Sarah Mallory - The Highborn Housekeeper

‘I wish you will tell me why it is dangerous for me to stay here.’ She read his thoughts and blushed. ‘Apart from the obvious, of course.’

‘Is that not reason enough?’

‘I have Hester with me and, in your current state of health, I do not fear you.’

‘I would not have you fear me at all, madam, especially as we are snowbound here for a few more days at least. If you believe nothing else of me, believe I am a gentleman.’ He raised his brows. ‘Why do you look at me like that, do you doubt me?’

‘My experience of gentlemen is that they take what they want of their servants—of any woman—and damn the consequences.’

He frowned. Not at the unladylike language but at the bitterness in her voice. He had not heard that note before and it disturbed him.

‘Not all gentlemen behave like that, Mrs Hopwood,’ he told her. ‘And you are not my servant.’

‘No, indeed.’ She gave a faint smile, her eyes softening, then she seemed to recollect herself and withdrew from him. ‘Since the snow makes it impossible for you to be rid of me for a few days, I had best get on with preparing dinner for this evening.’

She made to rise and he put out a hand to stop her.

‘Not yet. Take a moment to drink your coffee.’ She sank down again and he said, ‘You are an unusual woman, Nancy Hopwood. Tell me about yourself.’

She shrugged. ‘My story is no different from many other respectable women. I have no man to support me—and no wish for one!—and I was fortunate enough to find a position as a cook.’

‘And your employer, he is good man?’

She smiled at that. ‘My employer is not a man at all, it is a charity. I work at a house in the north of England that takes in women who have no other home. There is a small farm attached where we grow what we need and sell any surplus and we all do what we can to support ourselves. Those who are good with their hands make things we can sell, such as knitted purses, or stockings. My passion is cooking, so it was natural I should take over the kitchen.’

‘Then what were you doing in Tuxford?’

‘I have been to London. On business. I was on my way back when I came across you in the wood.’ Her shoulders lifted a fraction. ‘I am not one to ignore any creature in trouble.’

‘Which was fortunate for me.’ He refilled their cups. ‘But how long can this charity spare you?’

‘As long as I am needed here.’ She met his eyes, a challenge in her own. ‘We may differ on how long that will be, but you will admit that while the snow continues I cannot leave.’

And it was safe enough for her to remain. For the moment.

He said: ‘I freely admit that you cannot quit this house today, ma’am, and most likely you will be here tomorrow, too, but you should go as soon as may be. I am going on well enough now. John and I are quite capable of looking after ourselves.’

‘And you will not tell me why you are so eager for me to leave?’

‘Will you believe me if I say I might forget I am a gentleman if you stay here much longer?’

She smiled at that, but shook her head. ‘Of course I will, but that is not the only reason. There is some mystery about you and I wish you would share it with me.’

‘It is best that you do not know, ma’am.’

‘Then I am obliged to conclude you are here upon some unlawful business.’ She sighed and her mouth drooped. ‘I do not wish to think of you as a villain.’

It was his turn to smile.

‘You need not think it, but neither will your gusty sighs persuade me to tell you.’

‘I thought I might as well try.’

She peeped up at him from under her lashes, a roguish look that made him catch his breath as the simmering desire turned to a bolt of pure lust. It required a supreme effort to remain still and keep his countenance impassive.

She finished her coffee. ‘Thank you, sir, for the refreshment and the company. But now I really must get on.’

As she pushed the cup away he reached out and caught her wrist.

‘Will you dine with me again? I think I am well enough to sit in the morning room this evening. We could of course use the dining room but it is large and draughty. Dashed difficult to heat.’

Nancy was shocked at the way her skin reacted to his touch. Darts of electricity shot through her arm, setting her pulse racing. It was as much as she could do not to cry out or pull away.

She said, as calmly as she could, ‘I believe you dined here in the kitchen with Mr Thoresby, prior to our arrival.’

‘Well, yes, but—’

He released her and the disappointment she felt was a further surprise. Alarming, too. He might be a gentleman, he might not mean her any harm, but he was surely dangerous. It was in her own interests to keep him at a distance.

‘Then I suggest we all eat in here together,’ she told him. ‘There is a strong argument in favour of the arrangement, the food will be hotter when it reaches the table.’

‘I have no objection, if that is what you wish.’

She was relieved he had accepted the suggestion so readily. Much as she had enjoyed his company last night, she knew it would be safer to dine with the others. She found Gabriel far too attractive and was in no doubt that it would be all too easy to succumb to his charm. Heaven forbid he should realise the effect he had on her. Now she threw him a pitying look.

‘I am the cook, Mr Shaw. I am quite accustomed to eating at the kitchen table.’

‘Who is eating at the kitchen table?’ Hester came in, carrying the plucked chicken and bringing with her a blast of cold air.

‘Everyone,’ Nancy replied. ‘It will be more convenient for us all to eat together.’

‘Oh, no, madam, we cannot do that.’ Hester stopped in her tracks. ‘You are a lady, Miss Nancy, even if you have fallen on hard times. You will dine in the morning room with Mr Shaw.’

Nancy gave a little tut of frustration. ‘It is not seemly for us to dine alone.’

‘It is seemlier than you both sitting in the kitchen,’ Hester retorted. She stomped into the larder to deposit the chicken, saying when she returned, ‘And from what I’ve seen of this gentleman, I don’t believe you’ll come to any harm.’

Gabriel beamed at her. ‘Thank you, Mrs Yelland.’

‘You may be right about this... gentleman .’ Nancy threw him a scorching look. ‘However, it will be a lot less work for everyone if we all eat together. And you won’t need to carry the food through those draughty passages!’

But Hester was not to be moved. She folded her arms.

‘If you won’t think of yourself, madam, think of Mr Thoresby and William. It’ll quite put them off their dinner, to have to eat it in your presence.’

‘But we dined together when we arrived here,’ Nancy protested.

‘That was from necessity. What with Mr Shaw at death’s door and the rest of the house unheated and unprepared, there was only the kitchen fit to use. But now everything’s different. We will all be much happier if the two of you are dining elsewhere and we can get on with our own meal in peace.’

Gabriel gave a little cough. ‘You would not wish to make the others uncomfortable, Mrs Hopwood.’

‘No, of course not, but since I shall be preparing the meal—’

Hester interrupted her. ‘We managed yesterday and we shall do the same this evening. I am sure Mr Shaw will agree that you work hard enough as it is. The least we can do is to see to it that you enjoy your dinner.’

Nancy stared at her in silence, frustration bringing an angry colour to her cheeks.

Gabriel rose from the table, chuckling. ‘And you said I did not like having my will crossed. I shall leave you now, but I look forward to joining you for dinner later, Mrs Hopwood. In the morning room!’