‘Your brother has left? But why?’
‘He told me it was to attend a regimental reunion back in London, but I suspect it’s because he’s angry with me.’
‘I cannot imagine him being angry with you! Did he have a good reason for it, do you think?’
‘Probably.’ Dan took a deep breath. And then—then, he came out with it. ‘He denounced me over my behaviour towards you, Kate.’
‘Your behaviour to me?’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh, no. He doesn’t know, does he? About us yesterday afternoon, on the beach?’
‘No, he doesn’t. But he knows me all too well and he warned me I should leave you alone, because he thinks I’m a danger to you.’
She nodded slowly. ‘Am I allowed to say what I think?’
He paused to look around. From the other rooms came noise and laughter, but in here they were completely alone. He said at last, ‘Perhaps you better had.’
He could see she was preparing her words carefully, and he braced himself. ‘Very well,’ she said at last. ‘My opinion is this. Any life, if it’s lived to the full, involves choices and therefore risks. You and I have laid out our ground rules. We are oldenough to know what we want, and we are each happy with our independence. But…’ She hesitated.
‘But?’ he queried softly.
‘But if I hadn’t met you, Dan, I would have missed moments I can never forget. Being with you. Dancing with you. Laughing with you. And—’ he saw the soft flush colouring her cheeks and the glow in her eyes ‘—I would never have experienced what happened yesterday afternoon, down on the beach.’
She gazed at him almost defiantly, as if challenging him to answer. But when he said nothing, she spoke again. ‘If I have invited danger,’ she said, ‘it’s because I wanted to. I know this summer won’t last for ever. Your brother is a good man, but please don’t listen to him now. Don’t end the magic yet, because that’s what it is for me, Dan—pure magic. Someday I know you need a wife and heirs, but at the moment we are both in a position to decide what we want. Yes, this must come to an end, but not yet. Not just yet.’
She smiled at him, but her smile was uncertain. ‘There. I’ve said what I needed to. I’ve said far too much, probably. But have I made myself clear?’
Just at that moment some people wandered into the room, and they were so busy talking that they didn’t see Dan and Kate in the far corner.
‘I believe the Earl of Rivington has a guest here tonight,’ someone was saying. ‘He’s with that woman who lives up on the hillside. He seems quite taken with her, but really, what a very odd choice for him— Oh!’
Dan had stepped forward, keeping Kate at his side. ‘Ladies, gentlemen. May I introduce Miss Kate Summerby? She is my neighbour and my friend, and we find that we have a good deal in common—such as avoiding, at all costs, the company of gossip-mongers. We’ll leave you to it.’
Feeling absolutely furious, he led Kate out of there. ‘I’m sorry. That was detestable for you… . Kate, are you all right?’
He had seen that she was pressing her hand to her mouth, and when she took her hand away, he realised she was laughing.
‘I’m quite all right, Dan! And heavens, I’m not upset. I’ve known far worse thanthat. It was actually quite funny.’
‘Funny?’
‘Yes, funny! Their faces were such a picture when they realised we were in there. I often overheard vicious comments during my Season, and I can’t say I found it easy, because I was young and alone. But here I really don’t care, because I’m with you.’
Dan felt moved beyond words. In this vastly extravagant building, so full of show and artifice, Kate Summerby shone like a beacon of courage and honesty—and she was beautiful beyond compare.
Suddenly he realised that he didn’t want to spend any more time in this ridiculous place, holding conversations with people he didn’t even like. He grabbed Kate’s hand. ‘Let’s go, quickly, because soon the music will begin and we’ll never get away. Come.’ He began to lead her towards the doorway.
She looked anxious. ‘Are you taking me home? Is it because I’ve said something wrong?’
‘Hell, no.’ He looked around. ‘As far as I’m concerned, you’re the only person in this whole place who’s said everything right. The problem is that I can’t spend the whole evening here without kissing you. Damn it all, Kate, I don’t think I could last anotherhourwithout kissing you.’ He paused a moment. ‘I suppose Harriet will be watching out for your return?’
‘Actually, no. She has gone to stay with Tilly and Joseph for the night, to help care for their poorly grandchildren.’
‘So if I came to Clematis Villa, no one would know?’
He thought he could see the thrill of excitement rippling through her. She said a little breathlessly, ‘Absolutely no one.’
‘Then let’s get a cab.’ He hailed one on the road outside, and if the driver was surprised to see them leaving the party so early, he made no comment. Dan helped Kate inside, then he took her in his arms and kissed her until at last she broke away, flushed and breathless.
She was thinking,what am I doing?
