“Indeed, yes, sir. You will find a number of histories of one sort and another, and a good many maps too.”
“Would you object to showing me where to find the place? If we are to visit this castle tomorrow, I should like to find out what I may at once.”
“Certainly, sir. Follow me.”
A very few minutes brought them within sight of the library, but Giff balked when the fellow showed signs of guiding him inside. He didn’t need the man digging around to find tomes and maps he had no desire to see.
“I should not dream of troubling you, Mr Rodber. I have taken up quite enough of your time as it is.” He then held out his hand in a determined way. “I must thank you for the kindly welcome and for smoothing my path.”
“Not at all, Mr Giffard. I am only too happy to be of service.” He took the hand, shook it with formal grace, gave a flourishing old-fashioned bow, and at last departed.
Letting out a whoosh of relief, Giff dived into the building and lost no time in hunting the place for Delia.
Perched on a window seat, her nose firmly buried in a book to which she paid not the slightest heed, Delia was barely able to contain her soul in patience. Giff’s sudden appearance had thoroughly discomposed her, and she was torn between delight at seeing him and fury at being taken off guard.
Why could he not have found means to warn her? Mr Rodber must have taken her for a ninny. Or, more likely, thought she’d been bowled over by a handsome face. Well, that she could not deny. He looked even more like a deity dressed smartly than he had in the rough gear of their first encounter. The shock of seeing him pop up perfectly turned out in the Assembly Rooms was severe. Her heart had first tried to leap into her throat, and then bounded around in her chest like an excitable frog. She’d never been so disconcerted in her life. If only he would come, she had a good deal to say to him on the subject of giving her a fright. Along with the news of Piers which she now might give in person. Which made her need for the library redundant since she no longer had to write a letter to the rector. Except that she’d indicated this was where she would be. There was nothing for it but to kick her heels in hopes of his finding her here.
Typical of Giff to come upon her without warning. Just as he had the other day outside St Mary’s. But at least she’d been able to express herself then. On this occasion she’d behaved like a perfect fool, and if Aunt Gertrude was watching there was scant hope she would not have observed it.
What was he doing here dressed like that? Mr Giffard indeed! What had he said the last time? He had a plan of some kind and this was it, no doubt. She recalled his mysterious air then and the spurious front of urbanity now. The wretch had meant to take her by storm. She could see amusement in his eyes, now she thought about it. Oh, only wait until he caught up with her!
But it seemed an age that she waited, cursing Mr Rodber who doubtless found it necessary to tour Giff around the plethora of visitors. Oh, help! He would introduce him to her aunt. Inevitable her suspicions would be aroused. How in the world was she to deflect Aunt Gertrude now?
She kept a surreptitious eye out for entrants to the library, casting a sneaky glance towards the door each time she heard footsteps. She’d positioned herself suitably to be able to see the doorway and chafed as first one of the older resident gentlemen entered and sat down to read the daily journals at the table where two others were already ensconced. He was followed by a clerkly fellow Delia did not know, who went directly to the shelves, hunting them with evident purpose. In dread that someone she knew would come in and accost her, Delia regarded her book with assiduity, turning the page from time to time though the printed words held no meaning for her.
At length a quick step sounded and she looked up to find Giff standing in the doorway, glancing around the room. She quickly looked down, not wishing to draw attention to herself, yet willing him to see her. It seemed an age as he strolled casually in her direction, but at last he came to rest a couple of feet away.
“Miss Burloyne, well met.” He spoke loud enough to be heard and Delia looked up, throwing him a scorching glance. He grinned down at her, lowering his voice. “Pretend to be surprised.”
“I don’t have to pretend,” she shot back. And loudly, “Why, Mr Giffard, have you come to borrow a book?”
“Just acquainting myself with the amenities, ma’am. Ah, and I had it in mind to find some history of Sandsfoot Castle.”
Delia heard this with a leap of satisfaction. “Allow me to direct you, sir, for I know the library well.” And under her breath, “Miss Watkinson has collared you already? You are well served, you wretch!”
“On the contrary,” he returned in a like manner as she rose and led him away from this exposed position. “Nothing could be more providential.”
“Ha! We’ll see about that.” Delia moved purposefully towards a shadowed a corner where they might, with luck, seize a moment of as much privacy as was obtainable in a public room. “Pretend an interest in the books here, Giff. And keep your back to the room.”
“Bossy wench, aren’t you?” But there was a laugh in his voice as he obediently extracted a volume and began turning the pages.
“You’re lucky I’m not lying on the floor and drumming my heels, horrid creature! How dare you give me such a fright?”
“What a fuss, woman! When it’s your own notion I should show myself in society?”
“I didn’t mean you to pop up in Weymouth looking like a fashion plate! And you could not have chosen a worse time, for your horrid cousin was here yesterday.”
Giff’s eyes lifted from the book, the blue as keen as steel. “Was he so? Now why, I wonder?”
“Because I sent for him, if you must know.”
His brows flew up and the narrow look vanished. “Have you run mad, Delia?”
Her cheeks warmed, though she abated not one jot of her belligerent tone. “Very likely. I expect I took leave of my senses the moment I met you,MisterGiffard.”
His grin was positively gleeful and the insouciant and reckless manner she knew well came back. “My influence, is it?”
“Yes, it is!”