Chosen by the Lieutenant. Anne Herries

spending a pleasant afternoon with Jane at the fashionable seamstress’s establishment and choosing two new gowns, one in pale blue silk and the other in sea green, Amanda left feeling pleased. Jane’s suggestions had seemed sensible to her and, after draping various silks against her, she felt that her new gowns would be an improvement on some that she’d had made earlier.

      ‘Because you are so tiny, full skirts make you look dumpy, but a slim skirt would emphasise your waist, which is good, Amanda. I can alter the neckline on two of your gowns, make them fit you tighter at the waist and take off those awful ruffles at the back that make you look bigger than you are.’ Jane looked at her. ‘That dove-grey walking dress you tried on really suited you. I could take the fullness out of your green walking gown and then it would look the way the grey did.’

      ‘I do not want you to spend all your time working on my gowns,’ Amanda said. ‘You must make your own new gowns, too—and have time for reading and walking.’

      ‘I love to sew,’ Jane told her. ‘When we are in the country you may read to us as I work. I enjoy hearing you read, Amanda—you put such meaning into the words.’

      Amanda was about to reply when they found their path obstructed. Looking up into the hostile face of the Marquis of Shearne, Amanda felt a chill down her spine. He was clearly brooding about something and she knew that Jane had shrunk closer to her, seeming afraid of him.

      ‘Miss Hamilton, Miss Field,’ he murmured silkily. ‘What a delightful picture you make—the sparrow and the plump dove, what tasty morsels for the taking.’

      Jane gasped and clutched Amanda’s arm. Glancing at her face, Amanda felt a spurt of anger, for his taunt had taken all the colour and pleasure from Jane’s cheeks.

      ‘And you, sir—are you a hawk or a wolf?’ she asked, her voice sharp and her eyes shooting a challenge at him. ‘How dare you address us in such a manner? Whichever you see yourself, let me assure you that neither of us are yours for the taking.’

      ‘You think not?’ Shearne leered at her, a cold malice in his eyes. ‘I would not be denied if I truly wished to have either of you, but to tell the truth neither is worth the trouble. I am after more enticing prey.’

      ‘If you mean Miss Langton... I think you despicable and shall certainly inform her of your true nature, when next we meet. Perhaps I should write to her...’

      His hand shot out, gripping her wrist so tightly that it was all she could do to stop from crying out. She felt a cold fear grip her as she saw hatred in his eyes and knew she had made an enemy.

      ‘If you do not allow us to pass, I shall call for help, sir.’

      ‘You are a sight too proud for your own good and one of these days...but you are not worth the trouble. I shall allow you to pass, but remember, if one word passes your lips concerning me to Miss Langton, I shall take my revenge.’

      ‘You do not frighten me, sir.’

      ‘Do I not?’ For a moment the look in his eyes was so evil that Amanda felt faint, but then a gentleman crossed the road towards them and he flung her away from him. ‘You are less than nothing to me—just a fat little frump—you and that mouse you take about with you.’

      ‘We are much obliged to you, sir,’ Amanda replied, holding back sharper retorts for she had already said too much. ‘We shall bid you good day, sir. Come, Jane, we must not keep this...person dallying.’ She gave him a look of disdain that was calculated to make him squirm.

      Seeing the flash of fury in his eyes, Amanda wished she had not made her tone quite so insulting. She had implied that he was not a gentleman and, a little to her surprise, it seemed to have touched him on the raw.

      ‘Think yourself fortunate that I have other business, Miss Hamilton. Had I the leisure I might take the time to teach you a lesson...’

      Deciding that retreat was the better part of valour at this moment, Amanda propelled Jane past him, ignoring the temptation to tell him that nothing he could do would tempt her to spend a moment longer than necessary in his company.

      ‘Oh, Amanda,’ Jane whispered once they were safely out of reach. ‘Ought you to have answered him so? I think he is a cruel man. He would delight in punishing you, if he could.’

      ‘I do not fear that slimy creature,’ Amanda said. ‘Besides, I have only to tell Major Brockley what was said and he would...’

      ‘What?’ Jane looked at her curiously, but she shook her head.

      ‘I believe the marquis to be in need of a lesson himself,’ she said. ‘If I thought either of us truly in danger, I should beg Major Brockley to help, but I do not think him interested in either of us. He needs neither fortune nor wife—and if he did he would more likely look at Miss Langton than either of us. Indeed, I fear she may be in some danger...’

      Amanda felt a chill at her nape. The marquis was the kind of man who would look for revenge if anyone offended him. Phipps had told her that Brock hated him and there must be a good reason for that... It might be as well to tell Phipps when she next saw him that the marquis had tried to intimidate them. However, in another ten days or so she would be leaving town and would probably never see Shearne again.