A Kiss from the Heart by Barbara Cartland

he was delighted to see that his brother, Alec, was already seated.
    â€œYou are feeling better?” he asked, rushing towards him to clap him on the back.
    â€œThe plaster all came off this afternoon while you were out,” he replied. “I still have my leg strapped up, but at least I can walk a little on it.”
    The Earl tried to ignore the peacock-hued vision at the end of the table. Lady Waterton had donned a costume of questionable taste for dinner.
    â€œBut don’t worry, Robert,” continued Alec. “I will not be fit enough yet awhile to interfere with the great new plans you have for the Hall and estate!”
    â€œYou must sit next to me,” crooned Lady Waterton, patting the chair beside her with an enormous feather fan.
    The Earl gave a thin smile and moved to the seat.
    â€œDid you have a pleasant afternoon?” asked his mother, signalling to Stringer to begin serving the meal.
    â€œYes indeed, Mama, I went to see Sir George with the plans. He thought them ambitious and innovative.”
    Stringer placed a cup of consommé in front of him.
    â€œI would so very much like to see your plans,” said Lady Waterton, setting her fan in her lap.
    â€œI am afraid that you would find them very dull,” countered the Earl.
    â€œBut I have some knowledge of renovation work. My late husband undertook a great many improvements on our house in Scotland.”
    â€œOh, I would never presume to bore you while you are staying with us. There is so much else to enjoy. Did Stringer not give you the details of this weekend’s hunt?”
    With the subject neatly changed, she knew better than to persist. She could tell that he was not going to be easily won over!
    â€˜Most likely, he is too much of a man’s man,’ she decided, picking up her fan and spreading it across her face in what she felt was a coquettish and delightful pose. ‘All that time spent with his Regiment – ’
    The conversation did not flow freely that evening.
    The Earl answered all her questions briefly and no amount of fluttering on the part of Lady Waterton appeared to soften his disposition.
    As much as possible he only addressed himself to her out of politeness, preferring to talk to Alec or to remain silent.
    The Countess sat at the head of the table and grew increasingly frustrated with him. This was not how she had envisaged the evening would progress!
    As the last dishes were cleared at the end of the meal, the Earl dabbed his mouth and announced,
    â€œMama, I am now thinking of re-employing Miss Jenkins – Papa’s old secretary. I fear that I am unable to cope with the amount of estate paperwork and if we are to return the house to its former glory, then I will need help.”
    â€œWhat a splendid idea, Robert! She is undoubtedly a suitable and upright woman and I will be happy to have her back at the Hall. Your father spoke so very highly of her diligence.”
    â€œAnd I have also asked Miranda Whitby to help me with overseeing the workmen.”
    This remark was met with a stony silence and his mother’s face took on a sour air.
    â€œDo you mean that I shall have to endure that little ragamuffin in my house?”
    The Earl was taken aback. He had not expected such a reaction.
    Flying to Miranda’s defence, he replied,
    â€œBut Mama, she is grown up now and quite the young lady!”
    â€œNonsense, once a tomboy always a tomboy. I had thought that her aunt had found her some Lord or other to marry in London?”
    The Earl did not know how to respond. Surely his mother was not harbouring a grudge after all this time?
    He remembered that his mother had never forgiven Miranda for the snowdrift accident and that she had unfairly blamed the girl totally, even though she had saved him.
    â€œI think Miss Whitby would have mentioned to me if she was engaged,” he said in a tone that belied his inner turmoil. “And I hardly think her future