Page 5 of The Spring Promise
“What do you mean?” Will had asked her with a frown.
“Well, you will have Miss Morton to gaze upon. I only hope Molly doesn’t go home before I get there.”
Will had felt like asking the same question again. Did she think Molly would be bored? Or that Celeste would send her home? But Abby had shaken her head at him and waved him off.
He glanced at Molly now, to see if she was bored. But her eyes were wide as she looked about at the abundance of greenery.
“I feel as if I might get lost,” she said.
“What a dreadful thought.” He had probably spoken louder than he should. Hunter had certainly heard him, judging by his smirk.
“Mr Hunter is very handsome,” Molly said.
“To some, I suppose,” Will snapped.
“I can see why some ladies find him irresistible.”
“Do you now?”
“But you are just as handsome, Will. And you have a great deal more to offer.”
Will wasn’t sure what to say to that, though he felt himself puff up a little. If Molly thought that about him, then surely Celeste would see it too.
“Everyone! You must look at this!”
Will and Molly started at Sir Reginald Morton’s loud exclamation. The gentleman was hurrying to the next row of plants. Will arrived with the others in time to see the cause of this excitement.
Another insanely ugly plant, and it loomed over them all from its great height. It also had a hideous flower blooming, and as he drew closer, Will became aware of the aroma of rotting flesh. He put his hand to his nose to try to keep the foul odour at bay.
“Amazing.” Hunter sounded serious, but even he stayed well back from the pungent odour. Molly was at his side, and Will could tell she was struggling not to giggle.
“Rafflesia arnoldii,” Sir Reginald declared, eyes bright. “It can take up to a decade to bloom!”
“Good-good heavens,” Molly said faintly. She wrinkled her nose. “Why does it smell like that?”
“It attracts flies to pollinate it. Isn’t it wonderful!”
Celeste looked at Will and grimaced. What a relief that they were finally in accord.
“Let’s slip away to somewhere less smelly,” she whispered to him, leaning closer. In contrast to the flower, her breath was warm and fragrant against his cheek, and gratefully, he followed her out of the conservatory.
“Tell me, how long have you known Miss Lacey?” Celeste asked, with a sideways glance at him.
“All my life. We are neighbours,” he said blithely. “Molly’s family has been in Barton Lacey forever.”
“I see.”
She looked away with a little smile that wasn’t quite genuine. Was she jealous? Will’s heart pounded beneath his second best jacket. Was his plan working already? He was about to reassure Celeste that there was nothing between Molly and himself, but then thought better of it.
Why not allow Celeste to believe Molly loved him and would fight for him? That he was in demand by more than one attractive woman? Mollywasattractive, after all. Some might even say she was beautiful, with her sparkling green eyes and fair hair, and she was always so kind and thoughtful. In fact, he had never known her to be out of sorts until the other day when he called on her to ask for her help.
Celeste interrupted his thoughts, which had been meandering down a very odd pathway. “Shall we take a stroll up to the roof? I love the view. Even when the weather is inclement, there is still so much of the countryside to see. Uncle Reggie says the house was built in Tudor times and when the king visited, he declared it the best vista he had ever seen.”
Will nodded. “Starling Hall was built last century,” he said conversationally. “Rather modern, I suppose, compared to this place, but it is quite comfortable. Even on the coldest day, it feels warm inside. One need not go outside at all because my grandfather had the water closets installed eighty years ago, and my father has modernised them since then.”
Celeste gave him one of her sideways looks, and said lightly, “How very interesting, Will.”
“It is, isn’t it?” He felt the surge of enthusiasm he always felt when speaking about his home. “I can show you, if you’d like to visit. In fact…” He then rambled on, talking about his family and the Hall, and the many benefits to living there, all while Celeste made encouraging noises.
