10 December 1931

"I absolutely insist!" Margaret Hulton exclaimed, pushing a glass of champagne into Lily's hand, despite her protestations. "It's not every day it's your birthday, nor do you become engaged. Happy birthday and congratulations!"

"Thank you," Lily replied, gently clinking her glass against the other woman's. "It's very kind of you."

"Nonsense, Edward and I are very pleased for both of you and, if I must say, a little smug at the very small part we perhaps played in bringing you and Siegfried together. Or, perhaps I should say, the small part Adagio played in so doing." She paused and smiled. "I knew the way he looked at you the evening you both came for dinner that he was falling in love with you. You must have recognised it for yourself, surely?"

"Oh…well…"

"And have you set a date for the wedding?"

"Yes, Saturday 30th January."

"Oh, that's still some time away. I imagined you would want it sooner?"

"Well, we only spoke with Reverend Thwaite last week and the banns 'ave to be called three weeks in a row. What with Christmas and New Year and everything, it seemed sensible to give ourselves a bit of time on the other side to get organised."

"Very wise," Margaret nodded. "A wedding is a complicated affair. Have you selected a dress yet?"

"No, but I'm going to York next week to take a look." The thought alone excited her and whilst she had little to draw on, many of her thoughts and imaginings over the last few weeks had been focused on what sort of white creation she was going to choose for herself.

"By yourself?"

"No, Audrey Hall's coming with me. I value 'er opinion."

"Splendid. One mustn't shop for one's bridal gown alone. And the reception, where are you going to hold it?"

"It's nothing fancy. We asked Reverend Thwaite if we could use the church 'all and 'e said yes…"

"No, no, no, you must have it here!"

Lily paused and stared at her. "'ere?"

"Absolutely!"

"Oh no…no I couldn't…"

"Of course you could! Oh, I'm not talking about using the ballroom, I realise that might seem a little bit too much, but we have ample rooms that are more than suitable to hold a wedding breakfast. Oh, please say you'll have it here. It would please Edward and I so much."

"Well…" she paused again, unsure quite how to respond. It was beyond kind of the other woman to offer and yet, she couldn't help but think that having a reception at Hulton Hall might be taken ill out by some. "I'll 'ave to talk to Siegfried…"

"Yes, you must. I'm sure he'll agree that it's a very suitable option. Ah…" Margaret glanced out of the window. "They're coming now with the horses. I do hope it stays dry for your ride. Nothing worse than plodding over the hills soaked to the skin. Oh, Soames has brought Aria for you, how appropriate. She is a very sweet mare, such an ideal temperament for someone not used to horseback riding."

Leaving her, now empty, glass on the table, Lily followed her host out of the sitting room into the main hallway and then down the steps outside where Lord Hulton's stablemaster, Soames, was standing holding the bridles of two beautiful looking horses. A few paces behind, deep in conversation, Siegfried and Edward followed suit.

"Ah, there you are!" Edward exclaimed, upon seeing them. "The horses are ready. All you need to do now is go off and enjoy your time with them."

"This really is very kind of you," Siegfried said, catching her eye and smiling. "I'm only sorry we've not been able to take you up on your offer before now."

"Well, Lily's birthday seems an ideal opportunity to do so," Edward stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek. "Happy birthday my dear."

"Thank you."

"Well, this is Aria and she'll see you safely from start to finish," he clapped the hindquarters of the nearest horse. "Not to mention the fact that she's particularly fond of Largo, so wherever he leads, she will follow. No danger of you getting lost or separated."

"She's beautiful," Lily commented as Soames made to help her mount. "They both are."

"I would keep to the west track," Edward said once she and Siegfried were both seated. "There's some lovely views but it's not too far to turn back, should the weather change."

"Let's hope it doesn't," Siegfried said. "Thank you again."

"Not at all, enjoy yourselves. Remember Lily, feet in the stirrups, hands on the reins and you'll be fine."

"Thank you," she laughed.

