Reckless (Mockingbird Square 4)

“Probably. Have you prepared a rebuttal? You know she will never let herself believe she can be happy if she doesn’t sacrifice herself to achieve it?”

He smirked. “I’ve gone past arguing with her,” he said. “I am taking action.”

“Oh?”

He expected her to ask him more questions but instead she set down her knife and looked at him directly.

“I want to thank you for what you did for me. After my husband died and I was abandoned, penniless, you came to my rescue. You brought me home and tried to re-establish me into society, despite all the gossip. I am grateful for that.”

“You’re my only sister. My only sibling.”

She smiled. “Nevertheless, I am grateful. But I’m not sure I am the sort of woman who will ever be happy in your society. I’ve lived too long on the fringes. I enjoy not having to conform.”

“Neither of us find it easy to conform,” he agreed. “What are you saying, Sib? You were talking of eloping before. Can you at least wait until I have created my own scandal before you launch into another of yours?”

“I make no promises.”

He pushed aside his plate and stood up. “I am going out,” he said. “I have left some funds in your room, enough for you to travel home if you wish to. I’m also leaving most of the servants here, so feel free to call upon them. They may as well do some work as sit about eating their heads off at my expense.”

She looked at him strangely. “I don’t think I’ll ask what your plan is. At least then I can’t be held responsible for any of it.”

“Very wise. Deny all knowledge.” He bent to kiss her cheek.

“And Dominic? I wish you to be very, very happy.”

He smiled and closed the door behind him.

13

Margaret must have been waiting for the coach because as soon as the driver pulled up outside the vicarage, she stepped from the shelter of the doorway. Even bundled up in her brown cloak, she looked anxious. Dominic wasn’t particularly worried about her state of mind, just as long as she was here. He’d half feared she might not turn up.

When his servant stepped down to help her into the coach, she paused, peering in at him as if she might turn and flee. “Oh,” she said. “I did not realise we would be travelling together.”

“I could always run alongside,” he said in the sort of tone he knew she loathed.

Margaret huffed, then straightened her spine and sat down opposite him. A moment later the coach set off. She stared out of the window at the snowy landscape.

“I hope you will find our interlude enjoyable,” he said.

She was looking at him now, her green eyes narrowed and her cheeks flushed. “I will be offering you advice on your uncle’s effects, my lord. I’m not sure whether or not I will find it enjoyable. It is simply something that must be done.”

“Yes, you’re right, this is definitely something that must be done.”

He smiled and after a moment she smiled back.

“I must admit,” she began tentatively, “that despite my aversion to you, it is a relief to be away from the vicarage. There are so many undercurrents I hardly dare utter a word in case I say the wrong thing.”

Dominic laughed softly. “Your aversion to me? Was that why you kissed me? Margaret, please don’t tell me that is how you show your dislike of someone?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I am being perfectly rational. You told me that you—”

“My lord …”

“Dominic.”

“Dominic,” she corrected herself impatiently. “We have spoken of this already. Numerous times. I haven’t changed my mind and nor have my circumstances changed. There is nothing more to say.”