Maude smiled warmly and poured a second cup of tea for Rebecca. “You are very fortunate to have such agenerous brother,” she said. “I am glad Mr. Sinclair hascome home so that we might make his acquaintance.”
Rebecca was aware of Mr. Bartlett’s eyes on her andlooked up at him. He was frowning broodingly. “He isriding with Miss Shaw this afternoon?” he asked, shiftinghis glance to Julian.
Julian glowered. “Yes,” he said. “She don’t seem so interested in me since Christopher came home. Can’t say Iblame her really. He is top of the trees, I can see that.”
“And so will you be soon enough,” Maude said gently,“especially after your Grand Tour.”
Mr. Carver and Ellen are with them,” Primrose added. “They would not let me go with them because I wouldmake an odd number. Or so Ellen said. I would haveenjoyed going. Mr. Carver is so funny, though I do notbelieve he always means to be. Just seeing him laugh isenough to put me into convulsions.”
Rebecca smiled. She could not help but agree.
“Have you had your invitations to the Langbourne ball, Lady Holmes?” Primrose asked. “I cannot imagine why Idid not think of it until now. We were in a fever ofexcitement this morning. Ellen could not go last yearbecause she had a chill, and this is the first time I havebeen included in the invitation. And they must have heardof Christopher and Mr. Carver being here because they areto go too.”
“Sir Clive and Lady Ethel Langbourne always pride themselves on having as great a squeeze as possible fortheir annual ball,” Maude said. “They must indeed havediscovered the goings-on for miles around, for Stanley wasincluded in our invitation. You have a card too, Rebecca.Did you not see it on the hall table?”
“No,” Rebecca replied. “I must admit that I had only two thoughts as I came through the hallway, and thosewere to reach a comfortable chair and the teapot.”
“You will be accepting the invitation I trust, Miss Shaw?” Mr. Bartlett asked with his charming smile.
“I really do not know,” she said. “I went to sit with Ellen and Primrose last year, I remember.”
“Ah, but there will be no one needing your services at home this year,” he said, “and the gathering would certainly not be complete without your presence, you know.”
“You really must come, Rebecca,” Maude agreed. “Igreatly admire you for all the useful work you do, but Ireally would like to see you enjoy yourself more. Do youthink the Reverend Everett will be invited?”
“He was last year,” Rebecca said, “though he was forced to send his apologies at the last moment in order tostay at a deathbed.”
“Perhaps you will both be able to go this year,’’ Maude said. “It will be good for you.”
“I think we should be starting back, Prim,” Julian said. “It looks as if it may rain before the day is out.”
“Oh, Miss Shaw,” Primrose said, jumping to her feet, “do come and see me on Peter’s back. You will see howreally splendid he is.”
Rebecca got to her feet with a smile. “Lead the way,” she said.
They were in the stable yard, Primrose and Julian already on horseback, when Harriet and Christopher came riding in. Rebecca was clasping her arms, rubbing themagainst the chill which the brisk wind was causing. Loudgreetings were exchanged.
“What a glorious day for a ride!” Harriet said brightly. “Of course, we could have had a much brisker gallop ifMr. Carver had not been with us. He is quite staid.”
“Luke?” said Christopher, dismounting and holding uphis arms to lift Harriet to the ground. “Not at all. He wasjust wise enough to know that the countryside over whichwe were riding was not suitable terrain for a gallop.”“Pooh,” said Harriet. “I have been galloping over allthe land hereabouts for years.”
“Then you are very fortunate, young lady,” Christopher said with a smile, “to still have a neck on which to balance your very pretty head.”
Harriet tittered and smiled coquettishly into his face, which was very close to hers at that moment.
He released his hold on her waist and turned to Rebecca. “I’ll wager Primrose dragged you out here to see her Peter, Miss Shaw,” he said. “She seems to feel thatthere is no greater treat in life for other people than to beallowed to view her horse, especially with her perched onits back. But you are cold. You should have brought ashawl with you.”
She smiled rather stiffly. “I shall go back inside in a moment,” she said. “And indeed, I must agree withPrimrose. Peter is well worth seeing.”
He held her eyes for longer than seemed necessary. “You look tired after a day of teaching,” he said, his eyessearching hers. “It must be an exhausting business. May Iescort you inside?” He offered his arm.
“No!” she said breathlessly and hastily. “Indeed I am not as tired as all that, sir. The air feels good. I shall saygood-day to you all.” She turned and would have left thefour of them standing there.
“Christopher,” Primrose said suddenly, “Miss Shaw says that she is not sure if she will attend the Langbourneball next week. Do you tell her she must. You are verygood at bullying people.”
“I wish I could bully you into a greater display of good manners, my girl,” Christopher said as Rebecca clutchedher arms harder in an agony of embarrassment. “I have nowish to coerce Miss Shaw into doing anything she does notdesire to do.”
“Oh,” Harriet said. “You must come, Rebecca. You can be so stuffy sometimes, but you are only six-and-twenty. Really that is not so old. It will be a few years yetbefore you will be forced to sit with the chaperons.”
