thatched summer-house which he loved to frequent; and some twenty years ago an occupant of the place had Angelica Kauffmann paint the most lovely frescos on its ceiling.'
'Think you this large summer-house would prove suitable for a studio?'
'Why, yes!' Her eyes widened. 'But have you then a mind to take up painting?'
He nodded. 'I have always had a love for pictures, as you know; and short though my travels were in Italy the masterpieces I saw there added to my enthusiasm for the art I'll never be able to do more than daub myself, but I would like to try my hand at it.'
'I will come down to Richmond and give you your first lessons.'
'Indeed you shall,' he agreed eagerly. Then he added with a smile: 'As you once did in more important matters. And I think you put a spell upon me then; for no other woman that I have ever met has had the same power to rouse me physically at will, and give me afterwards so perfect a sense of utter content and joyous well- being. I have wondered many times if we were foolish not to have married.'
'Nay,' she said softly. 'We argued that question long ago. Did we wed, by unbroken intimacy we would gradually whittle away that very attraction for one another of which you speak; and marriage vows could do naught to strengthen our precious friendship. So our decision, that you should never lead me to the altar, was a wise one. But that is no reason why my head should continue to repose upon this cushion rather than on your shoulder.'
He put his arm about her and they snuggled down together.
For the best part of half an hour they talked of Thatched House Lodge, and the fun they might have in redecorating and furnishing it; then she said: 'But Roger, all this by rights is no affair of mine. Now that you have this charming property, 'tis time that you thought seriously of marriage and settling down. You have racketed with all and sundry overlong. Even though you may continue to tumble some pretty baggage now and then during your trips upon the Continent, you should have a home that you can return to in which to find a quiet contentment.'
'Mayhap you're right,' he agreed. 'I have often thought that way myself during these past two years.'
She wriggled a little closer to him, and gave a happy sigh. 'I am prodigious glad you feel that way, since I have in mind the very woman for you. 'Tis that dear Amanda Godfrey.'
'Now bless me !' he exclaimed. 'How monstrous strange you should suggest her. I like her greatly and had serious thoughts of proposing to her before Isabella's letter took me off to Spain. Do you think she'd have me?'
'I've not a doubt of it. In her vague, lazy way she dotes upon you; and she is wise enough to recognize mat marriages based only on passion are rarely lasting. My desperate need to attempt to heal the breach between us compelled me to remain in London until you arrived; but I have arranged with her to accompany me to Stillwaters as soon as I had seen you on your return. I have invited Charles, and with him there, for appearance's sake I thought it proper to have another woman in the house; so she has most sweetly consented to play gooseberry. Now, there is naught to prevent your joining us, and what more ideal setting could you have in which to propose to her?'
Roger shook his head. 'I'll think of it, but at present I can promise no more; the other matter is still too close to me. Tell me, though, of your Earl. On closer acquaintance does my lord St. Ermins come up to your first estimate of him?'
'Lud, yes! He is a proper man, and I am certain that you will like him greatly. Yet whether to tie myself again I am still a little in doubt. Apart from Diego, who failed to rouse me and so hardly counted, I have been chaste all through the winter. Now summer is here again; the sap is rising both in the vines and in my gipsy veins, so I must soon make up my mind. It must either be marriage or another lover.'
'Let it be marriage then. From all you have told me of St. Ermins he sounds the very husband for you; and like myself 'tis over-time you gave up racketing and settled down.'
She turned her face up to his with a wicked smile. 'Roger, I'll make a bargain with you. If you'll take Amanda I'll take the Earl.'
His eyes twinkled. 'I am inclined to take you up on that.'
'Do, Roger, do! And why waste a day longer of your precious youth than need be? I'll give you till tomorrow morning but no more. We'll strike our bargain then; or should you refuse I will still strike you as a horrid, ungrateful fellow from my life.'
' 'Tis morning now. It must be well after two o'clock. And since from this secret retreat of yours 'tis a plaguey long walk back to Arlington Street, I must beg of you a shakedown for die night.'
'Dear, foolish Roger.' She put up a hand and stroked his cheek. 'As though you would ever lack for a bed where I may be. But dost know that it is all of two years and a month since thou hast kissed me? Kissed me with more ardour than a brother, is what I have in mind.'
Drawing back his encircling arm he looked down into her fair, smiling face with mingled delight and mirth. Then for the first time in many weeks he really laughed aloud.
'Strap me, Georgina! But thou art incorrigible! Dost realize that thou hast just invited me to make love to thee tonight, and yet would have me get myself engaged to wed Amanda tomorrow?'
She made a face at him. ' 'Twill be time enough for us to attempt to turn over new leaves when we are married. Come, sir! Am I to find that 'twas no more than an empty compliment, when half an hour back thou didst infer that my lips would always hold a magic for thee? If not, thou art monstrous ill-mannered to keep a lady waiting.'
TWO EXTRACTS FROM THE
BROOK—GODFREY. On July 17th 1790, at the Church of St. Thomas A'Becket, Lymington, in the County of Southampton, Roger MacElfic Brook, only fon of Rear-Admiral and Lady Marie Brook, of Grove Place, Lymington, to Amanda Charlotte Godfrey, only daughter of the late Colonel the Honourable Lancelot Godfrey; niece to Lady Marfham and Sir Harry Burrard of Walhampton Park.
ST. ERMIN S—ETHEREDGE. On July 17th, 1790, at St. George's, Hanover-Square, Charles William Clarence Fitz-Charles, 4th Earl of St. Ermin's, eldest son of the 3rd Earl, of Whiteknights Park, Northampton, to Georgina Penelope Etheredge, only daughter of Colonel Nicolas Thursby and widow of the late Sir Humphrey Etheredge, of Stillwaters, Ripley, Surrey.
