Chapter 1

 

'Claire you are playing a dangerous game with the Earl of Teddington. Please, I caution you to not continue to encourage him as you have been doing,' Violet spoke with concern as she turned to her younger sister and stopped in her tracks, allowing for the larger group of well dressed and lively men and women they were following to walk ahead of them further into the woodlands.

'Violet, I do not quite understand your meaning, pray how would I be encouraging Andrew?' Claire tried to speak casually as she too discontinued her own walking and looked down to inspect her shoes guiltily.

'Claire, you cannot pull the wool over my eyes, I know you far too well! You were flirting outrageously with the Earl during lunch for all to see, and now you seem to be on a first name basis with the man, you are becoming far too familiar with him! If I had known you were going to behave in such a way I would never have agreed to accompany you on this visit, I would have stayed home and finished writing my book.' Violet could not help but show her annoyance.