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.She had somehow expected her to be muscular-looking, but instead she was delicately made with very large eyes.She looked American because like her father she too had a square chin.She had exquisitely small feet, which Carola had always been told was characteristic of American women.Also she had a smile that illuminated her face.“How d’you do, ma’am!” she said to Carola.“Sorry I got held up coming to meet you, but I was so thrilled with the horses that brought us from the station!”“I am delighted you should appreciate them,” Carola said, “and if you want to ride while you are staying here, there are some horses in our stable which I know would be very proud to carry you.”“That’s what I hoped,” Mary-Lou exclaimed, clapping her hands.She turned to her father.“Did you hear that, Poppa? I can ride while I am here and you know I am feeling stiff after doing nothing on board ship except play skittles!”The men laughed at this and the Earl chipped in,“I cannot believe that there were not some handsome young gentlemen for you to dance with in the evenings!”“Oh, that!” Mary-Lou exclaimed.“Of course we danced, but it’s not the same as riding!”“I can show you where the best jumps are,” Peter offered, “and I cannot believe that you will not fly over them on wings.”Mary-Lou laughed at this and then all the men were teasing her about her passion for riding.“I would rather ride than anything else in the world!” she stipulated firmly, “and I am prepared to challenge any English girl you care to produce!”Peter looked at Carola.“I am afraid that this is a somewhat masculine party,” he said, “but my cousin, the Marchioness, is an outstanding rider, so there is a challenge for both of you and naturally our host is expected to provide the prize!”For one moment Carola thought that her riding habit would not be smart enough and then she told herself that at least she would be able to enjoy riding.And while she was doing so, she would not have to wonder whether she was doing the right thing or not.She then turned to Mary-Lou,“We will certainly show these gentlemen what we can do and it will at least take their minds off business for a short while!”Mary-Lou laughed.“You are quite right, ma’am, but you have to be up early in the morning to prevent Poppa from talking of anything else.As I often say to him – anyone who prefers automobiles to horses must be loose in the head!”They all laughed and Alton Westwood retorted bitterly,“Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings – but what can I do about it?”“She may ride her horses now,” the Duke remarked, “but, when your motor cars arrive, she must be kind enough to be photographed with them, which will mean that anyone who looks at your lovely daughter will buy a motor car!”“That’s a good idea, Poppa!” Mary-Lou approved, “I don’t mind being photographed with your motor car, as long as I don’t have to drive the darned thing!”She was obviously not in the least shy.At the same time, she looked so very pretty when she was talking, smiling and laughing all the time.Carola found herself wondering if the Marquis was not being short-sighted in not thinking of marrying her.She could understand that Mary-Lou was very young, but at the same time he could not marry the beautiful Lilac Lucas and it seemed a pity for him to miss having Alton Westwood with all his millions as a father-in-law.Then she told herself that, although it was unlikely, perhaps the Marquis was an idealist.He might want to marry for love.From all she had learned from Peter, it was something that seldom happened in the Social world.Her mother had told her that among the aristocrats just like Royalty, marriages were arranged as soon as a girl was grown up.Then the important factor, she had said, was to gain the best title possible.Carola had always felt it was very cold-blooded and it was the girl who suffered rather than the man.She knew that a Nobleman like the Marquis had to marry sooner or later to produce a son and heir and it would be to his advantage to marry into a family that in breeding was the equal of his own.She looked at the Marquis again.He was talking animatedly to Alton Westwood.She thought that, although Peter found him overwhelming and autocratic, he also had charm.Then she looked at his grey eyes and she knew then that he could be very determined and, if the occasion arose, forceful.‘He is intent on bringing about this coup,’ she thought, ‘and, if he fails to do so, he will be very angry.’She felt a little shiver go through her.As if he realised that she was nervous, Peter came to her side.“I thought that you would like to show Miss Westwood and her father the house while the servants are unpacking,” he suggested.“Yes, of course,” Carola agreed, “what a good idea, Alexander.”She put down the glass from which she had taken only a small sip and walked to Alton Westwood’s side.“I was wondering,” she said, “if you and your daughter would like to see a little of the house.We shall have tea shortly, but I would love to show you the Picture Gallery if you are interested.”“I’m interested in anything that is real England!” Alton Westwood replied, “and I’d be very honoured if you would show us over this fine building yourself.”“Then that is what I will do,” Carola smiled.Alton Westwood called to his daughter.As they moved out of the drawing room, Carola saw with relief that Peter was coming too.She had not liked to ask him to do so in front of the others, but she felt it was essential for him to describe the treasures she had seen for the first time yesterday.They walked from the drawing room into the library.As Carola expected, Alton Westwood was not particularly interested in books and, because she felt she could not bear them to be disparaged, she went quickly on to the music room.There, to her surprise, Mary-Lou exclaimed with delight at the large Steinway piano and, sitting down at it, played a few chords.“You did not tell me you were a pianist!” Peter exclaimed.“Of course I can play,” Mary-Lou replied.She played the opening bars of a Strauss waltz and, looking up at Peter, said,“I hope I am going to have a chance to dance tonight.After all, I will have plenty of partners!”As she spoke, Carola knew this was something Peter had not thought about and she said quickly,“It’s very remiss of me, Miss Westwood, but I had not thought of that until now, but I am sure I can play the piano well enough for you to dance and that is exactly what we will do after dinner.”She looked at Peter as she spoke and saw that he understood.It would be a relief, she thought, from having to continue conversation with Alton Westwood which Peter had anticipated might present difficulties.Or, for that matter, with the other members of the party.“My cousin is right,” Peter said aloud, “We can dance in here and, if the others would rather talk to your father, then we will have the floor to ourselves
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