“Well, you’re right there. But that don’t mean I don’t understand. Knew the moment Georgy said you’d been into the inn that you’d seen Vergette and heard enough to make you fly the coop.”
She looked up again. “I couldn’t stay, Alex. How could I accept your parents’ hospitality, knowing what I was? We’d been deceitful already.”
“Well, they know now.”
Her heart sank. “You told them everything?”
He nodded. “And my father said he’d help us if he could. Helpyou, I mean.”
“How can he? What can anyone do? The facts can’t be changed, Alex.”
“No, but you don’t deserve to be shunned, Apple. What kind of people do you think we are?”
She caught her breath and smiled at him. “No, I know you would never do so. You’re much too kind.”
Even in the candle glow, she could see his cheeks darken. To her amusement, he spluttered with embarrassment.
“Balderdash! Kind? Nothing of the sort. And that ain’t what you said when I insisted on keeping you with me.”
She had to laugh. “No, I thought you were horridly autocratic.”
He grimaced. “Suppose I was a bit. But you needn’t think I regret it, for I don’t.”
“Nor I.” She drew a quick breath on a half-sob. “I’ll always be glad I held you up, Alex. It’s been a — a mad ride, but one I would not have missed for the world.”
He was silent for a moment, and Apple began to fidget under his gaze. At last he spoke, and something in his voice touched her to the core.
“You talk as if it’s over between us. Is that what you want? I promised I’d see you safe and take you to Vergette.”
Apple gripped her fingers together, hurting with the effort to keep her voice as natural as she could. “I’m safe here. And — and Mr Vergette advanced me some money so I could travel post. Reddy says she’ll go with me.”
“But that doesn’t answer my question.”
At this excessively awkward moment, Mrs Reddicliffe came in with a laden tray. “The coffee’s boiled, my dears. And I’ve brought in the fresh baked scones.”
Apple jumped up to take the tray and set it on the table, taking refuge in helping Reddy to set out the accoutrements for the coffee, together with plates and a large dish of hot scones.
“I’ve put a morsel of that butter you brought in the dish, my dearie, and I’ve the damson jam made last year, if Master Alex should fancy it.” She did not seem to notice the prevailing atmosphere of disquiet, but ushered them to the table and proceeded to pour the coffee. “Give his lordship a scone, dear, and take one yourself. That’s it.”
Apple set a plate before Alex and offered the dish of scones. He took one, and seemed visibly to pull himself together. “These look good, Reddy. Took a mouthful at Winchester, but feels like hours ago.”
“Then you’d best stay and dine with us, Master Alex.”
He hesitated, glancing at Apple, who quickly dropped her eyes to her plate and took a scone for herself.
“Can’t do that. Already bespoke dinner at the White Horse. Besides, wouldn’t dream of incommoding you.”
Apple was beset by a horrid fear and could not withstand the question. “Are you staying the night?”
He looked at her. “Planned to, yes. Hoped I could persuade you to accompany me back to Dymond Garth tomorrow.”
Oh, no. She’d hoped this purgatory could not last more than an hour or two. The less she saw of Alex the better for her peace of mind, despite the dreadful hollow engendered by the thought of his going.
“You’ll be setting off straight after breakfast then, I dare say.”
She glanced at him as she spoke, and a shaft went through her at the look in his face. She’d hurt him! Instinct urged Apple to retract, put out a hand to seize his and tell him she hadn’t meant it and beg him to stay with her forever. But it could not be. It was better if he thought her indifferent. Better for him at least. She must bear the very different knowledge of her own heart.
Trying for a cheerful note, she buttered a scone with energy. “This is very cosy, Reddy. I do like being here.”
