She drew back. ‘Do as you please.’
Oh, dear, was that rude?
Warmth emanated from his large body as he passed her in the hallway. For some reason she felt the strangest urge to lean against him. To absorb his warmth and bathe in the lovely scent of his cologne made from pine and something lighter and sweeter. She must be even more unwell than she thought.
‘Lay down on the sofa. I will bring the tea to you.’
‘Lord Compton, really—’
‘Do not “really” me. I was married. I do know what a lady needs when she has the headache. I also know you are alone here. Allow me to assist you, if you please.’
Unable to find the strength to argue, she returned to the parlour and leaned back against the cushions. The sooner she drank his tea, the sooner he would be gone. She closed her eyes. A gentle hand on her shoulder startled her to full wakefulness.
‘Lady Marguerite, your tea.’
She straightened and took the cup and saucer. The first sip was heaven. He had laced it with honey to take away the bitter taste of the willow. ‘Thank you.’
‘You are welcome.’ He reached behind her and rearranged the cushions so they supported her head and to her surprise she found it much more comfortable.
‘I occasionally suffer from a headache when the weather is stormy.’ She owed him that much of an explanation. She had also noticed that they came more often when she was worried.
‘Ah,’ he said. ‘Some sort of megrim.’
‘Indeed. It is not so severe that I need help, I assure you, though I do thank you for the tea.’
He grimaced. ‘My daughter Elizabeth was concerned that her behaviour might not have been exemplary and that you might have decided not to return. I assume that is not the case.’
‘It is not. I will come on Wednesday as promised. I will of course apply the payment for today to Wednesday’s lesson.’
‘Never mind that. You can tack an extra lesson on at the end of the six weeks we agreed upon.
Relief almost overwhelmed her. She had been worried that she might not be able to pay her blackmailer being short of the money for one lesson this week. She realised he was watching her closely. Did he realise how desperately she needed that money? She hoped not.
‘Peter will return later today,’ he said and moved to the window to look out.
‘There is no need, I assure you. I am able to manage perfectly well.’
‘If Peter had not been here to bring your note, I would not have known you were ill and might have thought you had taken my money and absconded.’
While the words were harsh, there was a teasing note to his voice.
‘Would you indeed have thought such a monstrous thing?’
He turned, smiling slightly. ‘Likely not. I have the sense that you are an honourable woman.’
Surprised, she stared at him. ‘I appreciate your confidence.’
‘Good. And my daughters appreciate your lessons. Lizzie has promised to do as instructed.’
She inclined her head. ‘Then I shall see you on Wednesday.’
To her relief, he bowed and left. What a strange man. Dictatorial one minute and smiling conspiratorially the next. She would have to make sure not to miss any future lessons with his children. She did not want him arriving on her doorstep thinking he could order her about, the way he did with the rest of his household. It was bad enough that he insisted she accept the services of his stable boy, no matter that it was to suit his convenience rather than hers.
* * *
The following Friday afternoon, a downpour of rain forced Jack to abandon his plan to inspect a barn on the far side of the estate and return home. He hoped Lady Marguerite had not ventured out in such inclement weather, though he was glad it was only rain and not a thunderstorm.
He had not seen her when she had come to teach the children on Wednesday. He had made a point of it. He had the feeling that his presence made the woman uncomfortable.
Hell, her presence made him uncomfortable. He could not stop thinking about that glorious mane of hair when she had opened the door to him, or how the gown she had been wearing clung to her slender figure. Once more, he pushed those images aside and got on with dismounting and leading his horse into the stable to be cared for by a groom.
Peter came forward to take his horse. He frowned. Lady Marguerite must have come after all. ‘Did you get a soaking, lad?’
The boy touched his forelock. ‘It were barely spitting when we left Westram, my lord, and as Lady Marguerite said, a drop of water won’t melt us. We b’ain’t made of sugar.’ The lad grinned, showing a gap in his front teeth.
A person might not melt, but they might end up with the ague and it didn’t look as if the downpour would end any time soon.
He went indoors and changed into dry clothes. He found himself pleased to have an excuse to have a conversation with Lady Marguerite, which was nonsense, of course. He had been pleased when Nanny had reported that Lizzie had been co-operative with her teacher on the previous Wednesday and that Janey had followed Lady Marguerite around like a little shadow.
When he entered the schoolroom, the girls were not in evidence. Their teacher was cleaning off the blackboard.
‘Good day, Lady Marguerite.’
She turned with a smile and inclined her head. ‘Lord Compton. The girls are with Nanny having their afternoon snack.’
Ah, yes. He should have realised it was that time. He nodded. ‘How is everything going?’
A crease formed in her forehead and her smile disappeared. ‘Very well.’
‘Good. Good.’
She hesitated.
‘Was there something you needed?’ he asked.
‘I know we spoke of this previously, but at the risk of being repetitious, I would like to request that you permit the girls to spend some time outdoors each week.’ She smiled. ‘Provided it is not raining, of course.’
A cold chill entered his chest. ‘We did speak about this before and my answer has not changed.’
She huffed out a sigh. ‘I think you are doing them a great disservice. Yes, they are behaving themselves during their lessons, but they are listless. I am sure it is from being confined indoors every day with little to do and no exercise.’
Anger rose within him. How could she think he would endanger his girls by letting them roam around outside? And as for being listless, he had seen no sign of it. ‘If they feel the need for exercise, they have the long gallery. That is its intended purpose.’
‘That is what Nanny told me.’ She shot him a black look. ‘Have you set foot in that room recently?’
He had not. His wife used to perambulate there when she was enceinte. He had walked with her before the birth of each of the girls. Of course, they had been hoping for a son. He still needed a son. But he was in no rush. ‘I have not been up there since my wife died.’
She winced. ‘Perhaps you would be willing to accompany me for an inspection?’
No, he wasn’t willing, but he could see she was not going to take no for an answer. Besides, if there was something wrong with it, he would have it fixed.
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