The Complete Ravenscar Trilogy: The Ravenscar Dynasty, Heirs of Ravenscar, Being Elizabeth. Barbara Taylor Bradford

of course. What to do…what to do?

       PART TWO

      Golden Boy

      Edward & Lily

      ‘Very tall of personage, exceeding the stature almost of all others, comely of visage, pleasant and broad breasted.’

      Polydore Vergil

      ‘He had courage, determination and resourcefulness, which he used to his own advantage, and was pragmatic, generous, witty and ruthless when the occasion demanded it.’

       Alison Weir

      ‘She walks in beauty, like the night

       Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes; Thus mellow’d to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies.’

       Lord Byron

       FIFTEEN

       Kent

      ‘What to do? What to do?’ Lily murmured, staring at Vicky. ‘Please tell me what to do, because I really don’t know.’

      Vicky Forth put down her coffee cup and sat back in the chair, contemplating her friend for a second or two, and then, shaking her head, she answered softly, ‘I don’t think there is anything you can do at the moment, my dear. You must let the matter rest, and just wait.’

      ‘That’s the hardest part, you know, waiting. Waiting for him to send a note by messenger, or put a letter in the post, or just arrive on my doorstep, as he so often does. This total silence all week is rather unusual, I must admit. I have to think he is still angry with me, perhaps he even wants to break it off?’

      ‘I doubt that. He’s much too much enamoured of you, Lily. I know he was a trifle put out with you last weekend; on the other hand, he seemed to calm down later. Also, there’s another thing. Edward doesn’t bear a grudge, he never has. Very simply, he’s just not made that way…it’s not part of his nature.’

      ‘If you say so then I must believe you, Vicky, and it cheers me up a little. This whole week without a word from him has been nerve-wracking, seemed like an eternity.’

      ‘And it would, since that’s all you’ve focused on, waiting for a word from Ned. I know for a fact he’s been busy. It was his first week at Deravenels, remember.’

      ‘Will told you he’s been busy with work? Is that what you’re saying?’

      ‘Absolutely. Will hasn’t seen him either. Seemingly, Ned has kept to himself. He dropped Will a note saying he was trying to work out the way the company runs, and that Will shouldn’t expect to see him until next week, that is the coming week.’

      A smile flitted across Lily’s face and her eyes sparkled. ‘Thank you for telling me this, it makes it easier, knowing that I’m not the only one he’s ignoring. Obviously his best friend is going through the same thing.’

      Vicky began to laugh, stood up, walked across the small morning room at Stonehurst Farm where the two women were having morning coffee on this windy Saturday. ‘If I’m picking up the correct vibrations from my darling brother, I think he has better fish to fry,’ she remarked as she brought the coffee pot over to the table. ‘Would you care for another cup?’

      Lily shook her head. ‘No, thanks anyway.’

      After filling her own cup, Vicky placed the silver pot on the table and sat down, looking thoughtful. Stirring her coffee and taking a sip, she went on, ‘I do believe Will has a new lady in his life.’

      Lily stared at her, obviously taken by surprise. ‘Really! How odd that Ned hasn’t mentioned it to me—after all, they are so close, those two. So he must know.’

      ‘I doubt that Ned would say anything to anyone…he’d consider it Will’s business. He’s not the kind of person to gossip.’

      ‘Edward’s an odd duck though, in some ways, don’t you think?’

      Vicky frowned, not quite understanding what Lily meant by this comment. She gave her friend a questioning look.

      As if reading her mind, Lily exclaimed, ‘What I mean is he seems much older than his actual age. Also, he certainly has a penchant for seeking out older women. I know for a fact that he had a flirtation with his mother’s secretary, a widow.’

      ‘He does have a weakness for older women, and most especially widows, but don’t complain, Lily. After all, you’re his favourite, so do be happy.’

      ‘I am happy, although a little worried at the moment.’

      ‘Oh, darling, don’t be concerned. You haven’t heard from him this week because he’s only just stepped into his father’s shoes and gone into the family business.’

      ‘It’s not his absence or his silence that’s really worrying me,’ Lily murmured, leaning closer across the table, ‘but something else altogether.’ Dropping her voice, she now confided, ‘I am afraid I might be pregnant, having his baby.’

      This was the last thing Vicky had expected to hear and for a moment she was speechless, and then sitting up straighter in her chair, she asked in a quiet tone, ‘Are you sure?’

      Shaking her elegant blonde head, Lily answered swiftly, ‘No, not yet. But I have…missed…a month. Last month. I have to wait and see what happens…I’m due in ten days.’ Taking a deep breath, Lily added, ‘Before you say it, I know he won’t marry me if I am expecting. And I wouldn’t want him to, I’m much too old for him. Anyway, I think it goes without saying that Ned is not really marriage material. He’s too much of a Lothario. At the moment. And Edward Deravenel of Deravenels is undoubtedly expected to make a brilliant marriage one day, when the time is right.’

      Vicky nodded. ‘What you say is true, but what on earth are you going to do if you are carrying his child? There are doctors who…well, you know, terminate unwanted pregnancies. But I think that might be a dangerous course to take.’

      ‘Oh, I agree with you! And I would never go that route! Believe me, I wouldn’t.’

      ‘So what will you do?’ Vicky pressed, filled with sudden concern.

      ‘I would have the baby, there’s nothing else to do, if you think about it.’

      Vicky was silent for a moment, biting her lip. ‘You would have the baby and bring it up yourself, is that what you’re saying?’

      ‘Yes.’ Lily nodded. ‘I would have it, and keep it.’

      ‘But Lily, darling, think of the scandal. What will you say? Tell people? And who will you name as the father?’

      ‘Well, I hadn’t actually thought of all that, not in great detail. No, I definitely haven’t puzzled all that out yet. But I don’t suppose I would name Edward. Why would I want to cause trouble for him? After all, I do love him, Vicky, very much. And I do understand that he can never marry me, for a variety of reasons not only because of our age differences. But I think…well, you know, I do think I would like to have his baby, and I know I’d enjoy bringing up his child.’

      ‘What lovely sentiments, Lily,’ Vicky murmured, smiling at her friend. ‘And I’m perfectly certain Ned would help you financially.’