Page 97 of Love ad Lib
Henry stoleglances at Libby as they made their way to the lake. When he’d first met her in London, he thought she was a pixie who’d floated in through the window on a sunbeam. Now, with a garland of wildflowers around her head, she was a fairy queen. She was effortlessly beautiful and effortlessly herself. He wanted to be close to her always, to allow her light to banish his shadows. As the path narrowed, he indicated for her to go ahead. Strolling behind, he admired her beauty and the countryside.
Henry had deliberately built his life in London. The urban environment was full of straight lines and monochrome shades. It was the subjugation of nature into something more ordered and controllable. But with Libby he saw his home through new eyes. The hedges either side of the footpath were overgrown and chaotic, but within the chaos was an abundance of life. His father had once said you could tell how old a hedge was by how many species of tree were in it. These hedges might be as ancient as the Manor.
Libby ran her fingers over the foliage, her smiling face taking everything in. He ached for her. Could things be different between them now he knew she didn’t have a boyfriend? He shook his head. He was as arrogant as Hunter-Savage to presume that just because he wanted her, she would want him in return. If she was attracted to arty types like Lucas, what chance did a boring City suit like him have? And anyway, he couldn’t break the contract between them and destroy her trust.
‘Oh my god!’
Libby had stopped at the juncture between where the footpath met a lane and was staring at a cottage set back from the small road.
‘Everything okay?’
‘Look at it!’
The building appeared as though it hadn’t had tenants in years. The windows were grimy and the thatched roof was blackened with age.
He wrinkled his nose. ‘Yeah, it is pretty knackered. No wonder no-one wants to rent it.’
‘Henry, are you insane? It’s beautiful!’
‘Er. It is?’ It looked like it needed to be accidentally-on-purpose run over by a tractor.
She clasped her hands to her chest and sighed. ‘Look at the climbing roses! It’s perfect.’
‘I doubt it’s even on mains sewerage.’ He glanced around. ‘And I can’t see a phone line or electricity.’
She clutched his arm. ‘Look! There’s a chimney! Imagine sitting in front of an open fire in the middle of winter.’
Henry gazed at her animated face, imagining the two of them doing far more than just sitting in front of the fire. God, he wanted to kiss her so much it hurt.
Clearing his throat, he stepped back. ‘Lighting a fire in there would be extremely dangerous. I expect the only reason the cottage hasn't been demolished already is that there’s some kind of preservation order on it.’Fuck me, I sound like a nob.
Libby’s face fell and she nodded. ‘You’re right. I’m just getting carried away.’ She raised her hand to the flower garland as if to remove it.
‘Please keep it on.’
She frowned. ‘Why? It’s silly.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s beautiful. It suits you.’
Her expression was uncertain as she lowered her hand. ‘Really?’
Yes! You’re so fucking beautiful!
Henry nodded. ‘Come on, we should go.’
He turned to continue down the road, feeling like he’d just trampled on her dreams.
With every step,Henry felt more awkward. Apart from his father’s parties, the Winter Ball and a few other public events, his family wasn’t particularly ostentatious. However, this week they’d gone all-in. The lakeside looked as if the Royal enclosure at Ascot had decamped there for the day, with luxury gazebos, rattan furniture, and waiting staff carrying drinks and arranging food on long tables out of the sun.
Libby’s family was at the opposite end of the socio-economic scale. Did she feel uncomfortable at this display of wealth? He stole glances at her. What was she thinking? His extended family was already by the lake, either sitting and chatting, or playing croquet.Fucking croquet. Could they havebeenany more upper class?
‘Oh my god,’ Libby exclaimed. ‘Is that Estelle?’
Ah yes. His sister was raising the upper-class bar even higher by arriving at the event on horseback, with Joy, her English Setter, running by Duke’s side.
‘She’s so badass.’
‘If you tell her that we’ll never hear the end of it. Can I guess what her costume choice was for this evening? Lara Croft from Tomb Raider?’
