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the fact that they were alone.
    As if realizing that the atmosphere was becoming dangerous he said, Young ladies are not meant to take an interest in trade.'
    Rebecca had the distinct impression that he had deliberately kept his voice light in an effort to restore their conversation to more normal levels, and in an effort to break the tension that had suddenly entered the atmosphere. She was grateful for it. She did not know why it was, but her conversations with Joshua seemed to be charged with a powerful force that lay just beneath the surface. And though she did not understand it, it made her skin tingle in the most alarming, and yet strangely enjoyable, way.
    'Besides,' he remarked reasonably, 'mills are not very pleasant places.'
    The door opened and Charles entered the room.
    Tell her, Charles,' he said, appealing to Rebecca's uncle. 'Mills are no places for women. They are always noisy and frequently very hot.'
    That's true,' said Charles judiciously. They are not very nice places to be, Rebecca.'
    That is not what Grandfather thought.' Her face broke into a sudden smile as she remembered his exact words. They had been sitting in his study when he had told her about the mill. She had been kneeling beside him, and he had been stroking her hair. She went on, "'You're a clever, puss, Rebecca," - that's what he used to say to me. "You 11 never be content with knitting by the fire, so I'm going to leave you something to get your teeth into.'"
    Joshua laughed. 'Jebadiah was a rogue.' Then he frowned. 'Even so, I'm surprised he left you part of the mill. He knew the dangers that were involved.'
    1 am not afraid of risking an accident,' she said. 'Accidents can happen anywhere.'
    Those aren't the dangers I'm talking about.'
    Rebecca was about to enquire further, but at that moment the door opened again and Hetty entered the room.
    Well, that is all sorted out.'
    Joshua was about to speak, and then seemed to change his mind as to what he was going to say. 'Good.' He stood up. Thank you for the tea, it was delicious, Hetty, as always! But now I must be going.'
    'Oh! And you only just seem to have arrived,' said Hetty. But never mind,' she said, brightening. We will see you at Lady Cranston's ball?'
    'Only if Rebecca will promise me the first dance.' He turned to Rebecca with a provoking gleam in his eye.
    Rebecca was torn between a desire to give him a set down and a desire to be in his arms - although she had no reason to suppose the first dance would be a waltz.
    You are too courteous,' she said.
    'Am I?' he asked. Adding enigmatically, We shall see.'
    He kissed her hand and then took his leave.
    His kiss had left a burning imprint, and involuntarily Rebecca looked down, half expecting to see that her glove had been scorched. But seeing that it was undamaged she shook such foolish fancies away. Joshua Kelling was the godson of her grandfather, but nothing more. It was true that she found him interesting, she told herself. But that was all.
    Even so, as she joined Hetty and Charles in talking over their good fortune, she found she could not drive Joshua's image from her mind. It was there when she looked around the elegant drawing-room, hovering before her mind's eye: his mane of hair, his broad shoulders, and his copper-coloured eyes.
    It was there when she looked into the fire, dancing in the burning flames.
    And it was there when she laid her head on her pillow and settled down to sleep.
    Chapter Three
    Rebecca lifted the ruby necklace out of its box, remembering how much her mother had loved it. It was from her mother that Rebecca had inherited her distinctive colouring, and the rubies, which she had inherited on her mother's death, set it off to perfection. The warm red glow of the jewels brought out the red of her lips and added a warm glow to her porcelain-white skin.
    Susan fastened it round her neck, then helped her to put on the matching ruby ear-rings.
    'Oh, they're beautiful, Rebecca!' exclaimed Hetty as she bustled