Her heart pattered uncomfortably in her breast. Not that she did have any other untold secrets, but the notion that Alex distrusted her so completely was somehow decidedly unsettling.
“I don’t know why you should think so.”
“Because you’re a secretive little monkey.”
“No, I’m not! I’ve been perfectly open with you. I even told you I’d wondered about being adopted.”
The bantering tone vanished as Alex’s brows drew together. “Yes, you did.”
Apple’s spirits dropped. “You think it’s true, don’t you?”
His shoulders shifted. “Don’t know what to think. Except that the whole thing is dashed havey-cavey.”
“That’s what you said about Mr Vergette.”
He nodded. “Been thinking about it. And the more I think about it…”
Apple regarded him steadily. “What? What do you think, Alex? Tell me, pray.”
It appeared to Apple as if he shook himself out of the mood he’d fallen into. He smiled, but it looked forced. “Didn’t mean to say anything about it. Just when you’re starting to settle. You are, aren’t you?”
“It’s not as bad as I feared,” she admitted, diverted. “I’m still getting lost in the maze of your house, but everyone has been kind. Especially your papa. And — and Lady Luthrie doesn’t notice me, for which I have to say I am thankful.”
Alex’s mouth twisted. “She ain’t as uninterested as she seems. Asked me all manner of questions, but I’ve recommended her to ask Georgy. Pretended I didn’t know.”
Apple’s apprehensions started up all over again. “Has she asked Georgy? She hasn’t said anything to me.”
Alex laughed. “My mother knows she’d get no sense out of Georgy. That’s why I said it.”
She was relieved, but the thought of Lady Luthrie wanting to know more about her was decidedly uncomfortable. “Do you suppose she’s been talking to your father, Alex?” she asked on impulse. “I’m sure he is suspicious. Or he was at first. I must admit he has not asked any more difficult questions.”
“That’s because he don’t think of anything else when his attention is on these dratted exotic plants of his. Nor when he’s playing chess, come to that. Can’t bear the game myself, too slow. But suits my father to a cow’s thumb.”
Apple laughed. “He is very restful. I suspect you are much like your mother, Alex.”
“What, you mean impatient and unrestful?” He grinned. “Thought that was you, young Apple.”
A quiver disturbed her heartbeat. “Not at all. It’s you who turns me into a — a—”
“Termagant? Scolding little nag? If that’s so, permit me to return the compliment. I’m never so autocratic as when you drive me up the wall.”
Apple ignored this. “I’m not a scolding little nag, how can you say so?”
“Termagant then.”
“Not that either! Really, Georgy is right to call you a horrid creature. I wish you will go away and let me finish this picture.”
To her mingled astonishment and delight, he dropped down to his haunches and laid a hand over hers, a look half quizzical, half rueful in his face.
“If you want the truth, I’ve missed this, Apple. Bandying words with you. Hate being obliged to pretend you’re no more than an acquaintance to me.” His hand tightened on hers, and Apple could not utter a word for the pounding in her bosom. “It’s odd, but I feel as if I’ve known you forever. Not sure I can stand to lose you when all this is over.”
With which, he let go of her hand, rose to his feet and gave her cheek a light pat, leaving Apple trembling and near to tears as he walked out of the glass structure, closing the door behind him and striding away towards the house.
Chapter Eighteen
The customary mingling at the Luthrie Arms in the village before the hunt set off did not this year fill Alex with the light of anticipation. While he quaffed and responded suitably to friendly overtures of the neighbouring gentry and laughed at the Master’s sallies, his attention kept straying to the carriage where Apple sat with Georgy, who had insisted on coming to see them off. He worried she might be overwhelmed and kept an uneasy eye on her, especially when one or other of the family’s acquaintances went up to greet his sister.
She was honour-bound to present Apple, and Alex could not help feeling uncomfortable about the necessary deception. Difficult enough keeping up pretence before his parents. He’d nearly undone it all yesterday, when Apple presented those extraordinary gifts of hers.
