“So I understand from our host,” Sir Percy said. “I am only afraid that a pretty girl like you may find it rather dull in the country. You will, I think, long for the bright lights of London.”

“I like the country,” Carina replied defiantly. “I have lived in the country most of my life.”

She moved away from Sir Percy as she spoke and realised that he had no intention of letting her go so easily as he turned and walked beside her.

“Well, we must do our best to see that you don’t become too bored,” he smiled.

“I assure you that I am never bored, there is a great deal to do looking after a small boy.”

“You will have your evenings free,” Sir Percy remarked and there was a wealth of innuendo in his voice.

Carina did not answer, but quickened her pace a little.

‘There is something about him,’ she thought, ‘that is utterly and completely repulsive.’

She had felt it last night when she might have been a little imaginatively unbalanced, but she was feeling it again here in the sunlight.

“I told you that you were pretty,” Sir Percy said thickly, “I am not certain that the expression should not be ‘beautiful’. A beautiful Governess, whoever heard of such a thing?”

Carina looked at her watch, which was pinned on her white blouse inside her coat.

“I have to take – Dipa and I have to see – Lady Lynche,” she stammered. “And it is time we were going in.”

“The Dowager will not be ready for you before twelve,” Sir Percy retorted. “Why should you run away from me?”

“I am not,” Carina protested untruthfully.

“Afraid of hearing a few compliments?” Sir Percy insisted.

“I am not afraid of compliments, but I do not like them.”

“Nonsense!” Sir Percy said firmly. “Every woman likes to hear that she is beautiful. Every woman is pleased to know that she can make a man’s heart beat a little faster. That is what you are doing to me, you know.”

“Quite frankly. Sir Percy, I don’t think that you should be talking to me like this,” Carina said. “You know as well as I do that it is incorrect.”

“Incorrect be damned!” he ejaculated. “I have never tried to do what is correct. I have only done what I have wanted to do, and at the moment, little lady, what I want to do more than anything else is to make love to you.”

“I am sorry, but I cannot stay here and listen,” Carina said. “You are talking nonsense.”

She picked Dipa up from the grass where he had sat down and started to carry him up the garden.

“Let Dipa down! Down!” he cried, struggling against her. “Dipa want see little fishes.”

“Why run away?” Sir Percy asked. “Let the child do as he wants. Come here, I want to talk to you.”