“An eye is about all you will ever have on me, sir,” Harriet said.
“Sinclair and I have to leave early in the morning,” Mr. Carver continued. “Must have your final answer now.No time for games and nonsense, Harriet. Yes or no?”
“Is that all the proposal I get?” Harriet asked, very red in the face. “Do you call this the way to offer for a lady,sir?”
“Think yourself fortunate not to be slung over m’shoulderand hauled off to the nearest parson,” he said severely. “Yes or no, Harriet?”
“Ohhhh!” she wailed. “Yes, then. I see you will give me no peace until I consent. But you had better not evertry laying a violent hand on me, Lucas, or I’ll, I’ll—”
“May Miss Shaw leave now?” Mr. Carver asked. “Shewill be very mortified to have to stand there and watch mekiss you.”
“You are not going to kiss me,” Harriet said vehemently. “You stay there, Rebecca, if you please.”
“Yes, I am,” Mr. Carver said. “Man has a right to kiss his betrothed. You may leave, Miss Shaw.”
Rebecca left.
A full ten minutes passed between the time when Rebecca returned to the group on the lawn and the arrival of Harriet and Mr. Carver. Harriet was looking very pink inthe face as they approached.
“I know what you are all thinking,” she sang out as soon as she could be heard, and she blushed a deepershade of red, “and you are quite right. I have just consented to wed Lucas as soon as my year of mourning isover and I can leave off my blacks. I consider myselfbetrothed, though Lucas will have to call on Papa’s cousin,of course, as he is now my guardian. Though why I shouldhave to consult a man I have never even seen but oncewhen Mama passed away, I do not know.” Her facecrumpled suddenly. “I wish Papa were here.”
Christopher hastily rose to his feet. “I am more than delighted,” he said. “I am sure you two will suit, though Icannot predict a tranquil relationship.” He grinned. “Onething I can predict, though. Luke will be accepting theinvitation that my mother has pressed on him to come backsoon. Now I think it is time to leave.”
He shook hands with Philip, Harriet, and Maude, and turned last to Rebecca. He had his back to the company ashe held out his hand to her. He spoke for her ears only.
“Good-bye, Becky,” he said, his eyes roaming her face. “I can leave with an easier mind knowing that youruncle has left you an annuity that will keep you in moderate comfort. You will continue with the school?”
“Yes,” she said. There was a raw ache in her throat.
He retained his hold on her hand. “Be happy,” he said. His eyes were holding hers almost desperately.
“Yes,” she said.
He removed his hand and turned abruptly away from her. “Are you ready, Luke?” he asked.
Mr. Carver patted Harriet’s hand, which was still linked through his arm. “Yes,” he said. He turned to Maude.“Thank you, ma’am, for the hospitality you have shownme during m’stay,” he said. “And accept again my deepest sympathies.”
He raised Harriet’s hand to his lips and turned to leave. He and Christopher walked away toward the stables, towhich a groom had taken their horses when they arrived.Harriet and Rebecca stood looking after them while Maudegot to her feet and invited Philip to take tea with them inthe drawing room.
“Horrid man,” Harriet said. “Why would he choose to offer for me only on the day he must leave and when Ineed him so with Papa gone?”
Rebecca did not answer. It was doubtful that she even heard. She was engulfed by mingled panic and indecision,and by a terrible depression. She would never see himagain. He would come riding out of the stable in a momentand disappear down the driveway, and she would neversee him again. Ever.
When the two men appeared on horseback, Harriet sighed and waved her hand. Rebecca swayed on the spot forperhaps half a minute, and then she lifted her black skirtsand flew across the lawn as fast as her feet would carryher. There was no conscious thought in her mind, no ideaof what she would do if she could reach him in time.
Christopher saw her coming and pulled his horse to a stop. He bent from the saddle as she got closer and reachedout a hand for her. Even his movements seemed to beinvoluntary. “What is it, Becky?” he asked, searching her wild expression with concerned eyes. “What is it, love?”
She put her hand in his, but when she stood staring up at him, words would not come.
He let go of her hand, dismounted from his horse, and handed the reins to an interested Mr. Carver. “Take himback to the stable, will you, Luke?” he asked. “Youmight wish to take tea unless you would prefer to go homeahead of me.”
Mr. Carver did as he was bidden, and Rebecca was aware with one part of her mind that Harriet was hurryingacross the lawn toward the stable. She stared numbly atChristopher.
He tucked her hand through his arm and began to walk with her toward the driveway. “What is it, love?” heasked. “What can I do for you?”
“I have to tell you,” she said. “I cannot let you go without telling you that I lied. I do love you. I do,Christopher, and at this moment I do not care what you didto me in the past. I can’t let you go. Don’t leave me. Ifyou truly love me, as you said you did a week ago, don’tleave me. I have no pride left. I love you.”
She did not know what she expected. She had not planned this scene and had had no chance to form anyexpectations. But she began to turn cold when his onlyreaction was to walk steadily on without a word. Theywere well along the driveway, out of sight of the house,when he finally spoke.
