Henry’s blue eyes softened and he smiled. ‘If that is what you want.’
He was about to climb aboard when she offered him a shilling. ‘Let’s go alone,’ she whispered.
Surprised at first, Henry’s smile slowly deepened. He took it, walked briskly around to the other side and gave it to the driver.
‘I’ll take Miss Danning for a drive. Get down and have something to eat and drink while you wait for us.’
The driver looked suspiciously at the coin, then glanced at Amelia. ‘Miss, I couldn’t—’
‘Take it,’ she soothed. ‘Mr Ward and I have known each other for years and I am quite safe with him. Besides, there is not enough room for the three of us to sit comfortably.’
The driver rubbed the back of his neck nervously, before eventually dismounting. Henry immediately took his seat and the reins in the hand of his good arm.
‘I thought he was going to refuse,’ said Henry as they watched him walk towards the inn.
Amelia touched his arm. ‘I’m glad we are alone.’
He turned his gaze on her. His pupils seemed abnormally small as he flicked the reins and turned the horse and trap round. Strangely Amelia felt unusually calm and had no need to grip the seat. Henry was next to her, just as they had planned and soon everything would be all right.
The road towards St Austell and the nearby harbour was unusually quiet for the time of day.
‘Where would you like to go?’ asked Henry, urging the horse into a brisk trot.
Amelia closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the passing breeze that caressed her face.
‘I would like to see the sea. There is a road that navigates the cliff above Porthpean Beach. It has a fine view and we won’t be disturbed there.’
‘I know the one you mean,’ said Henry, urging the horse on. They rode in silence for some minutes, before taking the left turn and leaving the main road behind them. The steady trot and the dappled shadows of the overhanging trees were both comforting and shielded them from prying eyes. Eventually Henry said, ‘I didn’t think you would answer my letter.’
‘You are everything to me, Henry. How could I ignore it?’ Amelia unpinned her hat and placed it on her lap. The brisk breeze continued to flow over her body, teasing strands from her styled hair and helping to soothe away the remaining tension in her body. ‘Although I must confess, at first I was in two minds whether to reply or throw it away.’
‘I am glad you did not do the latter.’
She turned to look at him. He noticed.
‘What are you looking at?’
‘Your profile reminds me of Adonis.’
‘A handsome fellow.’
‘Yes. Very handsome.’
‘Wasn’t he gored by a boar?’
She smiled. ‘Then we must be thankful there are no boars nearby.’ She stroked the ribbon on her hat. ‘I was tempted to throw your letter away. My brother had just told me you were married.’
‘And I told you in my letter that I’m not.’ Henry twitched the reins. ‘Margaret lied. She played your brother for a fool and he has believed her. It’s not the first time she’s lied.’
‘She was at your house,’ replied Amelia, calmly. ‘That cannot be disputed. I assume it was your house and not hers . . .’
‘It’s my house. She was just visiting. I was out at the time and my housekeeper invited her in. My housekeeper has been sorely reprimanded for her mistake.’
Amelia studied him. Henry had always oozed confidence, but had she just heard the hint of desperation in his voice? The arrogant tilt of his jaw remained as if he didn’t doubt that she would believe him.
Amelia returned her attention to the hat in her lap. ‘Did you know that Grace told me what you were up to?’ Henry didn’t reply. ‘I told her I already knew and that I would put a stop to it.’
Henry glanced at her, surprised. ‘You did?’
‘Yes. I lied to her . . . for you. She didn’t tell Talek because she was protecting me. I learnt you were cheating my brother and did nothing to stop it.’
‘Not cheating. I don’t like that word. I made a mistake, but it was innocently made.’
‘Was it a mistake, Henry?’
‘I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t think that the potteries would discover it.’
‘Aren’t you concerned for the reputation of our business?’
‘I didn’t know that the grade of clay would make so much difference.’
‘Or did not care.’ From his irritable sideways glance, she knew she had spoken the truth. ‘Talek is very angry with you.’
‘Talek will calm down.’
‘He says you are married and that you only courted me to get your hands on my shares.’
‘If I was married, I wouldn’t be able to marry you, which proves that Margaret is not my wife.’
