Francesca Shaw - The Unconventional Miss Dane Read online

  Antonia's heart leapt in her chest as she stood there, a prey to mixed emotions, She was glad to see Marcus again after so many days, annoyed at herself for caring that he had not called, and acutely conscious of how they had last met. Her eyes flew to his face, searching for some glance, some acknowledgment of their encounter by the river.

  Marcus had calmed the chestnut, but made no attempt to dismount, staring haughtily down at the stranger~ Mr. Blake squared his shoulders in his admirably cut coat, drew his brows together in an expression of some severity and remarked coldly, "Sir, you have alarmed the ladies."

  It was as if he had not spoken. Marcus looked over his head, bowed slightly and greeted the ladies. "Good day, Miss Dane. I trust I find you well, Miss Donaldson."

  Mr. Blake, who had had more than his fair share of experience in dealing with arrogant aristocrats and who had a very good sense of his own breeding and worth, was not to be bested. This carelessly dressed man on the superb horse was obviously known to the ladies; none the less, that did not excuse his abominable bad manners.

  He turned his shoulder on the rider, bowed slightly to Antonia and continued with his farewells as though Marcus A! ington did not exist.

  "Thank you again for your hospitality, Miss Dane; I hope to return to Rye End Hall very shortly. I will, of course, write at the earliest opportunity."

  Consoling himself with the thought that his carriage horses would pass muster with the most critical of horsemen, Jeremy Blake mounted his curricle, looped the reins neatly and set his pair in motion, sweeping past Lord Arlington as if he were not there.

  Antonia waved energetically at the departing carriage, noting with some pleasure the set expression on his lordship's face. She squeezed Donna's hand warningly, although it was unlikely that her companion would prattle if the lawyer's identity or purpose. It was too much to hope that this display of~ displeasure was jealousy because his lordship felt some partiality for her; on the other hand, it would do no harm to keep Marcus Arlington guessing about her visitor.

  Antonia stepped forward with a cool smile. "Lord Arlington, good day."

  She might entertain warm---even romantic--feelings about him when he was absent, daydream about the pressure of his lips on hers, speculate about his intentions but, faced with the man himself, she found herself provoked by his arrogance. "A very fine day, is it not? One really feels that summer is around the

  Marcus dismounted, tossing the reins to a groom as he did so. "Oh, a visit! How nice," Antonia prattled brightly. "I had assumed you were merely passing.

  What a pity we have just finished luncheon. "

  "I have eaten, ma'am, some time ago. I would not have intruded if I had realised you were entertaining company." Marcus was chillingly polite,

  "Of course you would not," Antonia replied with what she hoped was maddening complacency. At that moment Miss Donaldson gave up all hope of Lord Arlington as a suitor, made a hasty excuse and left. Antonia glanced sideways at Marcus's unsmiling face. "You seem out of sorts, my lord."

  Marcus met her eyes steadily, then suddenly smiled, his brow clearing.

  Antonia had the distinct impression she had overplayed her hand. "Not at all, Antonia. I merely called to see if you had experienced any more difficulty with the bank while I have been in Town."

  "Oh, have you been away? Now that I think of it, I do believe one of the servants mentioned that you were not at Brightshill. Have you been absent long? For ourselves, we have been so busy that time has just flown by. Thank you for enquiring, everything has proceeded most smoothly."

  They were strolling towards the house as they spoke. Antonia was very conscious of his nearness, From the very beginning, she had found him a dominating physical presence, but since experiencing his kisses she found herself acutely aware of his hands, of the breadth of his shoulders, of the very scent of him. It was most unsettling to find the sensations she had experienced under the moonlight recurring now in full daylight. There was no excuse for. it going as it did against all proper behaviour!

  They had now arrived at the front door, which still stood open. "Would you care to see the work we have had done?" Antonia asked, feeling that some conciliatory superb horse was obviously known to the ladies; none the less, that did not excuse his abominable bad manners.

  He turned his shoulder on the rider, bowed slightly to Antonia and continued with his farewells as though Marcus Arlington did not exist.

  "Thank you again for your hospitality, Miss Dane; I hope to return to Rye End Hall very shortly. I will, of course, write at the earliest opportunity."

  Consoling himself with the thought that his camagg horses would pass muster with the most critical of horsemen, Jeremy Blake mounted his curricle, looped the mina neatly and set his pair in motion, sweeping past Lord Arlington as if he were not there.

  Antonia waved energetically at the departing noting with some pleasure the set expression on his lordship's face. She squeezed Donna's hand warningly, although it was unlikely that her companion would prattle of the lawyer's identity or purpose. It was too much to hope that this display of displeasure was his lordship felt some partiality for her; on the hand, it would do no harm to keep Marcus A! lingt~: guessing about her visitor.

