‘You bloody gentry!’ he said, as if he was about to spit in her face. ‘Just who do you think you are? Find yourself born into a bit of money and you think you’re better than everyone else, that people like me aren’t fit to lick your blasted boots. You and your big words and fine phrases! How dare you speak to me in that bloody damn superior voice and manner. Think yourself a lady, do you? Well, I’ll tell you this, Miss full of airs and graces Ameline Beswetherick. I’ve only met two real ladies in my life. One is my mother, who was born into what the likes of you sneeringly call trade. The other is Kerensa Pengarron, and you’re no match for either of them. While you’re up there lording it at the manor, just you watch Kerensa closely. She may have been born a peasant in this very cove, but you could learn a few things from her.’

Ameline clasped her fists to her gaping mouth. When the vicious tirade was finally over she gave a small choked cry and ran back to Kernick. Stumbling over the shingle she was crying wretchedly when she reached the pony and in such a state of agitation she could not mount. Her hands and feet were unable to gain purchase and she became frantic in her need to get away from the cove and the angry young man.

But he had followed her and caught both her hands as they scrambled for the reins. Ameline screamed shrilly as he swung her round.

‘Shut up that squawking or I’ll shake you till your bones rattle,’ he threatened loudly.

Ameline stopped, the shock of his words as effective in their intonation as their content.

‘You’re not going to let me stop you looking round the cove, are you?’ he said, slipping into an amiable tone. ‘Come on, there’s a lot to see, I’ll show you around. And don’t worry about your escort up there, he’s fast asleep by his pony, but you don’t need him anyway, I won’t hurt you. By the way, my name is Bartholomew Drannock.’

He stalked off leaving her feeling drained and a little faint. She rearranged her hat and dabbed a scrap of lace to her eyes. It did not occur to Ameline that she did not have to obey his command. She didn’t wonder why he’d had a change of heart. The only thing that kept running through her mind was that she could have coped with this dreadful dark-eyed, blackhaired young man if he wasn’t so incredibly handsome.