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Authors: Fenella J Miller
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far as she was concerned Uncle John held that position and she had no intention of allowing this intruder to interfere with her life in any way.
‘You did not know of my existence until this morning so you can hardly claim to be an interested party.’ She jumped to her feet and scowled down at him lounging, unabashed and amused, in the arbour. ‘I sincerely hope that someone sends a carriage to collect you tomorrow, Ilchester, because you are no longer welcome at Canfield Hall.’
In one smooth movement he was on his feet – no longer relaxed and friendly, but rigid with disapproval. Referring to him without his title was disrespectful and her actual comment was hardly polite, so it was not surprising he was angry.
She knew instinctively he would not harm her, and it was easier to deal with him when glaring at her than when he was being charming and friendly. In fact, she was rather enjoying the exchange. Having him towering over her was a trifle intimidating, but she was better able to cope with his anger than his charm.
‘I know why your father sent his man here every year – it was not to offer assistance to my uncle, but to see if he was still alive. As you are no longer a beneficiary, I assume that your interest in Canfield Hall has come to an end.’
She was sure she actually heard his teeth grind. What had possessed her to say something so inflammatory and impertinent? In the near darkness she could not see his face clearly, but the ominous silence told her all she needed to know. Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, she gathered her skirts and prepared to run away.
‘Remain where you are, Miss Stanton.’ His voice cracked like a whip and she almost obeyed him, but something told her it would be wiser to remove herself immediately from his vicinity. He was a formidable gentleman and she had no wish to be given a bear-garden-jaw, even if it was justified.
She scampered through the gardens expecting at any minute to be accosted by this furious giant of a man. He must have become lost as she arrived safely at the terrace. The drawing room doors were open, and the evidence of their dinner had been removed.
She was relieved to be back safely, but remained outside for a few minutes until her heart had stopped hammering and she was less breathless. She had no wish to alarm her uncle by appearing red-faced and distressed as he might think his lordship had taken liberties, and the exact opposite was true.
Now the excitement of the confrontation had dissipated she was ashamed of her behaviour and instead of creeping away to her apartment she decided to wait and apologise to their guest. Why was he taking so long? He had longer legs than she and the candles flickering in the windows of the house were quite visible from the rose garden.
‘Why are you dithering about out here, Miss Stanton? Surely you are not afraid to meet me after your disgraceful behaviour?’
The apology she had been rehearsing in her head evaporated like snow in the sunshine. She spun and stared up at him with dislike. ‘I thought you had become lost or had had an accident and I was about to go in search of you. I should have realised you were creeping about, as usual, and waiting to upset me.’
He stepped onto the terrace and for some reason her feet remained glued to the paving stones. He closed the gap between them until he was no more than an arm’s length away. ‘Mr Bishop has retired and I took the liberty of dismissing your staff.’
Sapphire swallowed nervously. He could not have made it more clear – he had sent everyone away so he was free to administer whatever retribution he thought fit without fear of witnesses or interruption. ‘In which case, sir, you are now free to give me the dressing-down I so richly deserve. I have behaved appallingly, I am not normally outspoken or impertinent and I sincerely apologise for...’
‘I will hear no more of that, Miss Stanton, I have no wish to admonish you nor
‘You did not know of my existence until this morning so you can hardly claim to be an interested party.’ She jumped to her feet and scowled down at him lounging, unabashed and amused, in the arbour. ‘I sincerely hope that someone sends a carriage to collect you tomorrow, Ilchester, because you are no longer welcome at Canfield Hall.’
In one smooth movement he was on his feet – no longer relaxed and friendly, but rigid with disapproval. Referring to him without his title was disrespectful and her actual comment was hardly polite, so it was not surprising he was angry.
She knew instinctively he would not harm her, and it was easier to deal with him when glaring at her than when he was being charming and friendly. In fact, she was rather enjoying the exchange. Having him towering over her was a trifle intimidating, but she was better able to cope with his anger than his charm.
‘I know why your father sent his man here every year – it was not to offer assistance to my uncle, but to see if he was still alive. As you are no longer a beneficiary, I assume that your interest in Canfield Hall has come to an end.’
She was sure she actually heard his teeth grind. What had possessed her to say something so inflammatory and impertinent? In the near darkness she could not see his face clearly, but the ominous silence told her all she needed to know. Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, she gathered her skirts and prepared to run away.
‘Remain where you are, Miss Stanton.’ His voice cracked like a whip and she almost obeyed him, but something told her it would be wiser to remove herself immediately from his vicinity. He was a formidable gentleman and she had no wish to be given a bear-garden-jaw, even if it was justified.
She scampered through the gardens expecting at any minute to be accosted by this furious giant of a man. He must have become lost as she arrived safely at the terrace. The drawing room doors were open, and the evidence of their dinner had been removed.
She was relieved to be back safely, but remained outside for a few minutes until her heart had stopped hammering and she was less breathless. She had no wish to alarm her uncle by appearing red-faced and distressed as he might think his lordship had taken liberties, and the exact opposite was true.
Now the excitement of the confrontation had dissipated she was ashamed of her behaviour and instead of creeping away to her apartment she decided to wait and apologise to their guest. Why was he taking so long? He had longer legs than she and the candles flickering in the windows of the house were quite visible from the rose garden.
‘Why are you dithering about out here, Miss Stanton? Surely you are not afraid to meet me after your disgraceful behaviour?’
The apology she had been rehearsing in her head evaporated like snow in the sunshine. She spun and stared up at him with dislike. ‘I thought you had become lost or had had an accident and I was about to go in search of you. I should have realised you were creeping about, as usual, and waiting to upset me.’
He stepped onto the terrace and for some reason her feet remained glued to the paving stones. He closed the gap between them until he was no more than an arm’s length away. ‘Mr Bishop has retired and I took the liberty of dismissing your staff.’
Sapphire swallowed nervously. He could not have made it more clear – he had sent everyone away so he was free to administer whatever retribution he thought fit without fear of witnesses or interruption. ‘In which case, sir, you are now free to give me the dressing-down I so richly deserve. I have behaved appallingly, I am not normally outspoken or impertinent and I sincerely apologise for...’
‘I will hear no more of that, Miss Stanton, I have no wish to admonish you nor
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