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

the dark brown velvet robe. She looked gratifyinglypleased to see him.

"I was feeling excessively lonely, milord. It is very strange to belocked in a strange room in a strange house when you can hear so manythings going on around and you have no part in them."

"But you were not locked in, Danny?" Linton picked on what he decidedto be the central point in this swift-spoken speech.

"Well, I might just as well have been," she stated flatly. "I cannotimagine that your household would have appreciated my appearance if Ifloated through the hallways in this robe— like Lady Macbeth!"

"I am sure you're right, brat." His lips twitched at the image thuscreated. "Come now, I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise!" The small figure leapt to her feet, gathering up thevoluminous folds of the robe as she stumbled across the room towardhim. "I have never had a surprise, milord. At least," she addedingenuously, "not a nice one."

This matter-of-fact declaration had a strange effect on My Lord Linton,creating a most odd sensation in his throat.

"Well, infant, I trust you will find this one pleasing," he commenteddryly, repressing the unwelcome emotion and bowing her ceremoniouslyinto his bedchamber.

Danielle gazed wide-eyed at the parcels and bandboxes. "But what arethey, milord?"

"Would you have me spoil the surprise, child? Open them."

With that total lack of inhibition or embarrassment that no longersurprised him although continued to entrance him, Danielle tore openthe packages and with exuberant delight began to prance around theroom, holding the delicate garments against her, rubbing her cheekagainst the soft fragrance of the finest linen. She seemed as delightedwith the frilled pantalettes as she was with the gown and the daintykid slippers.

"Am I to wear them, milord?"

"That was certainly my intention," he remarked gravely. "Unless youhave an alternative suggestion."

Two dimples peeped. "Idiot!"

"Do not be impudent, brat," he chided with mock severity. "Go and dressyourself. Our dinner awaits

and I have an inordinate dislike of coldfood."

Danielle gathered up the clothesand then, underhis startled gaze, herface fell in a look of almost comical dismay.

"Whatever is it, Danny?"

"Well. . . well . . . you see, milord, I have never dressed myselfbefore."

"Odd's breath!" Why had he not thought of that? Of course, until herflight she would never have had the need and hence then had wornnothing but britches—much easier to manage than the bewildering arrayof ribbons, buttons, and laces that were the necessary accompanimentsto female attire. In the circumstances he could hardly summon amaidservant to assist her and the Earl of Linton resigned himself tothe inevitable.

"I will help you, child. I am becoming increasingly accustomed to newroles these days. Do what you can and call me when you need assistance."

Danielle looked rather doubtful but accepted his offer without demurand returned to the Blue Room where she struggled doggedly with themyriad of tiny buttons at the back of the soft lawn chemise. Herviolent expletive reached His Lordship and he entered her room withoutceremony.

"This is quite absurd," she declared roundly. "How can one be expectedto fasten buttons at the back when one does not have eyes at the backof one's head and one's hands face the wrong way?"

"Quite impossible, brat," he said soothingly, moving behind her, tryingnot to notice that the unbuttoned chemise left most of her breastsexposed. He had undressed her the other night, but his only thought onthat occasion had been to rid a desperate, nausea-wracked scrap ofhumanity of a burden of sodden clothing as quickly as possible. This,however, was very different. In the silken stockings and whitepantalettes she looked as feminine and as desirable as any one of themany women he had seen in a similar state of undress. Fortunately forthem both, Danielle seemed quite unaware of her charms and in fact hadbecome so accustomed to the intimate presence of the Earl of Lintonthat she would have been astounded could she have read his thoughts atthis moment.

"Thank you, sir." With a totally unselfconscious gesture she adjustedthe now fastened garment over her breasts and picked up the corset witha look of distaste. "Is this really necessary, do you think?"

"I fear so," he said solemnly. "The gown will not fit properly withoutit. But we need not, I think, lace it too tightly. You have a naturallysmall waist."

That did bring a tinge of color to the creamy cheeks but she saidnothing, merely held the offending garment to her front and gave himher back.

Linton smiled to himself as he fastened the laces with deft fingers,resisting the urge to run his hands over the soft curve of her neatlittle bottom.

"You appear, milord, to have had a deal of practice in these matters.You have had, I suppose, many mistresses?" Danielle moved awayfrom him, stepping daintily into the first of her three petticoats.

"That, Danielle, is

not

asubject for polite conversation," he saidrepressively.

"Well, I hardly think this is an arena for polite conversation." Hereyes twinkled mischievously and those dimples danced again.

His lips twitched. "Perhaps not, but I do beg you will confine suchremarks to the privacy of our own company. I may not find themimproper, but others will."

Danielle pulled a face which expressed all too clearly what she thoughtof those "others" and which filled the earl with a sense of foreboding.

Danielle surveyed the hoop as if it were a rather dangerous member ofthe animal kingdom. "Just how, milord, is one supposed to walk throughdoors with that?"

"It is a very small hoop, infant. You will have no difficulty and willsoon learn to deal quite well with much wider ones and panniers too.Now let us hurry. I am exceedingly sharp set and our dinner coolswhilst you argue. We have an appointment with Pitt at eight o'clock."

"Oh, so that is why I am to