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Authors: Madeline Hunter
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will tell Mr. Riggles to expect me at Fairbourne’s on occasion, so I can decide just where things stand there in light of this new information you have revealed.”
“I agree that it might be wise to put off any discussion, Lord Southwaite. However, I should make it clear right now that Fairbourne’s must not be sold.” Her shoulders squared. Her chin rose. “It cannot be sold. It
will not
be sold.”
He was not accustomed to women speaking to him in the sort of tone she had just used. Nor did he take well being the subject of the furious impertinence in her eyes. Her challenge was unmistakable and his blood urged him to answer it.
Instead he pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it. “I regret that I do not have time to explain your errors on that topic right now.”
“I do not require more time or conversation. I merely thought it best to explain just which tune I intend to whistle with you.”
Several rude responses sprang to mind, referencing how she would whistle however he wanted before he was done with her. “I look forward to hearing more notes, at another time.” He bowed. “I will leave you now. My apologies once more, for the misunderstanding today.”
“We will never speak of it again, Lord Southwaite. By morning it will be as if it never happened, and we will forget it completely.”
Chapter 6
T he next morning Emma sat in the little chamber she used as a morning room, eating breakfast with Cassandra at a table near a back window that overlooked the garden. A small watch lay on the table among their plates and cutlery, showing the hour of nine thirty. Mr. Weatherby would send candidates for the situation at Fairbourne’s beginning at ten.
Cassandra had set that watch there. Whenever Emma saw it, she thought about the advertisement. That in turn led her memory to the meeting yesterday with Southwaite. She had dubbed the entire disaster the Outrageous Misconception.
Cassandra set down her fork and demanded her attention. “You have been too quiet. I think you are deliberately teasing me with your silence. You know I am curious about your caller yesterday. What did Southwaite want with you?”
“It was a simple, brief social call. He did not
want
anything.”
“I trust that you scolded him for sending away your young men.”
“I did, politely but firmly. However, they were not
my
young men and I would appreciate your not calling them that. I am merely Fairbourne’s agent. That advertisement has absolutely nothing to do with
me
.”
“My, you are in a pique today. I hope that your disposition improves before we begin our meetings in the library. It will not be helpful if you present yourself as cross and unpleasant.”
“And why not? It is not as if I am seeking this young man to dance attendance on me.” She peered critically at Cassandra. “There can be no misunderstanding about that, I hope. I have wondered if including that requirement of enjoying female company was ill-advised. It seemed to me that most of those men yesterday were too bold in flirting.”
Cassandra shrugged. “I did not find them over bold. I believe they merely hoped to prove they had the requisite charm.”
“That requirement may have been ill-advised as well.”
“Since both were added by me, are you now criticizing my advice? You are out of sorts today, but please do not turn your bad humor in my direction.”
Emma bowed her head and tried to reclaim a better frame of mind. It was not fair to blame Cassandra for the embarrassment of the Outrageous Misconception. Surely Cassandra had not deliberately written the advertisement with the intention that it be interpreted in shocking ways.
Or had she? Cassandra’s comments about flirting and flattery doing Emma good sprang to mind. So did the suggestion that they find her a man.
No, surely not. Lord Southwaite’s accusations and presumptions were making her too suspicious.
Emma wished she had forgotten all about that humiliation by morning, the
“I agree that it might be wise to put off any discussion, Lord Southwaite. However, I should make it clear right now that Fairbourne’s must not be sold.” Her shoulders squared. Her chin rose. “It cannot be sold. It
will not
be sold.”
He was not accustomed to women speaking to him in the sort of tone she had just used. Nor did he take well being the subject of the furious impertinence in her eyes. Her challenge was unmistakable and his blood urged him to answer it.
Instead he pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it. “I regret that I do not have time to explain your errors on that topic right now.”
“I do not require more time or conversation. I merely thought it best to explain just which tune I intend to whistle with you.”
Several rude responses sprang to mind, referencing how she would whistle however he wanted before he was done with her. “I look forward to hearing more notes, at another time.” He bowed. “I will leave you now. My apologies once more, for the misunderstanding today.”
“We will never speak of it again, Lord Southwaite. By morning it will be as if it never happened, and we will forget it completely.”
Chapter 6
T he next morning Emma sat in the little chamber she used as a morning room, eating breakfast with Cassandra at a table near a back window that overlooked the garden. A small watch lay on the table among their plates and cutlery, showing the hour of nine thirty. Mr. Weatherby would send candidates for the situation at Fairbourne’s beginning at ten.
Cassandra had set that watch there. Whenever Emma saw it, she thought about the advertisement. That in turn led her memory to the meeting yesterday with Southwaite. She had dubbed the entire disaster the Outrageous Misconception.
Cassandra set down her fork and demanded her attention. “You have been too quiet. I think you are deliberately teasing me with your silence. You know I am curious about your caller yesterday. What did Southwaite want with you?”
“It was a simple, brief social call. He did not
want
anything.”
“I trust that you scolded him for sending away your young men.”
“I did, politely but firmly. However, they were not
my
young men and I would appreciate your not calling them that. I am merely Fairbourne’s agent. That advertisement has absolutely nothing to do with
me
.”
“My, you are in a pique today. I hope that your disposition improves before we begin our meetings in the library. It will not be helpful if you present yourself as cross and unpleasant.”
“And why not? It is not as if I am seeking this young man to dance attendance on me.” She peered critically at Cassandra. “There can be no misunderstanding about that, I hope. I have wondered if including that requirement of enjoying female company was ill-advised. It seemed to me that most of those men yesterday were too bold in flirting.”
Cassandra shrugged. “I did not find them over bold. I believe they merely hoped to prove they had the requisite charm.”
“That requirement may have been ill-advised as well.”
“Since both were added by me, are you now criticizing my advice? You are out of sorts today, but please do not turn your bad humor in my direction.”
Emma bowed her head and tried to reclaim a better frame of mind. It was not fair to blame Cassandra for the embarrassment of the Outrageous Misconception. Surely Cassandra had not deliberately written the advertisement with the intention that it be interpreted in shocking ways.
Or had she? Cassandra’s comments about flirting and flattery doing Emma good sprang to mind. So did the suggestion that they find her a man.
No, surely not. Lord Southwaite’s accusations and presumptions were making her too suspicious.
Emma wished she had forgotten all about that humiliation by morning, the
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