Chapter 1

 

'I told you to leave with the others! Why didn't you follow my orders?' The Viscount raised his deep voice. As he spoke, he could not help but look upon the shapely, pert bottom of the maid who was bent down, and who appeared to be engrossed in polishing the large dining table.

'I am sorry, my lord. I thought I could be of better use to you here.' Tara tried to stop her voice from trembling as she turned to find herself confronted by the towering, well-built frame of the Viscount.

'And, pray tell me, how do you think you could be of any use to me?' The Viscount stepped towards her, fully aware of her uneasiness as she refused to look at him directly in the eyes.

'I thought you would need an extra pair of hands to help complete the household tasks. This is a large estate; it will be too much work for Martha to cope with by herself, especially in her old age. She is the only one that has chosen to remain here; the others went this morning,' Tara rambled on, trying to get her words out in her nervousness.

'Yes, Martha is still here, like she has always been for over forty years, and I expect her to remain here till she departs from this world.' The Viscount spoke without any trace of emotion. 'But what is your excuse? Your real reason for staying behind? I gave you a chance to leave this place, to escape, but you didn't take it like the others, who were more than happy to go, with their wages up till the end of the month safe in their pockets.'

'My lord, as I mentioned, I thought I could be of help to both Martha and to you if I stayed behind.' Tara repeated her reason, trying to hide any frustration that she was beginning to feel.

She felt her cheeks begin to burn as the Viscount stepped closer to her.