A Change of Fortune by Sandra Heath Read Free Book Online Page B

Stella is going to have to accept that what I wish is the law. I want her to come here, where I trust she will learn to mend her ways, for if she does not, then she will remain here until she does. I sincerely hope that her stay will not be a long one, for it is my desire to have her return home to Poyntons, my estate near Windsor, in time for the betrothal celebrations at the beginning of February. There is to be a very large house party, a number of balls, and so on. It is my fervent hope that this will prove an irresistible lure, for Stella adores house parties and dearly wishes to attend her first ball. If she is sent here as a salutary lesson, I believe that she will promise to be on her best behavior and that the whole of this disagreeable affair can be forgotten. Imogen is in complete agreement with me, indeed it was her suggestion that Stella should come here.”
    Leonie said nothing. Imogen suggested it? Yes, that was just the sort of thing she would do, and she’d do it with the full intention of never allowing Stella back into the de Lacey household! Imogen wasn’t one to even attempt to understand a twelve-year-old girl’s unhappiness—she’d think only of herself—and Guy de Lacey was obviously little better.
    “You’re very quiet, Miss Conyngham.” He was looking at her. “I doubt if I would be far from the truth if I guessed that your sympathies are quite obviously with my niece.”
    She flushed a little. “She’s only a child, Sir Guy.”
    “Aye, and what a child,” he replied with some feeling. “You know nothing about my niece. Miss Conyngham, and I wonder if perhaps you instinctively sympathize with her because she has set herself against Imogen. Come now, don’t look so astonished, for I know full well that you and Imogen cordially loathe each other.” He gave a faint smile. “I also perceive that you feel more or less the same way toward me.”
    Her cheeks were still hot. “I wouldn’t presume to like or dislike you, Sir Guy.”
    “Looking at you at this moment, Miss Conyngham, I’d say that you are the sort of young lady who would indeed presume, if she felt strongly enough about it. One way or another, you’ve left me in little doubt as to your opinion of me, and since you’ve allowed me to become aware of that opinion, I can only wonder if the grooming provided by this establishment is as completely efficient as it might be.” His eyes were cool as he held her gaze. “I know that you are soon to be launched upon society. I can only trust the monde deals summarily with you. You need taking down a peg or two, Miss Leonie Conyngham, and if you cross my path again at some future date, you may be sure that I will be quite ready to do just that. Good day to you.” Picking up his hat, gloves, and riding crop, he left. A breath of freezing air swept over her as he slammed the door behind him.
     

Chapter 8
     
    Stunned, she remained where she was. Her face felt as if it was on fire and her heart was thundering in her breast. She had never been spoken to like that before, which was bad enough, but to think that she had suffered such humiliation at the hands of so uncivil and unpleasant a man! After all of which he was so patently guilty, he had had the gall to rudely criticize her! Oh, how she wished she’d told him exactly what she thought of him, and his loathsome bride-to-be, to say nothing of their joint unkindness to a mere child! But she had held her tongue, and so allowed him the privilege of the last word. She quivered from head to toe with anger and frustration, and at that moment she heard the door of the visitors’ room opening. The thought of encountering Miss Hart’s guests at this particular moment was too much, and she quickly gathered her skirts and hurried into the deserted school wing.
    She took refuge in the music room, intending to remain safely out of sight until the visitors had departed, but as she opened the door something brushed past her legs and she gave