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"Closed away for the summer But even if it weren’t, I’d still stay here" Leo shtly "Consider it yet another chance to experience the joys of a close fareater joy when the family stayed in bloody Hampshire," Harry said as Leo left the apart," Poppy told Catherine as they walked through the gardens at the back of the hotel

In contrast to the --unstructured, with beds of blosso up spontaneously, and paths laid out in rand Disciplined hedges forement of fountains, statuary, parterres, and elaborate flower beds

"It is definitely time," Poppy continued, "for Harry to introduce you to people as his sister And for you to be known by your real naens"

Poppy considered that "I’m sure it’s only because I’ve always known you as Miss Marks … but I like Marks better"

"So do I Catherine Wigens was a frightened girl in difficult circumstances I’ve been ently "Or htened?"

Catherine smiled "I’ve learned quite a lot about happiness over the past few years I found peace at school, although I was too quiet and private to make friends there It wasn’t until I came to work for the Hathaways that I saw the day-to-day interactions of people who love each other And then in the past year, I’ve finally experiencedthat at least for theelse one could ask for"

Poppy sent her a sarden, filled with a profusion of blossos in the parlor, when the fa on walks with Beatrix Or that rainy day in Hampshire e all had a picnic on the veranda Or--" She broke off, shaken by the realization of what she had been about to say

"Or?" Poppy proe and resplendent rose, inhaling its scent Her astute gaze darted to Catherine’s face

It was difficult to express her hts, but Catherine forced herself to admit the uncomfortable truth "After Lord Ramsay hurt his shoulder at the old manor ruins … he was in bed with fever the next day … and I sat with hi, and I read Balzac to him"

Poppy smiled "Leo must have loved that He adores French literature"

"He told me about the time he spent in France He said the French have a s"

"Yes, he needed that very much When Leo went to France with Win, he was a wreck of a man You wouldn’t have known him We didn’t knohos, or Leo, as bent on destroying himself"

"But they came back well," Catherine said

"Yes, both of them were finally well But different"

"Because of France?"

"That, and also the struggles they’d been through Win toldat the top of the mountain, one is iht of Win, whose patient fortitude had carried her through years of illness "That sounds exactly like her," she said "Perceptive And strong"

"Leo is like that too," Poppy said "It’s only that he’s far more irreverent"

"And cynical," Catherine said

"Yes, cynical … but also playful Perhaps it’s an odd combination of qualities, but there’s ered There were sothat had fallen into a fencepost hole … working on a set of plans for a new tenant house, his face severe with concentration … lying wounded on his bed, his eyes glazed with pain as he e

No, she had replied, you’re not

"Catherine," Poppy said hesitantly, "the fact that Leo came to London with you … I wonder if … that is, I hope … is there a betrothal in the ?"

"He has offered for me," Catherine admitted, "but I--"

"Has he?" Poppy astonished her with an enthusiastic eood to be true! Please say you’ll accept him"

"I’m afraid the situation isn’t that si back "There is much to consider, Poppy"

Poppy’s exuberance faded quickly, an anxious pucker appearing between her brows "You don’t love him? But in time you will, I’m sure of it There is so much about him worth--"

"It’s not a question of love," Catherine said with a slight grie isn’t a question of love?"

"No, it is, of course, but I meant to say that love cannot overcome certain difficulties"

"Then you do love him?" Poppy asked hopefully

Catherine turned deep red "There are many qualities I esteem in Lord Ramsay"

"And he makes you happy, you said so"

"Well, on that one day, I’ll admit--"

"‘A moment of true joy,’ was how you put it"

"Heavens, Poppy, I feel as if I’rinned "I’m sorry, it’s just that I want this match so very much For Leo’s sake, and yours, and for the family"

Harry’s dry voice came from behind them "It appears we’re at cross-purposes, arded his armly, but there was an air of preoccupation about hi," he said "And the brawl is over Shall we go back to the apartments?"