The Youngest Bridesmaid (29 page)

“
I won
’
t,
”
she said, then blinked up at him with brave resolve.
“
Piers, you once told me you never regretted things. If they didn
’
t work out, you said, you just forgot them—or—threw them away.
”

“
Did I say that?
”

“
Yes, you did—and—and I just want you to know that—that I don
’
t choose to be thrown away like a—like a smelly kipper, or something.
”

He looked down at her sitting there so upright and defiant in her blue dressing gown, the childish disorder of her soft, straight hair vying with the generous maturity of her mouth, and his own mouth became infinitely tender.

“
A smelly kipper?
”
he repeated, striving to keep his voice grave.
“
What a poor conceit you have of yourself, dear, silly Lou. For your information, if it
’
s any comfort, I never throw away something that
’
s worth while. Does that help?
”

Her blinking became uncontrollable and she suppressed a tiny yawn.
“
And I
’
m worth while?
”

“
Very much so, darling—but telling you will keep till tomorrow. You
’
re nearly asleep.
”

“
Tomorrow
...”
she murmured happily, and thought of all the delectable things that would happen tomorrow; Melissa gone, and the storm forgotten, Tibby offering a truce, and Piers
...
dear, difficult Piers, bedevilled Piers ready at last to start his wooing
...
Tomorrow...

“
Tomorrow,
”
she said, her eyelids beginning to droop,
“
I
’
m going to give orders—to have that other bed moved. It
’
s so ridiculous to waste room space when there
’
s no need—isn
’
t it?
”

His tired eyes twinkled as he pushed her gently back against the pillows.

“
Yes, you do that little thing,
”
he said.
“
As you so rightly say, it
’
s ridiculous to waste room space. Goodnight, my absurd darling.
”

His kiss was so light that she scarcely felt it, but she heard the door between their rooms close softly and for the last time. She lay listening with gratitude to the return of the familiar island sounds, the wash of the sea, the faint hoot of a passing vessel, the wind now no more than a gentle accompaniment to sleep
...
Piers
’
escape from the demands of the world, and now hers.

Too tired and too contented to make the effort to
get into bed, she curled up among the pillows like the little stray cat that she was and slept.

THE END