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such thing, Mr. Draycott,” Olympia said crisply. “Your behavior was quite atrocious, as you are no doubt well aware. I’m sure you will want to take your leave immediately.”
    “He will apologize to you first, Miss Wingfield,” Chillhurst said softly.
    Olympia glanced at him in surprise. “Will he?”
    “Yes.”
    “Damnation. I didn’t do anything wrong,” Draycott said in an aggrieved tone. “I was merely trying to assist Miss Wingfield down the ladder. And this is the thanks I get.”
    Chillhurst reached down, took hold of Draycott’s neckcloth, and hauled the groggy man to his feet. “Youwill apologize now,” he said deliberately. “And then you will leave.”
    Draycott blinked several times. His eyes met Chillhurst’s unblinking gaze and slid uneasily away. “Yes, of course. All a mistake. Terribly sorry.”
    Chillhurst released him without warning. Draycott stumbled and stepped hurriedly back out of reach. He turned to Olympia with an expression of acute discomfort.
    “I regret any misunderstanding that may have occurred between us, Miss Wingfield,” Draycott said stiffly. “Didn’t mean to give offense.”
    “Of course you didn’t.” Olympia could not help but notice that Draycott appeared very small and quite harmless standing next to Mr. Chillhurst. It was difficult to recall that for a few minutes there she had actually been somewhat alarmed by his behavior. “I believe it would be best if we both were to forget this matter entirely. Let us pretend it never happened.”
    Draycott cast a sidelong glance at Chillhurst. “As you wish.” He straightened his coat and adjusted his neckcloth. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must be off. Don’t bother summoning your housekeeper. I can see myself out.”
    Silence descended on the library as Draycott walked hurriedly out the door. When he was gone, Olympia looked at Chillhurst. He was studying her, in turn, with an unreadable expression. Neither said a word until they heard the outer door close in the hall behind Draycott.
    Olympia smiled. “Thank you for coming to my rescue, Mr. Chillhurst. It was quite gallant of you. I’ve never been rescued before. A most unusual experience.”
    Chillhurst inclined his head with mocking civility. “It was nothing, Miss Wingfield. I’m glad I could be of service.”
    “You certainly were, although I doubt that Mr. Draycott would have done anything more than try to steal a kiss.”
    “You don’t think so?”
    Olympia frowned at the skepticism in Chillhurst’s eyes. “He’s really not a bad sort. I’ve known him since I came here to live in Upper Tudway. But I must admit that he’s been acting rather oddly ever since his wife died six months ago.” She paused. “He has recently developed a great interest in old legends, which happens to be my own field of interest.”
    “Somehow that does not surprise me.”
    “What? That I am interested in them?”
    “No, that Draycott developed a sudden interest in them.” Chillhurst’s expression was grim. “He obviously did so in order to seduce you, Miss Wingfield.”
    Olympia was appalled. “Good heavens, surely you do not believe that what happened here this afternoon was intentional.”
    “I suspect it was very much a premeditated action, Miss Wingfield.”
    “I see.” Olympia considered that briefly. “I had not thought of that possibility.”
    “Apparently not. You would be wise not to see him alone again.”
    Olympia brushed that aside. “Well, it’s not really all that important. It’s over. And I am completely forgetting my manners. I expect you’d like a cup of tea, wouldn’t you? You’ve probably had a very long journey. I shall summon my housekeeper.”
    The sound of the outer door being flung open with a crash interrupted Olympia before she could ring for Mrs. Bird. A loud barking filled the hall. Dog claws scrabbled on the wooden floor outside the library. Boots pounded. Youthful voices rose in a booming chorus.
    “Aunt Olympia?