Holly followed Lady Darcy up the steps to Le Musette, Longbourne’s finest – and only – French restaurant, feeling as if she were on her way, not to lunch, but to the guillotine.
Amuse bouche? More like passez-moi la corde.
She paused as a dark green XKE pulled up at the kerb and the driver’s window lowered.
‘Hello, ladies,’ Harry called out. ‘Fancy some company for lunch?’
Although Lady Darcy pursed her lips in pretended exasperation, it was plain to Holly that her son’s appearance pleased her nonetheless.
‘Do hurry,’ his mother called back. ‘The reservation is for twelve sharp.’
A few minutes later they were seated at a linen-draped table in a quiet corner. From the tasteful décor and potted palms to the intimidating maître ď, the restaurant was a textbook example of ‘fine French dining’.
Holly shot Harry a covert glance of appreciation. She couldn’t possibly have managed the daunting combination of Le Musette and his mother on her own.
‘What shall we have?’ Lady Sarah said as she studied the tasselled menu. ‘Will we be good and have salads, Holly, or indulge ourselves?’
‘Why don’t we have the snails?’ Harry asked with a perfectly straight face. ‘I quite fancy a snail,’ he confided in Holly. ‘Drenched in garlic butter.’
She had a sudden, disquieting vision of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, sending her snail flying across the restaurant, and shook her head firmly. ‘No, thank you. I don’t do snails.’
‘Nor does Harry, to my knowledge,’ his mother said. She fixed him with a reproachful eye. ‘Do be serious, please, or you can leave us and go straight home.’
He grinned. ‘Sorry, Mum. Don’t know what I’d have done if Holly took me up on it. Slippery, disgusting things.’
‘I’m glad we agree,’ Holly said, and reached for her water glass. ‘I can’t understand how anyone could eat snails.’
‘Hugh does.’
She paused with the glass halfway to her lips. ‘Oh.’ She took a quick sip and set the glass aside. ‘Well, that’s hardly grounds for breaking our engagement, I suppose. Still…’ She grimaced. ‘I can’t imagine.’
‘You can’t imagine,’ Lady Sarah observed, ‘because you’ve never tried them. One must experience certain things to appreciate them.’
‘Then I’m afraid I’ll never appreciate snails.’
In the end Holly and Lady Darcy had a salade niçoise and Harry settled on steak and pommes frites, and with the subject of snails thankfully dropped, they waited as their server filled their wine glasses with Montrachet.
‘Where’s your brother?’ Lady Sarah asked Harry.
‘He went off to check on the flock and supervise the vaccinations. He said he’d be there most of the day.’
‘And what about you? What are your plans today?’ Holly asked him as she took a sip of her wine.
‘I had a date, since you ask, but she stood me up.’
‘You don’t sound bothered.’
He shrugged. ‘I’m not. Some sort of family thing came up, couldn’t be helped. We were only going out for a sail. So I decided to come down to Longbourne and take a look at the Pemberley, make sure she’s ready for the race Saturday.’ He popped a bite of steak in his mouth. ‘After I finish my lunch with you lovely ladies, of course.’
‘Eat your grilled aubergine,’ Lady Darcy said. ‘He never eats his vegetables,’ she informed Holly. She turned back to Harry. ‘Why don’t you take Miss James out on the yacht this afternoon?’
Harry cast his mother a quick glance. ‘I’m only going aboard to check on things, I wasn’t planning to take the Pemberley out.’
‘Have you sent the captain and crew home yet?’
‘No. They’re working on the rigging.’
‘Tell the captain you’ve changed your mind, and you want to take a guest out for the afternoon.’
‘I suppose I could,’ he began doubtfully.
‘You said Hugh’s gone and won’t be back until later. Surely you don’t want his fiancée sitting at home, alone and bored, do you?’
‘No…’
‘Then I suggest you both make the most of this beautiful day,’ Lady Sarah said firmly, ‘and go for a sail.’ She turned to Holly. ‘I’ll see that your things are sent up to your room when I get back.’
‘Oh. Thank you,’ Holly said, and paused. ‘That sounds good. That is, if you don’t mind, Harry…?’
He laid his napkin aside. ‘Not at all. I think it’s a great idea… if you want to go. No pressure if you don’t, or if you have other plans.’
‘No, I’d love it.’ She smiled. ‘My only plans this afternoon involve washing my hair and giving myself an egg-white facial.’
‘Now there’s a visual,’ he said, and laughed. ‘Okay, then. Sailing it is.’
As she took a last sip of her wine, Holly became aware of Lady Darcy’s eyes on her. Her expression was thoughtful.
