Kitabı oku: «Reawakening Miss Calverley», sayfa 3
Chapter Three
James’s touch was having a strange effect on Anne. She stammered, ‘I d-d-did.’
‘What do you mean, you did? Who left you lying on the floor?’
‘I fell. All by myself. No one else was here.’ ‘You fell? Why wasn’t someone with you?’ ‘They…they thought I was asleep in bed.’ ‘So you should have been! What on earth were you doing over there?’
She hesitated, then hung her head and said in a low voice, ‘I…I wanted to see what I looked like.’
‘See what you…’ James looked at the chest of drawers. ‘Oh! The mirror!’ He regarded her with astonishment. ‘You wanted to see yourself in the mirror? Do you realise that you’ve just given me the devil of a fright! I thought for a moment you’d been attacked!’ He started to laugh. ‘What does it matter what you look like at the moment? Or did you think your bump on the head had given you a black eye?’
‘It isn’t at all funny!’ she said, looking up indignantly. ‘It’s very natural to want to know what one looks like, and I have no idea.’ After a pause, she added, ‘A black eye wouldn’t really matter, it wouldn’t last. But…have I…have I a squint?’
This produced another laugh, but he quickly became serious and said, ‘I’m sorry—I hadn’t realised…No, there’s no sign of a squint.’ He studied her for a moment, then said slowly, ‘In fact, I think your eyes are the loveliest I have seen in a long time.’
She was startled. ‘What?’
He went on, still studying her intently. ‘They are large, the dark blue of lapis lazuli, and they are straight and deep and true. And there’s not even a hint of a black eye. Will that do?’
A delicate rose coloured her cheeks. ‘I’d say it was more than enough, sir! Thank you.’ She gave him a small smile. But something about the way he was looking at her confused her. She looked away and said nervously, ‘Perhaps you’d better put me down before Mrs Culver comes in. She won’t approve of your being here.’
Laughing, he said, ‘Don’t you think I deserve something before I do?’ Then, when she looked up again, puzzled, he kissed her. The kiss was deliberately light and fleeting, nothing more than a casual caress, but her eyes widened and she stared at him in surprise. For a moment his grip tightened, but he put her carefully down on the bed almost immediately and said abruptly, ‘I…I’ll get the mirror for you. Then I’ll find Mrs Culver or Rose.’
He handed the mirror to her. ‘I think you’ll be satisfied,’ he said with a brief smile as he went out.
When Mrs Culver came in a few minutes later she found her patient lying on top of the bed, looking dazed. ‘I’m sorry I was so long—Rose took some time to find me,’ she said. ‘I see one of the others has put you back, but why didn’t they put you properly under the covers? I sometimes ask myself what those girls are thinking about, I really do! Let me straighten you up.’ She picked up the mirror.
‘What’s this?’
‘I wanted to see myself in the mirror.’
‘Now, Miss Anne, you mustn’t be worrying about that sort of thing. You’re not looking your best at the moment, it’s true. Your hair is dirty and it’s in a dreadful tangle, but a good wash will sort out the worst of it. And it’s only natural you should look a bit peaky…’
‘It isn’t that. It’s my memory—I didn’t know what I look like at all!’
Mrs Culver stared, then her face softened. ‘That’s a terrible thing, Miss Anne. I hadn’t thought…But don’t you worry. We’ll soon have you looking a lot prettier than what you see in that mirror at the moment. Now what do you want to do? Do you feel strong enough to sit in a chair while the maids change the bed?’
Meanwhile, James had left the house puzzled and feeling in need of fresh air. ‘Set your mind at rest,’ he had told Liston. ‘I do not make a habit of seducing helpless invalids.’ And when he had half-jokingly claimed a kiss as his reward, nothing had been further from his mind. Her wide-eyed shock had at first amused him, but when he looked into those dark blue eyes it had taken most of his considerable self-control to put her down calmly and gently—and leave her.
James Aldhurst rarely allowed his emotions to run away with him. Personable, rich and eligible, he had been the target of matchmaking mamas and bored sophisticates alike from the day he first entered society. As a result he had learned discretion at a very early age. The young ladies regularly presented to him by their hopeful mamas had left him unmoved, and, though he had conducted affairs with several more experienced beauties with varying degrees of passion, he had never been in any danger of losing his head or his heart. The polite world had learned that, charming though Lord Aldhurst was, he seldom failed to be in complete charge of himself and the situation.
