I like to splash in the shallows.’ She gave him a shy smile. ‘The island looks as if it might be enchanted, do you not think so? Perhaps there is a sleeping prince—or princess—waiting to be woken from slumber?’
‘Ridiculous child,’ Jack said in an indulgent tone. ‘I can see that you have read too many fairy stories, Miss Horne. I fear that you will discover life is very different. Are you sure you are eighteen? Your mama should think twice before taking you into London society—I think you are too innocent to mix with the rogues you may find there.’
‘I know that life can be sad as well as happy,’ Lucy replied, lifting her head proudly, because his tone stung her. ‘I have helped out with various events to alleviate the condition of the poor—not only of this country, but others abroad. Papa taught us to think of people less fortunate than ourselves, and I am not ignorant of the evils of poverty.’
‘I was not thinking of the plight of the poor,’ Jack said. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her exactly what he did mean, but he held back. He ought not to be the one to disillusion her. Her mama would no doubt warn her of the kind of men who led young innocents astray. ‘But it is to your credit that you do, Miss Horne.’ He smiled at her, his mood relenting. ‘Come, let us walk back to the house. I believe your sister Mrs Beverley has written some stories for children, has she not?’
‘Oh, yes,’ Lucy said, giving him an enchanting smile. ‘She wrote them for me, you know, because I had always loved fairy stories—but Hal had them published for her as a wedding gift. She has written a few more, I believe, but she does not have much time these days, for they are always so busy entertaining their friends.’
‘Yes, I dare say.’ Jack nodded. ‘I understand there is to be a ball tomorrow evening? Shall you be there?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Lucy said, her lovely eyes glowing. ‘Marianne arranged it because she said it would be good for me to attend my first real dance at her home. I have danced at the homes of my friends, of course, but this is my first ball.’
‘Then you must be looking forward to it?’ Jack was caught despite himself. She was a lovely girl, very young and naïve, of course, but with a pleasing manner. ‘Tell me, what colour is your gown—or is that a secret?’
Lucy blushed as she saw the teasing look in his eyes. He seemed very much more approachable this morning, and she was reminded of the man who had attended her sister’s wedding. He had seemed to be more carefree then and it made her wonder what had changed him, for something had—and it had taken the devil-may-care look from his eyes.
‘It is white with silver spangles,’ she said. ‘And Mama has loaned me her pearls, though I have a pretty pearl-and-diamond bangle of my own that Drew gave me for my birthday.’
‘Yes, charming,’ Jack said, making a note to send her a posy of white flowers—or perhaps pink ones tied with white ribbons. ‘Well, Miss Horne, I think we should join the others for breakfast, don’t you?’
Lucy nodded, feeling shy again. She usually waited until her mama came down to take breakfast, but did not wish to tell him that. After all, how difficult could it be to join the other early risers and talk in an easy and companionable way? She lifted her head, determined that she would give no indication that she was nervous, even if her mama and sisters had not yet come down.
Chapter Two
Lucy felt pleased with herself as she went upstairs a little later that morning. Far from feeling out of place, she had enjoyed being fussed over by the gentlemen who had come down early to take breakfast. She had not been allowed to help herself, but was waited on by one elderly gentleman who called her ‘my pretty’ and piled her plate with tempting morsels from the chafing dishes. Another had filled her tiny cup with coffee and yet another had set her chair.
She had thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of being fussed over, until she had seen Lord Harcourt watching her with what she felt was disapproval in his eyes. However, he had said nothing and somehow the suggestion of boating on the lake and a picnic on the island had come up, which everyone had thought a good idea. By the time Marianne entered the room, it had all but been arranged.
‘Yes, that is a lovely idea,’ Marianne said when it was suggested to her. ‘The island isn’t large, but because of all the trees and the temple, it is nice to walk there on a hot afternoon. I shall have a picnic prepared. We will have that by the lake, but the boats will be available for anyone who wishes to visit.’
‘Oh, how lovely,’ Lucy said, her face lighting up with pleasure. ‘I have been wanting to explore ever since we came here, Marianne.’
‘You should have said, dearest,’ Marianne told her. ‘Drew would have been delighted to take you there. The lake was unremarkable until we took up residence here, you know. He had it enlarged and the island created and it has made all the difference.’
‘May I be one of your party, Miss Lucy?’ General Rawlings asked, smiling at her. ‘I should like to explore the island in your company, m’dear.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Lucy replied, for he had been very kind to her during her stay here. ‘But I expect everyone will want to see it.’
‘It is an enchanted place,’ Jack said, surprising her and himself. ‘I dare say there may be a sleeping prince to discover—or perhaps elves and witches.’
Lucy looked at him in surprise, thinking that he must be mocking her, but she discovered that he had a look of mischief in his eyes. Her heart started to race wildly, for in that moment he had become the man she had loved since they first met.
‘You would not be the first to think that,’ Marianne told him, joining in the laughter. ‘We hold treasure hunts there at Easter for the estate children, and it is surprising what tales they tell.’
After that, the conversation had turned to estate matters, and the problems associated with educating the children of labourers. Marianne had recently set up a school for the children of parents who could not afford to pay, and she liked to visit now and then to see how they were getting on with their teacher. Lucy listened quietly, unaware that Lord Harcourt’s gaze dwelled on her face for some minutes before he got up and excused himself to the company.
Lucy stayed on for a while, excusing herself only after her mama had joined the company, whispering in her ear that Jo was feeling a little unwell and staying in bed until later. She had asked if her young sister would visit her in her bedchamber, and Lucy was very willing to oblige her.
She tapped at her sister’s door, entering after she was invited to find Jo sitting up against a pile of silken pillows, a breakfast tray almost untouched on the table beside her, and some letters lying unopened on the bed.
‘Do you feel very poorly, dearest?’ Lucy asked, dismayed to see Jo looking pale.
‘It is just a little morning sickness,’ Jo told her. ‘I could not face my breakfast and Hal insisted that I stay in bed until noon. I do not wish to disoblige him for I know that my child is important to both Hal and Lord Beverley.’
‘Will Hal mind if the child is not a boy, Jo?’
‘He says that he does not care either way, as long as I am well—but I know that Lord Beverley longs for an heir and I hope that I shall have a son. Marianne’s little girl is beautiful, and I should like a girl one day—but Lord Beverley’s health is precarious, and he already has a granddaughter.’
‘Yes,
