She bowed; the team moved forward, and in another minute was trotting away down the lane. The Earl watched it out of sight, and turned back to his tenant. His business did not occupy him long; he rode home presently across country, and arrived at Worth just as Miss Taverner was ascending the stairs to change her habit for a muslin frock. She looked over her shoulder and said archly: “Am I forgiven, Lord Worth? Do I stand in your black books?”
He came up the stairs and began to walk slowly along the gallery by her side. “You would be disappointed if I said you had not succeeded in vexing me, Miss Taverner.”
“No, indeed. You have a very odd notion of me, to be sure! You think me shockingly unamiable.”
“I think you—” He stopped, and after a moment continued with a little constraint: “I think you take a great delight in crossing swords with me.”
“Mine is a sad character, according to you. But I shall protest against this attack. Our quarrels have been all of your making.”
“I cannot admit it to be true; I am not at all quarrelsome.”
She smiled, but allowed it to pass. They walked on until her bedchamber door was reached. Before she could open it the Earl spoke again. “Are you determined, Miss Taverner, to return to Brook Street on Monday?”
She looked at him in surprise. “Determined? I have the intention, certainly. Why do you ask me?”
“I have no knowledge of the engagements you may have made, but if it is not distasteful to you I should like you and Peregrine to extend your visit.” He saw a look of refusal in her face, and added with his sardonic smile: “You need not be afraid: I shall not be here. I have business which will take me into the Midlands for several weeks.”
“But why do you wish us to stay here?” asked Judith.