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Helen opened the door, one hand resting against the jamb as she studied the man at Taryn’s side. He suffered her scrutiny for several seconds before saying, ‘I know I look like your son, Mrs Major, but what is this all about? Why do you want to see me? Just to satisfy your curiosity? Though I must admit I’m curious too—about Luke. It’s weird being told there’s someone else who looks like me.'

‘What I have to tell you,' smiled Helen, ‘might seem even weirder still. Please come in.’

They followed her into Luke’s study and there for the first time the two men faced each other. Luke of course, as Taryn had expected, betrayed no emotion, but Mark shook his head in bewilderment as though up till now he had not really accepted what he had been told and was having difficulty in believing his own eyes. ‘It’s not possible,’ he said. ‘I’d never have thought that ’ He put a hand to his brow and looked round at the others, a perplexed smile playing on his lips.

Taryn thought Luke might have said something, but instead he remained aloof and dignified, almost as though he did not want to know his brother. It was excusable after a lifetime apart, but most men in his position would be overjoyed at the prospect of a newfound relative—especially someone as close as Mark.

Helen appeared not to notice Luke’s reaction and bade them both sit down. ‘First of all,' she said, looking directly at Mark, ‘I want to ask you what might seem a perfectly irrelevant question, though I can assure you I have a very good reason for wanting to know.' She paused a moment. ‘Are your parents still alive?’

To say Mark was surprised would be putting it mildly. He clearly had no idea why she should require such information and his eyes opened wide as he stared at her. ‘No, they’re not,’ he managed to get out at last. ‘They died when I was a lad—but what has that got to do with ’

‘I’m coming to that, my boy, don’t be hasty. If you had said they were alive it would have been improper for me to tell you what I have to say. It would have been your mother’s responsibility. Has she ever told you the conditions of your birth?’

Still mystified, Mark shook his head. ‘I know I was born in London—in not very wealthy circumstances, I might add—and I was glad to get away once I was old enough. What else is there to know?’

‘Your mother adopted you,’ Helen stated baldly, ‘just as ’

‘Hey, hang on,’ he broke in. ‘How do you know? I mean, we’re complete strangers. Mark Vandyke’s not even my real name.’

‘It’s only the surname that’s different?’ queried Helen, showing no sign at all of strain. Taryn surmised that only the initial shock had brought on her first attack and now that she was used to the idea of Luke meeting his twin, and especially as Luke himself had shown no sign of distress when discovering that she was not his real mother, she was enjoying the situation.

‘That’s right. I saw no reason to change Mark, but Jones—it was hardly suited for the world of fashion, wouldn’t you agree?’

‘If you say so.’ agreed Helen mildly, ‘though I’m afraid I’ve not yet discovered what you do for a living, and as it’s hardly relevant in these circumstances, we’ll leave that for later. No, I’m quite sure that you are the right man. We only have to look at you both together to dispel any doubts. I adopted Luke too, you know.’

‘What she’s trying to tell you,’ butted in Luke impatiently, ‘is that we’re twins. Separated at birth, adopted by different families and consequently neither of us aware of the other’s existence.’

Mark’s mouth fell open and he jumped to his feet, again looking round at the other occupants of the room. ‘Is this some kind of joke? I’ve never heard anything like it.’

‘Neither had I—until a few minutes ago,’ added Luke drily, ‘but I’m ready to believe my mother, if you are?’

Taryn had never seen Mark lost for words. Usually he was completely self-assured. Then suddenly they were laughing and shaking hands and embracing one another. Again Taryn felt an outsider and would have gone had she not caught Helen’s eye and been beckoned to her side. ‘I’m so relieved.' Helen breathed. ‘The times I’ve imagined this very scene, yet dreaded their meeting in case it all went wrong. I don’t feel that I’ve lost a son, but gained another.’

‘I’m very pleased for you, Helen. I must admit it’s been a bit of a shock for me too, but you’ve been wonderful. I was worried in case you had another attack, like the last time Mark was mentioned.'

‘So you noticed? I think maybe that’s what has been my trouble all along—worrying about them meeting and discovering the truth. Now I have nothing to upset me I think I’ll be all right.'

