As before, she fought the temptation to smile. "We need to discuss the rules you have laid down for Christabel's routine. I find them totally unacceptable."

"So you said earlier. I thought you understood when you took the post that I wished to keep her presence here a secret for as long as possible."

Frederica was treated to a hint of that steel she had detected in him at their first meeting, but she was undeterred.

"I quite understand, my lord, but you must realize that a child is not a mouse or a bird that you can cage in a corner and ignore. How long do you think it will be before Christabel notices what you are doing and begins to suspect that you are ashamed of her?"

The earl blinked.

"I had not thought of that, I must confess," he said slowly, all trace of humour gone from his face.

"I never want her to think that, for I am not. It is merely that her presence here just now could ... complicate things."

Frederica nodded, understanding far better than she intended to let on. She allowed no trace of irony to creep into her voice.

"I will respect your wishes for secrecy as far as I am able without harm to Christabel. I propose to take her to the Park regularly, daily if possible, but I am perfectly willing to leave and return to the house via the back entrance and to draw no attention to ourselves when doing so. Once we are in the Park, no one will have reason to suspect that she has any link to you whatsoever. She does not re- sen able you strongly."

A sad smile stole over Lord Sea brooke's face. "No, she is the very image of her mother. Why, I remember" -- He broke off abruptly.

"I suppose what you suggest might be possible. But what of the servants? I fear I do not trust all the more recently arrived ones so thoroughly as I do yourself."

The implicit compliment warmed her in spite of herself. Slowly, she said,

"I really cannot think we will manage to keep Christabel's existence a secret from them for long, my lord.

Could you not come up with a plausible excuse for her residence here?

I have noticed that already she calls you

"Uncle." Could you not pa.s.s her off as a niece? A sister's child, perhaps?

To her amazement, a stiff mask descended over the earl's face. His bright blue eyes narrowed to slits and glittered dangerously at her. "Absolutely not! If her existence must become known, I shall pa.s.s her off as my own. My reputation in Society is already colourful enough that the disclosure of a love child will not alter it appreciably.

You will oblige me by not mentioning my sister in such a context again. "

Frederica's mouth had fallen open. With an effort, she closed it and tried to retrieve her composure, though her cheeks were flaming. Of course no man would insult his sister so--why had she not thought of that before she spoke?

"Forgive me, my lord. I--I was not aware that you even had a sister.

You are right, of course. "

Certainly he was right about his reputation!

"It is agreed, then. You may take Christabel to the Park whenever you see your way clear to doing so secretly. And if it should transpire that explanations must be given, you may say that she is my natural daughter. We shall hope, however, that such explanations will not be necessary."

"I shall be exceedingly careful, my lord," she a.s.sured him, pleased that she had won that victory for Christabel. He stood again, as though to dismiss her, but she quickly said,

"There are one or two other matters, if you please."

"Never quit while you're winning, eh, Cherry?"

asked the earl, the twinkle returning to his eyes.

In spite of her resolve to resist his charm, Frederica felt the corners of her mouth twitching.

"I would be foolish to do so, would I not, my lord? These are smaller requests, however."

At his nod, she continued.

"Firstly, I had thought that Christabel might find her time indoors to hang less heavily if she had more to occupy her imagination and interest. At ...

at home, I have pet mice in a cage. If you do not object, I should like to bring them here--to amuse her."

"Mice? You are even more unusual a young lady than I thought, Cherry.

Very well. As long as you do not allow them to run rampant or to scare the maids, you may bring any pets you wish. This is your home now, after all. "

The warmth of his smile made something inside Frederica tighten unexpectedly.

"Thank you. The other matter concerns a doll of Christabel's that has been misplaced, apparently during her removal to this house. She has a.s.sured me that you know of it, and I promised her to ask about it."

"That would be Molly Dolly, no doubt," said the earl with a grin.

"I.

remember her well. A sorry-looking rag doll with very decided opinions, as I recall.

Christabel cannot find her? "

"No, nor could I, and I a.s.sure you that no corner of the nursery went unsearched."

"There are some boxes that were brought with Christabel that have been stored in the attics. I a.s.sumed they merely contained her mother's things and have not gone through them, but it is entirely possible that Molly Dolly may be in one of them. I shall have them brought down this very afternoon."

"Thank you, my lord. A special toy, or even a blanket, can be of immense importance to a child of Christabel's age, particularly when she finds herself in a strange mi lien Will you wish to go through the boxes yourself?" She felt a small pang at the thought of him examining his dead mistress's possessions.

"No, no," he said quickly.

"You and Christabel may do that. Is that the last of your requests?"

"For the moment," she replied, smiling at him openly for the first time.

"No doubt I shall think of others as time progresses."

"No doubt." He returned her smile. Frederica stood abruptly.

"I had best get back to the nursery, my lord. Thank you for your time." '

To her great surprise, the earl moved around his desk to open the door for her.

"Cherry, you must always feel free to come to me with any concerns you have about Christabel--or anything else," he said seriously, looking down into her face.