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face had no surplus flesh to soften them and this made him, perhaps, appear older than he was.
    His breadth of shoulder was impressive, and he must stand two yards high in his stocking feet. A slight smile twitched the corners of her mouth, it was not often she came across a man who could look down on her. As if aware of her scrutiny his head suddenly shot up and she felt herself
    flush from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head. Instead of being offended he leant forward, as if looking at her more closely.
    ‘Do you like what you see, Miss Roberts? Do I come up to snuff?’
    Cassie hung her head in embarrassment. ‘I should not ... I should not have been staring at you in that way, sir, but you must remember we only met once, and that was so brief, I hardly had time to take in your appearance.’
    As soon as the words left her mouth she knew they were inappropriate. What possible reason could there be for a lowly governess to be interested in her employer’s appearance?
    He chuckled, the rich dark sound sending a different kind of shiver up her spine. ‘Look at me,’ he commanded softly.
    She raised her head and found he was disconcertingly close, his direct blue gaze pinning her to her seat in a way that was both uncomfortable yet oddly pleasurable.
    ‘You are far too thin, Miss Roberts. I thought at first that you were plain, but now I see I am mistaken. Did they starve you in your last employment?’
    Cassis almost choked. How dare he comment on her appearance in such a familiar way? Then the absurdity of the situation became apparent, she had only herself to blame, after all she had been looking at him in exactly the same way.
    She settled back in her chair, prepared to enjoy the banter. ‘Not quite, sir, but I was always hungry, and rarely warm in the winter. I’m sure with Mrs Green’s, and your cook’s intervention, I shall soon regain my normal weight.’
    He nodded, obviously satisfied with her answer. ‘Are you happy here, Miss Roberts? Do you intend to stay more than a few weeks?’
    Puzzled, she tilted her head and looked at him in surprise. ‘Of course I’m happy here, sir, It is many years since I have been so happy. Your daughter is a delight to teach, my accommodation is as good as anything I could have expected, and my duties are certainly not arduous.’
    ‘And you shall not run screaming from the door if I shout at you occasionally?’
    ‘Shout at me? Good heavens! No, sir, that is your prerogative. I believe we’ve got that matter settled – you shall be as rude to me as you wish, and I shall be mortally offended.’
    ‘Excellent! I see we are going to deal well together, Miss Roberts. Now, tell me why you ventured into the village in a snowstorm?’ His query was mild, but she saw his eyes were watchful.
    ‘When I left, sir, there was no snow in sight, there was a clear blue sky and bright sunshine. Admittedly it was a trifle cold, but we were well wrapped up and the walk is no more than a mile or so. Your daughter was so excited to be going down there – she was able to buy a candy cane and a new ribbon for her bonnet.’
    ‘I see.’ He smiled. Cassie melted into her seat, warmed by the blaze. ‘In that case, I understand. Don’t worry, I shall not beg pardon, I have learnt how things must be between us.’
    She stood, bringing the interview to an end. ‘Will you excuse me, sir? I must go back to my charge. She’ll be wondering whether … she will be waiting for me.’
    He rose, towering above her, but she no longer found him threatening, merely large. ‘As the weather is so bad, I shall be dining at home tonight. I shall expect you to join me. I don’t keep country hours here, I prefer to eat late. I shall expect you in the drawing-room at six and thirty.’
    She curtsied. ‘I shall be there.’
    Closing the door quietly behind her, she leant on it, allowing her hectic colour to subside. She was not sure if she was looking forward to dining alone with her employer.