you are still in love with Helene, perhaps?’
The hard, distant look left him then. He cupped her face in his hands.
‘No, I promise you it is not that.’ Gently, he kissed her lips. ‘I must ask you to trust me, just a little longer. Will you do that?’
‘But I do not understand, Ralph. Why—?’
‘I will explain everything on Midsummer’s Day, I promise you.’ He gazed deep into her eyes. ‘Can you do that, Lucy? Can you trust me for just a little longer?’
‘Of course, but—’
He put his fingers against her lips.
‘No buts, my love. Trust me.’
* * *
He loves me, I am sure of it.
Lucy repeated the words to herself as Ruthie undressed her, but when she had blown out the candle and lay alone in the darkness, she questioned why, if she was to trust Ralph, he would not trust her with his reasons.
Unbidden, a memory came back to her. She was standing beside Mama on the pavement while the landlord piled their belongings around them.
‘I don’t understand, Mama. Why didn’t you tell me?’
It was only then, while they waited for Uncle Edgeworth to send his carriage to collect them, that Mama had told her the truth. Only then that she had trusted her daughter enough to share the pain that she had endured during those final years, shielding Lucy, telling her Papa was away painting while in fact he was gambling and drinking himself into a pauper’s grave.
Lucy turned her face to the pillow. Was it always to be thus, that those she loved most would not trust her?
* * *
The problem still nagged at her when she awoke the next day. She had arranged to go out with Caroline and Margaret after breakfast, and Ruthie had laid out her riding habit in readiness. As Lucy made her way downstairs she saw that it wanted but a few minutes to nine, the time Adam had suggested she meet him in the shrubbery. She had fully intended to stay away, certain that she did not want to hear what he had to say, but now instead of going to breakfast she made her way out to the gardens. Adam was Ralph’s cousin; he had known him all his life. Perhaps talking to him might help her to understand why Ralph would not confide in her.
She found Adam waiting for her at the entrance to the shrubbery. As she approached, he held his arm out to her.
‘Good morning, Miss Halbrook. It is such a lovely day no one will wonder at us strolling here, if we should be seen.’
After the briefest hesitation she stepped up beside him, placing her fingers on his sleeve.
‘Sir James will have witnessed a beautiful sunrise this morning.’
It was all she could think of to say. Now she was here she could not bring herself to ask him about Ralph. That would be too disloyal.
‘I am surprised he can go there, knowing it is where his daughter...where his daughter ended her life.’
Lucy said gently, ‘But I understand it was also one of her favourite places.’
‘Oh, yes.’
Adam said no more, and she looked at him. He was frowning, lost in his own thoughts, and she felt a flicker of impatience.
‘Mr Cottingham, I—’
‘You will be wondering what it is I wanted to say to you.’ He interrupted her. ‘I warned you to be on your guard, Miss Halbrook. My cousin is a passionate man.’
Lucy flushed.
‘That is not a crime.’
‘No, when it is under regulation. But...Adversane’s temper is ungovernable.’
‘I have seen no sign of it.’
‘But how long have you known him? I mean really known him, not merely meeting him in company.’
She put up her chin.
‘I think I know him quite well. He is a strong character, of course, but—’
‘Strong! Oh, yes,’ he said bitterly. ‘Adversane must have his way in all things!’ He fell silent, as if fighting with himself. At last he spoke again, his voice unsteady with suppressed anger. ‘It was always thus. As heir to Adversane he was denied nothing—imagine what that did for a temper that was naturally autocratic. He grew up demanding that everyone bend to his will.’
‘I do not believe that.’
‘Oh, he hides it well, dressing up his demands as requests, but he will allow nothing to stand in his way.’
If Ralph wants you, he will have you.
Lucy tried to shut out Margaret’s words.
‘But he is well respected. I hear nothing but praise for him when I go out—’
‘Hah! Money and power will buy you many friends, Miss Halbrook.’
‘No, it is genuine, I am sure—’
But he was not listening to her.
‘Ralph and Helene should never have married,’ he said, scowling. ‘She was an angel. Everyone says so. Everyone loved her. She was too good, too kind for that monster—’
Lucy pulled her arm away.
‘Enough,’ she said angrily. ‘I will not have you talk of Adversane like that!’
She began to hurry away from him, but he followed her.
‘He took Helene for his wife, frightened her with his passion and his harsh words, so much so that in the end she was desperate to get away from him. That is why she ran to Druids Rock on the night of the ball.’
‘You cannot blame Ralph for her accident.’
‘It was no accident.’ Lucy stopped and he continued in a low voice, ‘She went to Druids Rock to end everything, and it was because of my cousin.’
She shook her head and said again, ‘You cannot blame Ralph.’
‘Who else should I blame? He was her husband. He should have cherished her, loved her.’
‘I am sure he did, in his way.’ She looked up suddenly. ‘But how do you know so much of this?’
‘I?’ he said, startled. ‘Why, I am Adversane’s cousin. I spent a great deal of time here. I observed him and his wife. Perhaps I saw too much.’
‘I am not sure you should be telling me this, Mr Cottingham.’
‘But I am concerned for you.’
‘Thank
