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been saying is only too correct.’
    A new voice interrupted them from the staircase. It was Geoffrey, his dark-blue uniform as splendidly attractive as ever as he descended. He’d been listening to every word, and it didn’t suit him that Emma should stay inside this morning; it certainly didn’t suit him that she should be sent away from the house, not yet anyway, for he had to conquer the governess first. He came toward them, his glance resting rather angrily on Anne. ‘Come now,’ he said to her, ‘aren’t you being a little severe? What harm is there in the lessons taking place in the summerhouse?’
    She was equally angry, for she knew why he was interfering. ‘This isn’t any concern of yours, Geoffrey.’
    ‘On the contrary, it’s very much my concern, for if you do not relent, then I shall be forced to sulk and refuse to go riding with you today.’ He smiled and spoke in a bantering tone, but he meant every word. He wanted the lessons to take place in the summerhouse, for then there would be an opportunity of getting the governess on her own.
    Anne colored. He was impossible to please these days, finding fault with everything she said or did. His interest in her was waning, whereas hers in him was as strong and vital as ever. She was losing her hold on him, and the reason stood watching in the shapely form of Miss Louisa Cherington. Anne knew that if she was to stand any chance of keeping his interest, she had to be with him whenever possible, and that meant giving in now or forfeiting the chance of riding alone with him later on. Managing a stiff smile, she nodded. ‘Oh, very well, let the lessons take place outside if it’s so important, but I’ve no doubt that in the end I’ll be proved right about all this, for Emma will become unmanageable, and it will all be due to the influence of a governess too weak to impose the necessary discipline.’ There was a serpentine chill in her green eyes as they swung to Louisa. ‘Miss Cherington, I believe you wish to be permitted to meet your brother in Brentford in a day or so’s time.’
    Louisa’s glance fled toward Geoffrey. He must have said something. ‘Yes, my lady.’
    ‘I’m afraid I cannot see my way clear to granting such permission, for Emma’s education, such as it is, must come before your personal pleasures.’ With a cool nod of her head, Anne walked on. Her jaconet skirt hissed as she mounted the staircase, and soon the columns and chandeliers obscured her from their view.
    Sir Ashley looked and felt most uncomfortable. He loathed awkwardness, and there seemed to have been so much of it recently. Maybe Anne was right and it was all due to Emma’s misconduct. He’d have to give the matter of sending her away his full consideration. His hands clasped behind his back, he followed his wife.
    Geoffrey glanced at Emma. ‘I trust you’re suitably grateful for my interference on your behalf.’
    She looked stormily at him. ‘You were horrid to me last night.’
    ‘Then I’ve made amends,’ he replied shortly, his glance moving on to Louisa. ‘Good morning, Miss Cherington, I trust you slept well in spite of everything.’
    ‘Very well,’ she replied coolly, her dislike shining only too clearly in her gray eyes.
    He waved Emma away. ‘Run along to the summerhouse with your French verbs. I want to speak privately with Miss Cherington.’
    ‘Oh, but, Geoffrey—’
    ‘Do as you’re told!’
    Emma’s eyes filled with tears and without another word she hurried away, leaving the main door open as she dashed out of the house.
    Louisa looked angrily at him. ‘That was inexcusable,’ she breathed. ‘Why must you hurt her? It isn’t her fault!’
    ‘No, it’s my fault, and I’m not angry with her, I’m angry with myself. I behaved monstrously toward you last night, and I’m thoroughly ashamed of the fact.’
    She stared at him, caught completely unawares. ‘I-I beg your pardon?’
    He smiled a little, having intended to catch her