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"I feel he has just the right air of self-importance for the position"

He raised an eyebrow at her description of the foruests would scurry past him"

"Indeed," she primly responded

"Should I decide to dis on in your household, provided they do work, of course I will not support the indolent And I would not have theenerosity"

Her fists curled at her sides As if she needed hied without a e of character" Except for Edo, when she had been a naive girl Dreaed her vision

"Then all is settled?" Grimley asked "For now at least?"

How she wished she could warn Caulfield not to get too comfortable with his temporary power over her Yet she couldn’t very well inforuaranteed to deliver a son Instead, she said, "You are too generous, ht I inquire of your plans for the interiht--speak with the steward and see that the estate runs smoothly while in my possession, however shortlived that ement in your delicate condition"

Grientleravely"

It took all her will not to pound both men over the head Delicate condition, hah! What did men think was so delicate about childbirth? More than likely Caulfield wanted her out of the way so he could e her life and her household to his heart’s content He was probably one of those all To think he needed to oversee ed the estate for years without anya ss well in hand I’ve ed Oak Run in my husband’s frequent absences"

"But not too frequent?" He inclined his dark head toward her middle

Her cheeks burned Heavens Was he suspicious or simply bold with his words? Either way, she quickly defended--perhaps too quickly, "I last saw ht there shortly before he… expired" She had worked over the details It see that she had not seen Ed party to Oak Run Fortunately, she and her aunt had been in Bath at that tihly unlikely that anyone could contradict that Edmund had visited her at least once while she was there "Edement of Oak Run to me"

"Oak Run does not have a steward,owlishly over the rim of her teacup "My niece handles all estate matters, and quite ably Ed it appear that Meredith and Edreeable relationship

"Yes," Meredith added "I would not want to prevail upon your time You undoubtedly wish to return to London"

"Just the sa by his rebuff, she tried for a demure air "Of course, I did not wish to imply you were not welcome to do so This is your home too" She rose to her feet "Would you like to see your room and settle in before dinner?"

Before he could respond, the drawing room door burst open and her father strode into the room

They all froze in a surprised tableau With his white hair wild about his head, her father looked fresh out of the asylum The blood pounded in her te he was having one of his bad days

His flashing eyes settled on Caulfield with deadly intent For a man of seventy years who had spent ally spry Before anyone could react, he launched hiainst Caulfield’s chest Meredith heard a faint popping and hoped it was her father’s creaking joints and not Caulfield’s ribs

"Swine," he cried, grabbing Caulfield by the cravat "Papist swine!"

Then pandemonium broke out

Chapter 4