The Scarlet Gown Read online

  A blush stole up her body. She felt it burning her neck and then her whole face was aflame. She saw that a dull flush had also crept into Ralph’s cheeks. He said softly, ‘Well, Lucy?’

  Everyone was watching. Lucy met Ralph’s eyes. There was a smile in them, but a challenge, too, and she could not resist it. She stepped closer and placed her hands on his lapels, standing on tiptoe as she reached up to kiss his cheek. His hands came up to cover hers, he moved his head and captured her lips with his mouth.

  Sparks flew. Cannon roared. She closed her eyes, wanting the kiss to go on for ever, but she could hear his sisters laughing and clapping, and even more disturbing was Ariadne’s gasp and muttered protests. Lucy dropped back on her heels, blushing furiously. Ralph cleared his throat.

  ‘Shall I carry the box up to your room?’

  ‘No, no, I can manage.’

  ‘Very well.’ He released her hands. ‘I must go and see Colne.’

  She saw his brows contract as he heard his sisters giggling, and he bent a frowning look upon them.

  ‘I hope you are satisfied, ladies,’ he barked, then turned on his heel and strode off, shouting to Byrne to come and clear away the mess.

  Chapter Nine

  The final guests, Adam Cottingham and his wife and the Prestons, arrived later that day. Lucy was pleased she had already met Ralph’s cousin, for she could then give more attention to his wife when the couple were shown into the drawing room. Judith Cottingham was a colourless little woman with a habit of looking to her husband after her every utterance. Her brown hair had lost any glow it might once have had and there were no roses in her cheeks. Lucy thought she looked distinctly unhappy, and put aside her own nerves in an attempt to make her smile. She did not succeed, and was relieved when Caroline drew her away.

  ‘Do not trouble yourself with Judith Cottingham,’ Caro murmured when they had moved off. ‘She is such a timid little thing, and has no conversation at all.’

  ‘She seems very dependent upon Mr Cottingham.’

  Caroline flicked a glance over her shoulder.

  ‘He is her sole delight—if you can call it delight.’

  Lucy wanted to ask her what she meant but was distracted by the arrival of the last of the house guests, Sir James and Lady Preston and their daughter, Charlotte. The parents were an ill-assorted pair. Sir James was a solid gentleman with sharp eyes while his wife was a much paler creature, tall and very slim. Lucy thought she must have been pretty as a girl, but her beauty had faded to the palest pastel colours. However, Lucy’s eyes were drawn to the daughter. She would have recognised Charlotte as Helene’s sister even if the butler had not announced her name. She looked very much like a younger version of the portrait of Lady Adversane—the same golden hair, the same willowy figure, but she had much more animation in her countenance and had not yet outgrown the schoolgirl habit of giggling when a gentleman addressed her. Lucy observed it now, when Ralph greeted the newcomers and smiled at Charlotte, but it did not stop her feeling a little stab of something that she recognised as jealousy. What need had he to hire her when Charlotte was bidding fair to be Helene’s equal?

  No time to think of that. Ralph was talking to the Prestons, holding out his hand and inviting her to join them. Lucy approached nervously. She had dressed with care for this occasion, choosing a fine cream muslin gown that was so universally fashionable no one could say it was a copy of the late Lady Adversane’s. She had also dressed her hair differently, drawing it all back save for a fringe of curls, and the rest cascading in ringlets from a topknot. Ralph had given her a long look when she had appeared, but he had made no comment. Now she hoped that any resemblance to Helene was so minor it would be overlooked. Certainly Sir James and Lady Preston greeted her in a kindly manner, although she found herself blushing when Sir James declared with what she thought forced joviality that he was delighted to meet Adversane’s fiancée.

  ‘It is not yet official,’ replied Ralph calmly. ‘There is no announcement. Nothing is drawn up.’

  ‘No, of course, of course.’ Lady Preston fluttered her fan and gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her faded blue eyes. ‘You wanted to inform the family first, is that not so, my lord? So thoughtful of you. Hasn’t he always been a most thoughtful brother-in-law, Charlotte?’

