“If not, it’s because you have been using your Irish charm on her!” retorted Sir Uriel. “My son made an honest proposal to my niece and she will give it due consideration without your interference. After all the proposal was made with my consent as well as her mother’s.”
“M-my mother gave her consent?” she stammered.
So stunned was she by this revelation that she did not resist him when Sir Uriel grasped her arm ostensibly to steer her from the Colonel’s reach.
“This young lady is my Ward, Colonel Joyce,” he snarled. “You have no rights here and you are no longer welcome in my house. Please order your carriage or I shall have you thrown out.” The Colonel made an angry move, but Rosaleena threw him a look of such desolation that he fell back.
“Remember – I am always at your service,” he
