was yet another perfect day by the lake. In the warm sunshine the water looked impossibly blue and at times the sunbeams seemed to dance on the surface like a shower of diamonds. Mariah looked around her. Theirs was not the only party to take advantage of the coolness to be found by the lakeside and several ladies and gentlemen strolled arm in arm. Out on the lake itself there were various kinds of small boats: some being rowed by eager amateurs, as well as those plied by professionals eager for trade.
‘My nephew was so distressed to miss the picnic,’ Lady Jenkins said, taking a seat next to Mariah. ‘He met with an accident while out walking this morning and was obliged to visit the doctor.’
‘I am sorry to hear that.’ Mariah looked at her in genuine concern. ‘Did Lieutenant Grainger suffer a fall?’
‘That is the most distressing thing about the whole affair,’ Lady Jenkins said, lowering her voice. ‘He begged me not to make a fuss. I was all for sending for the authorities, but he would not have it.’
‘I fear I do not understand your meaning?’ Mariah arched her fine brows.
‘It is quite shocking. Peter was set upon by ruffians, my dear. He says there must have been two of them for they knocked him to the ground and kicked him. He fought back and they ran off, but he has suffered some injuries and was feeling unwell when we left him this morning.’
‘Oh, what a shame,’ Mariah said with ready sympathy. ‘That is a great deal too bad. In the isolation of the hills one has to take care, for there may occasionally be bandits who will attack an unwary traveller, but here at the lakes—I have not heard of such a thing before.’
‘It has made me uneasy,’ Lady Jenkins agreed. ‘I have almost decided to cut short our visit here and move on to Venice.’
‘That would be a pity,’ Mariah said. ‘Though Venice is beautiful, of course, but … perhaps it might be best to speak to the authorities. If there are thieves in the area, they ought to be apprehended.’
‘It is most odd. Peter says he was not robbed, simply knocked to the ground, beaten—and then abandoned.’
‘How very strange.’
‘Yes, I thought so. One would almost suppose him to have an enemy, but he will not hear of it—and he would not wish me to speak of the affair, but I wanted you to know why he had cried off. I know he was looking forward to seeing you again so very much.’
‘It is a shame, of course. However, I am sure we shall meet again soon—unless you feel compelled to leave for Venice immediately?’
Smiling, Mariah rose from her seat, nodded to her hostess and walked slowly towards Andrew, who was standing with Sylvia at the edge of the lake, watching some children playing with a ball.
‘It is a perfect day for being on the water, is it not?’ she asked, then, frowning, ‘Have you heard about the attack on Lieutenant Grainger? Lady Jenkins is quite distressed.’
‘Yes, of course. Lady Jenkins was good enough to invite me to stay with them.’
‘I had not realised that,’ Mariah said. ‘I might have invited you to stay with us.’
‘Had I not already accepted Lady Jenkins’s invitation I should have been happy to do so. I am pleased to tell you that Grainger’s pride is more bruised than his arm, though he wears it in a sling for a slight sprain and was advised to rest.’
‘What is that?’ Sylvia asked. ‘Lady Jenkins told me he sent his apologies, but nothing more.’
‘I dare say he would rather not make a fuss—but apparently he was attacked while out walking early this morning. Some ruffians knocked him to the ground and beat him, then suddenly ran off.’
‘Was he robbed?’ Sylvia looked alarmed.
‘I think not. It was a senseless attack for no reason—unless Lieutenant Grainger has an enemy, of course.’
‘That is so shocking,’ Sylvia said and looked at Andrew. ‘I have not heard of such a thing happening here before—have you?’
‘It is rare, I think,’ Andrew replied. He hesitated, as if he would say more, then changed his mind. ‘He was walking in an isolated area, I believe. You must be safe enough here amongst so many.’
‘Yes, but still …’ Sylvia shook her head in distress. ‘It is disturbing none the less.’
‘Yes, it is a little,’ Mariah said. ‘Lieutenant Grainger was obliged to seek the services of a doctor. Lady Jenkins is distressed and thinks of removing to Venice sooner than she had planned.’
‘I do not blame her,’ Sylvia said. ‘Such things make one uncomfortable. I shall speak to Hubert later. We are engaged to Count Paolo later this week at his home in Milan. He is holding a masked ball in our honour, as you know, Mariah—but after that I, too, may think of repairing to Venice sooner than we had planned.’
‘I should not let one incident overset you, ma’am,’ Andrew said. ‘I dare say it may have been some louts who’d overimbibed and thought to take their opportunity. Such things happen anywhere at any time, you know. Even in London there was a time when the Mohawks, marauding louts, some of them meant to be gentlemen, made the streets unsafe because of their drunken behaviour. I am certain both you and Mariah are safe enough, providing you do not walk alone at night—or in isolated places during the day.’
‘Mariah walks alone sometimes during the day.’ Sylvia looked at her anxiously. ‘I think you should be more careful in future, dearest. If there are unscrupulous rogues about, you must wait until you have an escort.’
‘I was thinking of walking to the far shore,’ Mariah said and turned her bright gaze on Andrew. ‘Would you oblige me, sir?’
‘Yes, of course, if you wish it,’ Andrew said and turned to Sylvia. ‘You will excuse us, ma’am—unless you wish to accompany us?’
‘It would be too far for me,’ Sylvia replied. ‘Besides, Lady Jenkins spoke of taking a trip on the water and I think I should like to go, too. Enjoy yourselves, but please do not wear yourself out, Mariah. Remember that we leave for Milan in the morning.’
‘I shall not be in the least tired. I have far too much energy. If I do not use some of it, I cannot rest at night.’
Mariah took Andrew’s arm and they set out together, admiring various aspects of the scenery. She enjoyed the feeling of being close to him, her heart beating a little faster than normal. Not until some minutes had passed and they had seen no one else for a while did Mariah speak of what was on her mind.
‘I have decided I must marry soon,’ she announced and felt Andrew’s little start of surprise. He glanced at her and she lifted her fine eyebrows, giving him a provocative look. ‘I hope to announce my engagement on my return to England or perhaps before we reach Paris.’
He arched one eyebrow. ‘Am I to wish you happy? May I know the name of the fortunate gentleman?’
‘Oh, I have not yet decided who I shall marry,’ Mariah said with an innocent air. ‘I need a husband, Andrew. I am tired of being a widow and wish for the comforts of marriage. Tell me, what do you know of Lieutenant Grainger? I should like your opinion of his character and