But what had happened when he had held the girl in his arms was disturbingly new, and he was at a loss to explain it. Cully would say it was a case of pity for her situation, and indeed, when he had first come across her, that was exactly what he had felt. But the feeling aroused a short while ago had little to do with pity. It had been totally unexpected, coming quite suddenly out of nowhere, and he was not at all sure he liked the unsettling effect it had on him. It was not only new—it was dangerous. And until he had recovered his senses it would be better for everyone if he kept away from the girl!
So it was a relief to arrive at the stables and find a need for immediate action. The damage done by the storm two nights ago was already being cleared away by men from the estate, and any evidence about what had happened would soon be lost for ever. Accompanied by Sam Trott, he found without difficulty the spot where she had been lying, just where an ancient, rustic bridge crossed a small stream.
James pointed to the path, which ran beside the stream. ‘That path leads to the Portsmouth Road. Perhaps that was where she came from?’ They climbed down to look more closely.
‘You’re right, my lord! Look!’ Sam pointed to a large boulder that formed part of the support for the bridge. It had been loosened by the rain, and was sticking out over the path. ‘I’d say the young lady fell as she was climbing up the path and hit her head on this stone. And then she clambered—no, crawled—up to the drive before she collapsed.’
They looked at the marks made by a girl desperately scrabbling up the bank. ‘She’s a determined lass, that one, all right,’ Sam said. ‘How is she? Has she been able to tell you what happened to her?’
‘She can’t remember anything at all before we carried her into the house. But she was running away from someone. There are rope burns on her wrists where she has been tied up.’
Sam was shocked. ‘Can’t she tell you who kept her or how she escaped?’
‘Not yet. She could still be in danger. Pass the word on—I want to know if any strangers appear in the neighbourhood asking questions.’
‘I’ll do that.’ Sam looked at the marks on the ground. ‘She’s a brave lass, whoever she is.’
They were so deep in thought as they walked back up the drive that they said little to each other. But as they neared the house Sam suddenly said, ‘That young lady can’t have come more than a few miles without being noticed. It was a bad night, but I’d be surprised if someone or other didn’t see her. I’ll ask Mr Norris and one or two of the farmers, shall I?’
‘That’s a good idea, Sam. There’s very little Norris doesn’t hear about sooner or later. Though there won’t have been many travellers on the road that evening. It was a terrible night!’
‘Indeed it was,’ said Sam with some feeling. ‘I heard Mr Norris telling someone only madmen would go out in that storm when they could stay safely indoors.’
James grinned at this, but then said seriously, ‘If I hadn’t decided to carry on to Hatherton that night, your brave young lady would probably have died, Sam.’
‘Aye, and that would have been a pity. Right, I’ll be off to Norris and the rest, my lord.’
On his way back to the house James decided that he had exaggerated the effect the girl had had on him. He had promised her she would be safe, and the sight of her lying on the floor of the bedroom after apparently being attacked had thrown him off balance, that was all. Was it likely that a sad waif, who couldn’t even remember her own name, would touch him when so many accredited beauties had failed? No, he hardly needed to avoid her. Indeed, it would be cruel and unnecessary. She trusted him. She would expect him. By the time James entered the house he had made up his mind to keep his promise and visit her that evening—in spite of Mrs Culver’s certain disapproval.
When Anne next woke up it was late afternoon. A fire was burning brightly in the fireplace, and for a while she watched its light flickering over the room. Then Mrs Culver came in, followed by Rose, who was carrying a tray. ‘There you are!’ she said, lighting a lamp. ‘I was thinking I would have to wake you. Eat this up and then we’ll put you in a chair by the fire for a while.’ She disappeared while Anne was eating, but came back shortly, carrying a blue dressing robe. ‘Your own clothes will be ready for you tomorrow, but meanwhile I’ve taken the liberty of borrowing this old robe of Lady Aldhurst’s for you.’
In a short while Anne was sitting in front of the fire, trying not to wince as Rose did her best to bring her hair into some order. But the maid was skilled, and after some painful moments Anne’s hair was brushed and tied back tidily with a ribbon.
‘There, miss,’ said Rose. ‘You look ever so much better. His lordship will be surprised to see you looking so much more the thing.’
‘That will do, Rose,’ Mrs Culver was severe. ‘I doubt his lordship will see anything of the sort! He has spent most of the day trying to find out where Miss Anne came from, so it’s most unlikely he’ll visit her again today. He has better things to do with his time.’
