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. I will not be on yourconscience, Kit.He smiled a sleepy, warm smile. I will say thank you instead, then, he said. Thank you, Lauren, forsuch a precious gift.Was it very painful? I have heard it is so the first time. It was not very, she assured him.He lifted himself off her then and stood up to adjust his clothing, his back to her.He held hishandkerchief out to her without turning. Use this, he said.She had been wondering how she would manage.There was blood, she discovered.But even now,though her hand shook as she cleansed herself, she could not bring herself to a full realization of theenormity of what she had done.That came only after she had put herself to rights and was sitting on theedge of the bench, all neat and respectable again, the soiled handkerchief balled in one hand. Well, Kit said, turning and smiling cheerfully at her,  we are going to have to decide upon a weddingdate, aren t we?16The rain stopped during the night, though it was the middle of the morning before the sun shone anddried the grass and promised summer heat for the afternoon.Kit suggested and organized a game of cricket out on the long front lawn.It was intended originally justGenerated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlfor the children, but all the young people and even some of the older gentlemen greeted the idea withsuch enthusiasm that the scope of the game was quickly extended.And almost everyone who was notplaying all except the dowager, Lady Irene, and Baron Galton, in fact, who retired for an afternoonnap agreed to play the essential role of spectator.The men busied themselves setting up the pitch while Kit divided the prospective players into teams ofroughly equal ability and experience.Lauren, Gwendoline, and Daphne meanwhile spread blankets onthe lawn for the spectators, a safe distance from the wickets.Several of the younger children dashedabout, getting under everyone s feet, tolerated only because the sun was shining and soon their energieswould be channeled into the game.In all the noise and bustle no one noticed three riders approach up thedriveway and onto the terrace until Daphne Willard hailed them.Lord Rannulf Bedwyn had already dismounted and was lifting Lady Freyja to the ground.Lord Alleynewas surveying the chaos before him. Ah, he said. A cricket match, I perceive, and not yet begun.Good afternoon, ma am. He addressedhimself to the countess, sweeping off his hat and inclining his head as he did so. Might one be permittedto join the fun, even though one came merely to pay one s respects?The countess introduced them to Gwendoline, whom they had not yet met.Lord Rannulf bowed overher hand and retained it while he exchanged civilities with her. You are quite sure you will not play? Kit asked, coming toward Lauren and grinning down at her.It seemed to her suddenly that last night could not possibly have happened none of it.He looked sonormal, so much his usual self.And she was very muchherusual self. Quite sure, she said firmly. I would not have the smallest idea what to do. You can catch a ball, surely? he coaxed. You can run.I can teach you how to wield the bat. Kit, she said,  if this is another of your ideas for forcing me to enjoy myself, you are going to forget itright now.I am going to enjoy myselfimmenselysitting here.Besides, not one of the other ladies over theage of eighteen is out there to make a spectacle of herself.But even as she spoke Lady Freyja Bedwyn strode out onto the lawn with Lord Alleyne and announcedher intention of playing on whichever side wasnotKit s.Lord Alleyne joined Kit s team. There is no persuading you? Kit laughed and turned his attention back to the cricket match, which wasabout to begin.Lauren adjusted her wide-brimmed straw hat to shade her complexion more effectively from the sun andpermitted herself a sigh of relief.She had feared for one moment that he was going to insist.She neededto think.No, she did not! Not now.She felt color flood her cheeks at the memory of last night.She mustnot think about any of it until she was alone again or of the fact that she had said no.God help her, shehad said no.The cricket match was lively and merry.Kit, whose side was fielding first, did a great deal of yelling andlaughing.He was bowling, and he was annoying some of the more serious members of his team bydeliberately allowing the smaller, weaker players to score against him while reserving his more lethal skillsfor the experienced players.When young David Clifford, standing at the wickets closest to him, his batGenerated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]