Stranger Within the Gates Author:Mira Stables "Would it be asking too much of you to stir your stumps, you idle whelp?" shouted Mr. Develyn. "That is the second time I have rung for admittance and I am in no mind to wait any longer upon your pleasure." "And I am in no mind to open my gates to any ill-bred lout who has not even the manners to ask it pleasantly,"... more » responded the boy. Only it wasn't a boy. It was Francesca Thornish, walking about in male attire and quite the loveliest young lady Mr. Develyn had ever seen.
So this was the woman his late uncle, Lord Finmore, had been protecting all these years. Surely she had been his mistress as well. "Jezebel, impudent thing," he muttered to himself. Wait until she realized who he was. And in this manner did a most explosive courtship begin.« less