‘I do not want you to spend all your time working on my gowns,’ Amanda said. ‘You must make your own new gowns, too—and have time for reading and walking.’
‘I love to sew,’ Jane told her. ‘When we are in the country you may read to us as I work. I enjoy hearing you read, Amanda—you put such meaning into the words.’
Amanda was about to reply when they found their path obstructed. Looking up into the hostile face of the Marquis of Shearne, Amanda felt a chill down her spine. He was clearly brooding about something and she knew that Jane had shrunk closer to her, seeming afraid of him.
‘Miss Hamilton, Miss Field,’ he murmured silkily. ‘What a delightful picture you make—the sparrow and the plump dove, what tasty morsels for the taking.’
Jane gasped and clutched Amanda’s arm. Glancing at her face, Amanda felt a spurt of anger, for his taunt had taken all the colour and pleasure from Jane’s cheeks.
‘And you, sir—are you a hawk or a wolf?’ she asked, her voice sharp and her eyes shooting a challenge at him. ‘How dare you address us in such a manner? Whichever you see yourself, let me assure you that neither of us are yours for the taking.’
‘You think not?’ Shearne leered at her, a cold malice in his eyes. ‘I would not be denied if I truly wished to have either of you, but to tell the truth neither is worth the trouble. I am after more enticing prey.’
‘If you mean Miss Langton... I think you despicable and shall certainly inform her of your true nature, when next we meet. Perhaps I should write to her...’
His hand shot out, gripping her wrist so tightly that it was all she could do to stop from crying out. She felt a cold fear grip her as she saw hatred in his eyes and knew she had made an enemy.
‘If you do not allow us to pass, I shall call for help, sir.’
‘You are a sight too proud for your own good and one of these days...but you are not worth the trouble. I shall allow you to pass, but remember, if one word passes your lips concerning me to Miss Langton, I shall take my revenge.’
‘You do not frighten me, sir.’
‘Do I not?’ For a moment the look in his eyes was so evil that Amanda felt faint, but then a gentleman crossed the road towards them and he flung her away from him. ‘You are less than nothing to me—just a fat little frump—you and that mouse you take about with you.’
‘We are much obliged to you, sir,’ Amanda replied, holding back sharper retorts for she had already said too much. ‘We shall bid you good day, sir. Come, Jane, we must not keep this...person dallying.’ She gave him a look of disdain that was calculated to make him squirm.
Seeing the flash of fury in his eyes, Amanda wished she had not made her tone quite so insulting. She had implied that he was not a gentleman and, a little to her surprise, it seemed to have touched him on the raw.
‘Think yourself fortunate that I have other business, Miss Hamilton. Had I the leisure I might take the time to teach you a lesson...’
Deciding that retreat was the better part of valour at this moment, Amanda propelled Jane past him, ignoring the temptation to tell him that nothing he could do would tempt her to spend a moment longer than necessary in his company.
‘Oh, Amanda,’ Jane whispered once they were safely out of reach. ‘Ought you to have answered him so? I think he is a cruel man. He would delight in punishing you, if he could.’
‘I do not fear that slimy creature,’ Amanda said. ‘Besides, I have only to tell Major Brockley what was said and he would...’
‘What?’ Jane looked at her curiously, but she shook her head.
‘I believe the marquis to be in need of a lesson himself,’ she said. ‘If I thought either of us truly in danger, I should beg Major Brockley to help, but I do not think him interested in either of us. He needs neither fortune nor wife—and if he did he would more likely look at Miss Langton than either of us. Indeed, I fear she may be in some danger...’
Amanda felt a chill at her nape. The marquis was the kind of man who would look for revenge if anyone offended him. Phipps had told her that Brock hated him and there must be a good reason for that... It might be as well to tell Phipps when she next saw him that the marquis had tried to intimidate them. However, in another ten days or so she would be leaving town and would probably never see Shearne again.
Although they met at a card party and again at a dinner, with readings of poetry afterwards, Amanda did not have the opportunity to speak to Phipps privately until the morning of her own dance. He called then to bring her a posy of beautiful white rosebuds. She happened to be at the top of the stairs when he was admitted and went down to greet him and take the flowers from his own hand.
‘It was so kind of you to bring me these,’ she said. ‘As it happens they will be perfect, for my gown this evening is pink and white. Thank you so much, sir.’
‘You will save me two dances,’ Phipps said with a caressing smile that made her heart jump for joy. ‘You are looking very well, Miss Hamilton. Are you anticipating this evening with pleasure?’
‘Yes, very much,’ Amanda replied. ‘I think it may be our last big engagement before we leave for the country. You know we are to stay with Lord Armstrong and the countess for another few days, but I think we shall attend only small affairs, though the countess will give two evenings of music and cards herself.’
‘I hope I shall be invited?’
‘I was asked who I would like to invite, sir. I gave the countess your name, also Major Brock’s and Jane Field’s. Jane is to stay with me after we leave town, just for a week or so...’
‘I am glad you made friends with Miss Field. I think her a nice girl and Brock likes her. He was angry when Shearne frightened her, you know.’
‘I meant to tell you,’ Amanda said. ‘We encountered him in the street a few days ago and his behaviour towards her was predatory—and to me hostile, because I’m afraid I gave him a set-down. He made what I considered a threat towards Miss Langton and I said something unwise. Indeed, I warned him that I should inform her of his true nature when I next see her—I fear I may have made an enemy of the marquis.’
‘And do you intend to say anything to Miss Langton?’
‘When I see her I shall attempt to warn her...but one must be careful of such things. To write hints of what I suspect in a letter would be slander.’
‘No, you must not do that, for you have no proof.’
‘That was my own thought, but when I see her I may hint a little. I spoke thoughtlessly, out of anger at his manner towards us, and I think it was unwise.’
‘If he should do anything at all to upset you, Miss Hamilton, you have only to tell me or Brock.’
‘I should not wish to cause trouble for anyone. Mama did not invite the marquis this evening—and I dare say I shall not see him again before we leave for the country.’
‘I heard that he was leaving town for his estates this weekend. If he took himself off and never returned, it would not be a bad thing,’ Phipps said. ‘Had I known he’d upset you, I should have given him a thrashing.’
Amanda pealed with laughter. ‘Please do nothing of the sort, sir. I fear you would make an enemy for life. I may have piqued his pride, but he will soon forget me—if you took a horsewhip to him he would not cease to look for his revenge.’
‘I am more than a match for his ilk.’
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