I looked at Mr. Kemp, who grinned. I resolved to have further hot words with that man later when there were no witnesses. “But why all the pretence, then?” I demanded. By now, I was far too cross with the scheming devil to care about our relative social positions.
“Let me continue,” Aunt Elspeth was smiling. “You must understand that there is a difference in social standing, and the Earl of Cairnsmuir had to be certain that you were the right woman for him.”
“Oh, is that so?” I glanced over to Mr. Kemp with my temper rising by the minute. If he thought he had heard the worst of me he was about to be made aware of his mistake. I felt the words building up within me ready to launch themselves with hooked and poisoned claws at the ego and person of that most devious of handsome men that I l
