"I, ah, I see." Frederica tried to force her brain to work. She must get an open admission from him, something that she could take to Thomas. Once she had that, she could leave.

"How... how delicate?" she managed to ask, her heart beginning to pound.

Milly would never have allowed her to come alone if she had known how right she was, Frederica was certain.

4~ Lord Sea brooke moved even closer, lowering his voice.

"I would prefer that the precise nature of your duties remain hidden even from some of the other servants, at least for the present."

"And pray, just what are those duties to be, my lord7" she asked in a high, breathless voice that sounded quite different from her natural one' The earl drew back slightly, regarding her closely through narrowed eyes. He nodded then, as though reaching an inner decision.

"What would be your feelings towards an illegitimate child?" he asked abruptly.

Frederica gasped and sprang to her feet.

"It is the outside of enough that you wish to hire a... a fancy woman in the first place, my lord. But that you would actually plan for children to result from such a union..." She headed for the library door.

"I believe I have heard quite enough, Lord Sea brooke," she said scathingly over her shoulder. What could Thomas possibly say in defence of that ridiculous betrothal now? She had all the proof she needed.

With two long strides, Lord Sea brooke placed himself between her and the door.

"Miss Cherrystone, I'm not sure what bee you have in your bonnet, but I beg you to sit down and hear me out. I'll not have you leaving in this state of mind, to spread scandal about the streets of London when I have been at such pains to keep this quiet."

"Scandal! You deserve to have scandal spread about you!" exclaimed Frederica. She was so angry that she was near tears. How dared he betroth himself to her and then advertise openly for a mistress!

"Pray let me pa.s.s, sir. I will not remain here to be insulted."

To her astonishment, Lord Sea brooke began to laugh. Far from stepping out of her way, he took her hand in his, leading her back to her chair. She pulled against his grip, but her strength was no match for his.

"Let me go!" she panted. I'll have the authorities on you for this! "

She was afraid to straggle too violently, for fear that her wig might be knocked askew.

What would it do to her reputation to be discovered here, in such a situation? Thomas might well insist on her marriage as a result, she realized.

Still chuckling, the earl pushed her firmly into the chair.

"Sit, Miss Cherrystone," he said, and there was an edge of steel under the laughter that kept Frederica from immediately disobeying him.

"You are labouring under a misapprehension, and I intend to clear it up. I would never dream of insulting a paragon such as yourself, I a.s.sure you."

"But... but you said" "I phrased things poorly, I must admit. Now hear me out, I beg you."

He again seated himself behind his desk and picked up her references.

"I see here that you had charge of Mrs. Henderson's children for a time," he said, as though their interview had never been interrupted.

Frederica nodded uncertainly. Not knowing what Lord Sea brooke was really looking for, Milly had provided her with quite a variety of references, though she was careful not to claim any skills for Frederica that she did not possess. Certainly she had ample experience with children after her work with the village school, though she could not imagine why that should be important to an unmarried man like Lord Sea- brooke.

"I have recently become the guardian of a child, a little girl, four years of age. Her antecedents are, ah, dubious, but I wish to provide her with the upbringing of a young lady of Ouality.

My housekeeper has found herself unequal to the task of caring for the child in addition to her other duties, nor does Mrs. Abbott, though an admirable woman, have the, ah, background I would wish the child exposed to. For the present, I would prefer that the child's residence here, indeed her very existence, not become public knowledge. Of course, this has made it exceedingly difficult to find the proper person to care for her. I could scarcely advertise for a nanny or governess, could I? " He gave Frederica a wry smile.

This time she felt no inclination to smile back, though the truth was not quite as reprehensible as she had first thought. Still, it was bad enough.

He wished her to care for his illegitimate child!

Doubtless, he wanted the child kept a secret so that his wealthy fiancee would not hear of it and cry off. Although she could see the irony in the situation, somehow she was not tempted to laugh.

"I suppose not," she replied through clenched teeth.

"I realize that being nursemaid to such a child may not exactly suit your notions of what is proper, Miss Cherrystone," Lord Sea brooke continued, "but then, if it did, you would not be the sort of person I want." That disarming smile was still on his face.

"Can I at least prevail upon you to meet Christabel before leaving in a huff."

" Frederica considered. Would Thomas find an illegitimate child in residence under Lord Sea brooke's roof reason enough to cancel her betrothal?

Possibly not. He had already admitted that the man had a reputation of sorts, and whatever incident had led to this child's conception must have occurred nearly five years be~0

DARING DHCEPTION.

DARIN(3 DHCHPTION.

~ I.

fore. Distasteful as it seemed, she needed to discover more. Forcing her lips into a stiff smile, she met Lord Sea brooke's bright blue gaze. "Very well, my lord, if you insist."

"Excellent!" He was beaming now.

"She should be almost ready for her midday meal.

This way, Miss Cherrystone. "

Frederica silently followed him from the room, trying not to let her eyes linger on the broad shoulders or long legs in front of her. His limp was scarcely noticeable now. The man's clothing was impeccable, and of fine workmanship. He certainly didn't dress as though he were in need of money, she thought reluctantly.

"I must say, I had nearly despaired of finding anyone suitable," he said as he led her up the staircase at the back of the hall.

"You wouldn't believe the accents and manners I've had to endure in the course of these interviews. As soon as you opened your mouth, I knew you were the very person I had been seeking."

"I haven't accepted the position yet, my lord," she rominded him severely.

"And surely an accent should not be the first consideration when evaluating a person's suitability to raise a child.

I should think temperament and experience would enter in as well. "

"The experience you apparently have, and after our little altercation in the library, I suspect your temperament is all I could wish. You appear to have very strong views about right and wrong, and no difficulty in expressing them. I have no doubt you are well equipped to mould a young mind." He gave her a sidelong glance, his eyes twinkling.

"Indeed," was all she replied. She would not allow herself to be charmed by him!

Finally, after two more flights of stairs, they reached the very top of the house.