Read Online The Wicked and Wonderful Miss Merlin by Anne Herries - Free Book Online Page A

Wrexham.  I shall return later.’
    Robert turned towards the door, knowing that she was watching him.  She probably thought him a cold fish but had he said more his temper might have escaped the tight rein he had on it – and his problems were certainly not of Lady Wrexham’s making.
    No, he would save his anger for later.
     
     
     
     
    ‘Robert is going to be so cross,’ Eleanor said when she learned that her brother would be calling that afternoon.  ‘How did he discover where we are?  I had hoped he would not just yet.’
    Samantha had hoped so too, but it was too late to worry.  She knew that she had to face his anger at some time, so it might as well be now.
    ‘Do you think I could go out…?’
    ‘No, Eleanor, I do not.  Your brother will be even angrier if we deliberately avoid him now.’
    ‘I won’t go back with him.’ Eleanor’s face began to crumble, the tears hovering.  ‘I won’t let him part us…’
    ‘Do not cry, my darling,’ Toby said.  ‘I am here and I shall protect you.’  He reached for the back of a chair for support but his face wore a determined expression.  ‘He shall not rage at you.  I will not have it.’
    ‘You shouldn’t…’ Eleanor said anxiously.  ‘You are not ready to face him, dearest.’
    ‘I am not afraid of Lord Brough,’ Toby said, pale but proud.  ‘Be assured that he shall not take you from me.’
    Samantha watched the pair and her heart ached for them.  It was a difficult situation for Lord Brought would be well within his rights to order his sister home if he chose.  She hoped that he might be brought to see sense but was afraid that the attitude of the young people might annoy him more.
    ‘Perhaps you should let me speak to him first?’ she offered, though she too was feeling nervous of the meeting.
    ‘No, Miss Merlin,’ Toby said firmly.  ‘This is my fault.  I shall see him alone at first and then you may both come in when I call for you.’
    ‘Oh, Toby,’ Eleanor said struck by his bravery.  ‘I do love you so much.  I would rather die than give in and be parted from you now.’
    Samantha heard the sound behind her as the door opened and the butler announced, ‘Lord Brough to see Miss Brough and Miss Merlin…’
    Eleanor made a little moaning sound in her throat and reached for Toby’s hand.  Feeling much the same as her former pupil but without a hand to hold, Samantha turned and looked into the harsh face of her nemesis.
    ‘Ah, Lord Brough,’ she said trying to look composed despite the wild racing of her heart. ‘How nice to see you.  When did you arrive in town?’
    ‘Last night, rather too late to come calling, since I have been travelling back and forth across the country for more than a fortnight.’
    ‘Oh, have you,’ Samantha replied apparently unmoved.  How dreadful!  ‘Did you perchance expect to find Eleanor with Lady Merrill?’
    ‘After I had scoured every inn between your school and Scotland I returned home to be greeted by a letter from my sister informing she was going to stay with…your aunt, I believe, sir?’
    Toby squared his shoulders manfully.  ‘You will not be angry with Eleanor or Miss Merlin,’ he said.  ‘I am aware that this bother is all my fault – but I am willing to take the blame…’
    ‘That is just as well since I intend to deal with you later, young man.’  Eyes of cold steel stabbed into the softer eyes that faced him so proudly.  ‘Eleanor, will you explain why you deliberately mislead me not once but twice?’
    ‘That is hardly fair, sir,’ Samantha said.  ‘Eleanor certainly misled us both but she did not intend it.  It was Mr Brockleton’s good sense that saved them from eloping to Gretna Green – and an unfortunate accident that prevented them from arriving at Lady Merrill’s in good time.’
    ‘You will allow my sister to answer the question,’ Robert said, his mouth drawing into a thin line as he glared at her.  ‘I shall speak to you alone