That Would Be a Fairy Tale - By Amanda Grange Page 0,65

had been vague. Now it was clear. It was the face of Alex Evington.

How strange it was, to find herself falling in love with Alex Evington. She had been so determined to dislike him. But it had become impossible for her to do so. There was so much about him she admired and valued. But evidently he did not return those feelings, because he thought her so shallow she would marry for position and wealth.

At last she returned to the villa, having rid herself of her restlessness by her walk, and found that Sophie and Mrs Lessing had just returned.

Sophie was in a state of great excitement.

‘We’ve managed it!’ she said as she took off her coat. ‘The Honourable Martin Goss is coming to the dinner party at the Kurhaus! He accepted our invitation!’

‘It couldn’t have been more fortunate,’ said Mrs Lessing. ‘As soon as I saw him I recognised him from your description, but his identity was confirmed by an elderly dowager walking past at that moment and returning his greeting by nodding, and saying shortly, "Goss".’

‘So we were then absolutely certain it was him,’ said Sophie, as the three of them went into the sitting-room. ‘Oh, Cicely, I wish you could have been there! It all went according to plan. I bumped into him, flushed prettily -’

‘Really, Sophie,’ scolded her mother, ‘I don’t like to hear you describing yourself as pretty. It is unbecoming for a young lady to flatter herself.’

‘Well, I did,’ said Sophie unrepentantly, ‘for there would have been no point in flushing unattractively.’ Then, turning back to Cicely, she said, ‘I fluttered my eyelashes and simpered and flirted, and through it all I squeezed out an incoherent apology.

‘He raised his hat and smiled indulgently, and said, "No harm done," and I said he must let me make amends. And then I invited him to dinner. He looked as though he were going to refuse - my heart was in my mouth! - but then he caught sight of mother. He could see she didn’t half like the idea, for she couldn’t disguise her true feelings, however much she tried, and as soon as she bridled I knew he would come. Annoying people is one of his greatest pleasures!’

‘Really, Sophie, you don’t know that,’ reproved her mother.

‘Well, by the look on his face it seemed that way,’ said Sophie. ‘And then he said, ‘"If you are sure I would be welcome," in just such a way that mother couldn’t possibly refuse, so she issued him a stiff invitation.’

‘And he accepted?’ asked Cicely.

‘He did - although as much to spite mother as to spend the evening with me, I am sure!’

Cicely smiled. She could just imagine Martin Goss enjoying the situation, and exploiting it to the full.

‘So he is coming!’ said Sophie. ‘Now all we have to do is make sure he steals the tiara and we have him.’

‘One plan has already failed,’ Cicely reminded her, not wanting her to get her hopes up too much.

‘True,’ said Sophie. Then added mischievously, ‘But you didn’t have me to help you then!’

Cicely laughed.

Mrs Lessing, however, was not amused, wondering aloud how her daughter had grown into such a minx.

Nevertheless, it was a buoyant party who sat down to tea. The first part of the venture had succeeded. Now they must hope for similar success in the second.

Cicely regarded herself in the glass. Swathed in an old black mourning dress of her aunt’s, she gave the impression of being an elderly dowager instead of a young lady. Her dark hair was hidden by a wide brimmed black hat and her face was covered with a thick veil. All in all, she was pleased with her disguise. Now all she needed to do was put on her coat when the time came for her to leave the villa and she would be ready to go.

She glanced at the clock. It was only half past nine. It was still too soon for her to set out.

It had been agreed that Sophie would swoon at half-past ten, and Cicely meant to be in place just before then. From her vantage point in the doorway she would be able to see everything that happened, and go to Sophie’s aid if the situation should turn unexpectedly ugly.

Alex, too, would be there, hidden across the road from Cicely, ready to lend his assistance if it should be required. But if all went well then neither he nor Cicely would need to take a hand. Mr Goss