She therefore said nothing and after a moment the Earl asked,
“Surely you must have some opinion on this situation as it appears to you?”
“All I am concerned with, my Lord, is Lady Felicity,” Atayla replied. “I understand that she was not very happy in Tangiers and that is the real reason for her being sent to your Lordship.”
“What do you mean, she was not happy?” the Earl asked sharply. “If that swine did not treat her properly, I swear I will kill him!”
He spoke so violently that Atayla stiffened and clasped her hands together.
She found the Earl very disturbing. Her heart was beating fiercely and she thought, as she had last night, that his manner was insufferable besides being frightening.
As if he was aware that she was frightened, the Earl said,
“I should not inflict on you my
