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tonight, Lady Hornby.
What is that business that is keeping him in Kent so long?’
    ‘Lord
Timsbury has been very busy ever since he left the army’ Lady Hornby answered.
‘It has emerged that he inherited not only from his father but also from his
great uncle, who died recently leaving him a considerable fortune. My cousin
has got a lot of property to manage at the moment.’
    The
older lady’s tone was very poignant. It suggested clearly that Lord Timsbury
was much better off than Dinah expected. It meant, in fact, that he did not
need to marry money after all, since the wealth he acquired from his uncle
would be enough to restore his father’s neglected estate.
    No
wonder he has been doing so much business with Papa, Dinah thought. He must
have been looking for good investments. But why, why did he want to marry me?
    ‘I
have heard that Lord Timsbury was injured in the battle’ said Aunt Jane
conversationally to Amelia.
    The
young girl turned rather pale and sought her older cousin’s eyes, as if asking for
guidance. Lady Hornby answered for her.
    ‘Indeed,
he was rather badly injured. But he has mended well, thank goodness.’
    ‘True
words, Lady Hornby’ boomed Mr Benson. ‘The man looks as good as new. It is
amazing what you, doctors, can do this days, is it not, doctor Grant?’
    Looking
at Amelia, Dinah had a feeling that the girl wanted to say something, but the
impression passed quickly. Soon, it was time for the ladies to move to the
drawing room.
     
    Aunt
Graham’s daughter, Louisa, was playing the pianoforte and Dinah, pretending to
listen, had time to think. If Lord Timsbury did not want to marry her for her
money, what were his motives, then? Could Alex have been right, when he
suggested that the Lord truly admired Dinah?
    For
some reason, the thought made her uncomfortable. Till this moment, she had
thought about her planned marriage as a bargain. A title and position for her,
a generous dowry for him. A duty that her father expected her to do. But if her
prospect husband had some secret feelings for her, he probably hoped that she
would be able to reciprocate them. And that she would never be able to do.
    Because
she loved Alex.
    Dinah
Benson, she told herself, you are a fool. You’ve fallen for a man you have only
just met, of whom you know hardly anything.
    But
she knew more about Alex than about Lord Timsbury. He shared his secret
thoughts with her last night. And much more than just the thoughts. They
belonged to each other!
    And
a thought struck her, as clear and strong and a ray of sunshine. She would not
marry Lord Timsbury! She had not given her word yet. Well, she had not even
seen the man properly!
    She
needed to go and find Alex. He would be waiting for her in the old gardener’s
shed. She would make her excuses and sneak out into the garden, pretending that
she needed to take some air. She was just rising up when she heard Lady
Hornby’s loud whisper.
    ‘Well,
of course, my cousin needs to marry. He has reached the right age for a man to
start his own family. I hoped that he would choose a well-bred young lady,
but…’
    Dinah
turned and looked into Lady Hornby’s cold blue eyes. Then she caught sight of
Aunt Grahams shocked face.
    I
cannot bear it, she thought and she moved swiftly towards the French windows
leading to the garden. Before she reached it, Amelia blocked her way.
    ‘Do
not pay attention to what my cousin says. Lady Hornby does not approve of
anyone who does not share their lineage with the Royal Family. I hope she did
not say anything to upset you.’
    Dinah
smiled weakly at her:
    ‘Thank
you, my lady, for your kindness. I am not upset… I think… I would like to be
alone for a moment!’
    ‘Please,
do call me Amelia. Why don’t you sneak out to the garden for a quarter of an
hour? I shall tell that you have a headache.’
    ‘That
would be most kind of you, Amelia. And could you, please, make sure that no one
follows me? I cannot bear to be in a company at