Mistress of Merrivale by Shelley Munro Page B

she batted her lashes at him. “It won’t be the same without you.”
    “Please excuse me,” Jocelyn said in a stiff voice. “I must attend my mother.” With a nod at Peregrine and a strained smile at Hannah, she hurried to the doorway. When she passed Leo, her lips warmed into a genuine beam. “I won’t be long.”
    Leo glanced in the direction of the hoarse screams. “We’ll talk once our visitors leave.”
    “Of course.” Jocelyn tried not to read too much into his glower. She had nothing to worry about, because she hadn’t encouraged Peregrine. Still, anxiety stalked her all the way to her mother’s rooms. She wanted Leo to trust her. Her thoughts slid to Peregrine and uneasiness joined her concern. His warning words implied something was amiss at Merrivale. Was he implying Leo was the source of the danger?
    The screams grew progressively louder until they drowned out Jocelyn’s doubts.
    Grimacing, she tapped on the door before entering. “Mother, is this shrieking necessary? You’re upsetting Cassie and making her cry.”
    The caterwauling ceased abruptly.
    “Have you collected herbs for me? I need them to make my rinse for your husband.”
    Jocelyn fought an urge to bang her head against the nearest wall. In a quicksilver change of direction her mother appeared to have forgotten the spy she’d spotted lurking in the garden. “No, Mother. I had unexpected visitors. Leo is with them now, but as soon as they leave, I’ll collect the herbs and flowers you require.” She wanted to speak with the gardener anyway. Hopefully, he’d reported his findings to Woodley already.
    Leaving Tilly to organize her mother, she returned to the parlor. To her relief, only Leo and Cassie remained. Arabella arrived at the same time and, after a glare in Jocelyn’s direction, took charge of Cassie and marched the child from the room.
    “I’m sorry my mother upset Cassie.”
    “I suspect Cassie is still unwell,” Leo said, his words clipped and precise.
    Jocelyn winced, wary of his mood. She didn’t know him well enough to predict his temper. “Did you hear about the party?”
    “Yes, Hannah informed me of the invitation.”
    Jocelyn bit her lip. Stupid. She’d heard Hannah repeat the invitation herself. “I’m looking forward to meeting our other neighbors.”
    Leo prowled to the nearest window. He stared out over the garden, his back stiff. Yesterday he’d reminded her of a graceful beast. Today his prowling seemed faintly menacing, especially in light of Peregrine’s strange warnings. Leo whirled to face her, the sudden move making her jump. “Are you bored with living in the country? Jaded with my company already?”
    Jocelyn gaped at him. “Of course not.”
    “You appeared to enjoy Peregrine’s company.” Leo’s harsh tone surprised her too. Had last night meant nothing to him?
    “They weren’t here for long before you arrived. Mother had one of her episodes out in the garden.”
    “I heard.” Leo’s tone was short.
    Someone tapped on the door, halting the tart reply trembling at her lips.
    “Enter,” Leo said without taking his gaze off her.
    Woodley stopped just inside the door. “Mrs. Sherbourne, the gardener is here to see you. He said you’d told him to talk to me, but I felt you should hear what he has to say in person.”
    Leo’s eyes narrowed, but Jocelyn’s gaze didn’t waver. There was something in Leo’s past—something relating to his first marriage—that made him distrustful. Part of her understood his testy attitude because he didn’t know her well either. Not yet. It’d take time for him to believe she’d never betray him. Taming Leo would require patience and resilience, which thankfully she possessed in abundance after dealing with her sisters and mother and the hellish mess her father had landed her in on his death.
    “Of course. Tell him I’ll be out in a few minutes. I promised to collect some herbs and flowers for my mother anyway.”
    “Yes, Mrs.