" She is extraordinarily acute , Sothern , you must admit , " interpolated Lady Staplegrove .sx " But of course you can do nothing of the kind .sx You have no choice .sx Neither you nor I have the right to keep her from her guardians .sx " .sx " That is as may be , ma'am , " Jake responded , " but I would rather know the circumstances so that - " .sx " So that you may try to order my life as they have done , " Clementina finished for him .sx " Well , you won't do it .sx I shall tell you nothing .sx Except that I am not Clementina Henlow , and I am not related to Major Henlow in the very least .sx " .sx " But you did run away from his home ?sx " Jake enquired .sx " Yes .sx But that is the only correct information you have .sx And , what is more , I should like to know how you came by it .sx " .sx Jake raised an eyebrow .sx " Certainly .sx There is no secret about that .sx My informant was a Bow Street Runner .sx " .sx Clementina gasped , and Lady Staplegrove uttered a shriek .sx " Oh , no , " Clementina whispered .sx " Oh , no .sx " Her legs felt weak .sx She looked about for the nearest chair .sx Seeing one by the wall behind her , she sank into it .sx " Jake , how could you ?sx " her ladyship scolded .sx " Poor , dear child .sx Wait , I will fetch my smelling-salts .sx " She hurried from the room , the taffeta of her old-fashioned chemise gown rustling about her .sx A couple of swift strides brought Lord Sothern to Clementina's chair , and he knelt beside her , taking her trembling hands and holding them in a comforting clasp .sx " I'm sorry , my child .sx That was thoughtlessly cruel .sx Come , don't fall into a faint .sx It is not as bad as all that .sx " .sx Clementina raised her eyes to his .sx There was desperation in them and in her voice when she spoke .sx " I had not thought that he would go to such lengths .sx I guessed he might look for me himself , follow me even .sx But to put the Runners on to me .sx As though I had been a criminal !sx " Pulling her hands free , she rose suddenly , and began to pace about the large room clasping and unclasping her fingers .sx " This proves how right I was to run away .sx He does not care about me in the least .sx It was all false , all pretence .sx And to think I was willing to do as he wished !sx I thought it would have been the best thing for me , as he said .sx But it was not my welfare he cared for at all .sx No .sx Nor por Jeremy's neither .sx I see it all now , clear enough .sx Well , he will be taken at fault .sx I shall not do it .sx And I shall see to it that he does not get Dunhythe !sx " .sx She stood silent then , breathing hard , her eyes gazing at some picture in her own mind .sx Lord Sothern had said nothing through this tirade , making no attempt either to interrupt or to stop her restless pacing about the room .sx He stood by and watched , hoping perhaps that Clementina's passion would induce her to spill out her story .sx As it chanced he got little by it , but one thing he did know .sx He was not going to hand Clementina back to the man whose purpose she evidently feared , right or no right .sx Lady Staplegrove came bustling back into the room at this moment , armed with a bottle of aromatic vinegar .sx Sothern held up a hand .sx " It's all right , Grandmama .sx She has no need of smelling-salts .sx " .sx He moved to where Clementina stood like a frozen statue , and touched her arm .sx The girl's head jerked round .sx She stared unseeingly for an instant .sx Then she blinked and shook her head slightly as if to clear it .sx " I am sorry .sx I - I did not mean to make a scene .sx " .sx Jake smiled .sx " You appear to have a reason .sx Come .sx Sit down and let us discuss the matter calmly .sx " .sx " There is nothing to discuss , " she said , a little wearily .sx But she sat down on the sofa to which he led her .sx He remained standing , but stayed close .sx Lady Staplegrove laid down her vinaigrette , and came over to sit on her other side .sx " There is , on the contrary , a great deal to be discussed , my dear child .sx I am consumed with curiosity , and I cannot rest until I know why this Major Henlow should have sent the Runners after you .sx Unless of course you are really a maid and have made off with the silver or some such thing ?sx " .sx " Grandmama , do you mind ?sx " Jake protested .sx " Well , it is possible .sx Though an adventuress would be better .sx I know .sx You meant to marry him , but decided instead to help yourself to his gold .sx And who shall blame you ?sx " .sx " If , ma'am , you would confine your romantical notions to the novels you are so fond of reading , " Jake said acidly , " we should do very much better .sx " .sx " Oh , tush , Sothern !sx I was only trying to divert her .sx Dear Clementina , you shall tell us nothing at all if you don't wish to .sx " She put out a hand and patted the girl's arm .sx " And don't fret .sx You may stay here with me for as long as you wish .sx Or at least until you have decided what you would wish to do .sx " .sx " Grandmama - " .sx " No , Sothern , I will not hear a word .sx I know it is our duty to restore Clementina as soon as may be , but I , for one , have no intention of doing my duty towards a man who calls out the Bow Street Runners after a mere child .sx " .sx The Earl grinned .sx " I might have guessed .sx Well said , Grandmama .sx I am in full agreement with you .sx " .sx Clementina gazed from one to the other , new hope dawning in her eyes .sx " You mean you will not force me to go back ?sx Even if I tell you nothing ?sx " .sx " Gracious heaven , don't dare say a word !sx " exclaimed the dowager .sx " You would utterly spoil everything , just when I am settling down to puzzle out the story .sx " .sx Jake groaned .sx " Grandmama , would you be serious for just one moment ?sx " .sx " But I am perfectly serious !sx If only you will eke out the clues , Clementina , I may be amused for hours guessing at you purpose .sx " .sx Clementina's lips twitched , and a