Holly couldn’t help but wonder, as she laid her napkin aside and stood up when lunch was over, if Hugh’s mother was merely anxious to be rid of the two of them… or if she was deliberately throwing them together.
But she dismissed the idea even as it occurred. You’re imagining things, she told herself firmly. Lady Sarah isn’t doing any such thing.
At any rate, Holly mused as she climbed into the Jaguar next to Harry, it was plain enough that Hugh’s mother didn’t want her to marry her son…
…either of them.
***
Twenty minutes later Holly and Harry were making their way down the wharf towards the Rosings when a tow-headed boy suddenly dropped down in front of them. Holly let out a gasp of fright.
‘Billy! Come ‘ere, you little scoundrel,’ Mac shouted from aboard the ship. ‘Get back on this boat right now, or I’ll skin yer arse, so I will.’
With a snort of laughter, the boy dodged out of Harry’s reach and ran back up the gangplank and onto Lady de Byrne’s yacht.
‘Sorry, Miss Holly,’ the man called down as he peered over the bow. ‘Pardon my language. Hope the little bugger didn’t scare you too bad.’
‘No, he just startled me, that’s all.’ She smiled up at him and waved. ‘How are things?’
‘Good, no complaints… except for that ‘un.’ He jerked his head in the direction of the boy. ‘Good strong winds today. Are you and young Darcy off for a sail?’
Harry nodded. ‘Just a quick tack across the bay and back. I want to make sure everything’s ready for the race.’
‘Oh, aye. Well, here’s hopin’ you beat that film star and his crew on Saturday.’ He spat. ‘Nasty lot.’
‘What do you mean?’ Holly asked.
‘I don’t trust ‘em, is all.’ He glanced at Harry. ‘You tell Cap’n Kearns to watch his arse – I mean, his hindquarters – where that lot’s concerned. Wouldn’t put it past ‘em to break the rules to win. Wouldn’t be the first time, neither, from what I hear.’
‘I’ll relay the message,’ Harry promised, and put his hand on Holly’s back. ‘Good luck with your passenger,’ he added, and grinned.
‘What…?’ Mac turned away to see Billy attempting to climb, monkey-fashion, up the ship’s masthead, and chased after him with a roar.
‘I wonder whose he is,’ Holly said as they made their way to the Pemberley.
‘Who?’
‘Billy. I wonder why he’s aboard the Rosings and not at home with his own family.’
Harry shrugged. ‘Maybe Mac is his family.’
She shook her head. ‘He told me he’s babysitting for someone. I wonder who?’
‘His son or daughter, probably. Billy must be his grandson.’
‘Probably,’ she agreed.
They’d reached the gangplank for the Pemberley. As she took Harry’s hand and followed him up the ramp, her excitement overshadowed her curiosity about the little boy, and she climbed aboard the Darcy yacht.
***
The sails billowed out as the Pemberley got underway, ropes creaking and canvas snapping, and Holly caught her breath at the beauty of it all. With its sails unfurled, the yacht skimmed along at a good clip, and she rested her arms against the railing, loving the breeze against her face and breathing in the briny, sharp scent of the sea.
‘Nice brisk wind today,’ Harry called out.
She smiled and nodded. She didn’t want to talk, she only wanted to gaze out at the coast slipping by and savour the slap of the waves against the hull.
As if he understood, Harry busied himself coiling a towrope and stashed it inside one of the storage benches, then straightened.
Holly couldn’t help but notice the muscled definition of his arms and chest or the rugged planes of his face behind the aviator sunglasses thrust over his eyes. He looked at home here on the yacht. He was in his element with the sea and the wind and the snap of the sails.
He came to stand beside her at the rail. ‘Having fun?’
‘I love it. It’s like flying over the waves.’
‘Just don’t try and pull a Rose and climb up on the bow,’ he said, and grinned. ‘I won’t be responsible if you fall.’
‘As if I’d ever do something so silly,’ she scoffed, and grinned back at him.
Although she noticed a couple of the crew darting around the deck as they adjusted the spinnaker sail, Holly barely paid attention. She couldn’t take her eyes from Harry.
The wind ruffled his hair as he leaned forward, and the sun turned it into a gorgeous, coppery-blond shade. She had a sudden yearning to reach out and touch it. Holly blushed. What was wrong with her?
For some reason, she was distractingly conscious of Harry’s nearness, not to mention the warmth of his shoulder against hers, and it sent her thoughts cartwheeling out of control like a piece of paper buffeted by the wind.
What was it about Harry Darcy that affected her so powerfully…?
Just then, a speedboat raced by, its surge rippling across the water, and the yacht rolled slightly.
‘Watch the boom!’ someone called out. ‘It’s coming about!’
