A Lady Never Tells(62)

Grabbing her skirts in one hand, she trotted across the yard and slipped around the corner. A long green path of grass stretched before her, running between a wall and the side of the castle, with a tall iron gate at the end of it. There was no one in sight, and Mary hesitated. Had he come this way? And could it really have been Cosmo?

She started across the grass, moving quietly. There was a recess in the building ahead. Mary slowed as she reached the corner. Placing one hand on the stone wall, she leaned forward.

“Mary!”

She jumped and whirled around. Sir Royce hurried toward her, scowling.

“Where the devil did you go?” He came up beside her and took her arm. “I turned around, and you were gone.”

Blast! Well, if that had been Cosmo, no doubt he was long gone. Mary jerked her arm away. “I was not aware that I had to report my movements to you.”

He grimaced. “I’m responsible for you. You can’t expect me to let you go running loose wherever you want.”

“It may surprise you to learn that I managed to take care of myself for twenty-five years without your guidance.”

“And I’m beginning to think that it’s a wonder you survived.”

The two of them glared at each other. Then Sir Royce heaved a sigh. “Devil take it.” He opened his arms, palms up in an exculpatory gesture. “I’m sorry. I am not usually so …”

“Overbearing?” Mary suggested sweetly.

His mouth twitched. “Yes. Overbearing. I just—I’m not accustomed to having to keep an eye out for anyone. It frightened me when I couldn’t find you. London can be a dangerous place—much more so than you realize, I fear. The area around the Tower is not exactly Mayfair. You could get into far worse trouble than you did the other day—through no fault of your own,” he added hastily.

Mary had to laugh. “That was very diplomatic of you.”

He grinned. “I’m learning. I may be slow, but …” He shrugged. Stepping back, he glanced around. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“I, um, thought I saw one of the ravens,” Mary offered, referring to another of the Tower’s legends. “I wanted a closer look, but I must have frightened it off.”

“They’re nothing special, really, just ravens.”

“They sound special to me if the monarchy will crumble if they disappear.”

“Not likely; I believe they clip their wings to make sure they stay around.” He moved forward. “Did it go around here?”

“I thought so,” Mary said, quickly following him. It suddenly occurred to her that if Cosmo had ducked around the corner of the building, he might still be there; there might not be an exit. And she had no desire for Sir Royce to come face to face with her stepfather.#p#分页标题#e#

She was relieved to find that she and Royce were all alone in a sort of alcove. Mary glanced around. “Well, I must have been mistaken.” She turned back to Royce. “No doubt we should rejoin the others.”

“No doubt.” He was looking down into her face, and there was a certain light in his eyes that made Mary suddenly feel warm and a little fidgety.

She turned away. It was ridiculous to feel this way—uncomfortable in Royce’s presence, yet at the same time wanting quite fiercely to remain there. “I … um … I should thank you for coming to look for me. I am not entirely naïve; I know there are dangers in a huge city like this. I should not have snapped at you.”

His eyebrows soared. “Are you feeling quite right?”

Mary gave him a quelling look. “Don’t spoil it. I am attempting to be more proper. Our new chaperone told me twice yesterday that I didn’t act in a proper manner.”

“No! I can scarcely credit it.”

“There is no need to be sarcastic.”

“Lily regaled me with her opinion of your new chaperone. If she is indeed as Lily described her, I tremble at the thought of the days ahead.”

Mary sighed. “I do as well. Perhaps Miss Dalrymple will improve upon further acquaintance. She may have been trying to impress the earl with her competence.”

“Perhaps.”

Mary glanced at him. “I wish I could believe that.”

“You could speak to Oliver,” he suggested.

“No. I fear it would only confirm his opinion that we are difficult and unruly. In truth, I have not yet given her a fair trial. Besides, we have to learn those things. I quite see that we cannot live here and remain the way we are. We would be an embarrassment to the earl.”

“I am sure he would not wish you to be … hounded or changed into something other than you are.”