Mrs Culver was wrong. When James came in he saw her in the hall and immediately asked how Anne was.
‘She is doing very well, my lord. She is awake, and has eaten a good nourishing meal.’
‘I’ll see her, then.’
‘Rose is with her at the moment. It really isn’t convenient. Besides, I’m afraid I gave orders to serve your dinner in an hour.’ She looked expressively at the mud on James’s coat and breeches. ‘I expect you will wish to change.’
‘Oh, very well, Cully. I’ll see Miss Anne after dinner.’
‘I expect she will be asleep, my lord.’ The housekeeper’s tone was discouraging.
James had been about to go to his room, but now he stopped and looked at her. Then, taking her by the arm, he led her into the small parlour off the hall. ‘Cully, I have no wish to challenge your authority in this house, but I shall see Miss Anne sometime tonight. That girl is feeling completely lost at the moment and I intend to keep my promise to see her.’
Mrs Culver shook her head. She said, ‘You always did go your own way, Master James. But I wish you’d be more careful.’ She paused, then added with a touch of temper, ‘The sooner that girl is out of the house the better!’
‘Why are you so eager to get rid of her, Cully? It isn’t like you to be inhospitable.’
‘You may be sure I’ll see that she is comfortable while she is here. But, I don’t like mysteries, and there are too many about this girl you’ve brought into your grandmother’s house. She may have been wearing a beggar woman’s dress and boots when you found her, but the rest of her clothes are best quality, and you can tell by the way she treats Rose and the others that she’s used to dealing with servants. And, for someone who was at death’s door a night or two ago, she has recovered remarkably quickly…’ Mrs Culver took a breath. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve learned anything more about her this afternoon?’
‘It looks as if she came from the Portsmouth Road, though it’s quite a distance to walk. Sam Trott is going to ask Norris and others if they have heard of anything. But she will stay here until I am sure she is safe.’ When he saw the housekeeper’s expression he added sternly, ‘You and I are old friends, Cully, but we shall fall out if the girl comes to any harm through anything you do or say. I’d be obliged if you would keep these suspicions of yours to yourself.’
Mrs Culver drew a deep breath and said stiffly, ‘My lord, I am surprised at you. In any matter involving the Aldhurst family my discretion has never been called into question. Your lordship may rely on it. Completely.’
‘Good!’
‘I will see that your lordship’s dinner is ready when you are,’ said Mrs Culver majestically. She curtsied and went out.
James shook his head ruefully. In deciding to come to Hatherton he had looked for time and peace to consider his future. Instead, he had been plunged into a mystery that threatened to wreck his relationship with one of his oldest allies in the house, as well as offending one of his grandmother’s most trusted servants. Cully might be right, after all—the girl was an unsettling influence and ought to go as soon as possible. If she regained her memory in the next day or two, he would see her safely delivered to her own people. If it looked as if it was going to take much longer than that, he would have to see that she went somewhere where she would be looked after in comfort. He and everyone else at Hatherton could then forget her.
When he entered the green bedroom later that evening, James found Anne dozing in a chair by the fire. The blue robe she was wearing was his grandmother’s—he remembered it from his childhood. Her hair had been tied back, revealing an ugly bruise, vulnerable hollows under her cheekbones and dark shadows under her eyes. He came forwards and sat down quietly in a chair near to her. The bandages had been removed from her wrists, and he could see that they were healing. But the sight of cruel red lines still encircling her delicate bones angered him. She must have been in considerable pain.
When he looked up again he saw that her eyes were open and she was staring at him blankly. ‘I thought I was safe,’ she said quite clearly. ‘I thought he hadn’t seen me…’
‘Who, Anne?’
The deep blue eyes were still wide. With a small frown she said, ‘Why are you calling me Anne? That isn’t my name.’
‘At last! You’ve remembered. What is it?’ But the urgency in his voice had disturbed her.
Now wide awake, she said, ‘Of course I remember! It’s An…’ She paused, wrinkling her brow in desperate concentration. ‘It’s…’ But after a moment she put her hand over her eyes, and said with a sob, ‘I almost had it! It was there! But it’s gone again.’
James cursed himself for an insensitive fool at the despair in her voice. He took her hand away from her eyes. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pressed you. Were you dreaming?’
‘I think I must have been. I was passing an open door. The room inside was full of smoke…’ She shook her head in angry frustration. ‘I can see just the corner of that room—what use is that?’