Once the excitement had died down Helen insisted on Mark staying with them for the remainder of his time in England. ‘I won’t allow you to go anywhere else,' she said. ‘You two must be impatient to find out all about each other, and what better way than living together? Besides, I rather fancy the idea of having two sons.'

Shortly afterwards Taryn left, after promising Helen that she would return with her aunt for a celebration supper. She wanted to refuse, but knowing that Helen would be hurt if she did, and guessing that Gammy would enjoy the occasion anyway, she had reluctantly agreed.

She was right. Gammy was entranced by the whole situation, especially the fact that Luke and Mark were twins. ‘Has it altered Luke's attitude towards you?’ she asked.

‘He hardly spoke to me,’ admitted Taryn, ‘though I don’t blame him in all the excitement. I’d like to think that this will change things between us, but somehow I don’t think it will. He’s made up his mind that I love Mark, and the fact that he’s proved to be his brother will probably make matters worse. There’ll be a sense of honour involved now.'

‘Poor Taryn, but I’m sure everything will turn out well in the end. Luke’s had a disappointment. It will take time for him to get over it. Once he sees you really aren’t in love with Mark any more he’ll come back to you, never fear.’

Taryn was not convinced and for the rest of the day tried to think up an excuse for staying away from Dale End. It could only bring unhappiness as far as she was concerned, even though it was a unique occasion.

About an hour before they were due to go Mark returned for his things. He entered the room and swung Taryn round exultantly. ‘Say, this is a turn-up for the book! When I came over here to make you my wife I never expected to find a brother as well. I really am in luck.'

Taryn waited until he had put her down before saying stiffly, ‘I’m glad you think so.'

His lips pulled down wryly at the corners. ‘You don’t sound very happy. I guess things didn’t go the way you wanted this morning. It’s funny he didn’t say anything to me about you, though come to think of it, we didn’t have much time. We’ve been too busy reliving our youth.'

Taryn deliberately changed the subject. ‘Are you and Luke going to try and find your real mother?’

‘I don't think so,' his face suddenly serious. ‘We’re both of the same mind. If she didn’t want us when we were babies she’d hardly be pleased to see us now. Helen says I can have a home with them whenever I want it. She’s a great person, isn’t she?’

‘Delightful. Luke’s been very lucky.’

‘And now I’m to share in his luck. Oh, well, I must be off. Get myself ready for tonight. See you later.'

‘I’m not coming.’ The words were out before Taryn could stop them. ‘Please give Helen my apologies, tell her I have a headache.'

He frowned. ‘I don’t believe you. You’re making excuses.'

‘Of course she is.' Gammy entered the room and looked severely at Taryn. ‘You can’t get out of it like that. Running away from a problem never solved anything. She’ll be there, Mark, now off with you while we get ready.'

The
evening was the ordeal Taryn had expected. Luke ignored her completely whereas Mark was, if possible, more attentive than ever. It made no difference that she tried to ignore him, even rebuff him. He seemed intent on making everyone believe that Taryn was his girl, and Luke, if no one else, was convinced.

It was a relief when Gammy suggested they go home, though Taryn slept little and woke the next morning with heavy shadows beneath her eyes and a dull ache in the region of her heart. As she rode Dainty at full gallop across the moors she knew the time had come to leave the valley once more. The very place where she had sought solace had now become hell on earth. Through her brother she had heard of a job in London. Tomorrow she would write.

Mark was at the cottage when she returned. ‘How about a spin out to the seaside?’ he asked, taking one look at her wan appearance. ‘You look as though you could do with a breath of sea air.’

Taryn shrugged. She didn’t really want to go, but on the other hand it would be better than sitting at home all day. As Gammy had gone out Taryn left her a note and shortly afterwards they set off.

There was no picnic lunch with Mark. They stopped after they had been on the road for an hour and he took her into a first-class restaurant. Taryn made a pretence of eating, but every mouthful choked her and in the end she put down her knife and fork and pushed away her plate. ‘I’m sorry,' she said, ‘I'm not hungry.'

‘I don’t understand you,' said Mark. ‘Luke's made it perfectly clear that he no longer wants you—I wish you’d stop brooding. You have me. You loved me once, so why not again?’

Why not indeed? There was little likelihood of her reconciling her differences with Luke. He had made up his mind and that was the end of it. He would steer clear of Honeysuckle Cottage in future and Taryn was equally determined never to visit Dale End. His contempt was more than she could stand. She forced a smile. ‘Maybe you’re right. I don’t know what to think any more.’