With a flick of heels and a swish of tails, both horses obediently started walking along the side of the house before turning down towards the far end and the glorious vista beyond. Never having sat on a horse before, Lily couldn't help the jangling of her nerves as she felt the beast move beneath her, but Siegfried had told her to simply hold on tight and that they would go at a simple walking pace, nothing too adventurous for her first time. As they picked their way down towards the far field where the track started, she craned her neck to look up at the leaden sky above them. The wind was brisk and cold, but the sun was attempting to break through in patches and she couldn't help but share Margaret's view that there would be nothing worse than riding in the rain,

"What were you and Lady Hulton discussing?" Siegfried asked, breaking into her thoughts.

"She was just asking me about the wedding arrangements. She offered to let us use Hulton Hall for the reception."

"Really? What did you say?"

"Well, I said I'd 'ave to talk to you but…well…I don't think it's entirely appropriate, do you?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Well…wouldn't it makes us seem as though we were getting a bit above ourselves? Hulton Hall? Really? What would our guests think?"

"Do you care? It would be our day."

"Yes, I do care. I don't want folk to think badly of us. I think I'd be more comfortable 'aving it in the church 'all, as we agreed, though it was very kind of Lady Hulton to offer."

"You spend far too much time caring about what other people think," he replied. "But I can see your point, and I would agree that you're right. The church hall it is then."

"Good," she breathed, grateful that he hadn't seen fit to argue the point too seriously with her. Things had been ticking along so well in the last few weeks that the last thing she wanted to do was upset the apple cart, as it were. Her father's mood had improved considerably since his talk with Siegfried and she couldn't help but feel so much happier in herself than she ever had before. Every moment that she spent with her future husband filled her with such joy. "You'll be looking forward to seeing Tristan this weekend."

"Yes, I confess I will. Don't tell him, but I have missed him these past months."

"I'll remind you of that when you start complaining about him again."

"Yes, please do. If there's one thing consistent about me it's that I'm terribly inconsistent."

She laughed as they turned onto the track. "It must be nice 'aving a brother though. I've always wondered what it would be like."

"It can be terribly draining, let me tell you. If I'm not despairing of him, I'm worrying about him. Perhaps if we were closer in age it would be different but, as it is…as I've said before, at times I feel more like his father than his brother. I'm painfully aware that he needs guidance, but also freedom to make his own mistakes, if that makes any sense."

"Of course it makes sense. You'd probably worry about 'im whatever the age difference was though."

"Yes, I suppose you're right. Although, in marrying you I hope to half that burden." He smiled mischievously at her. "You will be like a second stepmother to him."

"I thought your stepmother was still alive?"

"She is, but we've had little contact with her since Father died. I've decided I'm not going to invite her to the wedding."

"Oh."

He glanced over at her again, "You don't approve?"

"Well, it's not really for me to say but…well…she is family, isn't she?"

"In a way."

"You told me that she was lovely."

"She is."

"Then why wouldn't you invite 'er?"

"I don't know," he sighed. "Perhaps it's because she's so intrinsically linked to Father and the past. But then again, perhaps the past isn't such a bad thing. I suppose, deep down, I'm sorry that he and Mother can't be here, can't meet you. I know they would have both adored you."

"I can understand that. I wish me mother were 'ere to see me married, but I suppose some things just aren't meant to be. Family's important, though, Siegfried. It's the most important thing."

"You're right," he smiled at her again. "It's certainly very reassuring how well your father's taken things."

"I think, deep down, 'e's actually quite excited about the wedding, not to mention gaining a vet for a son-in-law."

"Well, I can see how that could be true. He's certainly consulted me on many things since I spoke with him."

"Don't let 'im use you," she warned. "First sign of something being free of charge and 'e's all over it."

"I don't mind, how could I? It's a small price to pay for knowing that he accepts me, accepts us. Besides, he may well have a vet for a daughter one day."