  Antonia stepped forward with a cool smile. Arlington, good day. " She might romantic--feelings about him when he was dream about the pressure of his lips on hers, about his intentions but, faced with the man found herself provoked by his arrogance. " A day, is it not? One really feels that corner. "

  Marcus dismounted, tossing the reins to a groom he did so. "Oh, a visit! How nice," Antonia prattled brightly. "I had assumed you were merely passing

  What a pity we have just finished luncheon. "

  '1 have eaten, ma'am, some time ago. I would not have intruded if I had realised you were entertaining company. " Marcus was chillingly polite.

  "Of course you would not," Antonia replied with what she hoped was maddening complacency. At that moment Miss Donaldson gave up all hope of Lord Arlington as a suitor, made a hasty excuse and left. Antonia glanced sideways at Marcus's unsmiling face. "You seem out of sorts, my lord."

  Marcus met her eyes steadily, then suddenly smiled, his brow clearing.

  Antonia had the distinct impression she had overplayed her hand. "Not at all, Antonia. I merely called to see if you had experienced any more difficulty with the bank while I have been in Town."

  "Oh, have you been away? Now that I think of it, I do believe one of the servants mentioned that you were not at Brightshill. Have you been absent long? For ourselves, we have been so busy that time has just flown by. Thank you for enquiring, everything has proceeded most smoothly."

  They were strolling towards the house as they spoke. Antonia was very conscious of his nearness: From the very beginning, she had found him a dominating physical presence, but since experiencing his kisses she found herself acutely aware of his hands, of the breadth of his shoulders, of the very scent of him. It was most unsettling to find the sensations she had experienced under the moonlight recurring now in full daylight. There was no excuse for. it going as it did against all proper behaviour!

  They had now arrived at the front door, which still stood open. "Would you care to see the work we have had done?" Antonia asked, feeling that some conciliatory gesture was owing, considering that Marcus had instrumental in obtaining the necessary funds for work for her.

  It became obvious as they walked through the ho~ ~ that he must take a personal interest in the practical details of his own estate. The questions he asked the plasterers and roofers who were putting the fini~'~; touches to the attic rooms were informed, and Antonia was surprised by the easy demeanour he showed wilhi the men.

  It was partly explained when the plumber said, care to take a look at the roof, my lord, you will see used the same way of fixing the lead work as we did Brightshill. "

  Antonia stepped back into the shadows

  Marcus talking to the men. They realised, not entirely because of h
is rank, but because him they recognised someone who understood the of a big estate and of their place within it.

  His face as he talked had lost all its severity whole frame was relaxed as he bandied a damaged of lead work handed to him by the plumber. Here far cry from the magistrate punish' rag a poacher, o~ brusque landowner ordering his gamekeepers.

  William Hunt the plumber was pointing at out on the leads. To Antonia's astonishment, stripped off his jacket, rolled up his shirtsleeves swung easily out of the cramped dormer window on the flat section of the roof.

  When the plumber and his mate had she strolled across to the window and watched To her alarm, Marcus was leaning dangerously parapet, prodding at brickwork and throwing over his shoulder to Hunt. Incomprehensible remarks about flashing, down pipes and rain hoppers floated back to her.

  Gradually her alarm abated. As Marcus got to his feet, Antonia found her eyes drawn to the play of strong muscles under the fine linen the breeze was flattening to his back. He stood, one foot on the parapet, looking out over the grounds; as he turned to toss a remark back to the plumber, the wind caught his hair, blowing unruly blond locks into his eyes.

  "I agree, you had better talk to Miss Dane about those down spouts A decision must be made one way or another," he was saying prosaically as he pushed back the hair and met her eyes.

  Across the space their ga~es met and locked, his eyes holding a question she could not decipher. As she searched his face, Antonia realised with a jolt that she was falling in love with Marcus Arlington and that if he made any answering sign of partiality she would run to his side, however many workmen were present, however inappropriate the setting,

  The moment seemed endless, but only a few seconds could have passed for Hunt was saying to her, "It's like this, ma'am; the weight of rainwater coming down off this roof is too great for the size of hopper, it's difficult to explain without you seeing it..." He scratched his head, at a loss for the words that could better, explain the situation to a lady who could not hope to understand technical matters of this sort.

  Marcus strode across to where she stood at the window and extended his hand. "Come, Miss Dane, you will be safe in my care. It is quite flat for the most part."

  Willingly, Antonia let Marcus take her hand. His grasp was warm, firm and sure and she experienced no fear as she stepped up on to a box, then stooped to climb over the window ledge.

  "Thank you, Hunt," Marcus said to the plumber. 'l am sure you want to be getting on inside: ! will show Miss Dane the problem. "

  "Oh, look, you can see for miles," Antonia exclaimed, gazing out over the greening Hertfordshire countrysido and the great beech woods rolling over the scarp ed~-of the Chiltems towards the Vale beneath.

  She leaned on the brick parapet, her eyes distant horizon, happily unaware of the height made the mistake of looking downwards. The terrace four storeys below seemed to swim up to meot her. as she recoiled with a gasp of terror.

  Marcus took her in his arms and spun her round so that his body shielded her from the drop and she was held hard against him.

  Antonia's eyes were tight shut; such a height before with so little between her ground. Her heart was beating sickeningly, tight in her chest.

