Free The Wicked and Wonderful Miss Merlin by Anne Herries Page A

up and down the country I should be well within my rights to lock her up in her bedchamber and tell everyone that you are not fit to be in charge of a school – but instead, I am offering you a way to redeem yourself.  Tell me, Miss Merlin – is that so very much to ask?’
    If he put it that way, of course it was not.  She could hardly refuse him – and Eleanor’s happiness was at stake.
    ‘Well, I suppose I could take an extended holiday…’
    ‘I dare say the school will not fall apart without you.  There are competent teachers I suppose?’
    ‘Yes, of course.  They are perfectly capable of…’  Samantha realised he had set a trap, but it was true.  Her school could continue without her, though something would be missing.  It would become much like every other school in the country – and the lady of the well would have no visitors.  ‘If you think it the only way…?’
    ‘Yes, I do.  Pray go and tell them.  I shall not read Mr Brockleton a lecture today since he has not yet recovered from his tumble…I dare say in another week or two he will be better.  I have seen it before in the army; it takes a while to recover from a nasty blow to the head, especially if he was unconscious for a time.’
    ‘You are leaving?’
    ‘I shall call for you in the morning, Miss Merlin.’
    ‘Very well, we shall be ready.  I have my phaeton with me – shall I drive it or…’ She saw his frown. ‘Very well, my groom may remain here and bring Toby down when he is ready.’
    ‘I shall take my leave,’ Robert said.  ‘Please do not let me down, Miss Merlin.  If Eleanor runs away again I shall not be so lenient and I shall know who to blame…’
     
     
     
     
     
    Outside in the sunshine, Robert put on his hat and smiled.  He was not quite sure where his anger had gone, but it had suddenly evaporated as he looked into a pair of beguiling eyes.  He had fully intended to take Eleanor home and restrict her to the house and garden for a month at least before allowing the Brockleton boy to visit.  Quite suddenly, another plan had come to mind, a plan that seemed so urgent and necessary to his own comfort that he had been prepared to go to any lengths to secure it.
    He did not know why it was imperative that Samantha Merlin should visit for a lengthy stay.  His sister would he was sure have settled once he had calmed down enough to explain that he intended she should marry the Brockleton boy – but after he had got to know him a little.
    Why then had it suddenly seemed imperative to impose the clause including Miss Merlin?
    He could only think it was something to do with the way he had not been able to take his eyes from her mouth, or to get the picture of her lying in his bed out of his mind.
    He had burned to kiss her, but had he attempted it after raging at her, she would have been within her rights to dismiss him from her presence and refuse to admit him ever again – and he could not bear that thought.
    She was definitely a witch.  Robert had fallen under her spell.  What else could it be but a spell?
    He was not in love with her.  Robert did not believe in this romantic nonsense; it was generally enough to feel affection and perhaps desire…but the kind of life or death love that Eleanor claimed she felt for Toby was ridiculous, wasn’t it?
    Of course it was and yet he was humming a tune as he set off towards one of the exclusive clubs he frequented and there was definitely a spring in his step.
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    ‘Please try to be on good terms with your brother,’ Samantha said as they prepared to go downstairs the next morning.  I dare say you feel a little out of temper with him, but be sensible and I am certain all will be well, my dear.’
    ‘Since you are to visit with us for a while I suppose I can bear it,’ Eleanor said, still a little sulky.  ‘I do not see why we could not all have stayed in London until Toby is better.  My second gown and your gowns are