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"So happy 2 could weep, but I won't What are Marion
and Aunt Alison going to say?"
He made a sound of amusement. "They've probably said
it. already, having got what they wanted. I v/ouldn't mind
betting they've already drawn up a list of wedding guests.
"Oh, dear! Simon, what about my father?"
"What about him? Are you afraid he'll object to me as
a, son-in-law?"
She laughed shakily at the complete absurdity of such a
suggestion. "I mean, how can we tell him?"
"We'll drive over to see him early tomorrow mornin
If we can manage to get accommodation we might stay
there overnight and travel back to Craigwood on Monday.
Would you like that?"
"It would be lovely."
They were silent, contemplating the 'dying coals. The
rain was barely audible but an occasional spot hissed into
the fire and sent up a tiny cloud of ash. To Pat, the room
had become familiar now, and unforgettable. In after years
one of them might say, "Remember the inn parlor at
Kendal?" and both would be back there, among the
polished copper and brass, the faded cretonne, watching
that ebbing fire. , .
Simon said, "I must tel! you about Ralph. Did you hear.
Aat he and Marion had had a disagreement?"
"No, but I suspected something of the sort." She raised
her head, suddenly eager. "Are he and Marion going to
be married?"
"Steady, my pet. You've got marriage on the brain
but I daresay it will eventually come to that. Ralph, as you
know, went back to town, but before he left I persuaded
him to put up at the flat. He'd had a week alone when I
went there last Thursday, and by that time he was willing
to listen to reason- He isn't badly off; he was never spend-
thrift and he has a pension; he also seems to have an ambi«
tion to start a boat-building venture." Pat smiled but mad®
no comment. Simon went on." He discovered during a
conversation with Marion that she's fairly well provided
for, and apparently it was a shock. His modesty is so
phenomenal that he couldn't imagine a good-looking
woman with a large private income having the least interest
in Ralph Sedgwick, so to put it in his own words he
got out before things had gone too far."
"They'd make a marvellous couple!"
"Maybe, but it's safer to keep quiet about it and let the
matter run its own course. I got him to return to Craigwood
by promising to let it appear that his business in the City had
fallen through and he had nothing else to do. Ralph's a
proud man."
"But I do hope they'll get married before . .. before we
leave. They could stay on at Craigwood till they have a
> house ready at Marlsea. Marion's already given up most of
her work in London and she only has to make it final. She
can take part in local charities. . . ."
"That's enough," said Simon. "Let them do their own
anravelling. I've had more than enough of other people's!
affairs. You'll have enough on your hands, too, my child.
You're marrying me a month from now." He tweaked her
ear. "And in my opinion a month is far too long to wait."
He toudied his mouth to her hair, drew her up with him
and held her dose.
"We belong together," he said below his breath. Then
on an almost savage note, "Darling . . . this is for ever."
"'For ever, Simon," she whispered.
He kissed her, and the last shadow of pain was gone,
because she was vibrant and eternal with love.
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