Page 9 of Needs Must
A deep chuckle was his first response. ‘Are you aware that you show your emotions in your expression?’ he asked. ‘If you could change places with me now, I have no difficulty to believing that you would do so without hesitation, regardless of the risks.’
‘Perhaps it’s the risk, the uncertainty pertaining to a wild animal’s disinclination to be tamed, that attracts me. And to answer your question, no, I did not know that I give myself away, but perhaps I only do so when I don’t mind my thoughts being apparent. But I thank you for pointing out my shortcomings.’
‘Why do you think that showing pleasure at something that gives you … well, pleasure … is a shortcoming.’
‘Are ladies not supposed to be above such things?’
‘I get the impression that you don’t give two figs for society’s mores, Mrs Harte.’
‘How discourteous of you to understand my character so quickly, my lord.’ But a smile slipped past her guard, spoiling her attempt at arch disapproval.
‘You should smile more often,’ he remarked, canting his head and watching her intently. ‘It illuminates your features and makes you even more alluring.’
‘I have had little to smile about of late,’ she replied.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘That was crass of me. Of course you are desolate without your husband.’
Donna said nothing in response, instead concentrating upon driving Bertram when no concentration was actually necessary. The cob plodded along at a steady pace and there was nothing for her to do, other than to twitch the reins occasionally to steer him past ruts in the track.
‘This is it,’ she said a short time later, even though she was absolutely sure that the earl already knew exactly where he was.
‘Good God!’ He slipped from Emperor’s saddle, looked up at the sad excuse for a cottage and let out a low whistle. ‘Do you actually intend to live here?’ he asked, turning to look askance at Donna.
‘I certainly do,’ she replied, alighting from the gig and tying off the reins. ‘It needs a little work to make it habitable, I’ll grant you, but that can easily be arranged.’
‘But why?’ Hatless, the earl ran a hand through a thick thatch of black hair. ‘A lady of quality should not have to endure such conditions.’
‘You really do ask some very impertinent questions,’ she responded testily. ‘We are not acquainted, and I am not your responsibility. You have no right to pry into matters that are no concern of yours.’
She expected him to respond with arrogance, to remind her who he was and point out the deference he deserved. But he surprised her by smiling and bowing his head.
‘Of course I do not,’ he said. ‘I apologise if it seems as though I am interfering in your affairs, but your situation is not one that occurs every day.’ Donna was absolutely sure that he addedmore’s the pitybeneath his breath. ‘We do not live in safe times, Mrs Harte. There are ne’er-do-wells roaming the country, stealing or worse. In this relatively isolated situation, you will make an easy target, living here alone.’
‘Ah, but I am not alone. I have Miriam.’
‘Miriam?’
‘My maid. And she is more ferocious than a dozen men, never doubt it.’
‘Well, I am glad you have someone to protect your interests.’ But he didn’t sound convinced – probably because he had not yet made Miriam’s acquaintance.
‘I will show you the accommodation, if you can bear to lower yourself,’ she said with a whimsical smile. She produced the heavy key from her reticule and struggled to turn it in the rusted lock. The earl took it from her and managed it easily. ‘Why it’s locked is a mystery. Anyone could easily get in through those windows,’ she added, ‘but I shall see if the obliging Mr Dawkins can do anything about those as well.’
‘I am sure he will be able to.’
A sitting room that had seemed small before now felt miniscule as the earl filled it with his presence. He looked around, sniffed the air and somehow managed not to make any derogatory remarks. But she could read his expression and could tell that he was appalled, and so gave him credit for not voicing his opinion. She could sense that he was bursting with questions about her reasons for settling, both in the district and in this cottage, but good breeding prevented him from broaching the subject. For that Donna was grateful. Ordinarily very secretive, she had an unsettling feeling that the earl would be able to extract the truth from her with very little effort. There was something about the way that he bestowed his complete attention on her, as though she was the most fascinating creature on God’s earth, that unnerved her.
And sent anticipatory shivers through her that had nothing to do with the presence or otherwise of resident ghosts.
‘I am told the cottage is haunted,’ Donna said, feeling a pressing need to fill the silence.
‘Does that not concern you? Well, I suppose it would not,’ the earl added, answering his own question. ‘I cannot see a level-headed lady such as yourself being deterred by something so intangible.’
‘Intangible?’ She turned to look at him and raised a brow. ‘You do not believe in an afterlife?’
‘And you do?’
‘My mind is not closed to the possibility. I think it would be arrogant to suppose that ours is the only form of life on this earth.’
