A heartbeat of wonder turned to shock. The shock soon escalated to anger. Hugh had taken the lad to be an unformed boy, vulnerable and in need of help. Why, he had felt sympathy for the boy’s plight: had even vowed to direct Mrs. Bramble to supply a good meal before the lad moved on. What was the reward for such concern?

In return, the boy had deceived everyone. He—no, she—was an accomplished liar who had set out to hoodwink everybody at the Hall. Hugh was at a loss for words. He grasped his whip with stiff hands as he strove to remain calm.

This woman—a very pretty one, at that, no doubt about it—this female had tricked him. Blue eyes gazed at him, wide with horror. Of course, the woman feared the consequences now that he had uncovered the deception. The back of his neck tingled. She had taken him in completely. How could he have been such a fool? He closed his eyes.

He had brought her into his house, offered food, shelter, and Christmas cheer, and in return, she had lied to him. With more lies and more deceit, yet another woman had made him ridiculous. A wave of disgust broke over Hugh, bringing the colour to his face. He closed his ears to the tiny nagging voice. You knew all the time. You would not have taken such trouble with a lad. You would not have cared so much.

Hugh took a long, steady breath. When he spoke, his voice cut the air, as sharp as a whip crack. “I see. You are not who you say? Perhaps your protestation that you have committed no crime is also false?”

The woman flushed scarlet. The blush soon faded, and her cheeks turned dead white. She opened her mouth to speak, but Hugh was too angry to listen. “I will hear no more lies.” He flicked his whip against his boots. “John, come with me. We have business to discuss, pertaining to yesterday’s behaviour.”

John jumped down from the kitchen table, licking sticky fingers. He seemed to be the only one in the room unperturbed at his father’s anger.

Hugh spoke through clenched teeth. “Where is Mrs. Rivers?”

The housekeeper stepped forward.

“We seem to have a strange female person in the house, Mrs. Rivers,” Hugh continued, controlling his fury and speaking quietly. “I suggest you put her to good use in the kitchen.”

The woman started. So, she considered herself above performing the duties of a maid. He let his eyes slide slowly, insultingly, from the tip of the young woman’s heavy boots, up to the unruly curls.

Her face was a picture of dismay. The blue eyes had clouded, and a lip quivered between her teeth. How could he ever have mistaken this young woman for a boy?

She lifted her head high, chin thrust out bravely. Hugh’s anger melted. The horror on her face struck him, suddenly, as ridiculous. He bit his lip and took refuge in as fierce a frown as he could contrive. “Tell me, Miss, what do you truly call yourself? I imagine Philip cannot be your name.” Her blue eyes, huge behind their lashes, glared at him. Her lip quivered again.