“Who told you that?” Mrs. Barnstaple asked.
“Well, actually, I think it was Sir Percy Rockley’s idea,’ Carina replied.
“Oh, him,” Mrs. Barnstaple said with a sniff. “Now, I hope, Miss Warner, you won’t take offence if I say to you that the less you see of that gentleman the better.”
“I thought that myself,” Carina answered.
Mrs. Barnstaple glanced towards the open door and lowered her voice.
“He’s bad. Miss Warner. I heard of him before he came to stay here and the moment he appeared I took all the young housemaids off his floor.”
“I should say that you were undoubtedly very wise,” Carina said.
“I know his sort,” Mrs. Barnstaple continued darkly, “and it isn’t only where women are concerned that he is dangerous either.”
“What do you mean?” Carina asked.
“Oh, you will learn a lot o
