Miss Winbolt and the Fortune Hunter by Sylvia Andrew

gave him a chilly look. ‘And now I wish to go back to the others, if you please.’
    He regarded her for a moment, laughter back in his eyes. ‘You disappoint me.’ He smiled. ‘Though I suppose I should really be grateful to you—life was becoming a little dull before I met you. Now I have an additional interest.’
    â€˜And that is?’ said Emily, not altogether sure she wanted his answer.
    â€˜Why, to find the real Emily Winbolt, of course!’
    â€˜I’ve already told you, sir. The real Emily Winbolt is what you see before you. Philip Winbolt’s un married sister, a respectable and respected lady. There is nothing of that gipsy in her. What happened in May was a momentary madness, an aberration. It will not be repeated.’
    He stood back and surveyed her dress and hair. ‘Looking at you now, I can believe it. Did you have to try so hard to put me off the scent with your drab, nun-like appearance? It was a wasted effort, I assure you. That girl is still there, Emily Winbolt, however hard you try to suppress her. It may be that I am the only one to have had the privilege of meeting her, but she is there!’
    His determined tone frightened her. The effect he had had on her on that hillside was something she had never before experienced. She hadn’t under stood it at the time and she didn’t under stand it now. But she wanted no part of it ever again. It was too powerful, too all-consuming. The very thought of it made her tremble. Emily forced herself to be calm as she said, ‘Sir William. Since we are apparently to be near neighbours, and my brother and his wife seem to approve of you, I suppose I shall have to put up with your company. But that is all.’ Her voice rose. ‘However low your opinion of me may be, I am not here as an object for your amusement, to be spoken to as you please!’ She turned away from him, struggling to hide how close to tears she was.
    He watched her for a moment, then turned her back again and put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Forgive me,’ he said remorsefully. ‘I never meant to upset you. But this situation… Shall we make a bargain?’
    Emily looked at him apprehensively, wondering whathe was about to suggest. Was it another trick? But he shook his head at her expression and said softly,
    â€˜You may trust me. I cannot forget the girl I met that day in May, and still hope to meet her again, whatever you say. But I shall respect your wish to ignore our first meeting. And, as far as the rest of the world is concerned, we met for the first time at the Langleys’ ball. Can we not get to know each other as ordinary neighbours? Meet and talk as two people newly introduced? The battle between us may continue in private, Emily, but you need not fear I shall embarrass or tease you again with memories of past behaviour. Agreed?’
    He put out his hand and after a moment’s hesitation Emily reluctantly took it. She would not be able to avoid his company completely in the future without giving rise to awkward questions. This seemed to her to be as good a way forward as any. ‘I agree,’ she said.
    This time there was genuine warmth in his smile. ‘Shall we join the others?’ he asked, offering her his arm. He led her unerringly out of the maze and together they walked back to join the rest of the party in the arbour.
    They were watched by at least two interested parties as they came back. It has to be said that when Rosa and Lady Deardon saw Emily’s heightened colour, and William’s air of satisfaction, they exchanged a look which in less elegant ladies would have been called conspiratorial.

Chapter Five
    B efore the afternoon ended it had been decided that all three Winbolts should visit Charlwood to view the gardens there. William warned them not to expect anything like the order and beauty of Shearings.
    â€˜I have been concentrating my efforts on making the Dower