Her cheeks burned hotly in the darkness. She knew that he had her at a disadvantage. "I am fully capable of taking care of myself," she said, beginning to walk on down the dim avenue.
He fell into his easy stride beside her. "Is that why Lord Saltash left you to walk home alone?" he said.
She clenched her hands in the darkness. "What do you mean?"
"I think I am right in concluding that you have spent the afternoon with him," Jake said, in his measured tones.
Maud stood suddenly still. She was quivering from head to foot. "You are--quite right," she said, in a voice that she strove in vain to steady. "I think I have told you before, Lord Saltash and I are old friends."
He reached out a quiet hand and took her by the arm, leading her calmly forward.
She went with him because she could not do otherwise, but she would have given all she had at that moment to wrench herself free. There was no escape for her, however; she was forced to endure his touch, forced to go forward with him along a road that she could not see.
He led her in silence, calmly, unfalteringly, with the utmost confidence. She was sure that those lynx-eyes of his could see in the dark.
But his silence speedily became intolerable. It seemed to her to bristle with condemnation. It goaded her against her will into speech.
"Lord Saltash has given me his permission to use the piano at the Castle. I did not know when I went that he had returned."
"I could have told you that," commented Jake.
Again her resentment rose to a flame, burning fiercely. Yet his words held no insult. With all her strength she strove for calmness.
"I did not know of it. In any case, I do not see that it was a matter of very vital importance. An hour at the piano is a great treat to me, and I shall probably go again."
This time the peculiar intonation of his voice was unmistakable, not to be ignored. She flung him instant defiance.
"For as long as I choose. My time is my own."
He was silent a moment, but she was conscious of the tightening of his hand. At length: "All right, my girl," he said. "But remember, my claim to it comes before Lord Saltash’s. Some day it may happen that I shall put in my claim. I never have been content to be passed at the winning-post."