Page 49

“You most certainly did.”

“You imagined it.”

“I should like to imagine another.”

That brought her eyes to his. For one startling second, neither moved. The corridor seemed strangely quiet despite the distant voices from below. Baines’ expression had changed again. The playfulness remained, but something warmer had entered his gaze, something which made Judith suddenly conscious that they were quite alone. This was what she had resolved to prevent. She stepped backwards. “I must see to the supplies.”

“What supplies?”

She hesitated but it was already too late. His attention had sharpened.

“Nothing for you to concern yourself with, sir.”

“Those are invariably the things which concern me most.”

“I am merely assembling food and coal for local families.”

His expression relaxed. “For the Bells?”

“Yes, and others.”

He was silent for a moment. “May I help?”

Judith stared. “I do not require help.”

“I do not doubt it, but it is not the same as saying help would be unwelcome.”

“In your case, it is precisely the same.”

He laughed. “There is the Miss Finch I know.”

“You do not know me.”

“Not yet.”

The two words ought to have been innocuous; they were not. Judith turned away. “I truly do have things to accomplish.”

This time he did not follow her. She had nearly reached the servants’ stairs when he called after her.

“Miss Finch?”

Judith stopped.

“I shall contribute to your plan.”

She turned slowly.

“How do you know there is a plan?”

Baines looked entirely too pleased with himself. “The walls at Blackthorn are old.”

“You were listening!”

“I was reading.”

“Outside the library door? You are shameless.” Judith marched back towards him. “You had no right.”

He did not retreat. “I heard enough to know you were proposing relief for the villagers, nothing more.”