Page 200 of Storm of Bells
‘Buzz?’ A cackle echoed through the corridor.‘Oh, so the bees are already ‘ere, are they? What about thebirds?’
‘Amy!’
The only answer I received was anothergiggle. However, after that, things fell quiet.
‘Has she left?’ Mr Ambrose enquired.
I listened for a moment—then shrugged. ‘Ilive in hope.’
‘Surprisingly,’ he told me, capturing my gazeand gently stroking a thumb down my cheek, ‘since I’ve met you, sodo I.’
Like a geyser, warmth shot up inside me. Ihugged him close to me, and—
A knock came from the door.
‘If you do not leave this instant, youharpy,’ Mr Ambrose barked, ‘I will come out there, stuff you intothe closest suitcase and send you back to the den of iniquity youcrawled out of!’
There was a long moment of silence.
A really long one.
Then…
‘Rikkard Ambrose! Do you think that is anykind of way to talk to your mother?’
Mr Ambrose blinked.
His mouth opened, and….
Closed again.
And opened again.
I considered taking the opportunity to kisshim once more, but the look on his face was just too adorable toruin.
‘Rikkard Ambrose! Explain yourself! Come outhere this instant!’
The look. The look on his face…!
Mr Ambrose’s eyes narrowed as he refocusedthem on me icily.
‘Miss Linton? Stop laughing!’
‘Y-yes of c-course!’ My shoulders started toshake even harder than before. ‘Right awayhayhayhay…’
‘You are still laughing.’
‘You don’t sayhayhahay….So sohohohory…!’
To judge by the look he gave me, he didn’tfind the way I displayed my deep and most honest remorse entirelycredible. I had better escape before he enacted the vengeanceglimmering in his cold eyes. Pressing a hand over my mouth, Islipped out from under him and headed towards the door.
‘Rikkard Ambrose?’ Lady Samantha startedpounding on the door. ‘What is going on in there? Open this doorimmediately!’
‘I’m coming, Your Ladyship,’ I called,struggling mightily to suppress any further giggling. ‘I’mcoming!’
Reaching the door, I pulled it open,revealing a less-than-pleased looking Lady Samantha. Fortunately,none of her ire was directed towards me. Leaning forward, sheraised an eyebrow at her son.
‘What was that about me and a den ofiniquity?’
