His eyes were alight with laughter. “I am very sorry to have put you in a horrid situation,” he said. “I did not come to see you yesterday because you were still my ward then; I had no idea of writing you an odious letter (and Mr. Blackader is not away); and I am not in one of my disagreeable moods. But I am very glad to be rid of my ward.”
“I know that,” said Miss Taverner crossly.
“I imagine you might, but do you know why, Clorinda?”
“I wish you will not call me by that name!”
He took her hands in his. She made a half-hearted attempt to pull away, and averted her face. “I shall call you just what I choose,” said the Earl, smiling. “Are the recollections that name conjures up still so painful?”
“You used me abominably!” said Miss Taverner in a very small voice.
“It is very true,” said the Earl. “I did use you abominably, and I have been waiting ever since to do it again. Now, Miss Taverner, you are not my ward, and I am going to do it again!”
Every feeling of propriety should have prompted Miss Taverner to resist. She did indeed blush rosily, but although her hands moved in the Earl’s it was only to return the clasp of his fingers. For a moment he held her so, looking down into her face; then he let go her hands and swept her into his arms.
Mrs. Scattergood, quietly coming into the room just then, stood transfixed on the threshold, gazing in blank amazement at the spectacle of her charge locked in the Earl of Worth’s embrace. He was standing with his back to the door, and Mrs. Scattergood, recovering from her astonishment just in time, whisked herself out of the room again before her presence had even been suspected.
“Now do you know why I am glad to be rid of my ward?” demanded the Earl.