immune to the Earl's attractions, but she did not feel she could tell her father this.
"S-surely his Steward and secretary are more equal to the task?" she murmured instead.
"His Steward and his secretary read official papers but he says that is quite enough. He finds their voices grating. You are the perfect candidate. The Earl himself reflected that you have a sweet tone of voice. He was also impressed that you seemed to take an interest in the world at large."
"But Papa, I like to go with you on your rounds!"
"The Earl would only require your help each morning," said the doctor. "That would still leave the afternoon for you to accompany me."
The doctor regarded his daughter closely. "I do not understand your reluctance. You would have access to all those books in the Earl's library. And Sarah was delighted when I told her you might be at the castle every day."
At this mention of Sarah, Jacina fell silent.
*
The very next day the Ruven coach was once more making its way up the long driveway to the castle. The white coats of the horses shone in the newly risen sun.
The Earl had sent the coach early to collect Jacina. Her father's mention of Sarah had undone her resolution not to return to Castle Ruven until she was resistant to the Earl's charms. She gazed out at the frosty woods, hugging her green cloak tight about her.
Jarrold was waiting on the castle steps. He came down and opened the coach door.
"His Lordship is in the library," he told her.
The Earl sat in the wing chair before the fire, just as he had done on her last visit. This time the fire was lit. The Earl looked very distinguished in black. He turned his head towards the door as it opened. With a pang Jacina saw that his features were drawn and weary, as if he had not slept well.
"Miss Jacina Carlton, my Lord," announced Jarrold.
Jacina stood uncertainly in the doorway.
"Well, step forward," invited the Earl.
She went forward and took his outstretched hand. His fingers closed tightly over hers.
"A cold hand!" he exclaimed. "Were you not wearing gloves?"
"I forgot them, my Lord," replied Jacina.
She could not tell him how flustered she had been that morning, preparing to leave for the castle. Neighbours had stood on their doorsteps, watching with interest as she had entered the grand coach marked with the Ruven coat of arms.
"Well, come and sit down," said the Earl. "I told Jarrold to manoeuvre your chair so that you get light from the window to read by as well as sufficient warmth from the fire. I hope it is placed to your satisfaction?"
"Thank you – yes – it is," said Jacina.
She sat down opposite the Earl. By her chair stood a small table on which was placed a newspaper. The Earl asked whether she wanted some tea but she said she would wait.
"You have, I hope, conquered your ill health?" enquired the Earl politely.
"My – ill health?" repeated Jacina.
The Earl raised an eyebrow. "The headaches that deprived us of your company at supper on at least two occasions this week."
Jacina bowed her head against his unseeing gaze. "I – am much improved – my Lord," she murmured.
"That is good," said the Earl. He turned his face towards the fire and fell silent. Jacina waited.
"My Lord," she began after a moment or two.
The Earl lifted his head. "Yes?"
"Shall I begin reading?"
"Of course, of course." He gestured in the direction of a small table on which the newspaper waited.
Jacina picked up the newspaper and began reading the main article. It was concerned with the situation in India and described the endeavours of the British to retake positions that had fallen to the rebels.
Every so often Jacina paused and stole a glance at the Earl. He had rested an elbow on an arm of the chair and leaned his head on his palm. A lock of his dark hair fell forward. Suddenly he gave a loud groan.
"Enough!" he cried. "Why should I listen to this? What has any of it to do with me now?"
Jacina listened in dismay. "But – my Lord – one
"S-surely his Steward and secretary are more equal to the task?" she murmured instead.
"His Steward and his secretary read official papers but he says that is quite enough. He finds their voices grating. You are the perfect candidate. The Earl himself reflected that you have a sweet tone of voice. He was also impressed that you seemed to take an interest in the world at large."
"But Papa, I like to go with you on your rounds!"
"The Earl would only require your help each morning," said the doctor. "That would still leave the afternoon for you to accompany me."
The doctor regarded his daughter closely. "I do not understand your reluctance. You would have access to all those books in the Earl's library. And Sarah was delighted when I told her you might be at the castle every day."
At this mention of Sarah, Jacina fell silent.
*
The very next day the Ruven coach was once more making its way up the long driveway to the castle. The white coats of the horses shone in the newly risen sun.
The Earl had sent the coach early to collect Jacina. Her father's mention of Sarah had undone her resolution not to return to Castle Ruven until she was resistant to the Earl's charms. She gazed out at the frosty woods, hugging her green cloak tight about her.
Jarrold was waiting on the castle steps. He came down and opened the coach door.
"His Lordship is in the library," he told her.
The Earl sat in the wing chair before the fire, just as he had done on her last visit. This time the fire was lit. The Earl looked very distinguished in black. He turned his head towards the door as it opened. With a pang Jacina saw that his features were drawn and weary, as if he had not slept well.
"Miss Jacina Carlton, my Lord," announced Jarrold.
Jacina stood uncertainly in the doorway.
"Well, step forward," invited the Earl.
She went forward and took his outstretched hand. His fingers closed tightly over hers.
"A cold hand!" he exclaimed. "Were you not wearing gloves?"
"I forgot them, my Lord," replied Jacina.
She could not tell him how flustered she had been that morning, preparing to leave for the castle. Neighbours had stood on their doorsteps, watching with interest as she had entered the grand coach marked with the Ruven coat of arms.
"Well, come and sit down," said the Earl. "I told Jarrold to manoeuvre your chair so that you get light from the window to read by as well as sufficient warmth from the fire. I hope it is placed to your satisfaction?"
"Thank you – yes – it is," said Jacina.
She sat down opposite the Earl. By her chair stood a small table on which was placed a newspaper. The Earl asked whether she wanted some tea but she said she would wait.
"You have, I hope, conquered your ill health?" enquired the Earl politely.
"My – ill health?" repeated Jacina.
The Earl raised an eyebrow. "The headaches that deprived us of your company at supper on at least two occasions this week."
Jacina bowed her head against his unseeing gaze. "I – am much improved – my Lord," she murmured.
"That is good," said the Earl. He turned his face towards the fire and fell silent. Jacina waited.
"My Lord," she began after a moment or two.
The Earl lifted his head. "Yes?"
"Shall I begin reading?"
"Of course, of course." He gestured in the direction of a small table on which the newspaper waited.
Jacina picked up the newspaper and began reading the main article. It was concerned with the situation in India and described the endeavours of the British to retake positions that had fallen to the rebels.
Every so often Jacina paused and stole a glance at the Earl. He had rested an elbow on an arm of the chair and leaned his head on his palm. A lock of his dark hair fell forward. Suddenly he gave a loud groan.
"Enough!" he cried. "Why should I listen to this? What has any of it to do with me now?"
Jacina listened in dismay. "But – my Lord – one
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