  Charlotte responded with a giggle, but Ralph was already leading Lucy away, calling to Byrne to bring more refreshments for his guests.

  ‘There,’ he said quietly, when he had drawn her aside. ‘Your ordeal is at an end.’

  She glanced up at him.

  ‘How did you know I was nervous?’

  ‘What fiancée would not be in such a situation?’

  ‘Oh, dear, I hope it did not show too much.’

  ‘Only to me.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘There is only one more couple expected today and that is Harry, whom you know, and his wife, Francesca. They are driving over from Ling Cottage to join us this evening.’

  ‘Then he has no excuse to be late,’ said Caroline, overhearing. ‘If he takes the shortest way.’

  Lucy frowned, trying to picture the route.

  ‘That would be past Druids Rock, would it not?’ Even as she spoke she was aware that the very name had brought conversation around them to an end. ‘Oh, I beg your pardon, I did not intend...’

  Sir James approached, smiling.

  ‘Pray do not think you should not speak of that place in front of us,’ he told her kindly. ‘We are quite accustomed to having lost dear Helene there, and the rock has far greater significance to the world. It is not a place to be shunned.’

  ‘Ah, the druids,’ said Caroline and earned a scowl from her brother.

  ‘No, no, my boy, do not frown her down,’ said Sir James. ‘Lady Wetherell is quite right, even though I do not think she takes it seriously.’ The smile he directed at Caroline was full of smug superiority. ‘Despite Adversane’s dependence upon empiricism and new discoveries, there is a great deal the ancients can teach us.’

  ‘There is no evidence that Druids Rock was ever used by any ancient order,’ retorted Ralph.

  ‘No written evidence, perhaps,’ replied Sir James, unabashed. ‘However, when one has studied the ancients as I have done, one can sense their presence. I shall be visiting Druids Rock to watch the sunrise at the summer solstice.’

  ‘As a guest you are, of course, free to go where you please,’ said Ralph.

  ‘Well, I shall remain in my bed, soundly asleep!’ Lady Preston gave a tinkling laugh and turned the conversation to safer channels.

  More refreshments appeared; wine and ratafia, and tea for those who, according to Lord Wetherell, preferred to corrupt their insides with the pernicious brew. His wife threw him a saucy look as she drew Lucy away from Ralph and carried her off to where Ariadne was pouring tea.

  ‘You can relax now, my dear,’ she said when they had collected their cups and withdrawn to an empty sofa.

  ‘You sound just like your brother.’ Lucy laughed. ‘I admit I was a little nervous to meet Sir James and Lady Preston. I was afraid they would resent my presence.’

  ‘If they do it is because they wanted Ralph to offer for Charlotte.’ Caroline noted Lucy’s look of disbelief and nodded. ‘She may only be seventeen, but Sir James would like to maintain his links with Adversane.’

  ‘That is what Mrs Dean told me.’ Lucy sighed. ‘There is a financial incentive, I am sure.’

  ‘Yes, but not just that. Sir James would like to invite his friends to Druids Rock.’ She smiled. ‘Oh, we may think it a fine joke, but Sir James was one of the founder members of The Ancient Order of the Druids and he would very much like to hold a druidical ceremony at the rock. Ralph will not countenance it, although I know Helene tried to persuade him on her father’s behalf. Sir James wrote again to Ralph last summer and asked if he might bring a party t
o celebrate the summer solstice at Druids Rock.’

  ‘Celebrate?’ Lucy’s eyes widened. ‘At the place where his daughter had died only twelve months before?’

  ‘I know. It sounds very callous, doesn’t it? Ralph flatly refused, of course.’

  Another thought was forming in Lucy’s head. She said slowly, ‘Do you think that is why Helene went there—to see the sun rise?’

  ‘Possibly, although she had gone there with her father a few days earlier to see the sunrise at the solstice. Midsummer, or St John’s Eve, is a very different celebration and nothing to do with Sir James and his druids. Bonfires are lit all along the valley, and Ralph always sends a side of beef to the village, that they may feast in style. And, of course, there are the theatricals at Adversane.’

  Caroline looked up, smiling, as other guests approached and the conversation moved on.

