“No rooms here. And you won’t find a room closer than Wadebridge, maybe. More likely Padstow. Everything closes when the summer visitors are gone.”

“I see,” Belinda said. “Well, we’d be grateful for the pasties. If you’d pop them in the oven for a minute.”

We carried our glasses over to one of the tables and sat on the cold leather seats.

“Cheerful sort, isn’t she?” Belinda muttered to me. “I always remember the Cornish as being much friendlier.”

“Perhaps she doesn’t approve of women traveling alone,” I whispered back. “She thinks we might lure her menfolk.”

“What—that lot of old codgers?” Belinda chuckled.

“Well, you do look rather stylish, you know.”

“Really? This old thing?” But I could tell Belinda was pleased. “One of my own designs, this cape. Do you like it?”

“I think it’s fabulous.”

“I was hoping to get an order from Harrods, but now I don’t actually need the money. Still, I can’t see myself being idle. It’s just not in my nature. I nearly went bonkers when I was holed up in Switzerland with nothing to do.”

“I agree,” I said. “I was becoming so bored alone at Eynsleigh. Darcy wanted me to start entertaining the neighbors but frankly the thought terrifies me. I’ve never given a tea party in my life.”

Belinda laughed. “I can just see you as lady of the manor, holding court over the village, opening garden fetes, judging livestock competitions, sitting on the parish council, leading the Girl Guides.”

“Don’t.” I shuddered. “I’m just beginning to realize that this is now the life I’m stuck with. I’m not sure I’m ready for it. And certainly not sure I’ll be any good at it. Can you see me leading the Girl Guides?”

“You’ll soon have oodles of babies to amuse you,” Belinda said. “I’m sure Darcy hasn’t wasted any time in that department.”

“I hope so,” I said.

Belinda caught my tone and looked up from her glass. “What’s the matter? Is something wrong?”

I chewed on my lip. “It’s just that we’ve been married three months and no sign of a baby yet. You’re right. Darcy is a very enthusiastic lovemaker so I’m beginning to wonder if something is wrong with me. What if I can’t have children?”

Belinda gave an incredulous laugh. “Three months? Darling, that’s nothing at all. Goodness, if I’d become pregnant at the drop of a hat, I’d have had a whole brood of children by now. Frankly I was flirting with danger and terribly lucky it only happened once.”

“But you said you took precautions?”