Free A Mistress for Stansted Hall by Fenella J Miller Page A

who live in the cottages nearby. Forgive me for asking, but do you have any more bolts of the darker blue material? It is perfect for the female staff, if I'm to take on more than I need to see they are dressed accordingly.’
    ‘The trunks in the box room on the nursery floor are full of such stuff.’ He tossed the parcel of gold silk back to her, his sudden gesture startled her and the item fell the floor with a thump. She had not fastened the string securely and it unrolled; yards of shimmering silk cascaded across the boards.
    She exclaimed in horror at her clumsiness. This was no way to treat such delicate stuff. Scrambling from her chair she dropped to her knees and started to gather it back. His strong hands gripped her elbows and she was lifted from the floor and dropped, rather too hard, back on her feet.
    ‘Leave it. You have girls to pick up after you, Mrs Reed. I will not have you scrabbling about the floor as if you are no better than serving maid.’ He stared down at her, his mouth firm and his expression uncompromising. ‘Ring the bell. Summon a girl to pick this up. Come with me, we can continue our discussion on the terrace.’ Without allowing her time to disagree he took her arm and all but bundled her out of the open French doors. ‘Sit there, in the shade, I shall speak to the girl when she arrives.’
     
    He strode inside and she heard him issuing orders, no doubt they would be obeyed with alacrity. His absence gave her a precious few moments to recover her composure. She was unused to being manhandled in this way, he was a very dictatorial gentleman and she wasn't at all sure she liked him at all. He reappeared and handed her a glass of something sweet. ‘Drink this, my dear, it is sherry wine, it will calm your nerves.’
    Obediently she sipped and found the contents to her liking. ‘I have not had this before, it is most palatable, I thank you for bringing it, sir.’
    He folded himself on to the stone bench beside her. His proximity was unsettling and nervously she gulped her drink. The liquid went the wrong way and she choked. Red-faced and mortified, she was obliged to suffer the indignity of being thumped on the back whilst gasping like a landed fish.
    ‘I am recovered, thank you for your assistance. I do not know why it is, but every time I am in your vicinity some accident occurs. I think we will do well to keep our meetings to a minimum in future.’ She stood up and curtsied. ‘I would like to ask you a favour, Mr Bucknall. Would you allow my daughter to play your piano in the drawing room? She is a talented pianist and I can assure you it will be no hardship to listen to her.’
    His gaze was no longer on her, but over her head towards the natural lake that graced the sweeping lawn. ‘Is that your son over there by the boat shed?’
    Emma followed his pointing finger. ‘It is, he should not be there on his own. He is forbidden to go near water without an adult with him.’
    Before she could gather her skirts and race down the slope he grabbed her arm, restraining her. ‘Has he been told expressly not to go down to the lake?’
    Why was he delaying to ask such silly questions? ‘Yes, did I not just say so? Please, sir, I must go down there before he falls in and drowns himself.’
    ‘No, I shall fetch him back; he will come to no harm from the water. I can assure you, Mrs Reed, he will not venture there again. Go about your duties and allow me to take care of this matter for you. After all, your children are as much my responsibility as yours whilst they reside under my roof.’
    Reassured by his confidence, although puzzled by his comments about responsibility, she returned to her sitting room. Mrs Turner was due to discuss the menu for tomorrow, but first she would find Mary and tell her the good news.
    *
    As Rupert jogged down to the water he wondered what had possessed him to become involved in this way. Each step jarred his head, he would be glad when the sawbones returned