She laughed indulgently, "Perhaps." As the weeks had passed, and her father had been more accepting of how things were going to change, she had spent more time reading Siegfried's books and accompanying him both at the surgery and out on visits. She felt as though her brain was literally expanding with all the knowledge that she had acquired in such a short space of time and, as pleased as she was for herself, she also couldn't help but be happy at the pleasure she was clearly giving him. "I told 'im seven o'clock for dinner tonight. That were right, weren't it?"

"Yes, absolutely. I know Mrs Hall's looking forward to it."

"It's very kind of her to do it," she replied. "I'm not needing a fancy birthday dinner though."

"Nonsense, she's happy to do it and I think it's wonderful that your father's going to come too. Another breakthrough, you might say. I'm sure we'll make a happy foursome, although I suppose that does rather sound as though I'm trying to push your father and Mrs Hall together, heaven forbid." He moved Largo slightly in front of her, taking the lead as they made their way through a narrow pass before emerging back out into the open countryside.

"I love you," she said suddenly, feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness wash over her. "This 'as been the best birthday I've 'ad in a long time."

"I love you too," he replied, "and I'm glad that you're happy. That's all I could ever hope for. Well, that and Tristan eventually qualifying and saving me from aging too much before my time."

"You're not old."

"Sometimes I feel it. I hope you understand that your future husband is over forty, Lily."

"A man of experience then."

He looked over at her and laughed, "Yes, I suppose so, and I suppose I shall be the envy of all my peers having secured the affections of a younger woman."

"Maybe not, when you consider 'ow many things you 'ave to teach me."

"Your learning is coming along quite well."

"I wasn't necessarily referring to my veterinary studies," she looked sideways at him.

"No, nor was I."

A slight ripple ran through her at the low richness of his voice and she was about to say something more when a fat drop of water suddenly landed on her head and she looked upwards to the sky as it rapidly darkened. Rain started to fall, intermittently at first, then persistently, growing heavier with each passing second until she could feel it starting to soak through her coat.

"We need to find some shelter," Siegfried said, "follow me." He pushed Largo forwards into a trot and before she could remind him that this was the first time she had ever been on a horse, Aria followed suit, bouncing her wildly in the saddle and causing her to grab hold of fistfuls of mane to stop herself from sliding off. They traversed back into the tree line, the sky now so dark as to make it seem almost like twilight beneath the heavy canopy.

"Where are we going to go?!" she called above the noise of the battering rain.

"Up here! There's a cottage ahead!"

Blindly, she let Aria simply follow where Largo led and, moments later, a small stone structure appeared in front of them, its decrepit state leading her to believe that it must be unoccupied. One of the glass panes in the window was smashed and there was foliage sprouting from the chimney, but it seemed the only viable option. Siegfried pulled Largo to a halt and slid down, tying his reins around a nearby tree, before coming to assist her. She slid gratefully down onto the ground, similarly securing Aria alongside, before following him to the cottage door. To her surprise, with some force on his part, it creaked open, and they hurried inside out of the weather. Despite the broken glass, inside the cottage was relatively dry and a quick glance around revealed that it was one room, straw and wood chippings littering the ground, a small, neat stack of haybales in one corner.

"It must be an old estate worker's cottage," Siegfried remarked. "Looks as though it hasn't been used for years, except for storing hay."

"Why would someone store 'ay away out 'ere?"

"I have no idea."

"At least it's dry," she said, taking off her coat and shaking it before draping it over what looked like the remains of an old stone fire pit. She could feel a trickle of water slide down her back and she stamped her feet and shivered.

"Pity there's no matches," he said, glancing around. "We could have made a fire."

"And 'ow would we 'ave put it out again?"

"Ah, good point. I doubt Lord and Lady Hulton would be too pleased if we started a wildfire." He took off his own coat. "You look frozen."

"Well, it is the middle of winter." She pulled the clip from her hair and shook it loose, the ends curling with the effect of the rain. "Only fools like us would think it a good idea to go 'orseback riding on a day like today."

"Well, we can't always predict the weather."

"No, I suppose not." She glanced towards the window. "Reckon it'll last long?"

