“Doing what?”
“Helping me — if you can call it that.”
He ignored the rider. “I know I ought not, but I don’t have a choice.”
“That’s ridiculous. Of course you do. All you need do is find out about the stagecoach and set me on my way.”
“Yes, and toss and turn all night worrying about what’s happened to you.”
“Why should you? You don’t know me, and you most certainly have no authority over me.”
“That’s as may be, but I ain’t such a care-for-nobody as to leave you in the suds. Besides, I do know you. Couldn’t unknow you now if I tried.”
A giggle escaped her, and Alex was relieved at her lift of mood.
“That’s not even a word.”
“Not going to brangle with you over words, so don’t start.”
“Well, what are you going to do with me then?”
Alex sighed. “That’s just the vexed question exercising my mind.”
Chapter Four
Apple was secretly so relieved to find Lord Dymond adamant, she abandoned any further effort to dissuade him. How it was she felt she could trust him, she did not know. Instinct? It was most odd, but almost from the first she’d felt it, and she’d not been in the least afraid of him.
On the other hand, she could not judge whether his interference was to her advantage or not. If he truly went to Mr Vergette on her behalf, would he put her case in a way that would win his support?
“If you are set on seeing my lawyer, why don’t we go to London in your coach?”
This produced one of his snorts. “That would mean the devil to pay.”
“I don’t see why.”
“You wouldn’t.”
He really was perfectly irritating. “I wish you won’t treat me like a child!”
“Like your guardians, you mean?”
Incensed, Apple let fly. “They might not tell me things, but they don’t behave as if I were fifteen instead of twenty!”
“They obviously don’t know you.”
“That’s what I said in the first place. But if you mean to imply that I act like a fifteen-year-old, I’ll thank you not to be insulting!” He did not look chastened, and Apple caught a giveaway twitch at his lip. Exasperation seized her. “You are the most infuriating person, Lord Dymond! And if you think you’re going to dictate what I must do, you may think again.”
He held up his hands. “Peace, young Apple! If it makes you happy, I’ll engage to treat you with all the courtesy at my command.”
Apple eyed him, her bosom still bursting with resentment. She dared say he didn’t mean it. Or if he did, he’d forget the moment she said anything he thought foolish. And if he was in the least bit inclined to consider her feelings, he wouldn’t smile at her like that.
“Better?”
“No!”
“Oh. Feel free to abuse me a bit more then.”
Despite herself, Apple could not withstand the bubble of mirth. “You are quite hateful!”