chuckle escaped her .sx " Oh , ma'am !sx " .sx Lady Staplegrove leaned forward and patted her hand .sx " There , that is better .sx You see , you have nothing at all to worry about .sx " She glanced at the large gilt clock on the mantelshelf .sx " Dear me , only look at the time !sx I have an engagement , and I am going to be late .sx " She got up .sx " I must go , my dear , but what is to be done ?sx I cannot leave Sothern with you .sx It would be quite irregular .sx But then who is to entertain you ?sx " .sx Jake bowed .sx " Have no fear , ma'am .sx In this instance I am to be trusted to behave with all the propriety in the world .sx " .sx His grandmother snorted .sx " Do you think I don't know that ?sx However , since your purpose in bringing her to me was to prevent any scandal attaching to Clementina , it must be an object with us to avoid giving the tattlemongers any food for gossip .sx " .sx " Oh , indeed , " agreed his lordship , moving to open the door for her .sx " But who is to see us here , Grandmama ?sx " .sx " Use your head , Sothern , do .sx From whose mouths but those of servants do you suppose the tabbies cull their choicest morsels ?sx No , it will not do .sx " .sx " Very well , ma'am .sx Perhaps Clementina would care to drive out with me instead ?sx " .sx He glanced at Clementina as he spoke , and smiled at her startled expression .sx " Or do you not care for driving ?sx " .sx " Oh , yes , but - " .sx " An excellent suggestion , " chimed in the dowager .sx " No one could object to that .sx It is quite in the mode to be seen in the park with a gentleman .sx A groom up behind , too .sx " .sx She bustled over to her charge , pulled her up from the sofa , and began to push her towards the door .sx " What a pity we did not keep the cherry riding habit , though to be sure it became you not .sx Still , you may wear the sprigged walking dress and the blue pelisse .sx Murray shall lend you my chinchilla muff , and - " .sx " But , ma'am , I cannot , " Clementina cried , breaking in on these cheerful plans before Lady Staplegrove had quite managed to thrust her from the room .sx " I mean , it wouldn't be - I am not here to - " .sx " Oh , tush , child !sx What a piece of work you make of a very small matter !sx " The dowager turned to her grandson .sx " Persuade her , dear boy .sx I positively must go .sx " .sx She opened the door and whisked from the room , only to pop her head in again a second later .sx " Shall we see you at Maria Spencer's musical soir e e this evening ?sx A very dull affair , with a number of talentless performers , I gather , but what would you ?sx One must be seen .sx " .sx " I shall be devastated to miss it , of course , " said Jake satirically , " but I am otherwise engaged .sx " .sx He reddened very slightly on the words , and his grandmother's keen eye sharpened .sx " I see , " she said flatly .sx There was a brief pause .sx Clementina glanced from one to the other , sensing tension .sx She saw Lady Staplegrove compress her lips firmly , and wondered what it was she was resolving not to say .sx As if she felt the girl's scrutiny the dowager's eyes turned to Clementina , and she smiled warmly .sx " Then we shall not see him there , child .sx Make the most , then , of your present opportunity .sx " .sx Upon which rather elliptical remark she was gone , leaving the door correctly ajar behind her .sx Clementina gazed after her in some consternation .sx " What did she mean , my lord ?sx She cannot intend to take me to parties while I am here .sx " .sx " Why not ?sx " Jake asked flippantly .sx " Well , because - because she does not know me .sx Besides , I am not a guest in her house , but a - a - " .sx " A what ?sx " .sx " Well , an interloper , a fugitive .sx " .sx " Oh , no .sx That was a Master Clem Henlow .sx You are Miss Clementina .sx .. Hm .sx We shall have to think up a name for you .sx " .sx " Oh , there is no need of that , " she said , sighing .sx " You will find it out soon enough , I dare say .sx But you will not have heard of it .sx It is Hythe .sx " .sx " Very well , Miss Hythe .sx Let us say that your mother was an old friend of my mother's , and nothing could be more natural than for Grandmama to ask you for a visit now that you are of an age to go into Society .sx " .sx Clementina fixed him with that curiously wide gaze .sx " And no one will then wonder at your taking a passing interest in one little older than a schoolgirl .sx Thus you will be safe from gossiping tongues .sx " .sx Taken aback , Jake blinked .sx " It had not crossed my mind , but I dare say you are right .sx " .sx " I am , " Clementina averred .sx " It would hardly be becoming in me to lay you open to further gossip after all your grandmother's kindness .sx She has as much thought for me , you notice .sx Besides , I am sure she could not like it .sx Though I doubt it would trouble you over-much .sx " .sx Jake's jaw dropped perceptibly .sx " Faith , I don't know whether to be angry or to laugh !sx " .sx Clementina merely looked at him enquiringly .sx Laughter won .sx He came to her , and tilted her chin with one finger .sx " You are an impertinent little minx , my dear .sx And you don't even know it .sx " He paused , aware suddenly of a pull from the guileless wide gaze tugging at his own .sx " You have green eyes , " he said inconsequently , taking in the fact .sx " Yes , " she answered .sx " Yours are dark brown .sx Soulful , I think .sx Do they account for your success with the ladies , do you suppose ?sx " .sx CHAPTER THREE JAKE released her chin abruptly .sx " If you mean to drive out with me , " he said curtly , " you had better change your dress .sx " .sx Clementina gazed at him , brows raised in amazement .sx " If this is your notion of persuasion , my lord , I no longer wonder at your successes .sx How could any lady possibly resist ?sx " .sx The Earl stood for a moment , defiant and glaring .sx Then his lips twitched .sx Clementina's green eyes twinkled responsively .sx