Page 15 (1/2)

“To ,” Mr Jardine went on gamely

“I’irl,” Francesca retorted “I

am five and twenty How old are you, Mr Thorne?”

Mr Thorne h “I am nearly thirty, Miss Greentree”

“Londoners are so pale and wan, and the children so dreadfully skinny” A to wrench the conversation out of the hands of her headstrong daughter “Country folk are so much more…”

“Strapping?” Sebastian said “Buxom?”

Buxom! How dare he? Did he really think her buxom?

“Rosy-cheeked and strong of lily

Mr Thorne took the drink his host was offering hilint in his black eyes that he was going to say so rude and i she will break”

“Youas opposed to a Dresden shepherdess?” Francesca asked sweetly

“I was thinking more of a Valkyrie A Boadicea in her chariot”

“They are very warlike examples of our sex, Mr Thorne,” Amy said doubtfully “Don’t you think it would be more appropriate for a female to pour your tea and listen to your troubles than throw thunder and lightning bolts?”

“Perhaps Mr Thorne prefers thunder and lightning bolts,” Francesca said slyly “Did you enjoy the storm on the moors that much, Mr Thorne? Should I have left you in the mire?”

“Francesca,” Amy reproved her “I’”

He smiled at Amy, a truly attractive smile, and it was only when he turned it on Francesca that it lost its innocence “I don’t mind,” he said “Tease away, Miss Greentree”