‘It will come in its own good time. Don’t try to force it.’
‘But I must! You have no idea what it is like—’ She stopped, and almost visibly pulled herself together. ‘I know you want to help. Mrs Culver said you were out today looking for clues—about me.’ Her eyes searched his face, and then she gave a sigh and looked away. ‘You didn’t find any,’ she said despondently.
‘It’s true that we didn’t find many,’ he said, ‘But we found a few and we’re working on them. You mustn’t be unhappy. You’re making wonderful progress. Who got you up? Mrs Culver?’ She nodded, and he went on,
‘My grandmother used to wear that robe when I was a child. The blue suits you.’
‘Would Lady Aldhurst mind my wearing it?’
‘She would be delighted. Anne—’ He stopped. ‘May I call you Anne, until we know better? I hope so—I have something for you.’ She nodded and he produced a book from his pocket. ‘This too is my grandmother’s. I gave it to her when it was first published, and I think it is now one of her favourites. You might enjoy it. It’s about a girl called Anne. It might amuse you while you have to stay indoors.’
Anne took the book. ‘Persuasion, by Miss Jane Austen.’ She turned the pages cautiously then looked up with a tremulous smile. ‘What a relief! I can read! I was afraid for a moment that I might have forgotten that, too.’
The uncertain smile undermined him. Forgetting his sensible resolutions, he drew her up and put his arms round her. After a moment, she said in a muffled voice, ‘You must think me such a coward.’
‘I think nothing of the sort,’ he said. He held her for a moment or two, his cheek against hers, then he put her carefully back into her chair, and moved away to look into the fire. He said, ‘All the same, I shouldn’t be here at this time of night, holding you like that…The rest of the world would never believe it was innocent. I’m supposed to be protecting you. Mrs Culver is right. I must find somewhere else where you can be kept safe until you remember who you are.’
Anne considered him gravely. ‘Am I not safe with you?’ she asked.
‘Of course you are!’ he said forcefully. ‘That isn’t what I meant.’
There was a short silence. Then she said hesitantly, ‘Are you afraid your fiancée might not understand the situation? Do you want me to go because she might be hurt or angry if she heard I was staying here with you?’
He turned round again in surprise. ‘My what?’
‘Mrs Culver told me you are to marry soon. Someone in London.’
‘The devil she did! I wonder who the lucky girl is. Did she tell you that?’
‘She mentioned a Lady Barbara?’ said Anne hesitantly.
‘Lady Barbara? Did she indeed?’ He took a breath and went on grimly, ‘Mrs Culver is mistaken.’
Anne looked at the frown on his face and said quietly, ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.’
‘I’m glad you did. I am not engaged. I never have been engaged, and if it were left to me I never would be engaged. This is my grandmother’s doing! She and Cully are desperate to see me married off and producing heirs for Roade House, but I have no intention of letting my grandmother or anyone else dictate when and whom I should marry. No, it is for your own sake that you should go, not for the benefit of an entirely mythical fiancée.’
Anne got out of her chair and put her hand on his arm. ‘Then let me stay here,’ she said. ‘You’re the only one I trust at present.’ She hesitated and then went on, ‘I shall have to leave sometime soon, I know, but the thought of going out into the world before I’m used to the idea terrifies me.’
‘What do you mean—have to leave? Who would make you?’
‘I can’t stay here for ever. I’m sure Mrs Culver would like to see the back of me as soon as possible. And if my memory never returns I shall have to find some other place, where I can earn a living without it. But…I know I’m a coward, but please don’t send me away yet.’
James saw how pale and weary she looked. ‘If your memory doesn’t return, Anne,’ he said gently, ‘I’ll make sure you’re not left alone to find your way. Do you believe me?’
She nodded and he went on, ‘But now I think you’ve had enough for today—let me call Rose or someone to see you to bed.’
Before she sat down, she hesitated and said, ‘Will I…will I see you tomorrow?’
James shook his head. ‘Not tomorrow.’ She looked disappointed and he explained, ‘I must spend the day at Roade, but I’ll see you the day after. We could go for a walk in the garden if you are strong enough. Meanwhile, promise me you’ll stay in this room while I am away. Walk a little, read your book—and try not to worry.’ He went to the door and turned to bid her goodnight, but when he saw the droop to her head he found himself saying, ‘I’ll see if I can call on you tomorrow before I go out. Goodnight, Anne. Sleep well.’
