The Velvet Glove by Mary Williams

slightly.
    ‘ I’m sure I don’t have to explain; your own fancy for the Honourable Jon was clear enough at the time, if you remember. But that’s an episode we should both do well to forget. So no more arguing about the wedding. We’re going , that’s that.’
    He ’s insufferable, Kate thought, quite insufferable. But she said no more. Her fingers were clenched tightly over her handkerchief, rolling it into a small ball, and her jaws were set.
    He ’d won this time. In future, she determined, she’d have to be more subtle and play her part differently should any conflicting discussion arise between them.
    It was the very first time she ’d realized that marriage to Rick Ferris was not going to be all plain sailing.
    Still, she ’d been born a Barrington, and Barringtons generally succeeded in winning any challenge that arose. Her self-confidence gradually returned, and in the end her natural high spirits were revived by the contemplation of acquiring some eye-catching outfit that would evoke envy and admiration from the select congregation gathered to see the Honourable Jonathan Wentworth marry her cousin. She chose pale lavender silk for the occasion that accentuated her exquisite complexion, emphasizing the rich russet shades of her hair.
    So, despite the brief dispute life assumed its original harmonious course at Woodgate, though Rick realized full well there might be occasional difficulties ahead.
    It was in late January, the period shortly before the wedding that during one of Kate’s canters on Beth through the winding forest lanes, that she came upon Cassie leaning against a tree, with her sketching pad under her arm. She was wearing a loose blue cape, and the wind had blown pale strands of fair hair over her shoulders. She appeared absorbed, staring at a glitter of light through a tangle of branches shielding a darker mass of something beyond, to her left.
    For the first time Kate, with a lurch of astonishment, recognized that Cassandra in these sur roundings had a certain beauty – a fey-like delicacy of form – a grace akin to that of a young deer and other of the forest creatures. She had never really fitted in at Beechlands, and its social life, but here, somehow, she appeared so right. Had Jon recognized this subtle quality? Was there something similar in the two of them that had so instantly captured his imagination? Or was it just happiness that had caused the change in a rather colourless young girl to gentle loveliness? If so, then it was wrong of her, Kate to grudge her the new status of becoming Jon’s wife. She must be generous, she decided, and forgive her for stealing the man whom she’d so wanted for herself.
    After all, nothing could make any difference now . In the space of two weeks they would both be married women – Mrs Rick Ferris, and the Hon. Mrs Jon Wentworth.
    They must be friends – not only for C assie’s sake, but because she knew Rick wished it.
    Cassandra turned as Kate reined and tethered her mount to the stump of a tree at the side of the lane. Then she pushed through the undergrowth and approached her cousin.
    Cassandra gave a little start, as though she ’d been woken sharply from a dream.
    ‘ So I’ve found you,’ Kate remarked ineffectually. ‘This is your secret place!’
    ‘ Secret? Well, it’s where I like to come for ideas and things. For my paintings. There’ll be orchids later, as well as bluebells wild, of course, but rare. Jon gave me a little book about them—’ she broke off vaguely. Something in Kate’s face – the way she stood, so completely still for a moment – a static shape against the pale light behind her was mildly disturbing to Cass.
    ‘ Ah, yes. Jon. I’ve heard he’s a bit of a naturalist.’
    ‘ He is. We like the same things,’ Cassandra stated with a sudden unexpected show of spirit. ‘And this place isn’t secret – anyone can come here, you know that. Or didn’t you know—?’ She turned, indicating the