Fen and Jimmy both needed this marriage, and a friend who cared for either of them would help them to make it work. Pat had done the right thing in giving him a talking-to. It was exactly what she’d have done if she and Fen had never shared that dizzying kiss, which meant it was the right thing to do because, in the end, what did a single kiss between women count for?

She told herself all that as she walked on. None of it made her feel better.

The afternoon’s shooting was trickier. The weather was moving in on them faster than expected, and the partridges kept low to the ground, a sure sign of approaching storms. The Earl called a halt around four o’clock.

“We’ve a long tramp back and we’ll be doing well to beat the rain,” he told the party with a glance to the darkening sky. “Let’s go.”

Pat moved towards Bill as they set off, but he had attached himself to the Earl once more. Preston and Jack paired up again, leaving her to walk with Jimmy, somewhat to her annoyance. He was Bill’s friend; why the blazes couldn’t they talk to each other?

“Think we’ll make it home without getting soaked?” he asked after a few awkwardly silent moments.

“Possibly,” Pat said. “It’s going to be a big blow. Listen, the birds are quiet already.”

“Mmm. Looks like a day indoors tomorrow.”

“I’m sure we can occupy ourselves.”

“Thank God it’s a big house,” Jimmy said. “Look, Pat, I want to say thank you.”

“Sorry?”

“Thank you. You were right, in what you said. I’ve been busy feeling sorry for myself and that’s not fair to Fen, because none of this is her fault. I made a decision and it’s up to me to take the consequences. I can’t have everything I want and that’s all there is to it, and I’m jolly lucky that Fen accepted me in the first place. It’s time I pulled myself together. And I am also jolly lucky to have friends who tell me when I’m being an ass.”

“That’s all right,” Pat said. “I’ll do that whenever you like.”

Jimmy grinned at her. “Try and stop you, eh? I do appreciate it, old girl. And I hope we’ll stay friends once I’m married. You and Fen seem to be getting on like a house on fire.”

“Yes.” She couldn’t manage any more.

“Just don’t steal her away from me tomorrow, that’s all I ask.”

“Sorry?” Pat said. “What do you mean—steal—”

“Well, I’ll want some of her time for myself,” Jimmy said. “Take advantage of the bad weather to do my duty, show her the house properly, all that. What did you think I meant?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT