Read A Country Mouse for Free Online

straits, believe me, sir, we would not be here now.'
    Her grandfather pushed himself up out of his chair. He towered over her, his face thunderous. 'I shall not be taken to task by a chit of a girl; I am the Earl of Westerham and your grandfather
    and I expect to be treated with respect, at all times. Is that understood?'
    She felt her courage desert her. She knew she had overstepped the mark and sincerely regretted her impertinence, however true her intemperate words had been she should have held her tongue. Then her spine stiffened and her head came up. She returned his glare, unbowed. 'I sincerely apologize for my incivility, my lord. You are quite right; I should never have spoken so rudely.' Her eyes flashed dangerously and her nostrils flared. 'However, I do not retract my words for they are the truth. I merely regret the way in which they were spoken.'
    The Earl's face became redder and for a horrible moment Emily thought he would fall to the ground with an apoplexy. It was time to take her leave. She dropped a small curtsy and spun, her skirts flying out revealing her trim ankles, and walked briskly across the acres of polished boards and scattered rugs, praying she would reach the door before the explosion came. She did not.
    'Come back here, miss. I have not finished with you yet.' The roared command bounced off the walls. She could not in all consciousness pretend she had not heard. She stopped, and slowly turned back to face him. He waited, stony faced, for her to retrace her steps.
    She halted, two paces in front of him, keeping her eyes lowered, waiting for the torrent to break over her head. She heard him step forward and flinched, expecting to be felled by a blow. A gnarled, but surprisingly strong hand, reached out and gripped her chin, forcing her to look up.
    'Well, my dear child, that was invigorating. I have not enjoyed myself so much for years.'
    'I beg your pardon…' Emily stammered.
    'I enjoy a good row - cleans the pipes - do you not agree? Come, Emily, do not look so worried. The show is over.' He laughed. 'You will have to get used to my temper if you wish to live here.' He released her chin and took her icy hand. 'You are trembling, child. I am sorry; I did not mean to frighten you. Come and sit with me.'
    Emily allowed herself to be led to the settle by the fire, grateful for its reviving warmth. She was totally bemused. How could he change from terrifying to benevolent in a second? She regained her composure and dared to speak again. 'I don't understand. Are you no longer angry with me?'
    He leant over and patted her hand. 'No, my dear, I am not. You enraged me for a moment; I shouted at you and then I felt better. It is always so for me. In time you will get used to it.'
    'I'm not going to retract my words, sir. I do feel that you mistreated us this last two years.'
    'I did, my dear. But I had no idea you were in such difficulties. Your letter merely stated that your father had died and that Althea was grieving and asked if I could help in anyway, did it not?' Emily nodded. 'However you did not tell me you were so strapped for cash that you could not pay the bills.' He scowled at the thought, causing her to recoil again.
    She considered his explanation and found it to be true. 'I hoped you would send us help anyway, now that the reason for your disapproval had been removed.'
    'I am sorry, my dear. You are quite right to admonish me; I should have offered to have you here then. I have sadly neglected my duties; can you find it in your heart to forgive an old man of five and eighty?'
    'I suppose I must, sir. I would not wish a gentleman of your great age to meet his maker unforgiven.' Her words were bland but her eyes sparkled.
    He chuckled. 'Thank you, my child. Do you think you could call me grandfather now I am forgiven?'
    She smiled, finding that she might actually be coming to like him. 'I can manage that, Grandfather.' As matters were settled between them and they were in complete accord she