Page 31 of A Winter’s Romance
A s the first few weeks passed, Louisa had never been happier and thanked God every day for her good fortune. She had not seen Miles since that night. He had risen late and spoken in private to his parents before leaving for his own accommodation. It had caused her both relief and disappointment in equal measure.
Her time was divided between helping Billy with his basic lessons, encouraging Rosie not to murder her various instructors and teachers, and spending time with Lady Florence.
Her most precious time, though, was spent with Lord Hindley. He would often seek her out and challenge her in some way, pull an opinion out of her over a book, give her instruction in gardening, a pastime he said kept him sane, or start a topical discussion that would get agreeably heated between them. Lady Florence would shake her head at the pair and then tease Louisa about bullying her husband.
Their love and acceptance relaxed Louisa and had an impact on her that she did not notice, but the others did. She blossomed. The wary, nervous girl who had been brought to the house had gone to be replaced by a shiny-haired, elegant, well-spoken young lady. She laughed a lot and teased along with the others. Of the three children, Lord and Lady Hindley saw the biggest change in Louisa and wondered even more at her past.
Lady Florence encouraged Louisa to accompany her on visits and walks, and at first, Louisa resisted, but when it was pointed out that she would be visiting only Lady Florence’s particular friends, she relaxed a little. Any socialising would be a trial for Louisa for reasons she dared not explain, but she was persuaded to join one or two excursions, though she was glad it was December. It was easier to hide with bonnets tied firmly to offset the chill of the frosty air.
After a chilly hour one afternoon in the garden with Lord Hindley, she returned to the house. They did not stay out for long, but work was still needed in the winter. He remained behind to speak to the gardener, but Louisa gratefully entered the warm house. As she entered the hallway, she was smiling and humming to herself and did not notice the young man watching her from the staircase.
“Someone sounds pleased with themselves, and who can blame you? It must feel like all your troubles are over,” he said from above her head.
Louisa jumped in surprise at the voice. “I beg your pardon?”
“I was expecting someone a little more downtrodden than the society miss I see before me. Either you are not a very good actress, or you are playing a different game than I thought,” he said, leaning arrogantly against the balustrade.
Louisa was mortified and confused at the difference in the man she had briefly met the night which still filled her dreams. He was still as handsome as she remembered, the same tall, broad figure as his father. He had dark hair, slightly longer than was convention, and penetrating grey eyes. Louisa felt unnerved at his scrutiny, maybe because there were dark rings under his eyes, and he wore a stern frown, eyebrows low, making him appear handsome but threatening at the same time. Nothing at all like the teasing, jovial man she had already met.
Louisa raised her chin. “I am surprised you recognise a society miss. I had been led to believe your tastes leant more to a less respectable female.”
Miles laughed, but it was a bitter sound. “Are you offering yourself? Is that the way you wheedle your way into the homes of unsuspecting fools? I thought my father would have more sense. But you are a tasty piece, I may have to try your delights myself.”
“Do not bring your filthy suggestions into this house. Your mother and father deserve more respect than that; they are good people,” Louisa said indignantly. She was mortified at his insult to her and the Hindleys. His tone was so unlike their first meeting, she could almost believe he was a different man.
Louisa’s reprimand brought Miles down the stairs towards her. “Concerned about my mother and father, are you? Tell me, why I should not be alarmed about you under their roof? You could be planning to murder them in their beds.”
“It has taken you three weeks to visit your parents, disregarding the occasion when you were too foxed to know your own name.” She gained some satisfaction at the flicker of surprise caused by her words. “I feel that if you had any worries about their safety, even you would have exerted yourself to visit before now,” Louisa snapped. She had resisted the urge to step back when he walked down the stairs. She had read about animals stalking their prey and suddenly knew how they felt, but she stood her ground despite being wary and intimidated.
“Do not let my absence fool you into a false sense of security. I am watching everything you do, and if you or your friends make a step out of place, I will not rest until you have paid dearly for abusing the trust of my parents, pretty nymph or not.” The words were whispered close to her face.
She could feel his breath on her cheek, but she remained ramrod still. “Have you finished?” Louisa asked, impressed that her voice was calm.
“For now,” Miles whispered. He used one finger to lift her chin so she looked into his eyes. “I hope we understand each other,” he said as he turned away.
“Perfectly,” Louisa said and ran up the stairs without looking back.
It took Louisa half an hour before she could return downstairs. Miles’s reaction had shaken her. The encounter had brought back memories that she did not want to experience ever again. She clung to the thought that this was not the same. She was not unprotected even though it was Lord Hindley’s own son. He would not allow her to be ill-treated. With that small grain of comfort, she returned to the drawing room to be formally introduced to the man who had just reminded her why she had to be so careful.
She strove to appear outwardly calm, although she knew she was a little pale; she was being closely watched. Lady Florence kept the conversation going until Billy burst into the room. “Cook said Master Miles was home! ”
Lady Florence laughed. “And so he is, Billy, but he has not liked being regarded as Master Miles for many years now. You should just call him Miles if you are to be friends. Let me introduce you like gentlemen.”
Louisa watched Miles closely as Lady Florence undertook the introductions. She saw the puzzled look the son had given to his mother before focusing his attention on Billy and going through the introduction slower than he normally would.
“Lord Hindley said you are a good shot,” Billy gabbled.
Miles smiled. “I am. Are you?”
“Oh, I’m not allowed to touch guns. I’m not safe, you see,” Billy explained innocently.
“Are you not?” Miles seemed a little bemused as to what response he should make.
“No, Cook said I would probably blow my own head off and said she would starve anyone who takes me shooting,” Billy said proudly.
Miles grinned. “In that case, don’t ever ask me for an outing. I would hate to be starved by Cook.”
“Yes, she said you could eat two more potatoes than a pig,” Billy responded proudly and looked around puzzled when everyone started to laugh.
“I expect I could,” Miles said after he had control over himself once more. “But I shall have to speak to Cook about giving my secrets away.”
“I’ve not got her in trouble, have I?” Billy asked, suddenly worried.
Louisa stood to comfort Billy. If he started to worry, he would become upset and need reassurance. She paused as Miles took hold of Billy’s hand, an action that reminded Louisa of Lady Florence’s mannerisms.
“You have not got her into any trouble at all,” Miles said gently. “I love Cook, and the first thing I will do when I see her is give her a big hug. I won’t tell her off. I was just teasing.”
“Oh, I don’t understand teasing. Louisa explains it to me,” Billy said with a smile at his friend.
“That must help, and I will let you know if I ever tease you in future,” Miles said. “Now tell me what you have been doing since you came here. Did Cook let you mix the Christmas puddings on Stir Up Sunday? I used to love that job.”
Miles sat down with Billy and engaged him in conversation. Louisa had worried that he would openly ridicule Billy after her dealings with him, but he was more like the man from the first night, which was utterly confusing because he was clearly not foxed. He was devastatingly handsome when he smiled, and he did that a lot while talking to Billy. It was not the mocking look he had shot her, and it seemed a more natural expression.
Lady Florence murmured to Louisa, “I knew Billy would love Miles, and it looks as if he is taken with Billy too. It will do Billy good to have Miles around for a while. Hindley cannot spend enough time with him, so perhaps my son can help.”
Louisa wondered if it would do her any good to have Miles around for any length of time. Their first meeting had been intriguing, but the second, well, the less said about that, the better. She was not sure which of the two personas was the real Miles. Thinking further, she was not sure that she wanted to know.