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with a promise not to throw a book at her. The window curtains were slightly open.
Caught in a shaft of sunlight, she stood with her back against the wall. He d expected a
plain-looking spinster, instead a golden-haired, blue-eyed vision had robbed him of
speech.
That was the day he had forced his mouth on hers, and she d knocked him down.
He suppressed a smile, and wished he could relive those first days when he had Kate all
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A Very Difficult Man
to himself. He d been celibate too long, that was the problem. Kate s presence as his
companion had aroused his libido. If Dolly had not arrived when he did, she might
have been his.
And Madeline? What of her? Weary of his thoughts, he reached the steps ahead of
Kate and Dolly. Look at the sky. There s a storm brewing. We ll not be riding out again
today.
Catherine shivered. Off to the east, great billowing black clouds threatened. Do
you remember the day I arrived, Richard? Thunder. Lightning. Rain lashing down. And
I landed on your doorstep like a drowned rat.
I don t remember a thing. I d persuaded Mother to cancel the arrangements with
you, and was happily hunkered down in my room listening to the wind howl. No
female companion for me. I might have turned you out in the storm.
The distant tone in his voice confused Catherine. There was something so& so
dismissive in his last statement. No female companion for me. Not a hint of amusement
threaded through his words. Yet at luncheon he had actually thanked her for putting up
with him, and had played games with her when he captured her in the woodland.
Catherine shook her head. Would she ever understand this difficult man? Pulled
this way and that with his changing moods, she had no way of knowing from one
minute to the next his frame of mind. Best to avoid him, and spend time with Dolly,
Edward and Lady Glenmore.
But she was still officially his paid companion, and he had every right to claim her
attention.
A rumble of thunder hastened Catherine indoors and up to her room. She closed
the French doors against the advancing storm. The boiler had been lit in her bathroom.
Refreshed from washing her face, hands, arms and shoulders, she put on her cream
colored Egyptian cotton blouse and tucked it into a pale gray, silk skirt. She had
deemed the combination suitable for a companion, with no added fripperies or
furbelows to draw attention to her.
She loved color, and was sorely tempted to throw Riena s gorgeous silk shawl over
her shoulders. She drew the gypsy amulet from her skirt pocket. It was supposed to
bring her luck. Instead her life had gone from one crisis to another. Perhaps the end of
summer would bring a change of fortune, take her away from Glenmore Manor, and its
difficult master.
Amulet in her hand she closed her eyes and wished. I wish for Richard not to be so
changeable, and for him to like me just a little.
A knock on the door disturbed her reverie. Tis Anna, Miss Thurston. They re
waiting tea for you downstairs.
Catherine s heart skipped a beat when a flash of lightning ripped across the
darkening sky. Glad to have company, she hurried to join the family. Richard and Dolly
stood when she entered the dining room.
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Anita Birt
Excuse me if I don t greet you properly, Catherine. Edward said and patted the
chair beside him. I dare not disturb my poor gouty toe. Come sit by me. I ve missed
you.
Delighted to see him, Catherine kissed his cheek. I ve missed you.
Aren t you the lucky fellow, Edward? Dolly teased. If I fake an illness, will I
receive a kiss from Catherine?
Only for gout. Catherine smiled at him. So you are quite safe.
Woe is me. Dolly groaned. I shall retire to a monastery and nurse my hurt
feelings.
Catherine suppressed a grin. I hope the monastery will provide a cure. I d not like
you locked away forever.
Lady Glenmore poured tea from an ornate silver pot, and handed Catherine a cup.
Dolly in a monastery? It would soon be in an uproar, would it not, Richard?
Catherine had avoided looking at him, preferring to concentrate her attention on
Edward and Dolly.
Instead of answering his mother, he gazed at Catherine, a wry smile on his lips.
Surely to save Dolly from a monastery, you d honor his request.
Dolly s teasing did not embarrass her but Richard s remark had an edge to it
guaranteed to bring a flush to her cheeks. Catherine longed to twist his neck. I m sure
Dolly can look after himself with no help from me.
Much to Catherine s relief, Dolly broke the tension crackling between her and his
brother. I ve decided to bide my time. Some day, you may take pity on a poor soldier
just returned from saving India for Her Majesty.
Breathless from hurrying, the butler hastened into the dining room. Excuse me,
Lady Glenmore, but there s a young person come to the back door asking to speak to
Miss Thurston.
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A Very Difficult Man
Chapter Twelve
Asking for me? Catherine set down her cup.
Yes, Miss. She s in a bad way, soaking wet and been hurt. He cleared his throat.
I believe she may be a gypsy. She gave me this to show you. Riena s amulet dangled
from his fingers.
Catherine jumped to her feet, and caught hold of the amulet. It belongs to my
friend, Riena. Please excuse me, my lady, I must go to her. Where is she, Blewett?
The housekeeper put a chair for her in the passageway by the back door.
Richard stood. I ll come with you, Catherine. You may require assistance.
They found Riena cowering on the chair her clothing soaked and dripping on the
floor. She raised her bruised face to Catherine. A small cut oozed blood by her right
temple.
Please let me stay long enough to dry off. I won t be any trouble.
Catherine knelt beside her. Riena, you are injured. You cannot leave until&
Catherine turned to Richard. Lord Glenmore, this is Riena Stanley, a dear friend of
mine. May I look after her? She is not fit to travel.
He bowed. Of course you may care for her. Catherine could have hugged him.
He d acknowledged Riena without a hint of arrogance, as though a bedraggled gypsy
girl coming to his door asking for shelter was an everyday occurrence. He immediately
took charge.
Ask the housekeeper for towels to wrap around your friend. Take her to your
room, and put her to soak in a hot bath. I ll send up ointments for those cuts and bruises
on her face. He smiled at Riena. Catherine will make sure you are soon warm and
dry.
Riena staggered to her feet, and caught hold of Catherine s hands. My crystal. I left
the box under the hedge near the door. I must not lose it.
Your crystal? Richard asked.
It belongs to Riena& Catherine paused. Would he think ill of her gypsy friend if
she told him about the fortune telling? Catherine slid her tongue over her lips, and
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