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“I asked who you were. I do not believe we have been introduced.” His tone remained cold, not a hint of welcome inflecting it.

“Oh.” She forced her chin higher and hoped he noticed her stance rather than the color likely tingeing her cheeks. “I am Lady Angel Templeton. Your aunt’s new companion.”

“Oh how delightful.” Mrs. Stone clapped her hands together. “Here I thought I was going to be lumbered with some ageing, plump creature, but you are quite delightful indeed.”

Angel managed a smile at Mrs. Stone’s effusive praise. At least someone here was pleased to see her. Apparently the utterance of a name most people of consequence should know had negligible effect on this man.

“Youare her lady’s companion?”

Admittedly, Angel had been shocked when she’d read the full extent of her task and talked to the lawyer. Her grandfathermust have put a lot of effort into arranging her new role prior to his passing. But, even so, was it so shocking that she might be a kind-hearted young woman seeking to help another? That might not be her reasoning for being here, buthedidn’t know that. No one apart from the lawyer, her mother, and her siblings did.

“I am indeed.” Angel tilted her head. “And you have yet to introduce yourself, sir. Whom might you be?” She perfected her most aristocratic tone, sure to make any man squirm.

Sadly, there was a distinct lack of squirming. She tried to keep the dissatisfaction from her face. Why was this man so damnably immune to her?

“Mr. Hunter,” he said simply.

Angel met his gaze with a bold one of her own. If he thought he could intimidate her, he would be in for shock. Whatever she had done to displease him, she could not fathom, but no one scared Lady Angel Templeton. No one.

Especially not a stern Mr. Hunter who clearly thought himself much higher and mightier than he really was.

“Aunt, why do you not go inside and ring for some tea?” he suggested, his tone and scowl lightening briefly as he addressed his aunt. “No doubt your guest has had a long journey and is in need of refreshment.”

For a moment, Angel considered that he had undergone a sudden and swift change of heart with regards to her, but the smile vanished as soon as Mrs. Stone had uttered her agreement and hastened inside the house.

“She should not have been out here in such weather.” Mr. Hunter’s lip curled in distaste and his gaze landed on the paint splotches again. “And you should not have been encouraging her.”

“Encouraging her?” Angel nearly choked on a breath. “I have been here all of twenty minutes. I hardly think I havemanaged to corrupt your aunt already. Besides, how on earth is painting a corrupting pastime? If it is, someone should tell Mr. Constable or…or Turner.”

“Turner is a known recluse,” Mr. Hunter said dryly, ice in his gaze.

“Well, your aunt is notoriously sociable, and I hardly think a little harmless painting is likely to change that.”

“We have met before, you know.”

Scowling, she forced herself to take true notice of his appearance. He dressed well with an excellently cut jacket and a gold embroidered waistcoat. Flecks of mud tarnished his hessians so he must have ridden to Mrs. Stone’s house rather than come in a carriage, but that did not mean much. Both Seth and Theo rode aplenty. Given Mrs. Stone’s clearly comfortable life and his appearance, she had to assume Mr. Hunter was no pauper. But she did not know him as a member of thetonnor recognize him from any events in London.

“Forgive me, I do not recall,” she managed to squeak out under his intense stare. Why on earth did he have to possess such blue eyes? Did he know how strangely mesmerizing they were? Was that why he was attempting to use them to his full advantage?

Damn the man. This would not endure. She might not wish to be here any more than he wanted her, but she had done nothing wrong except be known to him apparently. Forcing herself to forget eyes that were like twin sapphires beckoning to her, she straightened her shoulders.

“Though, whether you have met me or not, I am not certain why I should entertain such a cold welcome. I have come to help your aunt.” She met his gaze with what she prayed was a hard glare of her own. Glares were not exactly her specialty. Giggles or flirtatious winks were more to her taste.

Apparently her glares were not nearly up to par with her winks. His expression remained unchanged and entirely unintimidated. In fact, he took a step closer so that she had to crane her neck to look up at him.

“I am aware of your reputation is what I mean.”

Drawing in a breath, she puzzled at the shaky quality of it. Heat rolled under her skin—and she could not blame the weather nor the breadth of his shoulders. No, this was entirely different. She wasangry.

She never got angry!

“My reputation as a lady from a fine family is what you mean, I assume?” Angel replied.

“Your reputation as a lady who actively pursues entertainment.”

“Be careful, Mr. Hunter.” She dropped her voice. “I will have you sued for slander.”

“You know very well I speak no lies.” His gaze dropped briefly to her lips then darted back up. “You are known to be prone to outrageous behavior.”