Free When Sparks Fly by Sabrina Jeffries Page A

out here. One day you’ll be glad of it, even with the caning I mean to—”
    â€œPlease, sir, don’t!” Charlie cried as he wriggled in the air. He had enough sense to realize that bargaining was their best chance now that Ellie wasn’t taking their side. “We swear this is the last time we’ll ever go near your barn!”
    â€œDamned right it is!” the baron growled and shook them both again.
    â€œPlease don’t cane us, sir!” Percy chimed in. “We won’t do it again, we swear!”
    â€œYou expect me to believe that?” he said gruffly.
    She couldn’t help noticing that he still hadn’t done more than growl at them.
    â€œUpon our souls, we swear it!” Percy said. “Tell him, Ellie!”
    It was good to see someone put the fear of God into the boys. “Tell him what? I’m not sure you can be trusted, either.”
    â€œEllie!” Tim’s clear sense of betrayal vented itself in violent tears. “We only . . . d-­did it because you . . .
w-­wouldn’t let us p-­play snapdragon.”
    â€œSo you’re saying it’s my fault?” she retorted.
    â€œShut up, Tim!” Percy cried. “You’re not helping!”
    But Tim was wound up now. “I-­it’s s-­so boring here . . .” he said between sobs. “Our toys a-­are at home a-­and Mama is . . . always tired, and you—”
    â€œFor the love of God,” Lord Thorncliff grumbled, lowering the boys to the ground. “Don’t blame this on your cousin. She’s been running herself ragged trying to keep up with you lot.”
    She shot him a surprised look. “How did you know?”
    â€œI’ve got eyes, haven’t I? Besides, when I get home, Huggett tells me everything that you . . .” Coloring a little, he muttered an oath under his breath, then turned a scowl on the boys. “All right—I won’t thrash you, but you’ll spend the rest of the morning scrubbing pots for Cook. Is that clear?”
    The boys bobbed their heads vigorously.
    â€œAfter that, you must promise to stay with Ellie at all times. Otherwise—”
    â€œWe promise, we promise!” Percy cried.
    Her breath caught in her throat. Not only had the baron softened his stance toward the boys, but he’d defended her . He’d even used her given name. Did he realize that? Did it mean anything?
    With a glance at the still-­sniffling Tim, he sighed. “And if you uphold your promise and behave yourselves today . . .” He cast them a considering glance. “Then we’ll play snapdragon tonight.”
    The boys stared at him, stunned, then let out a whoop of joy. “Snapdragon!” they cried, dancing about him. “Snapdragon tonight!”
    â€œ Only if you behave!” he shouted over the din. When that sobered them, he lowered his tone. “Because if I catch you near this barn again, I’ll thrash you within an inch of your lives. Understood?”
    â€œYes, sir!” they cried in unison.
    â€œNow go eat breakfast. I’ll be along shortly to inform Cook of your duties.”
    They needed no more excuse to head for safety inside. But Ellie didn’t follow them. Instead she watched as Lord Thorncliff unlocked the padlock to make sure it still worked, then went inside the barn. She trailed in after him.
    Pushing up her spectacles, she took a quick glance around at the mysterious place that had caused so much trouble. Barrels were stacked at one end, and a long worktable sat at the other, beneath a large glass window set into the roof. Apparently it had been designed to funnel sunlight down on that half of the barn, since the stone walls had no windows. Assorted boxes and cabinets littered the rest of the space, which smelled of fire and sulfur and coal.
    â€œWhat do you want?” he asked sharply, jarring her