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one of the city’s many churches, hunched into herself and coughing terribly. Something about the woman had roused compassion in Frederick and, although he was rather short of funds at that moment, he’d taken the creature in, called a doctor, and had seen she was cared for. Once she was well again and gone, he’d forgotten her. Barely a month later, he was accosted by a lawyer who informed him he was heir to the woman’s fortune.
    Frederick’s moment of compassion had unknowingly been made to one of the city’s eccentrics, an ancient miser who had outlived both family and friends and who, upon recovering from the chest ailment she’d had when Frederick found her, had changed her will to her rescuer’s advantage. Changing her will was something the old lady did with great regularity. This time she died before the next revision could be made, and Frederick was now a very rich man.
    As a result, Frederick wished to get himself home and put in motion the first of the plans for improving his land and making it, once again, as productive as it was in his grandfather’s day. On the other hand, Frederick was reluctant to take himself too far from the intriguing Miss Cole. He found himself dreaming of big grey eyes night after night and, during the days, making excuses to visit Madame for the purpose of spending a few moments with the disapproving Harriet.
    “How is Madame today,” he asked on one of those visits.
    “As well as can be expected,” said Miss Cole, her voice cool. “Frani, I believe it is the time you were to read to your grandmother. You had best go now.”
    “Harri!”
    “ Françoise. ”
    “Yes, Harriet.”
    But as the young girl said goodbye to Sir Frederick, Harriet was certain she saw the minx wink at him. It was too bad of her. She would have to have another talk with her charge.
    “Now tell me that you are not overdoing,” demanded her unwanted guest when they were alone.
    “I am not over-doing,” she repeated, seemingly dutiful. Harriet eyed him. He didn’t seem disturbed that Françoise had gone. If anything he seemed more relaxed than before. If only she understood him! She watched him studying her features thoughtfully and blushed, lowering her eyes.
    “I think you tell a lie, Miss Cole. Your face has fined down to the bones and your eyes look as if they haven’t known what sleep is, ever.”
    “In other words,” she said stiffly, “I look a hag.”
    “To the contrary. You look ethereal and as if a breeze would waft you away. Since I know you are not at all fragile, I can only assume you are taking too much onto those slim shoulders.” He sighed when she refused to rise to the bait. “Miss Cole, it will not do if you too were to fall ill.”
    Harriet bit her lip, quickly stopped the revealing action when his gaze slid to her mouth and something beneath the skin of his face seemed to intensify, tighten ... “As you say, I am not the type to succumb to a little hard work.”
    “That is not what I said at all.”
    A rueful look in his eyes, an almost smile, made Harriet want to smile in response. She forced herself to scowl lightly instead.
    “You deliberately do all you can to misunderstand me, do you not?” he asked gently. “I wish I knew what I had done to make you dislike me so.”
    “One cannot like everyone one meets.”
    “No. That isn’t it, I think. Well, never mind. Someday I will figure it out. But for now I must go.” He rose. “Good day, Miss Cole. You may now tell that little baggage in your charge that she may come out from behind the door and no longer need listen at keyholes.” He raised his voice slightly. “Good day, Mademoiselle.”
    To Harriet’s distress a faint giggle was heard in response. Françoise came through the door to the adjoining salon immediately Sir Frederick left by the door to the hall. “He is such a funny one, Harriet. I cannot see why you do not like him. Especially when it is so obvious he likes you .”
    “Nonsense. He comes