Bought for Revenge. Sarah Mallory

and be my guide?’

      She bit her lip. It was tempting, but she must not succumb. ‘You do not need me.’

      ‘Oh, I think I do, Miss Havenham. Having seen how treacherously overgrown the paths have become, I might well lose myself in the wilderness that is now the Home Wood. Remember “Sleeping Beauty.” It could be a hundred years before anyone comes to my rescue.’

      His reference to her earlier comment surprised a laugh from Annabelle. He grinned back at her.

      ‘So you will come. Tomorrow?’

      She shook her head. ‘I have an engagement.’

      ‘Monday, then, if the weather is good.’ Still she hesitated and he continued, ‘I intend to be at the manor all day, so come if you can.’

      It had been such a pleasurable day, why not repeat it? She was sorely tempted.

      ‘We have reached the edge of the Oakenroyd Park,’ he said, bringing his horse to a stand. ‘I shall leave you here and hope to see you on Monday.’

      ‘I—Do not look for me.’ She was suddenly unsure.

      The brim of his hat shaded his face and she could read nothing from his look, although she knew those black eyes were fixed on her. Unsettled, she touched her crop to Apollo’s flank and set off at a gallop across the park. She did not look back, but it was an effort. She wondered if he was still watching her, or had he ridden away, putting all thoughts of her from his mind?

      Annabelle entered the house by a side door and went to find her father. He was in his study, but he put down his book when she entered.

      ‘So you are back at last, my love. Did you enjoy yourself at Morwood?’

      ‘The time went very quickly,’ she answered him evasively. ‘We covered everything to the south and east of the house. Mr Monserrat has a lot of work to do to make Morwood habitable again.’

      ‘But it is time. I should have done more with it.’

      ‘You once had plans to build another house there, did you not, Papa?’

      ‘Yes. I thought I might do so.’ He sighed. ‘I was going to demolish the old manor, but when it came to it…’ He sighed again. ‘Perhaps I should have sold Morwood then. Perhaps I should never have bought it.’

      ‘Too late to fret over that, sir,’ was Annabelle’s bracing response. ‘Instead let us be thankful that it is now being restored.’

      ‘Yes. Do you know, my love, I think Mr Monserrat’s coming will prove beneficial to the whole area. I am glad you have shown him over the grounds, Belle. I would not want him to think us anything less than good neighbours.’

      She walked to the window, gazing out at the tranquil gardens, everything so neat and orderly.

      ‘He has asked me to ride out with him again, Papa. On Monday.’

      ‘And will you go, Belle?’

      She raised her eyes, looking past the well-kept domesticity of Oakenroyd to the rugged moors beyond. Even in the sunshine they had a barren look to them, a wildness that attracted her. And beyond the moor lay the neglected groves of Morwood and their enigmatic owner.

      ‘Belle?’ Her father spoke again. ‘Will you ride out with Mr Monserrat?’

      She smiled.

      ‘Yes, Papa. I think I shall.’