Meredith tossed her head back in laughter.
“I know, you rascal! And you did far more than speculate. Why, I remember waking up one winter morning and discovering that you had snipped off some of my hair to experiment with. Didn’t you put it under your pillow or something of that sort?”
He blushed, “Your infallible memory has failed you at last, Mere. Allow me to remind you that it was a particularly harsh winter that year and my eight-year-old self was quite convinced that your hair was capable of emitting heat.”
He lowered his voice sheepishly. “And so I snipped off a portion of it to put under my blanket to warm my pitifully cold feet.”
As the two friends laughed and joked and corrected each other’s memories of various events from their shared time at the orphanage, Meredith believed she was slowly chipping away at Ian’s bitterness. As the sun began to set, Ian helped Meredith to her feet.
“I’m afraid I can’t stay much longer. We should probably bid everyone farewell. What time did you say your curfew was? Six o’clock? Yes, so we both need to leave soon. It has been delightful seeing you again, Mere. What a shame that Trevor wasn’t here! By any chance, do you know how to reach him, Mere?”
Meredith followed him up the front steps.
“Oh, didn’t you know? Trevor joined the army a few years ago. Alas, we feel out of touch with him, but you should ask Ma’am Tabitha for the last address we used to contact him.”
Ian held the front door open for her. “Quite right. And while we’re on the subject of correspondence, you promised to write me every month after I had been adopted.”
“I waited and waited for your letters, but they never came, Mere. What happened? Did Ma’am Tabitha lose the details of my new address?”
Meredith turned red. “No, nothing of that sort, Ian. I suppose it is my turn to be forthcoming with you.”
They entered the deserted parlor—the children must be playing upstairs.
“The truth, Ian, is that I was fearful your new life would eventually cause you to forget about your life and friends here, and about me. I was afraid that one day I would send you a letter and receive no response.”
“So you decided to cut me off immediately in order to escape the possibility of me cutting you off at a future point?”
Meredith grinned. “Quite a strategy, wouldn’t you agree? Oh, don’t look at me like that. I don’t know about you, Ian, but I would much rather be in the position of leaving someone behind than be the person getting left behind.”
He rolled his eyes and with a playful smile said but one word in response, “Unbelievable.”
* * *
Hugh slowly tapped his chin, “And those were His Grace’s and Lord Gillinghamshire’s exact words?”
Catherine nodded gravely, “Yes, Hugh. Verbatim. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop at all. I happened to pass by the entrance hall on my way to prepare the dining table for luncheon when I overheard them. Although I did not intend to hide my presence, I did not seek to make it known after hearing their discussion.”
Hugh grunted, “I said it before, dear Catherine, you’re awfully light on your feet.”
He jumped up and began pacing around his bedroom.
“My stomach suddenly feels quite ill. It is true that no sin goes unpunished. Here is the hefty price we must pay for our deceit. Miss Meyer has become far too close to His Grace. If the late Duke found out, why, he would—”
Catherine sighed. “We are partly to blame, Hugh. But how could we have known that it would come to this?”
“Indeed. And I doubt that Miss Meyer is even aware of her effect on His Grace. Nevertheless, this situation cannot continue as it is. It’s not right.”
“Not in the least.”
Chapter 18
Anthony gazed at the bright full moon. He was quite tempted to start laughing at himself. Here he was, the Duke of Sherriden, crouched down in the midst of some very prickly bushes at five minutes to midnight.
Yes, Colin’s right, I need to get rid of these feelings. And I will. I swear I will after tonight. I just want one final night with her.
At last, he saw Miss Meyer cautiously push open the kitchen side door and check her surroundings before stepping onto the grass. After looking behind her one final time, she strolled elegantly towards the reflecting pool. Anthony stood up to reveal himself.
Anthony’s heart beat faster with every step that brought them closer together. He had been mentally rehearsing for tonight ever since he received her note. He had crafted countless grand speeches and pretend conversations with her. But now that she was actually standing here, bathed in the pale moonlight, he could not think of a single thing to say. Fortunately, she saved him.
