Page 83 of Henrietta

‘Oh, that was marvellous,’ she called out. ‘I do not even mind that I lost.’

‘How convenient,’ he said, but he was smiling.

Hetty grinned in return. ‘What do I lose?’

Arthur, patting his mare upon the neck, cast about for a reply.

‘Surely you can think of something you want from me?’

There was, of course, but it did not fit the light-hearted air. Raising his head to look her squarely in the eye, Arthur said: ‘I do not wish to be kept in the dark any more, Hetty – not about anything. I want your honesty, going forward.’

Hetty paused. For a moment, she considered all that she was keeping from Arthur, and wondered … But no. It would destroy this fragile peace between them in a trice.

‘Very well,’ she said. ‘From henceforth, you shall have it.’

London was rather beautiful that morning, quieter and more peaceful than she was at any other time of day; though, as they wound their way through the streets, it began to wake up along with them and with each yard they covered, there were more persons upon the pavements, more horses upon the streets, more noises in the air.

‘I hope Timothy returns soon,’ Hetty said when at last they rounded the corner into Berkeley Square. ‘Given our ordeal, I am not sure I ought to let him out of my sight again.’

‘No,’ Arthur agreed. ‘For him to risk himself in such a way, at such a time—’

‘He does not know it is such a time,’ Hetty reminded him. ‘You have not told him.’

Arthur frowned. ‘You know my reasons.’

‘You wish to bear the burden alone.’ Hetty tilted her head to one side and then the other. ‘It is a kind of arrogance, you know.’

Arthur’s eyebrows flew up. ‘Is your sword now to remain permanently unsheathed?’

‘You did wish for truth from me!’ she protested.

The hour being early, there was no groom waiting for their return with a mounting block. Arthur swung himself from his horse, looping the reins over his mount’s head, and then raised his hands to assist Hetty down.

She slid off her bay, and he placed her gently upon the ground, though did not remove his hands from her waist.

Raising her head to look him full in the face, she said, pressingly: ‘They are no longer children, Arthur.’

Arthur grimaced. ‘What about my siblings’ behaviour this Season has given you any cause to think they would be helpful to me now?’

Hetty did not smile back. ‘I shall send the grooms out to you, if you do not mind waiting with the horses for a moment.’

‘Of course.’

Hetty stepped away. Then, pausing for a moment, she added: ‘They might surprise you, Timothy and Trixie. People can, you know.’

With that, she turned to ascend the stairs.

‘Yes, they can,’ he agreed to her disappearing back. Then, a few moments later, into the empty street, he murmured to himself: ‘Oh, God.’

CHAPTER XXVI.

‘WE are ruined?’ Trixie wailed, later that day.

‘Egad,’ Timothy said, rather stunned.

‘Keep your voice down,’ Arthur hissed, walking over to shut the drawing-room door.

‘Egad,’ Timothy said again. ‘Egad.’