A snort had greeted this. “Indeed? Where do you propose to live until you have found another place? I shall expect you within a matter of days.”
Felicity had said no more. It would be useless. Who knew where this adventure might end? In the restless night watches, she had formulated half a dozen plans and discarded them. But one had potential, if Mrs Kimble could be found. Also, if Lord Lynchmere was prepared to let her go her own way. Although even that path was rocky. Without funds, she was at risk. Her anger with her guardian revived.
“That was a stab too far.”
“I beg your pardon?”
She had not realised she said it aloud. Turning her head, she caught his lordship’s puzzled glance. “Did I not say?” It came to her there had not been an opportunity to impart the worst. She threw a look over her shoulder at the groom on his perch behind and lowered her voice. “He stole my money.”
His brows drew together and he flicked her another quick look. “Maskery?”
“I had it secreted within garments at the bottom of my valise. It was but a few guineas, but he took it all.”
Lord Lynchmere made no comment at once. He appeared to ruminate. “How do you know it was he?”
“It must have been. He took my valise, did he not? Everything I had unpacked was jumbled up inside, but the rest had been disturbed as by a rummaging hand.”
He nodded, evidently turning it over in his mind. Felicity watched him, surprised to note how the set to his mouth and jaw, even in profile, indicated the trend of his thoughts.
She echoed them. “It was deliberate. Or so I think.”
“You mean he meant to prevent you doing anything other than seeking my protection? No doubt. Though I should suppose he would seize upon any chance to augment his funds, however meagre.”
“To the extent of robbing his own ward? Really, I wish I had known with what a scoundrel I had to deal. I should never have left the academy.”
He looked round, a wry note entering his voice. “And never have found out the truth of your origins.”
The purpose of this exercise came back full force. “There is no saying I shall find out anything. Nor am I so sure I wish to.”
“Cold feet, Miss Temple?”
“Positively freezing.”
He laughed. “Inevitable, I fear. Stiffen your spine, my girl. There is no going back now.”
This bracing treatment had a curiously warming effect. A rush of gratitude swept through her and she turned to him again. “I can’t thank you enough, sir. I don’t know why you are doing this for me, but let me say at least once — before you again manage to provoke me as I have no doubt you will — how extremely grateful I am.”
His smile was twisted. “Do you know, Miss Temple, I much prefer your bark to having you lick my hand. I shall take care to keep you provoked.”
She had to laugh. “I don’t suppose you will need to try very hard.”
“Touché!”
She fell silent again, allowing her mind to wander with her gaze as the miles flashed by. She had leisure to observe with what skill her escort managed his team, threading a careful path through heavy traffic in the towns and letting the horses have their heads when the road was clear.
“You would never drive at speed through a busy thoroughfare, I’ll be bound.”
He turned his head briefly. “I learned that lesson young. My father had a salutary method of dealing with any such foolhardy conduct.”
Felicity eyed his profile once more. He was an odd mixture. The world-weary air that characterised him had disappeared. Temporarily? There was no saying when he might resume the pose. Was it a pose? For a man who professed to be irked by the responsibility forced upon him, he was going to an inordinate amount of trouble on her behalf. Why?
He could have bowed out of this near farcical situation at any time in these last hectic days. Yet here he was, enmeshing himself in her affairs when he could as easily have left her to her own devices, or to Angelica’s mercies, or indeed despatched her to Bath. Incomprehensible for a man of his stamp. Not to mention rank.
“What is it, Miss Temple? Have I a smut on my cheek?”
Warmth rose to her face but Felicity could not prevent a gurgle of mirth escaping. It did not occur to her to withhold her thoughts. “You intrigue me, sir.”
He flashed her a look, one eyebrow flying. “So? In what way?”
