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intended, and he gave her a quizzical look.
    ‘You do not sound very sure, ma’am! Are dances and assemblies not to your taste? But surely I remember you saying that you liked them…’
    ‘Oh, no, I enjoy them very much!’ Annabella laughed. ‘Not that I have been to so very many, sir! I only hesitated because I do not believe that Lady St Auby found the evening agreeable, which makes matters a little difficult…’ She sighed, remembering Lady St Auby’s vicious diatribe on the way home. She had managed to convince Annabella not only that Mundell and his set were laughing at her expense, but also that Alicia had never had any real intention of ending their estrangement.
    ‘I realised last night how difficult it must be for you in such a household,’ Sir William observedthoughtfully. ‘Have you not considered the possibility of living elsewhere, ma’am?’
    It was a rather impertinent question from a mere acquaintance, Annabella thought, but then he was a very direct man. She hesitated, conscious that almost anything she said about her current situation, her marriage, her father or her relationship with Alicia would lead her into difficult waters. She was unsure how far she could prevaricate with Sir William Weston—he seemed very determined.
    ‘I have considered it,’ she said carefully, ‘but there are difficulties. It is no secret that my father left me very little money and my husband none at all. And I have no wish to impose on my sister, who, I am sure you are aware, sir, has reason to dislike me!’ She gave him a defiant look. ‘I have been thinking lately that the only solution is for me to earn a living!’
    ‘Perhaps you have considered becoming a governess?’ Sir William murmured, his voice completely bland. Annabella gave him a quick look, but could not tell if he was laughing at her. His gaze was fixed on the road and there was not even a telltale hint of a smile about that firm mouth. She looked away hastily.
    ‘I have thought of it, but reluctantly discounted the idea, sir.’
    ‘Oh, dear, why was that?’
    Now she was sure that he was making fun of her. ‘I am not bookish enough!’ she snapped. ‘I could hardly expect to be paid to teach a child those learned facts that I had not seen fit to acquire myself!’
    Sir William’s lips twitched. ‘Was your education neglected then, Mrs St Auby?’
    ‘No, sir, by good fortune I had a number of excellent governesses.’ Annabella strove to be fair. ‘It was my own attitude that was at fault. I had no patience with my teachers and what they tried to instil in me. So…’
    ‘So, no governess post,’ Sir William finished for her, one dark brow raised. ‘A pity, but it would not have served. You are too young and,’ he added under his breath, ‘devilishly pretty besides!’
    Annabella was startled. ‘I beg your pardon, sir!’
    Sir William grinned at her. ‘I was merely pointing out that your relative youth and your appearance made it an unsuitable occupation for you! There will always be impressionable sons—or even fathers!—who would try to lead you astray!’
    Annabella blushed. She hurried on to try to cover her confusion. ‘But then I hit on a plan, sir!’
    ‘Your resourcefulness is most impressive, ma’am,’ Sir William commented, bland once more. Annabella shot him a darkling look.
    ‘You are funning me, I know, sir, but I am quite in earnest! I intend to set up a circulating library!’
    The horses swerved slightly as Sir William inadvertently pulled the rein, a terrible solecism for such an accomplished whip. ‘You amaze me, ma’am,’ he said politely. ‘How do you propose to do such a thing?’
    ‘Well, I have heard that Mr Lane, the proprietor of the Minerva Press, will set anyone up in a circulating library who wishes it,’ Annabella said artlessly. ‘And he is so very rich that I believe there must be a living in it! At the library in Castle Street they charge a subscription of a whole guinea to borrow the