'I am sorely tempted to put you across my knee and spank you soundly for your impudence…'
His threat was enough to jerk her into action. Her hands shot out and she pushed him hard. Her intention being to move him back so she could escape into her bed chamber where he couldn't follow.
Unfortunately, her sudden attack took him unawares, he lost his balance and fell backwards to spreadeagle on the rug. His language was so appalling she covered her ears and fled to the safety of her own room.
As she slammed the door she was relieved to see it had a bolt and pushed this across in the nick of time. His shoulder thumped against the door. It creaked but remained firm. She should have trembled, moved backwards rapidly but despite her actions she knew in her heart that he'd never have carried out his threat.
'Go away, I think enough has been said between us for one day. I apologise if you lost your balance, you were standing far too close and making me uncomfortable. I know you wouldn't have hurt me, but your threat startled me.'
There were no further attempts to get in and she thought he might have gone. Then he spoke, this time his tone calm and friendly.
'It seems I must apologise a second time. I have the most appalling temper, I believe I've already told you that. I'm unhurt from my tumble, thank you for enquiring about my health.'
She giggled and he heard her.
'I can hear from your giggling that you're uninterested in my well-being. I fear that we're going to be at daggers drawn more often than not. I thought that I ought to punish you for what happened but I'm as culpable as you. Dinner will be in half an hour and I look forward to seeing you then.'
She put her ear to the wood and sensed that he'd gone. She should know better than to antagonise such a gentleman. She was lucky to escape unscathed. Her giggles intensified and she flopped onto the bed until in control.
It was he that had come off worse from the encounter and that was hardly fair. He said the matter was closed, but she needed to speak to him again before dinner. Minutes later her hair was neatly pinned and she was heading downstairs to find him.
There was no need to look far as she could hear the liquid sounds of the piano drifting out through the open double doors of the drawing room. She slipped in and made her way to the far end of the room so she could listen. She played with more feeling, but his technique was far superior to hers.
She sank onto the nearest chair and closed her eyes in order to listen and enjoy this impromptu concert.
*
James sensed someone had come into the drawing room and didn't need to look to know immediately it was Sofia. God knows why she'd ventured down so soon – had she been attracted by his performance?
He played from memory like her, no sheets of music needed. He ended with a flourish and was off the piano stool and standing beside her seconds later.
Her eyes were closed, she was completely relaxed and he was overjoyed that she'd loved his playing.
'Did I come up to your expectations, Sofia?'
He'd expected her eyes to fly open, had deliberately spoken to see her reaction. They remain closed for a second and he thought her asleep. Then she was on her feet and looking up at him.
'Do we have time to play a duet? I'm sure we both know several pieces composed by Bach.'
'I'm not altogether sure whether we'll even get any dinner tonight. I dismissed Bedford and the house might well be in disarray.'
'Good, I'd already taken a dislike to her without ever having met her. So, shall we play together?'
She was a most disconcerting young lady and was constantly surprising him by doing the opposite to what he expected. This made her even more enticing and already he'd put aside his reservations about paying court to one of his wards.
They took their seats on the long piano stool having decided which piece to perform, they were poised to begin when she sat back.
'I shall be one and twenty in September, my…, James, and wish to return to Hilltop House as soon as I reach my majority. Will that be possible?'
'Good God, you only arrived today and now you wish to leave. Which day is your anniversary?'
'The twentieth, why does that matter?'
'Then, my dear, we shall discuss it at the beginning of that month. Now, shall we play?'
As the last note died away James glanced sideways. How could he be so hopelessly in love with this girl when he'd only known her a few hours? It was going to be devilishly difficult keeping his feelings to himself when she was living under his roof.
'Not one but two virtuosos on the pianoforte,' Annabel exclaimed from behind them.
