Most Rebellious Debutante by Karen Abbott Page A

further?
    A sound behind her made her turn back towards the door. It was now pulled open and Lord Rockhaven was manoeuvring his wheelchair into the opening.
    ‘Oh!’
    His face was less than welcoming and, even though he was seated in his wheelchair, he exuded a feral presence. For a moment Lucy was rendered speechless and shesimply stared at him, aware that a warm flush was rising over her face. She now felt guilty at being found upon his doorstep. She shouldn’t have come; he had made it clear he didn’t want company.
    ‘Well?’ Lord Rockhaven demanded. ‘I presume you are here for a purpose? Or were you just passing by?’ He peered past her. ‘And where are your young charges? You haven’t left them alone in the wood, have you?’
    His challenging tone roused Lucy from her confusion. ‘Good day, Lord Rockhaven. A little civility wouldn’t go amiss. I can tell you haven’t had much practice at receiving visitors … or perhaps you have frightened them away by your abrupt manner. And, no, I haven’t left the children in the wood. They are … away … at the moment. Get down, Wellington! Lord Rockhaven doesn’t want his face licked!’
    Wellington immediately sat down, his tongue hanging from his open mouth as he surveyed the confrontation.
    ‘At least
he
does as he’s told,’ Lord Rockhaven growled. ‘I always knew dogs had more sense than people.’
    ‘And at least
I
have a social conscience!’ Lucy retorted in retaliation. ‘I was worried about you. When there was no sign of you last week when we called—’
    ‘In flagrant defiance of my request that you stay away,’ Lord Rockhaven was swift to interject.
    ‘Yes … well, it was quite unintentional on
my
part!’ Lucy hastened to assure him sharply, lest he think she felt any sort of feminine tenderness towards him. ‘It was … well, Bertie felt concerned about you and slipped away without my knowledge.’ She could hardly bear to look at his face, so thunderous was his expression. However, not one to give upat the first hint of discouragement, she hurtled on, ‘And …er … afterwards, I … I feared you might have been … harmed … in some way. So, I came on my own today to make sure you are well … and to … er …’ She glanced down at the basket that hung on her arm.
    ‘To bring me some morsel of food, I suppose. Well, I don’t need charity!’ Lord Rockhaven snapped. ‘If I had a need of anything, I would send Staines to buy it … and I told you not to tell anyone I am here! I suppose your employer is now busybodying about the village, telling everybody she meets. Good God, woman! I know I made it seem like a game to the children but it’s no game, believe you me. My very life might be now in danger thanks to you and your meddling!’
    His hands dropped to the large wheels at the side of his chair and, with a snort of fury, he began to reverse into the cottage.
    ‘I have told no one!’ Lucy snapped back. ‘Neither have the children. Speaking of whom, they have better manners than you and would be showing some gratitude for a neighbourly visit!’
    Her words halted him. ‘Ha! A neighbourly visit, is it? Trespassing more like! Don’t think I don’t know you bring those children to play in my wood every day, vandalizing my trees.’
    ‘It isn’t
your
wood and we have done no vandalizing. We were building a pirates’ den there. Oh!’ Her free hand flew to cover her mouth. ‘I’m sorry! I didn’t mean …’ She paused, suddenly aware that he was probably self-conscious of his disfigurement and might take offence at the children’s assumption that he was a pirate, even though he had gone along with the idea the day they met.
    A look of exasperation swept across Lord Rockhaven’s face and he slumped back into his chair. When he spoke, it was in a more conciliatory tone. He waved a hand towards her vaguely.
    ‘Your words do not hurt me. I’m sorry … it is I who should be apologizing. You are right: my behaviour is