The Earl and the Pickpocket. Helen Dickson

Still she held back. In silence he contemplated her face. She was pale, with just a faint smattering of pale golden freckles over her nose. Sunlight gilded her hair, which was a mass of short, wispy copper curls. Her large eyes were a darkly anxious shade of green. He sensed she was afraid. ‘You look nervous.’

      ‘Forgive me, but I can’t help it.’

      Adam leisurely raised an eyebrow. ‘It is uncommonly warm. You don’t feel faint?’ he queried with a hint of mockery.

      She gave him a withering look. ‘I never faint.’

      Adam smiled to himself. He should have known better than to ask. ‘Good. Don’t be nervous. You’ll be perfectly safe here with me. Mrs Harrison is my housekeeper. Come. I instructed her to have cold drinks ready on our arrival, and a room has been prepared for you. Tomorrow I’ll show you my studio.’

      ‘Studio? What studio?’ The absurdity of her stilted words struck her, but her stomach had worked itself into such a knot she was unable to help it.

      ‘Where I work.’

      On entering the house they were met by Mrs Harrison, a neat little woman of a cheerful disposition. She was dressed in black, the only relief being a white lace collar and cap, which completely concealed her hair. Out of her lined, round face peered two faded grey eyes.

      ‘So, this is your guest, sir?’

      ‘Quite right, Mrs Harrison. I trust you have everything prepared?’

      ‘Indeed I have.’

      ‘My name is Edwina,’ Edwina offered.

      ‘Oh, but I couldn’t possibly address you by your Christian name,’ Mrs Harrison countered, clearly shocked at the very idea of it. ‘It would be most disrespectful.’

      ‘Please do. Everyone else does.’

      ‘I’d do as she says, Mrs Harrison,’ Adam commented with irony. ‘I don’t doubt for one minute that Edwina has good reason for keeping her surname to herself.’

      Mrs Harrison silently conveyed her disapproval to the master but could only resign herself. When she had told him he was behaving in an extraordinary manner—moving a young lady he knew nothing about into his house and hastily packing his apprentices off on holiday—he had grinned quite boyishly and told her there was nothing ordinary about his guest. And as she looked at her she completely agreed.