‘Then let me do the thinking for us both, darling. Once you’re used to having me around you’ll soon discover that you’re as happy as you were with Luke. In any case, you won’t be losing him—for when we’re married he’ll be your brother-in-law. We’ll be one big happy family.'

If anything had been a deterrent for keeping her from marrying Mark, this was. She wanted to get away from Luke altogether, not bring herself nearer to him. ‘You're taking a lot for granted,' she said coolly. ‘Who’s said anything about marriage
V
‘You’ll come round to it in the end,' came the airy reply. ‘Meanwhile let’s enjoy ourselves.’

He took her to Torquay, not a place Taryn liked very much. She preferred quiet, more out-of-the-way places, but on the whole it was a pleasant day. She had certainly come more to terms with herself by the time they reached home.

Her days followed a similar pattern after that. Each morning Mark arrived, to suggest they go out for a ride. As he was shortly to go back to Italy Taryn did not object. It was the first time he had visited England since he was a youth and there was no sense in spoiling his enjoyment by her own unhappiness. She did her best to hide her feelings, to such an extent that Mark seemed very sure of the fact that she would eventually marry him, and talked of the time when they would go back to Italy and set up home together.

Taryn had given up telling him that she had no intention of becoming his wife, though there were times when she succumbed to his kisses with no resistance at all. It was so easy to pretend he was Luke; just as in the beginning she had thought Luke was Mark.

The day of reckoning came when Mark declared he could stay in England no longer. ‘I must get back to Italy soon,’ he said after driving back to the cottage one night. ‘I never meant to stay this long. Another week is the most I can manage. Will that be long enough for you?'

Taryn’s eyes widened. ‘For what?’

‘To get your trousseau ready, of course. I take it you want to be married from here?’ He patted his pocket. ‘I have a special licence all ready.’

‘Then I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed. Do I have to spell it out to you, Mark? For the last time. I’m not going to marry you.’

‘You don’t still love Luke? After the way you’ve behaved these last few days I thought ’

‘You thought you’d won,’ cut in Taryn. ‘I’m sorry if you feel let down, but it really is all over.’

‘But you acted as though—you still cared. Taryn, please, don’t joke with me, this is important.’

Taryn forced a smile at his crestfallen expression. ‘To me too, that’s why I can’t marry you. I’m still fond of you, and I’ll never forget all you’ve done for me, but it’s Luke I love.’

‘Despite the way he’s treated you? I mean, if a fellow can’t believe his girl when she tries to tell him the truth he’s not worthy of her.’

Taryn shrugged. ‘I can’t help the way I feel. I’ll always love him, no matter what.’

‘You once said that to me.’

‘I know, but this is different. I think that in Italy I was in love with the idea of being in love and didn’t know my own feelings. Now I do—and although it looks as though I shall never find happiness with Luke I can’t settle for second best with you.’

Mark sighed. ‘You certainly don’t pull any punches, but I’m not giving up yet. For your sake I hope brother Luke comes to his senses before too long, but don’t forget I’ll be waiting should you ever change your mind.’ He gave a sudden and unexpected smile. ‘Would you like me to put in a word for you?'

‘Don’t you dare! I’m not going to beg. As a matter of fact I’m leaving the valley. I’ve as good as got a job in London. I’m only waiting for confirmation.'

‘Running away?’ with a slight lift of his brows. ‘Will it help?'

‘The work will.' It was what she needed right now —work, work and more work.

The next day Taryn received the expected letter. It was a similar job to the one she had done at Dale End and she was to start the following Monday. The week passed slowly, still with no sign of Luke, although she knew he had not left Dale End. One half of her wanted to stay; to make one last effort to convince him that she had been telling the truth; but the saner, more practical side of her knew the futility in such a plan. If he had wanted to patch things up between them he would have sought her out. It proved that he did not truly love her.

Mark too appeared to have resigned himself to the fact that Taryn wanted nothing more to do with him. They still saw each other, but on a strictly platonic basis. He offered to drive her to London on Saturday as he was flying back to Italy on that day. She had arranged for him to pick her up at eleven and was surprised when he appeared two hours earlier.