“For about ten seconds, before we all followed them into the undergrowth. But then you cleverly suggested she retire from the game, and you ended up sitting on that bench with her forhours, deep in conversation. So clever of you! What were you talking about so intensely? And laughing together, damn your impudence!”
“Frogs,” Ian said at once, laughing. “She was telling me some tale about her brother Eustace who thought it a fine joke to gather frogs from the pond and release them in the schoolroom. They were hopping everywhere, the girls were screaming, the governess was up on a chair… it must have been highly entertaining.”
“Frogs? You were talking about frogs the whole time?”
“Shewas talking about frogs. I was watching the way her hands move constantly, and the expressions on her face that change second by second, and the way her eyes become a muchbrighter green when she is excited, and the way the ribbons of her bonnet make her throat look so smooth and white.”
Both men sighed.
“Ah yes,” Marsden murmured. “And you have been married to her for five years, you lucky, lucky man.”
“And another fifty, I hope,” Ian said grimly.
He must get her back — he must!
8: On The Road To Northumberland
“What do you mean, I cannot have any funds?”
Izzy glared at the portly bank manager, who was wringing his hands nervously.
“I am very sorry, my lady, but I have had explicit instructions from his lordship not to disburse any moneys at all to you, for any reason. It is his lordship’s account, my lady. I cannot disobey a direct order.”
“Then what am I to do, sleep under a hedge? Is that how my husband expects me to contrive? Am I to starve?”
“His lordship enclosed a letter to be given to you, my lady.”
He unlocked a drawer and brought out a sealed letter. Izzy snatched it from his hand.
‘My dearest Izzy, Forgive me for thwarting your plans. If you have some funds left, I suggest you go to Corland directly, and await me there. If you are utterly at a standstill, then find an hotel and send word to Corland. Your father will pay your shot, and look after you until I arrive. However, he too has instructions not to fund you any further on this recklessadventure of yours. When I catch up with you and we are safely in wedlock again, I shall be happy to advance you some of your next quarter’s allowance so that you may continue your travels. I would not for the world deprive you of any pleasure, but we must settle this business once and for all. Yours in affection, Ian.’
“Pft! This is ridiculous.” She crumpled the letter angrily in her hand. “Go to Corland, indeed!ThatI shall not! If he thinks he can stop me like this, he is very much mistaken.”
“My lady, I am so very sorry but—”
“Of what use to me is your apology? It ismoneyI need, not words.”
Without another word, she spun on her heel and strode out of the bank. York was bustling, as ever, but the quality of her clothes and the rage emanating from her ensured that the crowds thronging the streets skirted warily round her. In the inn yard, a post chaise was being readied under Olly’s watchful eyes.
“A problem?” he said, seeing her countenance. “Maybe I should have come with you.”
“It would have made no difference, and the problem is only temporary. Where are the boxes? Still inside?”
He nodded, and she turned to enter the inn, but stopped, suddenly arrested by the sight of a black horse being saddled.
“That is a fine beast,” she said. “It is very like one I saw in Scarborough, and perhaps also at Bridlington.”
“One horse looks much like another to me,” Olly said.
“But this fellow has a notch out of one ear. Very distinctive. Strange. I suppose it is not impossible that there are two such in the country.”
Entering the inn, she went along a narrow corridor, past the common room and into the private parlour where Sophie was still nibbling at the cold collation that had been laid out for them.
“Oh! They would not give you any money?”
“No. Ian had written to them. Look at that!” She thrust the letter at Sophie and knelt down to unlock her box. “It is a pity I have none of my good pieces with me, for that would have kept us going for months. However, this will do for now.”
“Your lovely diamond pendant? Oh, Izzy, you are not going tosellit?”