Chapter Four
Rose was slow in coming, and Anne sat gazing into the fire for some time after James had gone. Her fears were briefly forgotten as she allowed herself to dream. So Mrs Culver had been wrong—James was not about to marry anyone, not engaged, and, from what he had said, didn’t have anyone in mind either…
And after Rose had come and gone she lay awake, inventing a fairy tale to keep her fears about the future at bay. She would recover her memory, and turn out to be an entirely suitable bride for an Aldhurst—the daughter of an earl perhaps, or even a duke. They would fall in love, marry and live happily ever after at Hatherton. What would it be like to sleep with the man you loved, to have his arms around you, holding you, caressing you…? Her last thought before she finally fell asleep was that, though Lord Aldhurst was most unlikely to fall in love with her, she was more than halfway to falling in love with him already.
But Anne paid dearly for indulging in these romantic fantasies, with a series of nightmares. She was faced with a dark red door that she knew was familiar, but she struggled in vain to reach its knocker…Then, in the way of dreams, the door changed into a spreading pool of dark red blood, and, terrified, she fought to save the man lying at its centre, her heart racing and gasping for breath, struggling against the cruel hands that were dragging her away…Suddenly the hands holding her were James Aldhurst’s hands, and she sobbed with relief as she looked again from the protection of his arms and saw that both the pool of blood and the body at its centre had disappeared. She turned thankfully back to him, but when she looked up, his face was cold and distant and he pushed her away, and gradually disappeared into the distance, deaf to her cries.
She woke up at last unrefreshed and lay for a while with traces of tears on her face, her mind full of the images in her dreams. They frightened and confused her—was there a clue to her identity in them? She puzzled over them for some time, but the images meant nothing to her. Her life before she had been found on the drive was still shrouded in grey fog.
And in the cold light of morning her romantic fantasy of the night before seemed more like the delusions of a lunatic. The end of the dream had been telling her as much. Lord Aldhurst would keep her safe until she knew what she was to do, but he could never consider her suitable to be his wife. Although Mrs Culver might have tried to deceive her about his marital plans, her warning was clear enough. He was the last of an ancient and distinguished family and the world would expect him to find a bride of equal rank. Wealthy, handsome, well born, with a duty to his family—why on earth should an Aldhurst ever look at penniless Miss Nobody of Nowhere, who was not even very beautiful?
For a moment she felt very sorry for herself, but was soon ashamed of indulging in so much self-pity. It was time Miss Nobody stopped being so poor-spirited, pulled herself together and started to take charge of her life instead of leaving it to others! She also had things to do!
When Mrs Culver came in an hour later she was astonished to see Anne walking round the room with grim determination.
‘Whatever are you doing?’ she exclaimed. ‘You shouldn’t be up for another hour at least. You’ll wear yourself out. Sit down and rest. Rose will fetch your breakfast.’
Anne sat down gratefully in a chair and said, ‘I’m not really ill any longer. My legs are weak, that’s all, and they won’t get any stronger if I don’t use them. It’s time I had some exercise. I don’t intend to be a burden to you all any longer than I have to.’
Mrs Culver gave a satisfied nod. ‘I’m sure I’m glad to hear you say that. And if you wish you can put on your own clothes again. I have them here. We’ve washed and pressed them for you, so they are perfectly clean.’
‘Thank you. But I’m afraid I am not. Before I dress I should like you to bring water and a towel, if you would.’
The request was reasonable enough, and if Mrs Culver experienced a touch of resentment at the hint of command in this nameless nobody’s voice it did not show. ‘There’s a bath in the dressing room next door—I’ll get the maids to fill it. And Rose will wash your hair.’
An hour later, when Anne was sitting in front of the fire while Rose dried her hair, Lord Aldhurst walked in. ‘Good morning,’ he said with a smile, ‘I’ve come to see how you are.’
‘Th-that’s very kind of you,’ stammered Anne. ‘I…I hardly expected to see you at all today. Though you did say…’ Her voice faded. This wouldn’t do. She pulled herself together, stood up and gave him a slight curtsy. ‘Good morning.’
His eyes were on her hair, which was hanging loose in dark chestnut waves down her back. ‘You look different,’ he said.
‘I should hope so indeed! Rose here has just spent a great deal of energy cleaning me up. And I feel much the better for it.’
He came forwards and, frowning, took up a lock of her hair. ‘It’s…it’s a different colour. I thought your hair was darker,’ he said.
