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Authors: Sylvia Andrew
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indeed âjust the manâ to be Emilyâs salvation and she was determined to promote the acquaintance. She genuinely could not under stand why Emily didnât agree, and was convinced that once her sister-in-law got to know Sir William better she would acknowledge that Rosa was right. She was disappointed, there fore, when Emily appeared just before Lady Deardon and Sir William were due to arrive.
âEmily! You have so many pretty summer dresses! Why on earth are you wearing that one?â
âWhatâs wrong with it?â
âItâsâ¦itâs so dull. And surely youâd be cooler in one that didnât fasten right up to the neck? Why didnât you wear your new pale green muslin? Itâs so pretty, and the colour suits you perfectly.â
âIâve decided that it is cut too low, Rosa. I prefer this one.â
Rosa was not finished. âAnd what have you done to your hair?â she exclaimed. âItâs more suited for a walk through a cloister than a summer afternoon in the garden!â
Emily, who had taken pains to make herself as unlikethe girl who had fallen out of that tree as possible, was pleased, but did her best to sound offended. âIâm sorry you donât like the way I look,â she said. In fact, she agreed with Rosaâs every word. Her dress was plain, in an unflattering shade of grey, and fastened up to the top. Much to her maidâs distress, she had insisted on having her hair pulled back and twisted into a low, tight knot at the back of her neck. Fashionably thin sandals, her usual wear in summer, had been replaced with boots. Emily had decided not to give in without a fight. She would deceive William Ashenden for as long as she could, until she could decide how to deal with him. She heard the sound of a carriage drawing up at the door. âBut Iâm afraid itâs too late to change my dress now,â she said, doing her best to put a note of regret into her voice.
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Philip and Rosa made their guests welcome, then led them into the garden. All five walked about in it for an hour or more, Emily using considerable ingenuity to avoid Williamâs company. When Rosa suggested they should sit in the shade for a while Lady Deardon accepted with pleasure, and the party made its way to a cool arbour, which had been furnished with a table, chairs and one or two benches. Here they sat downâall of them except Sir William.
âYou said something about an avenue of trees planted by your great-grandfather, I believe, Winbolt? Iâd like to see them. Perhaps Miss Winbolt could show me the way and tell me about them?â
âWhat a good idea,â exclaimed Rosa. âShe knows almost as much about the grounds as my husband, Sir William. Iâm sure she would be de lighted to be your guide. And you must ask her to show you the maze.The Shearings maze was once quite famous, but it was in a sad state before Philip and Emily restored it, along with the rest of the gardens.
âA maze? That sounds very interesting. Miss Winbolt?â He held out his arm.
Emily stared at him hopelessly. âIâ¦I donât thinkâ¦â she began and then stopped. She couldnât come up with a single reason why she should refuse to go with him, except that she didnât want to!
âI do hope you can oblige him, Miss Winbolt,â said Lady Deardon. âA large number of the trees at Charlwood are old and decayed, and will have to be replaced. William is becoming quite an expert on the subject. He has already inspected the plantations at Thirle. Iâm sure he will find your avenue very interesting.â
Emily smiled weakly and took his arm. Sir Williamâs request was harmless enough. To persist in refusing, especially after his godmotherâs encouraging words, would seem ungracious, and might well make him suspicious. But go into the maze with him she would not!
Once they were out of sight of
âEmily! You have so many pretty summer dresses! Why on earth are you wearing that one?â
âWhatâs wrong with it?â
âItâsâ¦itâs so dull. And surely youâd be cooler in one that didnât fasten right up to the neck? Why didnât you wear your new pale green muslin? Itâs so pretty, and the colour suits you perfectly.â
âIâve decided that it is cut too low, Rosa. I prefer this one.â
Rosa was not finished. âAnd what have you done to your hair?â she exclaimed. âItâs more suited for a walk through a cloister than a summer afternoon in the garden!â
Emily, who had taken pains to make herself as unlikethe girl who had fallen out of that tree as possible, was pleased, but did her best to sound offended. âIâm sorry you donât like the way I look,â she said. In fact, she agreed with Rosaâs every word. Her dress was plain, in an unflattering shade of grey, and fastened up to the top. Much to her maidâs distress, she had insisted on having her hair pulled back and twisted into a low, tight knot at the back of her neck. Fashionably thin sandals, her usual wear in summer, had been replaced with boots. Emily had decided not to give in without a fight. She would deceive William Ashenden for as long as she could, until she could decide how to deal with him. She heard the sound of a carriage drawing up at the door. âBut Iâm afraid itâs too late to change my dress now,â she said, doing her best to put a note of regret into her voice.
Â
Philip and Rosa made their guests welcome, then led them into the garden. All five walked about in it for an hour or more, Emily using considerable ingenuity to avoid Williamâs company. When Rosa suggested they should sit in the shade for a while Lady Deardon accepted with pleasure, and the party made its way to a cool arbour, which had been furnished with a table, chairs and one or two benches. Here they sat downâall of them except Sir William.
âYou said something about an avenue of trees planted by your great-grandfather, I believe, Winbolt? Iâd like to see them. Perhaps Miss Winbolt could show me the way and tell me about them?â
âWhat a good idea,â exclaimed Rosa. âShe knows almost as much about the grounds as my husband, Sir William. Iâm sure she would be de lighted to be your guide. And you must ask her to show you the maze.The Shearings maze was once quite famous, but it was in a sad state before Philip and Emily restored it, along with the rest of the gardens.
âA maze? That sounds very interesting. Miss Winbolt?â He held out his arm.
Emily stared at him hopelessly. âIâ¦I donât thinkâ¦â she began and then stopped. She couldnât come up with a single reason why she should refuse to go with him, except that she didnât want to!
âI do hope you can oblige him, Miss Winbolt,â said Lady Deardon. âA large number of the trees at Charlwood are old and decayed, and will have to be replaced. William is becoming quite an expert on the subject. He has already inspected the plantations at Thirle. Iâm sure he will find your avenue very interesting.â
Emily smiled weakly and took his arm. Sir Williamâs request was harmless enough. To persist in refusing, especially after his godmotherâs encouraging words, would seem ungracious, and might well make him suspicious. But go into the maze with him she would not!
Once they were out of sight of
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