My Father's Gift Page 4

  *

  She found her mother entertaining her guest in the drawing room. He was an older gentleman, and was still handsome in his advancing years even though what had once been muscle was already beginning the transition to fat. His waistcoat strained a little when he sat, although Annalise noticed he was quick to stand when she entered the room.

  Her mother was less enthusiastic to greet her. Nevertheless, she made the introductions as was proper and Annalise was invited to sit with them and take tea. She sipped at it delicately as she listened to her mother try to keep the conversation going.

  It wasn’t long, however, before the gentleman caller made his excuses and left, leaving Annalise alone. She didn’t waste any time.

  “The girl Abigail,” she murmured, not waiting for her mother to chastise her. “You dismissed her.”

  “I did.”

  “Why?”

  “She was a wastrel and a dreamer. She did not fulfil her duties adequately.”

  Annalise nodded. “I see.” She put down her cup and finally looked her mother in the eye.

  “Abigail will return to work tomorrow. You will ensure this happens. You are not the mistress of this house and the staff are not yours to bully.” She stood, brushing imaginary dust from her skirts before staring once more at her mother. “You are not welcome here, but until such time as I can have you removed, I will suffer your invasion.”

  She left before her mother had a chance to react and made her way through the house. It felt disturbed- too many people had walked through its halls, poking and prodding at anything they could. They had tainted it.

  Her mouth turned down at the corners and her expression soured. She could feel it around her- a soupiness to the air filled with other people.

  “You have the bite of a kitten,” he said.

  Her heart squeezed a little at the sound of his voice and she hid the smile that threatened when she turned a corner and saw him lounging against the wall. “And yet your expression is ferocious.”

  She ignored him, walking past without looking at him. She heard him chuckle and the rustle of material as he followed her.

  “One would be forgiven for thinking you are a stalker,” she murmured. “One quite obsessed with me at the moment.”

  “Yet you do not scream for help, nor question that I am in your home.”

  “My father wanted us to meet. There is a ring of truth to it when you speak. In all but his partners, my father was an excellent judge of character. He taught me to see through the deceptions of people.”

  “So you trust me,” he chuckled.

  She allowed herself a small smile and glanced at him briefly.

  “I wouldn’t go as far as to say that,” she said. “Let us just accept that I distrust you less than many others.”

  He laughed again.

  “I like you Annalise. Should the time come, I believe I will have a lot of fun working with you.”

  They had come to a stop outside her personal rooms. She turned to him, and he bowed before taking his leave. She watched his back as he walked back the way they had come. His footsteps disappeared as soon as he turned the corner.

  Annalise frowned, though she didn’t pursue him. He was a mystery to her, but she knew too that he was a secret. Her secret. The thought was comforting. Something she alone shared with her father.