  * * *

  The party broke up soon afterwards and everyone went off to change for dinner. When Lucy went up to her room she found the Long Gallery deserted and she took the opportunity to look at the portrait of Helene again. She looked very wistful, but had she really been so unhappy?

  ‘She is very beautiful, isn’t she?’

  Lucy jumped. She had been so absorbed in her own thoughts that she had not heard Adam Cottingham approach. Now she looked round to find him standing at her shoulder.

  ‘I think she looks a little sad,’ she remarked.

  ‘She was.’

  ‘You knew her, did you not, Mr Cottingham?’ Lucy hesitated. ‘Was she not happy here?’

  He stared at the painting.

  ‘No, she was not,’ he said at last. ‘Perhaps—but I should not say this to you.’

  ‘Oh, please,’ she said earnestly, ‘please tell me what you think. I would much rather things were out in the open.’ She thought sadly of her father, of his absences and her mother’s unexplained tears. ‘One cannot deal with difficulties if they are unknown.’

  ‘Very true, Miss Halbrook.’ He looked back at the portrait. ‘My cousin is not an easy man to live with. He can be... How should I put it? Tyrannical.’

  ‘Oh, surely not,’ said Lucy impulsively. ‘I know he can be a little abrupt, but surely—’

  ‘She was very fragile, you see. Far too meek and quiet to hold her own against Adversane.’ His glance flickered to Lucy. ‘You have the look of her.’

  She blushed and disclaimed, ‘It is a mere fancy, sir.’

  ‘Perhaps.’ He smiled. Lucy did not know what to say, but her silence went unnoticed for Adam continued, as if he was speaking to himself. ‘Everyone loved her for her kind heart, but she was too complaisant, submissive, even. She needed to be worshipped, like a goddess. Ralph never understood that. He was impatient with her. In the end I do not think she could stand it any more.’

  A sudden chill ran through Lucy.

  ‘No. He is not a tyrant, truly.’ She thought of the paint box. ‘He can be very kind.’

  ‘Kind enough, I grant you, when one adheres to his wishes.’ He added quickly, ‘Forgive me, I should not have said that. I have not seen Ralph for some time. He may well have changed, mellowed. Yes, of course. It must be so, if he has won your regard, Miss Halbrook.’

  She did not know what to say but nothing was necessary. Adam gave a sad little smile, bowed and left her.

  * * *

  ‘I’m to dress you in the blue silk again tonight, miss, with the silver stars in your hair,’ said Ruthie. ‘Lord Adversane’s orders.’

  Kind enough, when one adheres to his wishes.

  Lucy desperately wanted to put it to the test, to tell Ruthie to take the beautiful gown away and bring her another, but something held her back. Her eyes went to the paint box resting on top of the chest of drawers. By that one act of kindness Ralph had bought her loyalty, at least for a little longer.

  Her maid had just put the finishing touches to Lucy’s hair when there was a knock at the door. Lucy remained at her dressing table while Ruthie went to answer it. Her heart began to thud against her ribs when she heard Ralph’s deep voice announcing that he had come to escort Miss Halbrook downstairs.

  Lucy rose and took a last look at herself in the mirror. The sun of the past few weeks had bleached her hair, making her resemblance to Helene even more marked. Why was he doing this? Why was he putting her through this ordeal?

  A simple business transaction.

  The words came back to her. She had agreed to it, but had she quite understood what was involved? Resolutely, Lucy turned towards the door.

  ‘I am ready, my lord.’

  * * *

  Ralph had not come into her room but was waiting for her in the passage. His figure loomed large in the narrow corridor, a shadowy form with only the snowy linen at his neck and the frills at his wrists standing out, almost glowing in the dim light. He did not move as she went out to meet him, but subjected her to a hard stare. She felt a flicker of annoyance and put up her chin.

  ‘Well, my lord, do I look sufficiently like your dead wife?’

  Nerves and unease added a sharp note to her voice, and she expected a blistering retort, but as she drew closer she was surprised to see an odd little smile playing about the corners of his mouth.

  ‘It is strange, Miss Halbrook, but when I look at you I no longer see the resemblance.’

