It was a fascinating question and, as she stood there wondering what she should do, her fingers itching to see if she could find the concealed spring, she heard someone approaching and round the bend of the stairs appeared Lord Lynche.

“What are you doing here, Miss Warner?”

The question was abrupt and she knew not only from the tone of his voice but also from the expression on his face that he was disconcerted.

She felt herself colour because she knew that she had been inquisitive, but she replied demurely,

“I am trying to find Mrs. Barnstaple.”

“You will not find her in this part of the building,” Lord Lynche said sharply. “Come with me and I will escort you to the staircase that leads to Mrs. Barnstaple’s apartment.”

Feeling rather like a child who had been rebuked by the Headmaster, Carina followed him downstairs, her skirt making a slight silken sound against the thick carpet, her hand outstretched to touch the banister to give herself support.

They reached the landing on the next floor and Lord Lynche stopped.

“I think, Miss Warner,” he said uncertainly, “that I should apologise to you for my rudeness this morning. I was, in fact, deeply perturbed and worried or I would not have spoken to you in the way I did.”

Although she told herself that she despised Lord Lynche more than any man she had ever met, Carina could not help being a little disarmed by his apology.

She glanced up at him and found his grey eyes on hers.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “It was impertinent of me to say what I did, although, indeed, I meant it for the best.”

“I know you did,” Lord Lynche replied, “and my rudeness was inexcusable, but believe me. Miss Warner, things are not always as easy for me as they appear to you.”

There was a frown between his eyes and a worried note in his voice that made Carina say quickly without thinking,

“I am sorry – I am indeed sorry if I added to your troubles. It is just that I did not think you cared.”

“Care! My God, if you only knew!” Lord Lynche exclaimed.

The ejaculation seemed to burst from him and then to Carina’s surprise he drew a step nearer to her and said in a low voice so that there was no possibility of anyone hearing,

“Miss Warner, please don’t misunderstand me if I suggest that you go away. This post is not for you.”

“Why do you say that?” Carina enquired.

“Because,” he answered, “I have a deep respect for you. You are honest and straightforward. It is not right that you should be mixed up in our affairs or indeed in the intrigues and machinations of my mother.”

“Your mother?” Carina could not help her surprise, it was something she had not expected him to say.