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She swallowed her embarrassment.  But don t you see? They are being kind. I have
been able to fulfill my duties very satisfactorily. I shall be gone from your home within
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Anita Birt
two months, returning to my mother in London, and then must search for another
position. I have to earn my living.
He grasped her hands.  Forgive me, I have distressed you. Richard always said I
have the manners of a bull in a china shop. Captain Delisle it shall be, Miss Thurston,
until you choose otherwise. With a smile, he released her.
 Delisle? Catherine asked. Odd, she had never asked Edward about the family
background.
 Our family name is French from a century or so ago. Mother met Father in France
when he was visiting a château that once belonged to our family, the Delisles. Our
family came from France about a hundred years ago. He thought to purchase it, but the
price asked was too high, and it was in poor condition. However, he returned to
England with our beautiful Mama.
Relieved, she liked him even more for his ability to understand her dilemma,
Catherine relaxed and smiled up at him.  I think we should return to the house, I
thought I heard the bell ring for luncheon.
Dolly walked her back to the house. Miss Thurston s beauty had knocked him back
on his heels. If Richard hadn t fallen in love with her, he must be quite mad. He d been
in her company mere minutes, and already was bewitched. There was more to the
mysterious Miss Thurston than met the eye. In one of his letters, Edward had
mentioned Madeline and Richard, and their on-again, off-again betrothal while he
recovered from the ghastly war in Crimea.
But this companion business was very strange. Richard was too proud to admit
needing anyone, especially a female, and certainly not someone as attractive as Miss
Thurston. Dolly thought it might be worth the pain to come home a wounded hero, and
have someone like her to relieve his suffering.
 When did you come here, Miss Thurston? She raised her eyes to his and Dolly
nearly drowned in her lingering glance. She was a perfect English rose. Fair skin.
Golden hair. Lips pink and full, hinting of laughter. A pretty nose and a slim, elegant
figure.
 On March first but I did not begin my duties immediately. I caught a chill and was
confined to bed for several days. When I recovered I& 
She smiled, showing even white teeth.  Lord Glenmore did not welcome me. It was
your mother s idea to engage a companion.
Dolly hooted.  Mother regaled me in her letters about the two gentlemen
companions Richard terrified into leaving. How did you fare with his ill humor?
 I m not easily frightened, Captain, but there were times when I wondered what I
was doing here. Your mother persuaded me to stay on for at least a month. She and
your Uncle Edward have been very kind, and they made up for the problems I was
having with your brother.
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A Very Difficult Man
 How did you bring him round? He s been a recluse since coming home. Dolly
wondered if she d bedded him, then dismissed the thought. Unless he was badly
mistaken, Miss Thurston was an innocent.
 He finally tired of trying to scare me off, and allowed me to enter his sitting room.
Many a time I upset him with injudicious remarks but by and by, he forgave me. He is
much improved.
Dolly escorted her into the house. Aye and he d be much improved too if the
glorious Miss Thurston were his companion. With Richard away in London, she d be
free to spend time with him.
* * * * *
For a week after Dolly s arrival Catherine s days whirled by in a buzz of activity.
Finding time to herself was all but impossible. When she set up her easel to sketch,
Dolly lounged beside her. They rode daily. Misty had taken Catherine to her heart, and
whinnied softly at the sound of her footsteps on the stone floor of the stable. When
neighbors heard of Dolly s arrival home from India, invitations to luncheons, dinners
and parties arrived by every post.
 Come with me, Catherine, you ll enjoy yourself. It will be a change from having
Edward and me as your only company.
She declined. Explaining her circumstances to strangers was quite beyond her. The
Glenmore family had treated her so graciously, she almost forgot her status in the
household.
As for Dolly& yes, she now called him Dolly. Big and friendly, he put himself out to
amuse her. But she would not call upon the neighbors. He went alone, and returned
with stories about this one and that, sending her into rib-tickling laughter.
A letter came from Lady Glenmore asking Dolly to go up to London.  She s in a
dilemma, he told Catherine.  It seems that relations are strained between Richard and
Madeline. They ve as good as broken off their engagement. Mother wants to see me,
and thinks she should stay with him and not leave him in town on his own. He s being
fitted with some kind of artificial limb and if all goes well, he should be able to ride
again.
Catherine knew she should not feel a thing but if Lord Glenmore and Lady
Madeline had broken their engagement a little part of her was pleased. She had not
liked the tone of Lady Madeline s voice when she d scolded him about leaving her
without an escort. She d not offered to stay and read to him. He would have recovered
much more quickly if she had. The woman was not worthy to be his wife.
Dolly interrupted her musings.  I shall travel up to London tomorrow. If Richard
and Madeline have parted company, he may need me to cheer him up, but I would
much rather stay here. I shall miss you.
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Anita Birt
She tried to make light of his remark about missing her.  You will find much to
amuse you in London. The season is still in full swing.
 Say you will miss me, he pleaded. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief.
 Very well, I shall miss you. You are a very entertaining companion. Catherine bit
back a smile.
Dolly slapped his hand on his forehead.  Is that all?
She burst out laughing.  Stop teasing me. You are as bad as your brother.
 Oh, so Richard teases you, does he? I will speak to him, and tell him to mind his
manners. He bowed over her hand.  I must leave you, fair lady, and see to my
packing.
In the morning, Dolly insisted she ride beside the open carriage taking him to the
station. At Abbeyleigh, serious for once, he cautioned her.
 Have one of the grooms attend you when you ride. I don t want you taking a fence
and falling with no one close by to assist you.
Warmed by his concern, Catherine dismounted and rested a gloved hand on his
arm.  I won t attempt any fences while you re away. Enjoy your stay in London.
Dolly lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers.  Goodbye, Catherine.
Flustered, her cheeks afire, she led Misty to the station mounting block. Safe in the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]