Part 20 (2/2)

motherly and her voice was soft with the unmistakable Scottish lilt.

There wasn't an ounce of guile in her and Alethea thought that probably she had never been unkind to anyone in her life. The slight chill she had felt melted and disappeared altogether at Al's warm: ”A real beaut, begging your pardon, miss.

We're proud ter 'ave your in the 'ouse.

' A remark which she rightly took to be a compliment indeed.

93 ”They'll be your devoted slaves,” observed Sarre when they were

alone again.

”They have been urging me to marry for several years now.

' ”Oh is that why you asked me?

' Alethea hated herself for asking but her tongue had run away with

her.

He gave her a long look and she saw suddenly that his usually placid features could become ruthless and remote.

”No.

I asked you to marry me for the reasons which I gave you.

I have great regard for Al and Mrs McCrea, but neither they nor anyone else dictates my life for me.

' He moved away from the chair he had been leaning against.

”Won't you sit down and have some coffee?

' Alethea stayed just where she was.

”I've annoyed you,” she said in a voice she might have used to calm a

troublesome patient, 'but I'm bound to do that, aren't I?

I don't know you at all well, you see.

I've only just realised that you have a quite nasty temper and like

your own way.

I shall do my best to keep on the right side of you, but occasionally

I'm bound to speak my mind.

' She added reasonably: ”I'm not a doormat.

' Sarre gave a shout of laughter.

”My dear girl, thank G.o.d you're not!

And you're quite right; I've a bad temper, although I endeavour to keep

it within reasonable bounds, and I like my own way, too.

Now sit down, do, and pour my coffee and yours.

' He drew up a small velvet-covered armchair for her and pulled up a

ma.s.sive one for himself.

”And I know very well that you aren't a doormat.

I wouldn't be marrying you if you were.

' Alethea lifted the silver coffee pot and poured the coffee into

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