The next few seconds passed in a confusing blur as Holly glanced back and saw the ship’s boom swinging directly at them, and her eyes widened in shock. She froze, unable to move.
‘Holly – get down!’ Harry shouted.
Suddenly he tackled her, grabbing her around the waist and throwing her down onto the deck. The boom swung overhead seconds later, just missing them both, then swung back again as one of the crewmen regained control.
Holly stared up at Harry. He was sprawled atop her, his chest pressed against hers and his arms braced on either side of her, and his face was inches away. If she weren’t pinned beneath him, she thought dazedly, she could reach out and touch that reddish stubble on his jaw…
‘Are you all right, Holly?’ he asked her, his blue eyes dark with concern.
‘I’m fine.’ She blushed at his proximity. Her breasts were mashed up against his muscled chest, and it was incredibly embarrassing. ‘What – what happened?’
‘The boom happened.’ Grimly, he pushed himself away from her and helped her up. ‘It’s one of the hazards of sailing, unfortunately. Usually I’m more aware of my surroundings and I see it coming about. It caught me off guard today.’
‘I guess I’m not much of a sailor,’ she admitted, still shaken, ‘added to the fact that I can’t ride, or hunt, or do much of anything that’s useful for a future Lady Darcy…’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ he said gruffly, his hand still steadying her. ‘That stuff’s overrated, anyway. Are you sure you’re all right? You’ve got a tiny cut, just there.’
He reached out to touch her face, and Holly saw herself reflected back in his sunglasses as he did. She felt a little flip in her stomach as his fingers grazed her cheek, and she tilted her face back, loving the brush of his skin – however brief – against hers.
And before either of them realised it, he’d lowered his head, and his lips hovered close to hers.
He was going to kiss her.
Holly felt a cauldron of emotions simmering inside – joy, desire, elation, anticipation – but also a tiny prickling of guilt.
You’re engaged to Hugh Darcy. Yet you’re about to kiss his brother.
It was wrong to want Harry the way she did, Holly reminded herself, wrong to crave the warmth of his lips on hers and the feel of his arms around her. She loved Hugh. She really did…
Then why did she long for his brother’s kiss?
‘Sorry.’ Harry pulled abruptly back. He lifted his eyes and met her gaze, then looked away. ‘I’ll go and get you some antibacterial cream, and a plaster for that cut. Don’t want it getting infected, do we?’
Holly thought he might say something more, something to make her feel a little less confused and guilty than she did.
But, ‘Be right back,’ he said, and left.
***
When Harry and Holly arrived back at Cleremont, Lady Darcy still hadn’t returned. Relief washed over Holly.
She knew Hugh’s mother would’ve instantly seen the guilt on their faces and pounced, grilling them until they confessed their attraction.
Then she’d march straight upstairs and tell Hugh. Then she’d instruct the printers to change the bride’s name on the wedding invitations from ‘Holly James’ to ‘Elizabeth Bennet’.
Then she’d boot Holly right out of the Jacobean door.
‘What’s wrong?’ Harry asked as they got out of the car and went up the front steps together. ‘You’re scowling.’
‘Am I?’ she said. She attempted a smile. ‘Sorry, I was just lost in thought. You know how it is.’
His eyes collided with hers. ‘Holly, about what happened aboard the Pemberley this afternoon, I…’
But whatever he’d intended to say remained unspoken as Hugh and Lizzy cantered up the drive astride Thor and Lady, their faces flushed with exertion and laughter.
‘Holly!’ Hugh called out, and drew his mount to a halt. ‘You’re back.’
Her smile remained firmly in place as she glanced first at him, then at Lizzy. ‘So are you two, I see. Did you have a good ride?’
‘The best,’ Lizzy confirmed, drawing up beside Hugh. ‘We rode out to the pasture to look at the new sheep. Have you seen them yet?’
‘No, I haven’t had that pleasure.’
‘They’re darlings. You must have Hugh take you out to see them.’
‘Did you find a gown?’ Hugh asked.
Holly nodded. ‘It’s beautiful. Your mother insisted on buying it for me as a “pre-wedding present”. She isn’t home yet or I’d show it to you; it’s in her car. I came back with Harry.’
‘We went for a cruise on the Pemberley,’ Harry explained. ‘It was Mum’s suggestion.’
‘Ah. And did you enjoy it?’ Hugh asked Holly.
‘We had a wonderful time.’ She didn’t elaborate any further. ‘Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I need to go upstairs and change for dinner.’
‘Me, too.’ Harry nodded briefly at Lizzy and his brother, and disappeared inside the house…
…for all the world, Holly thought, as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.