Helen Dickson Rogue's W

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intended. Kit smiled in the face of it. Perfectly, thank you.
I m looking forward to showing you around.
Amanda met his eyes unwillingly and saw they were as
teasing as a small boy s. I don t think so. You really are con-
ceited, Mr Benedict. I cannot think of anyone who has gained
my father s interest as you have done.
Amanda! Overhearing his daughter s remark as he came
in with Caroline on his arm, Henry was reproachful. You will
watch your tongue and be gracious to Mr Benedict. Employee
he might be, but he is also my guest.
Of course. I apologise if I seemed rude, Mr Benedict. I
did not mean to cause offence.
As before, the sweetness of her tone did not conceal the sneer
she intended. Kit smiled again. None taken, Mrs Claybourne.
Dinner was announced and they proceeded to the dining
room, Caroline escorted by Kit and Amanda by her father.
Once seated, Amanda demurely arranged her skirts, and when
she looked up she met Kit s amused regard across the table as
102 Rogue s Widow, Gentleman s Wife
he took his seat. Henry was seated at one end of the dining
table and Caroline at the other, from where she nodded at the
servants to pour the wine and begin serving.
Content to let Caroline carry on an animated conversation,
playing the perfect hostess with a natural flare and elegance
she admired, Amanda treated Kit with polite reserve. For
most of the time she was distant and ignored him as best she
could, but it was no easy matter, for he sat with the infuriat-
ingly natural relaxed elegance of a gentleman born and bred.
As he conversed with her father, somewhere in the past he
had obviously acquired a social polish and smooth urbanity
that amazed her. He was perfectly able to converse on every-
thing as well as equestrian matters. In fact, he was the perfect
guest, with a natural manner that Amanda reluctantly admired.
You are certainly well informed on most subjects, Mr
Benedict, she couldn t help commenting when he had just
finished discussing the present government and what he thought
about the Prime Minister, Mr Gladstone s, second ministry.
Kit smiled at her with bland amusement. I know how to
read as well as the next man and educated woman, he added
as an afterthought. However, the fact remains that no matter
how well educated a woman is she will some day have to
submit to the authority of her husband.
Amanda s face snapped into a familiar expression of rebel-
liousness familiar to her father at least. Some may well do
that, but I never will, she quipped haughtily.
Really? Kit mocked, meeting her gaze as he spooned the
last of his soup into his mouth, his eyes holding a subtle chal-
lenge. You may find that your husband has something to say
about that.
Amanda means it, Henry chuckled. Self-willed, she is,
and defiant and argumentative. Goes her own way, she does,
and the devil take the rest. There are times when I wonder how
Helen Dickson 103
I bred such a daughter. I sent her to Charleston to stay with
her aunt, hoping she would meet some personable young
man, marry him and settle down and present me with grand-
children. She completed the first part, but unfortunately the
young man expired shortly after the wedding without my
meeting him which I regret.
Amanda toyed with her food, not looking at the man opposite,
who was watching her like a cat watching a mouse. How she
wished he was back in Charleston Gaol where he belonged.
Your husband has been dead long, Mrs Claybourne? Kit
enquired, placing his spoon down and lounging back in his chair.
Seven months, she answered tightly, without looking at him.
A tragedy it was, Henry remarked. She s far too young
to be a widow.
I m sure Mr Benedict doesn t want to hear about that,
Father. Besides, I still find any discussion concerning my
dear departed husband quite upsetting. Consciously feigning
a sigh, smiling wistfully and dropping her eyes, she said, I m
sure you understand, don t you, Mr Benedict?
Kit s eyes waited on her words, cynical amusement in
them, and when she fell silent he said, Oh, absolutely, Mrs
Claybourne. Absolutely. It is no easy matter losing someone
you care for and of course you must have loved your
husband dearly, he said with elaborate gravity.
Seeing his mouth pulled down in mock-sympathy, Amanda
felt a furious surge of indignation that he should think her such [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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