Jane Feather - Charade by Unknown (top rated books of all time txt) 📗

"I am going to leave you for a few hours, Danielle." He held up hishand as she began a dismayed protest. "You will be quite safe. No onewill disturb you, I promise. You may take a long bath, have somenuncheon, rest, read a book maybe?"

At his last words her eyes lit up. "I haven't seen a book sinceFebruary. May I look now?"

"My library is at your disposal, infant."

Danielle roamed the shelves in an absorbed silence, commenting only,"They are well catalogued, my lord."

"I have an excellent secretary." Her choice fascinated him—a copy ofPliny's essays and Montaigne for, he presumed, a little light relief.

"If you are sure you have enough to occupy you for an hour or so,perhaps you would like to go to your chamber." His voice shook slightlyand Danny gave him a suspicious look.

"Does something amuse you, sir?"

"Not at all," he denied hastily. "But tell me, do you ever read novels?"

"They have rarely come my way," she replied simply.

My Lord preceded her up the stairs, wondering yet again at the effectthis wine connoisseur and bluestocking was going to have on Londonsociety. Next Season was going to be most interesting, of that he wasin no doubt.

The Blue Room was a haven of warmth and comfort. A fire blazed in thehearth and candles glowed softly, chasing away the dank, dark afternoonglowering outside the long windows facing the square. A maid servantrose hastily from her knees beside the large porcelain tub at theirentrance and bobbed a curtsy.

"I hope everything is to your satisfaction, my lord. And if the younggentleman should need anything he has only to ring."

"Thank you." The earl smiled. "It's Molly, isn't it?"

The rosy cheeks blushed scarlet as the girl bobbed another curtsy. "Yes. . . yes, my lord, it is," she stammered in confusion, quite oversetby this unlooked for and most unusual recognition. The door closed onher somewhat precipitate retreat and Danielle looked approvingly atLinton.

"That was well done, indeed, milord. Do you know all your servants byname?"

"Alas no, infant," he confessed ruefully. "I cannot claim that credit,merely lucky chance in this instance. The girl is the granddaughter ofmy housekeeper and as such was once presented to me."

"But you remembered. I have been wishing just recently that I had takenthe trouble to learn something of our servants in Languedoc." There wasa dispirited note in the soft voice which the earl made haste to dispel.

"You know what they say about spilt milk, Danielle." He examined thelinen-covered tray on the table. "You have a most delicious nuncheon,brat. I suggest you address yourself to it without delay."

Danielle peered at the baked egg, the bread and butter, roasted chickenwing, and custard tart. A glass

of sherry and a pot of tea accompaniedthe repast. "I think your advice is sound, sir." Her eyes gleamedmischievously. "You may safely leave me to my own devices, milord. Ilook forward to a few hours of luxurious solitude."

Linton laughed. "I will fetch you something to wear after your bath."To her amazement he left through a door in the far wall and she heardan unfamiliar voice from the neighboring room before the earl returnedwith a velvet robe over one arm.

"You will be quite lost in this, I fear. But it will have to serve inthe absence of anything more suitable."

"Who is in there?" Danielle gestured to the half-open door.

"Petersham, my valet."

"That is your chamber, then?"

"Yes." He frowned at her concerned face and then, as comprehensiondawned, smiled reassuringly. "I wished you near me, child. I thoughtperhaps you might be more comfortable too, knowing I was within callingdistance. Was I mistaken?"

Danielle shook her head slowly. "No, milord. I find the thought of yourproximity most reassuring. This is all a little unfamiliar, you see."

"I do see, infant. Now, you need have no fear that you will bedisturbed unless you so choose and I must attend to my business."Yielding to a sudden impulse he laid a gentle finger under her chin,tipping her head and dropping a light kiss on the upturned nose.Danielle looked startled, but made no attempt to draw back. Suchcaresses had rarely come her way, the de St Varennes not being given todisplays of affection, but she decided that this salute was infinitelypreferable to her boxed ears of the previous evening.

"You are going to be a most beautiful woman one day, Danielle de StVarennes," the earl said softly. "I am amazingly eager to see thetransformation."

The next instant she was alone, one finger absently rubbing the tip ofher nose where his lips had just rested.

With immense relief the earl once more placed himself in Petersham'sable hands, doing his best to ignore the hurt, disapprovingsniffs that accompanied that gentleman's ministrations. The valet'spride had been sorely wounded by his master's refusal to allow him toaccompany him on his journey to France and since he was also to be leftbehind when Linton journeyed into Cornwall, HisLordship deemed itsensible to do nothing to soothe the ruffled feathers at this point. Hewould only have to repeat the process on his return.

He emerged from his bathing chamber much refreshed and nodded hisapproval of the coat of blue superfine with silver buttons thatPetersham had laid ready on the bed.

"The

perruque a bourse

, Ithink," he decided firmly, sitting at thedresser mirror to tie the cravat reverently handed to him. Whilsttraveling, particularly without his valet, he preferred not to bebothered with the wigs and powder considered de rigueur in Societybut in the comfort of home bowed to the edicts of fashion and concealedhis own black locks beneath a variety of wigs. As he was adjusting oneof these creations with careful fingers under the anxious gaze ofPetersham the most unusual sound drifted through the room.