Lord Atherton's Ward by Fenella Miller Read Free Book Online

sister Jane to you.’
    She curtsied alongside her sister and he bowed politely.
     ‘I am delighted to meet you at last, Miss Jane. Shall we be seated, there is much to discuss?’
    Two chairs had been placed by the fire, a third a respectable distance away. She could feel Jane’s arm stiffen and knew her sister to be in awe of the formidable gentleman. His manners this morning were impeccable, but his eyes were watchful and she could see his hands were clenched at his sides. This was not a good sign. She knew to her cost that he had a fearsome temper.
    Pinning her smile on to trembling lips she looked directly at him for the first time. ‘My lord, I must apologise for being absent when you called yesterday.’ She faltered. What had possessed her to mention yesterday’s disastrous visit? She saw that well remembered flash in his grey eyes and knew it would take a miracle for her to persuade him to send them back to Kesgrave Hall and not send them to Chelmsford to join his mother.
     

Chapter Five
     
    ‘It is unfortunate that Lady Isabelle decided to return to Norfolk. I would much prefer to have had you living under my roof, but as matters stand that is impossible.’ Lord Atherton was making it perfectly plain his opinion of Aunt Isabelle’s departure.
    Sarah’s eyes widened. ‘Was it your intention to suggest, my lord, that we all remove to your town house?’
    He nodded. ‘Indeed it was, Miss Ellison. As things stand, that is now impossible. I do not wish you to remain here unsupervised, word is already abroad that I have your guardianship.’ He paused to see that this piece of unwelcome information had registered with both of them. ‘As a member of his Majesty’s government I cannot have my probity questioned.’
    Sarah couldn’t help herself, she burst out. ‘We must go to Chelmsford? Surely, sir, it would be better for us to return to Kesgrave. After all you were quite content to let us live there unsupervised after our father died in December. It was three months before you contacted us.’
    His eyes narrowed and she knew she’d annoyed him. ‘If you had allowed me to finish, Miss Ellison, I had been about to say that it was my intention to send you to Chelmsford but that is now impossible as my younger sister has the measles.’
    He glared at her, waiting for her comment, wisely she remained silent. ‘Therefore as you have so kindly suggested, I think it would be best if you return to your home for the summer. Sir John has only been buried four months, you should not be here at all. You should be at home until the year is up’
    Sarah flushed. He was quite right, she had known the mad dash to London was ill-advised but, as was often the case, she had allowed her temper to over rule her commonsense.
    ‘In which case, my lord, we shall both get what we want. I have been running the estates these past nine months and although my agent is excellent, it is a bad time of year to be away.’
    ‘Ah, yes, the estates. I was intending to come to that, Miss Ellison. I have sent my man of business down to examine the books and tour the farms. Whilst you are under my control I shall, of course, be running them. It is not something a young woman is equipped to do efficiently.’
    Sarah’s eyes blazed. How dare he impugn her ability? Papa had been happy to leave her in charge, he had no right to criticise her father’s decisions when he was not here to defend them. She was about to jump to her feet, but felt a restraining hand on her elbow. She subsided, biting her lips to stop an intemperate reply.
    Jane spoke for them. ‘That is excellent news, my lord. Sir John said to me just before he died that Sarah was doing too much. He would be pleased to think she could enjoy the summer untrammelled by responsibilities.’
    Sarah saw him relax and a more kindly expression softened his features. ‘Then Sir John was right. I shall be away on business until late summer; I shall come down to see you as soon as I