Anne suppressed a smile and removed the hair from his fingers. ‘No, my lord,’ she said gravely, ‘it merely needed to be washed. And now it is clean. I’m sorry if you don’t like its colour, but that is what it is, I’m afraid.’ She laughed and added, ‘I consider myself fortunate. When I was a child it was much redder and I had a temper to match.’
There was a sudden silence. Then she said in a strangled voice, ‘How do I know that?’
James nodded. ‘I’m not sure, but it’s a good sign. Your memory seems to be returning, if only in fragments.’
‘That was a singularly unimportant fragment,’ said Anne bitterly. ‘My name would be more welcome.’ Then she attempted another smile, and added, ‘But beggars can’t be choosers—I suppose I should be grateful for anything at all.’ There was another short silence, and then she went on in a more formal tone, ‘Thank you for your enquiry, my lord. I am much better. I hope you have a pleasant day.’
He paused, then said, ‘Have you breakfasted? If not, do you feel strong enough to come downstairs to have it with me?’
She was so taken by surprise that she didn’t know what to say. ‘With you? I…I thought you wished me to stay in this room?’
‘I would like you to stay in your room while I am out—but you would be safe downstairs with me. Of course, if you would prefer not to join me…’
‘No, no! I should like to! But I can’t be seen downstairs with my hair like this.’
‘Shall we say in ten minutes? I’ll talk to Mrs Culver. And Rose can do whatever is necessary to your hair.’
He bowed and left the room. Rose was already busy with brush and comb, twisting and winding Anne’s hair into a graceful knot on top of her head. When she had finished she gave it a final pat and said, ‘There, miss! You look lovely. His lordship will be pleased!’ She paused. ‘But I wouldn’t be so sure about Mrs Culver.’ Anne privately agreed with the maid, but she said coolly, ‘His lordship will be relieved to see that I shall soon be strong enough to take up my own life again. And so will Mrs Culver. Thank you, Rose. Show me where the breakfast room is, if you please.’
If the caretaker at Roade House had expected to see James early that day then he would have been disappointed. James spent more than an hour over breakfast and the morning was half over before he finally rose from the table. Anne sat opposite him, a touch of colour in her cheeks and a swathe of glossy hair falling from the simple knot on top of her head. She was an altogether different creature from the pale waif he had rescued, and she intrigued and delighted him. Her dress, as Cully had said, was of poor material and very simply cut, a servant’s dress, but she wore it with an air. Though he knew she felt vulnerable, even frightened, at her inability to remember anything about herself, no one would have guessed it from her composed manner. Her conversation was of necessity not about herself, but it was lively, sometimes displaying a touch of irony that perfectly matched his own, and occasionally revealing a keen sense of the ridiculous that made him laugh out loud.
Anne in turn was equally happy in his company. He talked with affection of his grandmother, and it was clear to Anne the bond between them was very close. She was obviously a woman of strong character, but he seemed to be amused rather than annoyed by her attempts to rule his life. Anne herself was amused at Mrs Culver’s determination not to leave her alone with James. She was in and out of the breakfast room far more frequently than strictly necessary, clearly disapproving of this joint breakfast. But James ignored her frowns, and quite often called on her to confirm or add to what he said when he was telling Anne stories of his childhood at Hatherton. Anne observed with interest how quickly the housekeeper responded to James’s charm. Before breakfast was over Mrs Culver was actually smiling again.
At last James reluctantly rose from the table and said, ‘It’s no use. If I am to keep my promise to Agnew I shall have to be gone. What do you plan to do today, Anne?’
Anne looked at Mrs Culver. ‘I think I would be strong enough to do some work, if Mrs Culver has anything for me to do?’
‘It’s good of you to offer, Miss Anne, but I’m sure his lordship would prefer you to be resting in your room. And so would I.’ Mrs Culver’s tone was cool. James might be back in her favour but this didn’t extend to his guest.
James frowned, but said nothing. Instead, he turned to Anne and held out his arm with a smile. ‘Mrs Culver is right as usual. I’ll see you to your room. The stairs are steep, and you are still not quite up to strength. I don’t suppose you’ve started the book I gave you, have you?’
‘No,’ said Anne, looking at Mrs Culver’s retreating back. ‘I’m looking forward to reading it today.’ Then as they slowly mounted the stairs, she said softly, ‘You are wrong to tease Mrs Culver, Lord Aldhurst. I’m sure she has your interests at heart.’
