Norma looked in horror at the tall private hedges neatly lining the far edge for the pristine lawn. ‘No, thank you. I don’t think I am that adventurous.’
Alicia slid a sly look at Morgan and Sissy’s retreating backs before distracting Norma’s worried gaze by pointing out a particularly fragrant tea rose beside them.
‘I have never been in a maze before,’ Sissy gasped as Morgan dragged her relentlessly toward a small gap in the privet.
Morgan grinned at her. ‘As soon as you get inside, look for the tall trees and remember which side they were on. They will guide you back out. That was a tip the gardener who put it in told me. He goes in and out of here all the time and always seems to know where he is going.’
‘But you don’t,’ Sissy teased with a delighted smile.
‘You sound surprised,’ Morgan murmured with a squint.
‘I am just pleased that you are as fallible as the rest of us,’ Sissy countered.
‘I am just like you,’ Morgan retorted, planting himself firmly in her path.
Sissy’s mirth died. At first she didn’t speak but when Morgan threw her a questioning look, she sighed. ‘But you aren’t, are you?’
‘I eat, breathe, and sleep just like you. Yes, I own this house, but I inherited it from my father. Your situation is different purely because of the laws in this damned country, and that is the only reason. It isn’t because you are lacking in any way, or socially my inferior. We both know that if your father had been alive you would still be living at the manor house and frequenting the same social circles as I do.’
‘I couldn’t go back to that,’ Sissy replied, following him into the somewhat gloomy maze.
It wasn’t oppressive. It was just concerning because everywhere looked the same. The second she stepped away from the gap in the privet that was the entrance she got lost. She had no choice but to depend on Morgan and look to his guidance to get back out again.
‘Why? Do you think people will judge you because you are
not as wealthy?’
‘That is usually the way the social circuit works,’ Sissy said. ‘We both know it. People won’t ever forget our situation, even if it did improve somehow.’
‘People gossip about all sorts. I am gossiped about, despite my wealth. Why should I let that stop me from doing what I want?’ Morgan asked softly.
‘Because you have choices. I don’t. Things are different for women, you know that,’ Sissy countered. ‘I don’t have the same opportunities as you.’
‘But you could get married. I have that opportunity as well. See? We have the same opportunity,’ Morgan argued.
‘I do indeed see,’ she sighed, as she slowly turned in a circle. ‘I see that we are well and truly lost.’
Morgan blinked at her and then took a wary look around. He grinned and shrugged. ‘Well, we haven’t gone too far. Which way do you think we came in?’
Sissy looked around them and shrugged before piercing him with a suspicious squint. ‘Do you remember?’
Morgan grinned. ‘I do.’
‘Then please, lead the way.’
Morgan didn’t budge. ‘On one condition.’
Sissy folded her arms and tipped her head to glare at him. ‘Why do I get the feeling that I have been tricked?’
Morgan grinned wolfishly. ‘Because you are a very astute judge of character.’
‘I have already agreed that we are happy to stay in the house, if you are happy to keep renting it to us,’ Sissy said.
Her stomach fluttered nervously. Despite her earlier conversation with Norma there was little she could do to stop Morgan stepping toward her. Sissy knew it was foolish to indulge in any more clandestine kisses but when he stepped closer, and she had to tip her head up to look at him, she knew she was lost.
‘One kiss should just about persuade me to guide you out of here,’ he murmured fighting his smile.
‘I have been conned,’ she whispered, but without heat.