‘So nobody told you anything?’
‘No. I was only young when it happened so I don’t remember much. I can hardly remember what she looked like. I wish I could.’
‘Like you.’
Her eyes shot to his, lit up with a glimmer of hope. ‘How do you know? Did you meet her?’
‘No, but I’ve seen your father. You look nothing like him, I’m relieved to say.’
‘Oh.’ A faint blush spread over her cheeks. ‘But still strange.’
‘Strange?’
‘My appearance, I mean. I know that I look...different.’
‘From?’
‘From everyone else.’
‘The implication being that it’s a bad thing?’
Her blush deepened. ‘People make comments. They say I’m too small and too pale and that my features are too big and my eyes are like saucers.’
‘People say all that?’
‘Some people.’
‘Ah.’ He frowned. Her father, then, most likely, although he could imagine that there had been other tactless comments over the years. Was that how she thought of herself as well? Was that why she’d been so oversensitive to his words at the ball? He’d assumed that she was shy, but he’d never considered that she might be insecure about her looks as well. Why would he have when he’d been so enchanted by them? But now her glowing cheeks and evasive gaze suggested a deep well of hurt.
‘Then we make a perfect couple, Miss Harper.’ He held out an arm, trying to lighten the mood. ‘As you know, people make comments about me all the time, mostly because they have nothing better to do. Now, are you ready for your tour?’
She looked faintly relieved as she threaded a hand through his arm and followed him through the long line of reception rooms. The drawing room and breakfast room she already knew, but there was also the dining room, a music room, the day parlour and finally his study, though it belatedly occurred to him that he ought to have made some effort to tidy before inviting her inside. There were books and papers everywhere, as if the place had been ransacked. His desk was almost hidden beneath a giant map of the estate.
‘Is this your study?’ She looked vaguely impressed by the scale of the mess.
‘It used to be called that, though I believe Mrs Gargrave now refers to it as a disgrace.’ He lifted an eyebrow as her lips twitched. ‘Is something funny?’
‘I believe that’s her favourite word. I was a disgrace yesterday.’
‘You were? I find that hard to believe.’
‘Both of us were, I think. Although in this case I’m afraid I agree. It’s not very tidy.’
‘I won’t let her tidy it. If I she did, then I’d never find anything ever again. I’ve never been very organised.’
‘So I see. What’s this?’
She leaned over the desk to examine the map and he moved to stand at her shoulder, closer than was strictly necessary. After so many months it felt strange being so close to a woman. After what had happened the last time he would have thought he might be repelled, but instead he felt quite the opposite. The fresh smell of her hair, the light sound of her breathing, even the faint heat from her body were all provoking a physical reaction he’d almost forgotten. Odd, when those of his female acquaintances who’d called upon him since his return had failed to stir even the faintest interest.
‘It shows the whole of the estate.’ He reached past her to trace a line around the edge of the map. ‘I’ve just opened a mine in this valley over here.’
‘You have?’
‘A couple of months ago, yes. I’d like to open a few more, too. There’s an ironworks in Grosmont already, but there’s plenty of potential for more.’
She twisted her face towards him, though she seemed not to notice his close proximity. Whatever effect he was feeling appeared to be entirely one-sided.
‘But I thought