Page 46
“A grievous error, clearly.”
“You might have sent me to school.”
His smile came unwillingly, and Judith relaxed a little.
“I shall think about the relief fund.”
“I presume then, by that means, you intend to deny the scheme.”
“Then you presume wrongly, my dear. I shall think about it.”
“When will you have thought upon the matter?”
Sir Lionel stared at her in disbelief.
“A date improves thinking.”
He burst out laughing.
“Very well. You shall have my answer before dinner tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” She rose.
“Judith…” Sir Lionel’s amusement had faded. “Do be careful.”
The warning touched far too close to Major Baines’ words in the stable yard. “In what way, sir?”
“Men are frightened and magistrates are nervous. With what is happening in Scotland, anyone connected even loosely with radicals may find himself examined more closely than he likes.”
“Or herself?”
His gaze sharpened. “Herself, my dear; especially herself.”
Judith kept her face composed. “I shall bear that in mind.”
She left the room before he might ask anything more inconvenient. Unfortunately, the corridor contained something worse than questions from her uncle.
Major Baines’ large frame loomed before her. Naturally, she thought with some irritation. He stood near the library door with one shoulder against the wall and a book open in his hand. The pose suggested idleness so perfectly that Judith knew at once he had heard. How much he had learned was another matter. She continued walking.
“Miss Finch?”
“Major?”
“You look victorious. Have you conquered something?”
“My uncle.”
“An unequal contest, to be sure.”
She stopped. “That is unkind.”
“To whom?”
Judith almost smiled, remembered herself, and resumed walking.
Baines fell into step beside her. Avoidance of the man was proving difficult. “Do you spend your entire day appearing wherever you are least wanted?”
“You looked lonely.”
