Miss in a Man's World Read Online Free

revealed two things—firstly, she was alert to the correct forms of behaviour; and, secondly, she remained decidedly ill at ease. When she blatantly refused the offer of a seat, he did not force the issue and merely made himself comfortable in a winged-chair, while all the time studying her closely as she, in turn, considered the painting taking pride of place above the hearth.
    â€˜That is your family, is it not, my lord?’
    â€˜Indeed it is, child. The tall gentleman had the felicity to be my sire. My mother, although no beauty, as you can perceive for yourself, was possessed of much wit and charm. I am the younger child, holding the dog.’
    He watched fine coal-black brows draw together.‘My condolences, sir. I trust your brother’s demise was not recent?’
    Clearly the chit took no interest in the goings-on in the ton. ‘He died after taking a tumble from his horse some eight years ago.’
    What she might have chosen to reply to this he was never to know, for the door opened, and her attention immediately turned to the rigidly correct individual who had served the Fincham family for very many years.
    â€˜You may leave the tray, Brindle. We shall help ourselves. I shall ring when I require you again. In the meantime, I do not wish to be disturbed.’
    The major-domo was far too experienced to betray even a modicum of surprise over his master’s most unusual companion, and merely bowed stiffly before leaving the room and closing the door almost silently behind him.
    â€˜Come here, child,’ his lordship demanded, and then sighed when the order was blatantly ignored. ‘I assure you I have no intention of doing you a mischief. I merely wish to look at your hands.’
    Gracefully arching brows rose in surprise. ‘My hands, sir! Whatever for?’
    The Viscount cast an exasperated glance up at the youthful face. ‘Be warned that should I decide to offer you employment—against my better judgement, I might add—I shall expect my every request to be obeyed without question. Now, come here!’
    This time he succeeded in achieving a favourable response. Lightly grasping the member held shyly out to him, he felt for his quizzing glass and through it studied slender tapering fingers and short clean nails. ‘As I suspected, you are not accustomed to hard labour.’
    Releasing the finely boned wrist, he reached for the decanter conveniently positioned on the table beside his chair and proceeded to pour out two glasses. ‘As I cannot imagine you have quenched your thirst for several hours, you may sit yourself and join me in a glass of wine.’
    Although her expression clearly revealed a hint of speculation, there was nothing to suggest that she might have considered it in the least odd to be asked to partake of refreshment in the company of an aristocrat, which succeeded only in intriguing him still further.
    â€˜Were you truly in earnest when you declared you were in need of a servant, my lord?’ she asked, before sampling her wine in a very ladylike manner.
    â€˜I should not otherwise have said so, child. But before we come to any firm arrangement, I shall need to know a little more about you. Firstly, from whom did you acquire an education?’
    There was no mistaking the mischievous little smile before she said, ‘From the former rector of our parish, sir. My mother was his cook-housekeeper for a number of years, and—and he had a fondness for me.’
    â€˜And your father?’
    â€˜I never knew him, and he never knew of my existence. He was a soldier, sir, and died in the service of his country shortly after I was born.’
    Studying her above the rim of his glass, his lordship considered what she had revealed thus far. She might well have told him the absolute truth. But it was also possible that if she was indeed the bastard daughter of some person of standing, her mother might well have spun the yarn about a