"I'm not sure. Here, let me warm you up." Pulling her in close to him, he began rubbing his hands up and down her arms. "We'll wait for a break and then head on back. How have you found it on Aria so far?"

"It's a bit uncomfortable, but not unpleasant. The more times I do it, the better it'll be I suppose."

"Indeed, as with most things." He ran his fingers through the wet tendrils of her hair then, cupping his face with his hand, leant in to kiss her.

She acquiesced, opening her mouth to accept him, enjoying the feelings that being close to him created. Then she pulled back and glanced around again. "Do you think people used to live in 'ere?"

"I would imagine so."

"It's not very big."

"It seems fairly adequate to me. Water from the stream over yonder, fire over there for heat and cooking," he gestured to the pit, "and, presumably, a bed over here where the hay is. Ideal I'd say. In fact, quite romantic."

"Romantic?"

"Yes, imagine being alone out here, nothing around you but the trees and the birds…" he moved towards her again, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her in close for another long, lingering kiss.

"Siegfried…"

"What?" he asked softly when they broke apart. "Can a man not kiss his intended?"

"Oh 'e can kiss 'er, but 'e might do well to remember what 'e said a few weeks ago."

"And what was that?"

"That it shouldn't 'appen again until we were married."

"What, kissing?" he raised his eyebrows. "In that case, I fear that all is already lost."

"You know exactly what I mean…" she said as his mouth found hers again and she felt herself melt into his arms, the cold and wet seemingly forgotten in the sweetness of the moment. His hands roamed over her body, pulling her sweater out from where it was tucked into her trousers and over her head, before tossing it to one side. "I thought we agreed…" she murmured, even as she found herself assisting him in the removal of his own sweater, her fingers straying automatically to the buttons on his shirt underneath.

"One thing you will come to learn about me, my darling," he replied, his mouth moving down her throat. "Is that I have a terrible memory…"

"I don't believe that for a moment," she pushed his shirt from his shoulders. "You wouldn't be able to practice as you do if you didn't 'ave a good memory."

He threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled back so his gaze could meet hers. "Well, let's call it a selective memory then."

"I suppose that sounds more accurate."

He kissed her again, deeper and harder, and she felt desire and need course through her, the likes of which she almost felt as though she had never experienced before. The first time they had made love she had been unsure, nervous even, a novice in the act and all that it entailed. This time, whilst not perhaps practiced, she felt more confident, more sure of what would happen, how it would make her feel and, crucially, how much she needed it. In their interactions since that night there had been no real opportunity presented for repetition and though she had convinced herself that waiting was a perfectly viable option, touching him and being touched in return made her realise that she couldn't deny him, nor did she want to. She felt her nipples harden, goose bumps rise on her flesh and a hot throb begin strumming between her thighs.

In a tangle of hastily removed clothing and bursts of punctured breath, they sank down onto the discarded hay bales and she squealed slightly at the sensation of it against her bare back.

"Is it too uncomfortable?" he asked, lifting his mouth from her chest. "Do you want to stop?"

"No, do you?"

"No," his mouth found hers again, as her legs curled instinctively around his waist. Unlike before, he sank quickly inside of her and she heard herself cry out against his mouth, though not with anything akin to pain. She felt wet and slippery and his thrusts came and went with ease, his face buried in her neck. "Oh…Lily…"

She clung to him, enjoying the sensation of him moving inside her, feeling her breath taken away with almost every stroke and she closed her eyes, delighting in it all, reminding herself that she had a lifetime of lovemaking like this awaiting her once they were married. She felt as though she were in a haze, the world around her growing misty at the edges until, quite suddenly, she felt him move beneath her, pull her up and over him so that he was lying on his back looking up at her, their bodies still intimately connected. Before she could question him, he ran his hands up her torso to her breasts and then back down to her hips, moving her against him in time with his motions, pulsating up and into her, the very action causing the sweetest of sensations to burn through her body.

