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‘You…wouldn’t consider staying on with Papa?’ she asked At Ashton, where in future, she’d at least have excuse and opportunity to chat with him
He paused for a long o elsewhere’
So she wouldn’t te to do with his plans? Oh, how she wished she dared ask! But with this strange sense of disquiet squeezing her chest, she couldn’t seeht in the library, when she’d felt free to make the most personal enquiries
He’d fallen silent, too, and now stood siaze travelled from her face down to her slippers and back up, as if he were lad you’ve found your heart’s desire,’ he said at last ‘Goodbye, Amanda’
His tone was soft, almost like a caress, but there was a finality about it that suddenly ain Before she could speak or call hirace hich he always h the door and closed it behind him
She stoodto follow and call him back But what could she say? He obviously had business elsewhere Seeing her couldn’t have been that important to him, if he had planned such a short visit in London He washer to move on with hers
Was she really ready to do that? All herback: Papa on horseback, consulting with the tenants; the hills rising purple in theher head at A she’d felt so far swamped her
Then there was Greville, walking and riding with her, advising her about Althea, diffusing the tension between Papa and George Longing welled up, sharp enough to bring the tears to her eyes She dare not even think about Neville Tour
He was turning into an excellent er, Papa had written her; the household staff had reported back compliments they’d received about his work fro people, her father observed…hardly surprising to her, whoed from the very first
Praise Heaven that Papa was feeling better and ht soon be able to resume his duties After which, Greville Anders would leave to take up a new challenge at sorand estate, perhaps even one of his own
By the end of the Season, when she returned to visit Ashton, he ht just have shared the last conversation she would ever have with him
‘Goodbye, Greville,’ she whispered, the burn of tears at the corners of her eyes intensifying
Her heart’s desire—had she truly found it in London? Or ht she just have watched it walk out the library door?
Later that evening, Auests Candles illu odours emanated from the supper room, and every immaculate, waxed and polished inch of the public rooms was reflected a oblets and crystal chandeliers But as she stared across the room, a smile pinned to her lips, Amanda saw none of it
The evening was to be the triumphant culmination of her presentation, with everyone as anyone answering Lady Parnell’s summons to honour her ward Conscious of the honour—to say nothing of the expense and effort her hostess had expended—Arew later, she found her s as her eyes darted towards the entry
Mr Anders had told her he was leaving London There wasn’t the slightest chance he would attend the ball tonight Still, knowing he was still in town, she couldn’t see that, just maybe, he would appear
An urgent sense of expectation rose with each new visitor, then fell as Kindle announced a nareed to save Lord Trowbridge and Mr Hillyard each a waltz, glad now that her duties receiving guests prevented either fro or refreshments
Midway through the evening, he still had not come Lady Parnell had just told her she was released froolden-haired lady on his arlemere’
A shock zipping through her, Aaze to the doorway It took only an instant to ascertain that Greville had not accompanied his cousin
Still, this was the ed for hiised her He’d told her he’d come to London to consult with his cousin Perhaps the ht know more about his future plans
After greetings were exchanged, Lord Englemere said, ‘My heartiest thanks to you, Miss Neville, for your hospitality to ood recovery, which I attribute to your faood care’
‘You are most welcome I understand Mr Anders just visited you’ At the marquess’s look of surprise, she added hastily, ‘He paid ivehealth’