  ‘Well, you may be sure your sisters saw it when I came down to dinner yesterday in this very gown.’

  ‘You are not wearing it for their benefit.’ He held out his arm. ‘Come along, Miss Halbrook, or we shall be late.’

  That implacable note was back in his voice. She knew it would be futile to question him further and silently accompanied him down to the drawing room. The buzz of voices she could hear through the door suggested that the other guests were already gathered. As they entered, Lucy’s apprehensive gaze went immediately to Sir James and Lady Preston. Sir James merely smiled but his wife, more astute where matters of fashion were concerned, gave Lucy a long, unsmiling stare.

  ‘Ah, here is our host.’ Lord Wetherell greeted them cheerfully. ‘I was just describing the very superior brandy you have in your cellars, was I not, Cottingham—Cottingham?’

  ‘What? Oh, yes, yes.’ Adam crossed the room to address Lucy. ‘My wife is longing to become better acquainted with you, Miss Halbrook. Let me take you over to her.’

  Lucy’s fingers closed on Ralph’s sleeve, as if she did not want to leave his side. Quite irrational, she told herself crossly, and hoped no one would notice. Save Ralph, of course. He could not fail to feel her clutching his arm. However, Sir James had addressed a question to him, and he merely gave her hand a pat before moving away from her. Adam led Lucy across to sit beside his wife, and he pulled up a chair to join them.

  Unlike their earlier meeting, Judith Cottingham now exerted herself to be friendly. Gratified and relieved to be away from Lady Preston’s disapproving presence, Lucy responded in the same vein. The conversation covered a wide range of subjects but it was interspersed with questions. It was only natural, she thought, that they should want to know about her family and how she had met Ralph.

  She answered as best she could, keeping to the history she and Ralph had agreed upon, but she could not be sorry when he interrupted them, laying one hand on her bare shoulder.

  ‘I am sorry to carry you away, my dear, but Harry has arrived and you have yet to meet his wife.’

  His touch was very light but it sent a tingle of excitement running through her, heating her blood and rousing an ache of longing deep within. Lucy quickly stifled it, reminding herself it was all a charade to convince his houseguests.

  * * *

  ‘Thank heaven for that,’ she murmured as they moved away. ‘I had not realised until they began asking me questions that there are so many gaps in the story we devised!’ />
  ‘I thought you were looking harassed. We need to find some time alone to make sure our stories match. Slip away and join me in my study in... Let us meet on the half-hour. That will give us time to discuss the matter and be back here well before the dinner hour.’

  His tone was matter-of-fact and the suggestion was most definitely a sensible one, but the sad truth was that Lucy did not feel in the least sensible when she thought of being alone with him. She might tell herself that she struggled even to be friends with Ralph, but his presence disturbed her in a way she did not understand. Once again she had to push aside her distracting thoughts as he led her across the room to make the final introduction of the evening.

  Francesca Colne was as cheerful and friendly as her husband, and Lucy was soon at her ease.

  ‘Lord Adversane says you live in London,’ said Mrs Colne. ‘This must be very different for you.’

  ‘It is, but I am enjoying it very much,’ replied Lucy.

  ‘And have you settled in well, Miss Halbrook?’ Harry asked her. ‘You never did come to ask me all your questions about the house.’

  She returned his smile. ‘Lord Adversane answered most of them for me. And his sisters have been very good, too.’ Her glance flickered over Ralph. ‘They told me a little about you and Adversane when you were boys.’

  ‘Then that is something you can tell me.’ Francesca laughed.

  ‘I think it is best forgotten,’ Ralph growled, but the smile in his eyes gave the lie to his menacing frown.

  Harry grinned.

  ‘Dear heaven, what on earth have they been telling you, Miss Halbrook?’

  ‘Nothing so very bad,’ she admitted with a chuckle. ‘The worst I heard is that Lord Adversane broke his collarbone.’

  Harry laughed. ‘Yes, on Druids Rock! We were competing to see who could scale the cliff face the quickest. Ralph was in the lead but then he missed his footing and fell. However, the injury saved him from the beating that I received.’