Valentine by Jane Feather Page A

amazes—”
    “Hush, Emily!” Theo jumped up from the sofa, unable to bear another minute of her sister’s playing into the hands of this detestable, scheming Gilbraith. “My accomplishments, my lord, are few, and in general have no place in a drawing room.” She walked quickly to the open door, stepping onto the terrace to cool her cheeks. Her mother’s voice came clearly behind her.
    “I was thinking, Lord Stoneridge, that although it will take us a few days to remove to the dower house, it seems unnecessary for you to be staying in the village. I see no reason why you shouldn’t move to the manor in the morning.I’m here to chaperon the girls, and our kinship and present circumstances make your presence perfectly proper.”
    No! It was a silent scream of protest. Theo’s fingers curled into her palms as she stood in the doorway, staring out into the star-filled night, the lighted room at her back.
    To have him under the same roof … at every meal … to bump into him at every turn. It was impossible. Her mother didn’t know what she was suggesting.
    But
perhaps she did.
    In despairing fury she heard Lord Stoneridge’s graceful thanks and equally graceful acceptance.

T HE FOLLOWING MORNING
Lady Belmont received a note from Lord Stoneridge: Lady Belmont was to be in no hurry to remove to the dower house. She must remain at Stoneridge Manor until the dower house was furnished and decorated exactly as she wished it to be. He would accept her kind invitation to take up residence at the manor in two days, when his servant and baggage had arrived from London. Until then he was her obedient servant, Stoneridge.
    “Reprieve,” breathed Theo when her mother had read out the note at the breakfast table. “Surely we can be gone from here in two days, Mama.”
    “But it’ll be wretchedly uncomfortable with the painters and carpenters everywhere,” Emily protested. “And Mama is to order new curtains and covers for the drawing room. We’ll be living in a goldfish bowl until they’re completed.”
    “It’s high summer,” Theo said, buttering a piece of toast. “We don’t draw the curtains anyway.”
    “I’ll have to move my museum,” Rosie said, tapping the shell of a boiled egg. “It’s very delicate. The snake skeletonhas broken twice already, and I had to stick it together. And there are the birds’ eggs. I can’t think how to transport it all.” She looked up from her egg with a worried frown.
    “We’ll pack it up very carefully in boxes,” Clarissa said soothingly.
    “And we’ll carry it by hand down the drive,” Theo added. “Nothing’s going to be broken.”
    “That’s all right, then,” Rosie said matter-of-factly, returning to her egg. “I shan’t mind moving in that case.”
    “Neither shall I,” Theo declared. “Please, Mama, can’t we leave before Stoneridge moves in?”
    Elinor refilled her teacup. “There is not the slightest need for us to do so, dear. Lord Stoneridge is being most accommodating.”
    “Yes, much more than anyone would have expected of a Gilbraith,” Clarissa said. “I own I quite like him now. He has a sweet smile in spite of that scar.”
    Yes, Theo thought, a sweet smile with shark’s teeth. She looked helplessly round the table.
    “I don’t see why you should worry now, Theo,” Emily said. “Lord Stoneridge has withdrawn his suit. He won’t trouble you again.”
    How to explain that his very presence troubled her to such an extent she couldn’t have a clear thought? How to explain that she knew absolutely that the earl had declared open season and she was his quarry, whatever he might say in public? How to describe those kisses and what happened to her when her body was pressed to his?
    It couldn’t be explained. She pushed back her chair. “Excuse me, Mama. I have to go into the village.”
    “Any special reason?” Elinor inquired with a smile. “Something I can help with?”
    “No, no errand of mercy,” Theo said, going to the