As though it had happened a thousand times before, she found herself moving in time with him, her body recognising what felt pleasing to her and demanding that it continue. She arched her back away from him, her head falling backwards, and when she made to look down at him again, saw that his gaze was locked on her, his eyes heavy with desire. Like dance partners who knew exactly how the other moved, he pushed himself upwards at the same time as she pulled him to her, so that his head was against her chest, his mouth seeking and finding her breasts again as their hips rocked together.

She could feel the blessed release coming, the same sensation that had swarmed through her the last time, frightening her in its heat and intensity. She wanted to cry out and yet she was almost afraid to let go, afraid to give voice to her own pleasure, lest someone hear and think less of her for it. And yet, who was there to hear except him, and why would she not want him to hear it, not want him to know the strength of the physical feelings he evoked within her?

To her own ears her cries sounded as though they were coming from somewhere far away and she writhed against him, unable to control her own body as her release pulsated through her. It was painful and yet wonderful at the same time and as she fell over the cliff and crashed down the other side, she heard his own moans of pleasure, felt him jerk hard inside her before they both collapsed back onto the hay together.

For a moment she simply lay across him, her chest rising and falling in the aftermath of the exertion, his skin sheened with sweat under her touch. It felt surreal somehow, as if this couldn't be her life, as if this man couldn't possibly want her, need her, as strongly as he did, nor she need him. For someone who had never known the touch of a man to now be fornicating on bales on hay in an abandoned cottage…the thought made her giggle.

"What's so amusing?" he asked.

She lifted her head to look down at him, "Nothing really. It just makes me laugh thinking on 'ow my life has changed recently."

"For the better, I hope."

"Absolutely," she brushed her lips against his. "Without a doubt."

By the time they had re-dressed, the rain had stopped, and the sun was poking through the canopy of trees. Stepping back out into the fresh breeze made her shiver again and, quite without warning, he pulled her into his arms again.

"You were wonderful."

She felt her cheeks pink slightly, unfamiliar with such praise. "I'm not sure 'ow you can say that. I'm still new to all this."

"I said earlier that your learning was coming on very well. I do hope you get some pleasure out of it."

"Do you really 'ave to ask me that question? Could you not tell?"

"Indeed I could. A gentleman doesn't like to assume, however." He tightened his arms around her and sighed, "It really can't happen again though."

"You initiated it," she laughed.

"I know, does it make you think badly of me?"

"Making love to me? Making me feel and experience things I've never felt or experienced before, wonderful things? 'ow could I 'ever think badly of you for that? When you touch me, I feel…I don't know…like me whole body's just…singing." She felt herself blush again but strangely felt no shame in expressing how she felt. "If you tell me now that we're not going to do that again until the end of January…"

"Opportunities are few and far between. Mrs Hall is always at Skeldale House and your father is always at Windy Hill. Unless you're suggesting that we arrange clandestine rendezvous at this cottage on a regular basis…"

"No offence, but I think I preferred making love with you in me bed than on an 'aybale."

"I don't recall you complaining too vociferously."

"Well, I 'ad other things on me mind…" she kissed him, "although…"

"Although what?"

"If I were a suspicious person, I might say that you 'ad planned this."

"Planned what, exactly?"

"A ride on an afternoon like this when the weather was questionable, a ride down a track that led to this cottage where we would 'ave to take shelter and where you could…well…take me…"

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, but I can't help but feel rather pleased that you consider me capable of such deception. Now that you've planted the seed, I must think about other places I could…take you."

She laughed and pressed herself against him. "Well, perhaps right now, you could take me back to Hulton Hall. I'll 'ave to go 'ome and change before I can be seen at dinner, whether it just be the four of us or not." He helped her back into the saddle and, as they turned back towards the track, a question suddenly came into her mind. "Siegfried?"

"Yes?"

"Is it normal to do it like that?"

"Is it normal to do what like what?"

"Is it normal to make love with, well, the woman on top?"

He paused before replying. "I suppose so. I confess I hadn't really thought about it before. It seemed a perfectly natural thing to do in the moment. Did you like it that way?"

"Yes," she smiled. "Very much."

"Good," he smiled back at her. "I shall have to remember that."