Page 153 of Storm of Bells
His back snapped straight as a rod of iron.‘Nothing of the kind!’
‘You’re not used to being reprimanded, areyou? Dear me, this is fun.’
‘I must say, I do not share your optimisticview of the situation, Miss Linton.’ Tightening his grip on mywrists, he whirled me around and pressed me backwards behind thecottage’s chimney, out of sight of the eager crowd probablywatching from below. Hard stone pressed into my back, and, itseemed, into my front as well. I was caught between a rock and ahard place—and there wasn’t any place I’d rather be. ‘If notblackening my reputation, then what exactly are you doing here,Miss Linton?’
If you have to ask, you’re not ready for theanswer yet.
‘The good reverend came by to tell me abouthow he’s been asking you for help on behalf of the villagers.’ Iblinked up at him, innocently. ‘I couldn’t believe that you hadn’tyet taken care of the matter. So, knowing how much you value yourtime, I thought I’d do it for you.’
‘How gracious of you.’ His hands slammedagainst the brick on either side of me, caging me in. ‘And praytell me, Miss Linton—who is supposed to pay for all theimprovements you have initiated?’
‘Well…um…’
‘I’m waiting, Miss Linton.’
So was I—for a good way to occur to me totell him that he had a whopping bill coming. No such way wasforthcoming, however. So I gave him the only answer I had. Grabbinghold of his face, I pulled him down and kissed him.
‘Miss Linton! If you think you can distractme from the issue at hand with such tactics, you are severely—’
My hands tangled in his hair, pulling himcloser against me. A groan rose from the back of his throat.
Ah. It appeared I was severelysuccessful.
‘My Lady? My mum was wondering—My Lady!’
The boy’s voice tore me abruptly from thehard, muscled heaven inside Mr Rikkard Ambrose’s arms. A moment ortwo later, something collided with Mr Ambrose’s back, and littlefists started pounding on his back.
‘You…blackguard! Rogue! Get your paws off MyLady! Do you hear me! Get off her!’
Mr Ambrose’s lips abruptly detached frommine. Our eyes met, and there was a command in his.Do notlaugh. Do not dare laugh.
I didn’t.
Well, at least not out loud.
Turning slowly, Mr Ambrose reached out,grabbed young Tom by the collar and lifted him in the air until hewas on eye level. Always on the lookout for opportunities, like theclever young fellow he was, Tom took this chance to aim a blow atMr Ambrose’s nose. Before his hand had even travelled half the way,Mr Ambrose caught it in mid-air.
He did not, however, catch the kick that camehalf a second later.
‘Ngrrmph!’
‘Good one!’ I clapped—then realized thatmight not have been entirely suitable behaviour for a lovingfiancée. ‘Um…I mean, you’re a bad boy, Tommy. A very bad boy.’
‘He was kissing you, My Lady! Boys aren’tsupposed to kiss girls they’re not married to. My mum told methat.’
‘Did she, now.’ Teeth gritted, Mr Ambroseextended his arm until Tommy was dangling out of kicking distance.That didn’t mean the plucky little fellow didn’t still try, though.You had to admire his persistence. ‘And who is your mother,boy?’
‘My mother’s name is Gwen.’ The boy raisedhis chin defiantly. And his foot, too. But unfortunately for him,it was still out of reach. ‘Gwen Delaney.’
‘Indeed?’
‘Aye! And don’t you change the subject! Youwere kissing Her Ladyship when you weren’t supposed to. You aren’tmarried yet, are you?’
‘I was inspecting the product,’ Mr Ambrosetold him, coolly. ‘You wouldn’t buy a horse without checking itsteeth, now, would you?’
Thatearned him a kick fromme.
‘Nnng!’
