in so insulting a fashion! Father, discharge this man at once.”
Ever the agent of appeasement, Earlington stepped between them. “Mr. Slayter, despite her delicate appearance, my daughter is a very strong woman. She has never been one to back down from a challenge, even as a little girl. I’m certain she realizes fully what is at stake. Nevertheless, I cannot take any chances with her safety.” Earlington took Serena’s hands in his. “Serena, my dear, I need you to please me in this matter. I know that having Mr. Slayter as a constant presence may be a slight inconvenience. But at least with a protector you will not be a prisoner of your rooms. As long as Mr. Slayter is with you, you may be at liberty to ride, take walks, and travel into the village. And if your desire is that my heart should be at peace, then please accept Mr. Slayter as your protector.”
Serena looked into her father’s concerned face, and the rigid reluctance in her posture softened. She sighed deeply.
But one glance at Mr. Slayter, whose expression was just a shade too triumphant, and she stiffened once more.
“Mr. Slayter, I hope that you have a thoroughly unpleasant stay.” She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.
TEN
Serena closed the door to her bedroom and leaned her back against it. The nerve of that man! It was bad enough that she had to suffer more of this wretched country. But to do so in the intimate company of an impertinent and overbearing servant was more than she was willing to endure. She had to think of a way out of this predicament. Overwhelmed, she let her head fall back against the door.
The knock on the other side nearly tore a scream out of her.
“Who is it?”
“’Tis Caointiorn, miss.”
Quinny! She’d forgotten that she’d asked to have a horse saddled. She opened the door.
The thin girl darted into the room like a mouse fleeing daylight. She began to burble something in Gaelic.
“What are you chuntering about, Quinny?”
“There’s a grit ark o’ a mon ootside, wi’ the de’il’s oon face, on he’s heided straight fo’ here.”
Serena harrumphed, knowing immediately what put Quinny out of sorts. “That will be my new protector. I don’t want him snagged upon my skirts any more than you do. We have to get rid of him somehow. If he comes here, tell him I’m indisposed.”
“Please, miss.” She cringed, as if Serena had asked her to walk through a house on fire. “A dinna ken hoo—”
A forceful knock made Quinny gasp.
Serena motioned to her to answer the door. Quinny wrung her hands upon her pinafore, shaking her head.
Serena rolled her eyes. “Who is it?”
“I’d tell ye, but ye’d probably forget the name.”
Slayter! She turned to face the door, annoyance robbing her of the composure in her voice. “What do you want?”
“I’d like to come in.”
“I don’t want a protector. I thought I’d made myself perfectly clear.”
“Aye. That ye did.”
She puzzled over the uncertain victory. “Very well, then. Good day.”
“But what ye want and what ye’re going to get are two very different things, Miss Marsh.”
“I will not have you giving me orders. Leave the environs of my rooms immediately.”
The handle on the door shook as he tested it. “Ye’ll open the door.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Miss Marsh, I’m warning ye. I must inspect yer rooms. Let me in or I shall break down this door.”
Fury exploded inside her. She wasn’t about to yell at him from inside her room like a cowering ninny. She wanted to yell at him face-to-face.
She turned the key in the lock and flung open the door. “How dare you speak to me in so impudent a manner ! I will not—”
The words died in her mouth as he shouldered his way past her into the bedroom. Her mouth fell open, appalled at his insolence. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I hate to seem discourteous, but … actually, I don’t. Get out!”
“By God, yer mouth alone is enough to keep assassins at bay.”
She pursed her lips. “And you are becoming increasingly underfoot.”
He cast a hard look at Quinny, who quaked in a corner. “Who’s this?”
Serena stepped beside the maid. Next to Mr. Slayter, Quinny looked like a child. “Quinny serves as lady’s companion to me.”
“Ye’ll have no more need of a companion. Ye’ve got me now.”
She stuck her nose in the air. “It is highly improper for a lady to entertain gentlemen unchaperoned.”
“Miss Marsh, ye’re no’ entertaining me. If ye