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‘No.’
I gave him my best ‘kiss my generous butt’ smile. ‘What a shame.’
With one tug, I pulled my hand free of his grip. He gazed at me for a moment longer - then whirled around and stalked out of the room, the tails of his coat flapping behind him like raven’s wings.
I stood there for a moment, unable to move, gazing after him.
That moment was enough for the huntress to catch up to me.
‘What was all that about?’ a familiar voice hissed into my ear.
‘Oh. Hello, Lady Adaira. What a lovely morning it is, don’t you think?’
‘Really? Talking about the weather?’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘Is that the best you can do? I would have expected a more imaginative evasion tactic from you.’
To be honest, so would I. But right now, my brain isn’t working very well.
She stepped forward, her sea-coloured eyes, so terribly familiar, boring into me.
‘What happened between you and my brother?’
I smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I didn’t seduce him and rob him of his virtue.’ Yet. ‘We’ve merely had a…difference of opinion.’
‘Ha! And I am Father Christmas.’
‘Well, now that you mention it, I think I see the beginnings of a white beard growing on your face.’
> Adaira was not deterred so easily. One small hand took hold of mine and squeezed gently, caringly - and suddenly I wanted to tell her. I wanted to have a shoulder to cry on. My usual shoulders, attached to my little sister and four best friends, were nowhere in the vicinity, and Adaira was here, and she was strong and understanding, and…
Could I tell her? Would she understand, or would she blame me?
Leaning forward, she pierced me with her foreceful gaze and put an arm around me. ‘Tell me! What has that brother of mine done to make an arse of himself this time?’
I breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank you! Thank you God, for sending me a girl with the right perspective on life!
‘He…he…’
I tried to get the words out. But with dozens of curious eyes still on us, they just wouldn’t come. The tension of the last few days had built up inside me. I longed for the dam to break and the flood to burst out of me, but not here. Not now.
Instinctively, Adaira seemed to understand. Her grip on my hand tightened, and she pulled me towards a door that lead to the hallway.
‘Come. I know a place where we can talk. And besides…’ A mischievous grin spread across her face. ‘If my brother has done something to deserve your ire, Miss Linton, I know just the right way to let off some steam.’
A Flapdoodle in the Snow
‘Aah…’ Sighing, I straightened and gazed contentedly at my handiwork. ‘You were right, Adaira. This is a marvellous way to let off steam. Let me guess - when we’re finished, this will depict…’
‘Yes, it will. Let’s just hope he doesn’t find out.’
‘We’re at the back of the house, behind three rows of hedges. He won’t even know where we are. Plus even if he found out, he can go eat my parasol!’
‘A very commendable sentiment.’ She grinned at me. ‘I have often wanted to make him eat a parasol - or a cow, or a bucket full of rusted nails. However, last time I saw you and my brother together, I had the impression that your feelings towards him were, how shall I put it, of a more tender nature?’
I ground my teeth. ‘Tender my foot! He…he…!’
‘What did he do?’