  "You are not going to faint," he informed her firmly Antonia felt rather than heard the command as her ca~ was pressed against his shirt front. The breeze had cool~ the linen, but through it she could feel the heat of. his body. He smelled faintly of cologne, leather and something which was in definably Marcus.

  "Are you certain?" Antonia quavered. She had never~ fainted before, but the mixture of sensations she now experiencing made her feel she might do so at moment.

  "Quite certain," Marcus assured her. He set her firmly at his side, his body between her and the drop, his arm still protectively about her shoulders. "You see, you can not possibly fall. Come, over here and sit down away from the edge. You cannot go in until I have explained the deficiencies of your rainwater system or Hunt will be quite unable to proceed."

  Antonia glanced up, wondering at his mood, and caught the glint of amusement in his dark eyes. "Do you truly understand these matters?" she asked as he handed her to a low brick wall safely. away from the edge.

  "But of course; and so should you. I trust you also understand about the correct dimensions to ensure a chimney draws properly and the desirable fall of drains away from the house..."

  "I find nothings desirable about drains under any-circumstances,"

  Antonia stated firmly, trying not to wish he would put his arm around her again.

  As though answering the thought, Marcus sat down beside her and almost casually tucked her arm through his. The thought of protesting at the familiarity flickered through her mind, only to be dismissed. It was certainly most improper, but then, who was there to see it? And it was broad daylight; he had kissed her in the moonlight. yet had taken no further liberty. This was safe enough for propriety, Antonia told herself, although it was wreaking havoc with her sensibilities.

  "Those are fine chimneys on the Dower House," Marcus remarked, pointing them out through the trees. "Have you decided what you will do with it?"

  "The men have begun work on it-this week, although there is little amiss with the structure. Donna and I will be quite comfortable there."

  "Then you will be selling this?" He half-turned to face her, evidently surprised. "You have changed your mind since I made you an offer for it?"

  "Indeed, no, I have no intention of selling Rye End Hall, it is my family home. I am to lease it. Do you not recall? You were most slighting about the suggestion. I am grateful that, thanks to your intervention, I have the capital with which to do the work here: I assumed you knew why I wanted the money. I was quite clear about it, I believe."

  "I had thought those just hot words thrown at my head." Marcus smiled at her. "We were, after all, somewhat intemperate in our discussion of the matter, and ! must admit I did not take your scheme seriously."

  Antonia turned a puzzled countenance to him. "But what did you believe I wanted the money for, if not to renovate the house in order to lease it?"

  "Why, to live in moderate comfort as is befitting of your station."

  "So you influenced ~he banker solely out of concern for my comfort? You must have wondered how I intended to repay the loan," she exclaimed in a rallying tone. But underneath she felt a sudden surge of hope that be may have acted to keep her in the neighbourhood because he had a partiality for her.

  "I would hope that I always act for the comfort of others," Marcus replied drily. "But there is an overriding consideration..."

  Antonia could scarcely breathe waiting for him to finish the sentence.

  'it is of great concern to me, and our neighbours, that a fine estate such as Rye End Hall should not fall into rack and ruin. It leads to poverty, which in its turn brings about lawlessness and want. "

  "If your motives are so altruistic, sir, I am amazed you felt unable to air them the other day when I asked you directly why you had secured the money for me!" Really! Just when she found she was liking the man--she could not bring herself to even think the word love---he said something insufferable. "You will be pleased to hear that I am in hopes of securing a most respectable tenant for the house and the Home Farm," she added stiffly, spots of colour touching her cheekbones. ~

  "Ah, I thought I smelt a clerk this morning!" Marcus seemed quite unaware of her discomfiture. Antonia sensed only his satisfaction at placing Mr. Jeremy Blake.

  "No clerk, sir! Mr. Blake is a lawyer with the highest connections. I am most hopeful his principalmand uncle---will take the Hall."

  "You are warm in your defence of--what is his name, Black?"

  "Blake. I found him a most amiable and intelligent person to do business with. And, of course," she added slyly, recovering her equilibrium, 'such a gentleman. It would be a considerable asset to our social circle locally if he were to accompany his uncle here. "

  "I shall look forward to making his acquaintance,"
Marcus said politely. "But we sWay from the point--you intend taking up residence at the Dower House?"

  "Certainly. Both Miss Donaldson and I expect to be most comfortable there. It is entirely the right size for two unattached ladies, the gardens can be made charming.. '

  "So you intend to dwindle into respectable spinsterhood there, do you?

  No doubt you will be able to devote many fascinating hours to constructing a shell grotto in the Erounds or perfecting your tatting."

  Antonia was taken aback by his sarcasm, then recollected that he must be disappointed that she had not chosen to sell the property to him.

  "Dwindle!-Indeed not! We have every intention of entering fully into the social life of the district as soon as we are established 'at the Dower House. I have retained control of the lands other than those attached to the Home Farm, so I shall have tenants to oversee ... indeed, l have every expectation of being rushed off my feet."