‘How very delightful,’ said Monica.
‘Delightful indeed.’ Dan turned to Kate. ‘Miss Summerby, it’s fortunate that we have met. You see, I wanted to remind you about the Prince’s party tomorrow evening, at the Royal Pavilion. You remember?’
A party at the Pavilion? Kate’s eyebrows shot up in astonishment, but she also felt warm laughter bubbling up inside.Brilliant.‘Of course I remember, my lord,’ she said demurely.
‘Then I shall call for you with my carriage at eight.’ He turned to Monica and Edward. ‘How interesting to meet you, Mr and Mrs Terrance. Kate has mentioned you, of course. But it’s never quite the same as encountering people in person, is it?’
Monica’s mouth had been wide open since the mention of the Prince’s party. ‘My lord, I hope my sister has spoken kindly of us! We adored having her as part of our happy family, but dear Kate insisted on this bold move to Brighton, and she can, I fear, be most wilful…’
Her voice trailed away, maybe because even thick-skinned Monica had noticed that the Earl’s blue eyes had narrowed to chips of ice. He turned back to Kate. ‘Miss Summerby, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening. Good day to you all.’
As he rode off, Monica turned to Kate. ‘Aparty?’ she burst out. ‘He has invited you to a party, at the Prince’s Pavilion?’
Since it was the first Kate had heard of it, she was reeling too. But would she go?Let anyone try and stop me,she thought.
Aloud she said casually, ‘Oh, did I forget to mention it? I believe that whenever the Prince is in Brighton, he hosts many parties, so it’s really nothing out of the ordinary.’
‘Nothing out of… Kate, are you are losing your senses? Clearly the Earl possesses great charm, but I do not understand why he is singling you out for his attention!’
Kate shrugged. ‘He has his whims, I suppose.’
‘Well, as I said, perhaps you and I ought to meet tomorrow to talk further. You must be wary of his intentions towards you, because a man of his standing will never contemplate marrying you!’
‘I’m afraid I am busy tomorrow, as it happens. But it’s most interesting to hear of your concern for me.’
Elijah and Rosie had been watching the Earl ride off, but now Elijah was running around pretending to gallop. ‘That horse!’ he shouted. ‘Did you see his horse, mama? Papa, why don’t you have a horse like that?’
‘Because the Earl is one of the wealthiest men in the country and can get whatever he wants.’ Edward was gazing once more at Kate. ‘Isn’t that so, sister-in-law?’
Before Kate could muster a suitable retort, Rosie was dancing up to her and tugging her hand. ‘When I grow up, Aunt Kate, I think I shall marry an Earl. Do they all look like that one?’
‘A lot of them are rascals,’ said Edward. ‘But they lead very entertaining lives.’ He turned to his wife. ‘Monica, I believe it’s time to move on. You promised the children ices, remember?’
Monica’s gaze lingered on Kate. ‘Are you sure you won’t be at home tomorrow? Later in the afternoon, perhaps?’
‘I can’t promise I’ll be at home, no.’
‘A pity. I really need to speak with you. Goodbye for now, sister.’
‘Goodbye, Kate,’ said Edward. ‘It seems as if this sea air is really suiting you.’
Monica began to herd her family back towards the main beach but Kate remained motionless. So, her sister had dragged her family all this way to see her, as she’d threatened in her letter. Was it because she cared? Never.
She stood listening to the seabirds for a moment. This section of the shore was deserted once more, and she could almost have believed that what had happened in that wooden cabin withthe Earl was nothing but a dream or a fantasy, except that she could see the hoof-prints of his horse in the sand. After she’d left the cabin, he must have set off to where he had left his horse then immediately ridden down here to amaze both her sister and herself with the improvised tale about the Prince’s ball tomorrow.
He had done it to help her, she guessed. He must have realised who Monica and Edward were and decided to strike a blow for her against her impossible family. But did he really mean to take her to such an illustrious event? If he was doing it only out of kindness, then she would rather not go because she neither wanted nor needed his pity. Her sister had loudly declared that Dan was not looking for a permanent relationship, and didn’t Kate know that already?
In fact, her spirits were low as she returned to where she had left her pony and gig. On reaching Clematis Villa she didn’t say a word about the Earl, but she did tell Harriet about her sister’s arrival in Brighton, which caused Harriet much dismay until Kate reassured her that Monica and her family were here only for a short time.
Eventually Harriet set off to walk to Tilly and Joseph’s nearby cottage, because they had their two youngest grandchildren staying with them and Harriet loved to call in and help out. So Kate, left on her own, filled the tin bath in the kitchen with water heated on the stove and methodically washed away the salt and sand from her skin and hair. But all the time she was remembering the Earl’s kisses and his strong yet sensitive hands as he caressed her to oblivion.
What was she to do?
She felt an almost unbearable yearning to be in his arms again, to experience once more his lips and his fingers exploring forbidden places and bringing her body to life. Bringing herheartto life, in truth. For she knew now that she had done themost foolish thing possible, and had fallen for a man who had warned her that his heart was quite closed to love.
At last, she towelled herself dry then got dressed, but it wasn’t long before Harriet returned and she burst in on her.
‘Kate! When I arrived just now, a groom was riding into the courtyard. He’s come from the Earl’s house with a letter for you and he’s waiting outside, for your answer!’
