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He tamped down his irritation and gave Joseph a pointed look. The old servant wisely backed out of the room and pulled the door closed behind him.
    Gabriel returned his attention to the companion.
    She swung her gaze away from the door and over to Gabriel once more. “You intend to send me away.” There it was again. That panic that flickered to life in the woman’s eyes.
    Remorse tugged at him. “I do.” Still, his sister’s well-being was far more important than this stranger’s pride.
    Mrs. Munroe’s shocked gasp filled the room.
    Life had instilled in him the necessity of blunt honesty. Those sentiments protected a person from being guided down a path of foolish hopes and weakness. Though he felt a modicum of pity for the instructor sent to him from Mrs. Belden’s, he’d not be weakened by that useless emotion. Was the proud woman fearful of returning to Mrs. Belden’s without the assigned post? Dread, desperation, and anger paraded across the expressive lines of her face. He braced for her to employ tears or her womanly wiles.
    Which is why her calm practicality took him aback.
    “But you do not even know me,” she said with a far more steady tone than he believed her capable of in this moment.
    Gabriel drummed his fingertips along the arm of his chair. She dropped her gaze to his hands. Annoyance flashed behind the young woman’s eyes and he stilled the distracted movement. “You are determined to have this post, aren’t you, Mrs. Munroe?”
    She tipped her chin up. “I am. I came here to fulfill the role of companion and I’d see to that responsibility.” Then she added as if more an afterthought, “Mrs. Belden would be disappointed if one of her instructors was rejected in the respective role.”
    Though he admired the lady’s determination, her unsuitability could not be changed or helped. She merely did not suit. Long tired of the exchange, he shoved to his feet. “Mrs. Munroe, as I said, I am appreciative of your circumstances.” She opened her mouth but then remained blessedly silent, allowing him his piece. “I will pen you a note, ensuring your position is secure at Mrs. Belden’s, however,” he continued over her when she made to protest. “My sister is entirely too spirited for you,” he said with a bluntness that effectively silenced the companion. “I require her wed and the woman you spoke of,” he gave his head a shake, “is not my sister and, therefore, it is necessary that I find a companion who will suit my sister’s temperament,” and who will see Chloe wed when she was determined to do anything but make a match. “Now,” he said, inclining his head, “if you will excuse me?” He marched past the wide-eyed young woman. “I have business to attend to.” He gave another firm tug on the bell-pull.
    The door opened immediately and Joseph, with his blessed timing would see a raise in his salary by day’s end, reentered the room. “If you would show Mrs. Munroe to the guest chambers for the evening and have a meal prepared.”
    Joseph motioned with his arm for Mrs. Munroe to follow him. With the fire snapping in her eyes, she appeared one more wrong word on his part away from marching over to the scabbard adorning his office wall and slaying him for his efforts. God spare him from any more angry ladies. At least this one, he’d soon be free of.
    Then, with a remarkable poise that had likely landed the woman her post at Mrs. Belden’s, she dropped a stiff, deferential curtsy. “My lord,” she said in cold, crisp tones better suited to a queen than a delusional companion. With a final glower, she followed Joseph from the room. The soft click of the door closing behind the retreating Mrs. Munroe echoed loudly in the empty space.
    *
    By God he’d dismissed her. Not merely dismissed her. Why, the arrogant, emotionless lout had sacked her before she’d started. As Jane marched silently alongside the kind-eyed butler, she gave her head a bemused shake. This was