There was only the indentation where her head had just been. She wrapped her arms around her bent legs and rested her cheek on her knees. What a wanton she was becoming! She didn’t even know of such things and now she was dreaming them. And her host was doing them to her. She just couldn’t face him, she decided. It would be too difficult. He was very perceptive and seemed to sense her feelings even before she did. She would not go down to breakfast. Unfortunately, she hadn’t reckoned on Mrs. Anders. Bustling in with a motherly smile, the woman handed her a cup of tea. “It looks like the worst of the storm blew through last night,” she said, going to open the curtains. Sipping the tea, Amanda felt a sudden depression grip her heart. That meant they’d have to leave. “However,” the woman continued, “his lordship said he wouldn’t be surprised if another storm started up by mid-afternoon.” Hope surged through Amanda. “Is that normal?” “Perfectly,” smiled the housekeeper, her keen eyes missing nothing.
