“Sylvester has assured me,” Lucas told them, “that the crystal ball from their toy cupboard forecasts sunshine and just the right amount of wind.”
“Well, that is settled, then,” Aunt Kitty said. “One cannot argue with a crystal ball.”
So they would be part of the same small gathering tomorrow, Lucas thought, he and Lady Philippa Ware. But at least it would be outdoors in some large open space in Hyde Park, where it ought to be possible for them to keep some distance between them. Indeed, by now he should be able to put the whole embarrassment behind him and treat her as he would any other casual acquaintance.
Perhaps itwouldbe easy, or easier, if she were not so staggeringly beautiful. But that was shallow of him. Her looks ought not to weigh with him at all. He had done her a cruel and lasting wrong four years ago, and she was unwilling either to forgive or to forget.
He could not blame her. But he could never properly beg her pardon because he could never explain to her why he had reacted as he had that night. He could never explain toanyone.Sometimes the burden of a dark and secret knowledge was almost too heavy to bear.
—
The following morning was sunny and breezy and really quite warm again after a few chilly, damp days—the perfect weather for kite flying. Philippa was in good spirits as she stepped out of the house with Stephanie. Lady Catherine and Jenny awaited them in an open barouche. Sir Gerald Emmett was dismounting from horseback and coming around the carriage to hand them in.He was an ever-cheerful, very good-looking man, and Philippa felt a flutter of interest in him, as she had with several young men to whom she had been presented since her arrival in London. She introduced him to Stephanie, took the seat across from Jenny, and made room for her sister.
Their mother called good morning from the top step and waited to wave them on their way.
“We can still make room for you if you wish to run for a bonnet, Clarissa,” Lady Catherine said, raising her voice.
But Mama, though she thought the whole idea of the outing quite charming and was delighted that her daughters had been included in it, had nevertheless chosen to keep a coveted appointment with her modiste.
“I shall see you tomorrow at Lady Abingdon’s ball, Kitty,” she called. “Do enjoy yourselves.”
“It is not every day one has the opportunity to witness the maiden voyage of a kite,” Sir Gerald said a minute or two later as he rode alongside the barouche while it made its way toward Hyde Park. “I have not been officially invited, Lady Philippa, but my mother assures me I am unlikely to be expelled from the park on that account.”
“I believe Charlotte’s children will be proud that youwantedto come, Gerald,” Jenny assured them.
“I expect this to be great fun,” Stephanie said. “Pippa can remember our brother Nicholas having a kite, but I do not. I must have been very young.”
A long stretch of grass not far from the Serpentine had been chosen for the kite flying. It was half past nine in the morning, a time when many members of thetonwould still be in bed recovering from last night’s revelries. But here a cluster of people was already gathered about a hollow oval, upon which the kite itself wasstretched. They included Viscount and Viscountess Mayberry, another young couple Philippa had not seen before, an older couple, also strangers to her, and the Marquess of Roath. There were five children, all of whom were fairly bouncing with suppressed energy, and one older boy, neither child nor man.
They all turned to watch the barouche being maneuvered into position behind a line of empty carriages. A few people raised a hand in greeting. Susan came racing across the grass toward them, hand in hand with a little boy about her own age.
“Great-Aunt Kitty! Aunt Jenny!” she shrieked as she approached. “I was terribly afraid you would not come, but Mama kept saying you were not even late yet. And you have brought Lady Philippa! I bet this is Lady Stephanie. Aunt Jenny told us about you and said you might enjoy seeing our kite flying, so we added your name to the invitation. Mama had to help Raymond with the spelling.Thank youfor coming. And you have come too, Cousin Gerald, even though we did not send an invitation. Mama said you would be busy with other things and we had better not subject you to having to think up a good excuse. But she was wrong and you have come anyway. This is my cousin Matthew, Lady Philippa and Lady Stephanie. Everyone always says we are the same age, but I am actually the elder by three weeks and four days.”
“Gracious!” Lady Catherine said as Sir Gerald dismounted from his horse and opened the door of the barouche to hand her down. “I do believe you said all of that in one breath, Susan. How do you do, Matthew? Oh, you wish to hold my hand to escort me over to the others, do you? How very gentlemanly of you.”
“Not only did I have nothing else of any great importance to do today, Susan,” Sir Gerald told her, “but I was also so excited about coming here this morning that I could scarcely sleep last night.”
“You are funning me,” Susan said, taking Lady Catherine’sother hand and pulling her toward the kite. “You always joke more than you are serious, Cousin Gerald. I bet you snored all night long.”
“We managed to get closer than I expected,” Sir Gerald said, turning his attention back to his cousin in the barouche. “You are going to have an excellent view from here, Jenny. I shall escort the ladies to join the others and then come and keep you company.”
“There is really no need—” Jenny began.
But Philippa was already moving to take Lady Catherine’s place beside Jenny. “I intend to stay here,” she said. “But not just to give Jenny my company. I can also see that we will have the best and most comfortable seats in the house.” She would also be able to remain some distance away from the Marquess of Roath.
Sir Gerald turned his smile upon Stephanie and offered his hand to help her descend.
“Oh,” she said. “Perhaps I ought...” And she turned an uncertain look upon Philippa.
“Do go and join the fun, Stephanie,” Jenny said. “The children will love having you close by.”
Sir Gerald helped her down and then offered his arm.
Within moments, it seemed to Philippa, he was talking to her sister and Stephanie was chatting back and beaming happily.
“She is very sweet,” Jenny said. “I like her exceedingly.”
“She was genuinely excited about coming here this morning,” Philippa said. “Especially as we were coming with you.”
