him? She glanced out to the lane and saw no sign of a carriage or horse. He must have left his mode of transport at the inn. But any moment now someone was sure to see him knocking on her front door. If they had not done so already.
He knocked yet again. Clearly, he was not going to go away until she had spoken to him. What did he want? Perhaps he was the sort of employer who needed to assess for himself the extent of an employee’s illness.
Clearly, having paid her in advance, the man didn’t trust her to keep her side of the bargain. She wished she had never met the man. Never agreed to teach his children.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. People were not exactly knocking her door down, seeking drawing lessons. No, she needed this employment. She had no choice but to speak to him.
The cap she tossed aside. She threw a shawl over the worn frock she had put on this morning in order to give Peter a note for Lord Compton and shuffled to the front door. Hopefully, she could convince him that she would be there next Wednesday and make him go away.
She eased the door open a fraction. ‘How may I be of assistance, Lord Compton?’
He stared at her open-mouthed.
She remembered her hair. The colour of it, dark auburn, and its tendency to curl, often caused that sort of shock to anyone who saw it unpinned. She forced herself not to make a futile attempt to tame it into some sort of order. It never worked. Instead, she lifted her eyebrows in enquiry.
‘I...er... When I received your note, I thought I should see if I could be of assistance.’
Did he really expect her to believe that? ‘No, thank you. I have everything I need.’ She made to close the door.
He put out a hand, holding it open. ‘May I send for a doctor?’
‘I do not need a doctor.’ She needed peace and quiet. And besides, even if she did need one, she could not afford to pay him. ‘I shall be perfectly well by tomorrow.’
He frowned and stared at her hand.
She had forgotten about the sodden handkerchief she had used for a cold compress.
‘Your note said you had a headache.’
He sounded accusatory.
She stiffened. ‘I do.’
‘Then it is willow bark you need. Let me make you some tea.’
She blinked, stunned by his offer. ‘I can make my own tea.’
His expression became thunderous. ‘If you could make it yourself, you would have done so by now. Please, allow me to perform this small service.’
Why could he not leave her alone? Dash it all, she did not want her neighbours seeing them having an argument on her front step.
She drew back. ‘Do as you please.’
Oh, dear, was that rude?
Warmth emanated from his large body as he passed her in the hallway. For some reason she felt the strangest urge to lean against him. To absorb his warmth and bathe in the lovely scent of his cologne made from pine and something lighter and sweeter. She must be even more unwell than she thought.
‘Lay down on the sofa. I will bring the tea to you.’
‘Lord Compton, really—’
‘Do not “really” me. I was married. I do know what a lady needs when she has the headache. I also know you are alone here. Allow me to assist you, if you please.’
Unable to find the strength to argue, she returned to the parlour and leaned back against the cushions. The sooner she drank his tea, the sooner he would be gone. She closed her eyes. A gentle hand on her shoulder startled her to full wakefulness.
‘Lady Marguerite, your tea.’
She straightened and took the cup and saucer. The first sip was heaven. He had laced it with honey to take away the bitter taste of the willow. ‘Thank you.’
‘You are welcome.’ He reached behind her and rearranged the cushions so they supported her head and to her surprise she found it much more comfortable.
‘I occasionally suffer from a headache when the weather is stormy.’ She owed him that much of an explanation. She had also noticed that they came more often when she was worried.
‘Ah,’ he said. ‘Some sort of megrim.’
‘Indeed. It is not so severe that I need help, I assure you, though I do thank you for the tea.’
He grimaced. ‘My daughter Elizabeth was concerned that her behaviour might not have been exemplary and that you might have decided not to return. I assume that is not the case.’
‘It is not. I will come on Wednesday as promised. I will of course apply the payment for today to Wednesday’s lesson.’
‘Never mind that. You can tack an extra lesson on at the end of the six weeks we agreed upon.
Relief almost overwhelmed her. She had been worried that she might not be able to pay her blackmailer being short of the money for one lesson this week. She realised he was watching her closely. Did he realise how desperately she needed that money? She hoped not.
‘Peter will return later today,’ he said and moved to the window to look out.
‘There is no need, I assure you. I am able to manage perfectly well.’
‘If Peter had not been here to bring your note, I would not have known you were ill and might have thought you had taken my money and absconded.’
While the words were harsh, there was a teasing note to his voice.
‘Would you indeed have thought such a monstrous thing?’
He turned, smiling slightly. ‘Likely not. I have the sense that you are an honourable woman.’
Surprised, she stared at him. ‘I appreciate your confidence.’
‘Good. And my daughters appreciate your lessons. Lizzie has promised to do as instructed.’
She inclined her head. ‘Then I shall see you on Wednesday.’
To her relief, he bowed and left. What a strange man. Dictatorial one minute and smiling conspiratorially the next. She would have to make sure not to miss any future lessons with his children. She did not want him arriving on her doorstep thinking he could order her about, the way he did with the rest of his household. It was bad enough that he insisted she accept the services of his stable boy, no matter that it was to suit his convenience rather than hers.
* * *
The following Friday afternoon, a downpour of rain forced Jack to abandon his plan to inspect a barn on the far side of the estate and return home. He hoped Lady Marguerite had not ventured out in such inclement weather, though he was glad it was only rain and not a thunderstorm.
He had not seen her when she had come
