elizabeth watched his tall form weave its way between the guests until lost from view.
‘Good fellow, Lucius,’ remarked Godmanchester, a little gruffly. ‘Now, my love. If you are perfectly sure you are not unwell I will, most reluctantly, leave you, but be advised I shall return within the half hour and bear you off home.’ He lifted his wife’s hand to his lips and kissed it.
‘My lord, what will people say?’ She coloured.
‘That I adore my wife, which is perfectly true. Half an hour, my dear, no longer.’ He smiled at her, spoke a few words to Elizabeth, and withdrew.
‘You see how fortunate I am, Elizabeth?’ Lady Godmanchester blinked away a tear. ‘When he offered for me I could not claim to have had more than a slighttendrefor him, a predisposition towards him, perhaps. But then,19I did not know him, the private “him”, you understand. But oh, before the end even of the honeymoon, my feelings for him were as strong as his for me. Forgive me. I am emotional. You must put it down to my delicate situation. There, I am quite composed again.’
‘What need for apology?’ Elizabeth patted her hand. ‘Indeed, it is I who should apologise, for I have not congratulated you, which was remiss, though I hope you knew it, even unspoken.’
‘Of course I did. You know, perhaps one reason I felt unwell was lack of food. I am really not able to take more than a dry, sweet biscuit in the morning, and my appetite today was wayward, but I did see that there were spiced apple tartlets. Shall we go and see if there are any remaining, and then I will return here quietly to await my lord.’
Lady Godmanchester took her friend’s arm and they made their way to where various delicacies had been set out, the fair head of the countess contrasting with Elizabeth’s own dark locks.
Lady Godmanchester laid her head against her husband’s broad shoulder in the darkness of the carriage, letting her fingers entwine with his, and sighed.
‘I am sorry if I seemed dictatorial, my dear.’ He spoke gently, and breathed in the fragrance of the perfume in her hair.
‘No, no. I was ready to leave, I promise you, but I was so glad to be with Elizabeth again. I asked her to visit me tomorrow afternoon. I told her I wished she might be as happy as I am, though I doubt that is possible.’
20‘Say that again.’
‘I am so happy, blissfully happy, Giles.’ She sighed again, and he turned slightly to kiss her.
‘My love.’
