The Varleigh Medallion
Page 18
“You must both give your word, too,” she said gravely, “for there would be dreadful consequences if a single word of what happened here today was ever breathed outside these walls. It is a secret that we must all guard with our lives.”
This was exactly the right tone to take with two small boys with a thirst for adventure, and the required promises were earnestly and enthusiastically given. Since they would have the satisfaction of discussing the matter endlessly between themselves, both Dione and Greydon had every confidence that these would be kept, and had no hesitation in allowing the boys to take themselves off.
When they had gone, Greydon offered Dione his arm. “I think,” he remarked, “that it will be advisable for us to go out through the stableyard and into the garden, for it would present a very odd appearance if your mother or sister chanced to see us coming from this part of the house.”
She agreed, remarking as they went across the yard: “What a mercy you arrived when you did! I had no expectation of seeing you so soon, and was at my wits’ end to know how to prevent Mr. Varleigh from leaving the house.”
“I was already on my way here,” he explained. “When the Runner reported to me today, he told me that he had just learned of an association between my cousin and Molly Ibstone. That in itself seemed of little significance, but combined with the odd occurrences you had described to me I felt that it merited further investigation, and Vivyan and I were driving to call upon you when we encountered young Durridge hurrying towards Rushbourne with your note. We took him up with us, and when we reached here Theo met me and told me that you were in the stillroom. Since we wished to investigate the stables, and I had no wish to alarm your mother and sisters, it seemed best to drive straight into the yard and send him to fetch you.”
They continued to discuss the day’s events as they went out of the yard and along the path, but instead of going towards the house, Greydon led her firmly into the rose garden.
“Now,” he said, halting and turning to face her, “we are sufficiently private for me to take you to task for giving me the worst, most terrifying moment of my life. Dione, how could you even think of doing anything as crazy, as foolhardy, as placing yourself in front of a cocked and loaded pistol?”
Her gaze, which had lifted inquiringly to meet his, dropped again. She said in a low voice: “I did not even stop to think. I did not need to. He meant to kill you. Just for that moment he truly intended to do it. I had to try to bring him to his senses.”
There was a little silence. A bee buzzed between them, and a breath of wind sent a shower of rose petals fluttering and drifting about them.
“Yesterday,” Greydon said quietly at length, “I asked you a question which you did not feel able to answer. Can you answer it now?” When she did not reply, or look at him, he took her face gently between his hands and turned it toward him. “Dione, not half an hour ago you risked your life because mine was in danger. Surely now I have a right to hope that you feel more for me than friendship?”
“Yes.” She stood, unresisting, meeting his eyes steadily now although color had risen in her cheeks. “I do love you, Greydon, but that does not alter the fact that our stations in life—”
“It alters everything,” he said decisively, and swept her into his arms. “I warned you, did I not, that next time I proposed to you it would not be in a curricle? Permit me to demonstrate why.” He kissed her, with such thoroughness that when finally released she was too breathless for protest or argument. “Dione, my gallant, precious love, will you marry me?”
She nodded meekly, drawing a long breath of sheer happiness. “Yes, because at last I am so sure it will be for the right reason that I would marry you even if you were as poor as I am myself.” She gave a quiet chuckle as he uttered a stifled sound and buried his face against her hair. “Now what have I said to make you laugh...?”