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

thing was quite out of thequestion. Instead, Linton had not questioned her wishes or her reasons,merely presented an alternative mode of execution that would mostcertainly be more efficient. She did not doubt but that he wouldaccomplish his objective and that perhaps she would not.

"I shall be forever in your debt, my lord," she said softly.

"Fustian!" My Lord declared brusquely. "You will repay me by learningto ride sidesaddle and by banishing from your memory those words andexpressions usually found on the tongues of sailors and fishwives."

"You strike a hard bargain, milord." Danielle suddenly gave him thatdazzling smile that had so struck

him during their evening with Pitt.

Lady Lavinia's eyes widened. She had not seen this before and had hadneither the time nor the opportunity to speculate on the more femininetraits of her granddaughter. The child had seemed well enough looking,certainly, but with that ridiculous haircut and the overly intenseexpression she wore constantly was not immediately to be perceived as abeauty. *Now, however, she saw a diamond of the first water under thetomboy facade. A quick glance at Linton assured her that he too sawit—probably always had done, she thought suddenly. She nodded toherself, pursing her lips in a gesture her husband knew well asdenoting happy decision. They would pull the coals out of this firemost satisfactorily.

*  *  *

"So, Linton, how do you suggest we proceed?" March rose from the tableonce the ladies had withdrawn and went thoughtfully over to the longwindow overlooking the terrace. The sun was sinking slowly behind thecliff top, filling the sky with a soft pink glow that promised anotherbeautiful day for the morrow.

"With all speed," Linton replied briefly, reaching for the decanter. "Aperiod of mourning will, of course, be necessary, but I think not afull year. The circumstances of her family's death are sufficientlyextreme and the timing unknown by all save ourselves that I feel sure aSeptember wedding would cause no censure. It is possible to be ... uh... uninformative . . . about the finer details, I think."

"Quite so, Justin." The Earl of March was in no wise surprised by hisguest's matter-of-fact statement.

It had not occurred to him that ashotgun would be necessary in this delicate affair.

"I think it would be as well to give the impression that Danielle hasbeen with you for some considerable period— certainly since before herparents' death. It will cause no remark and you have been out of townfor some time?"

"Since October," March replied. "We shall put it about that Daniellehas been paying us an extended visit in preparation for her debut nextSeason. Perhaps Louise has been in failing health and therefore unable

to sponsor her daughter herself?" A slight sigh escaped him—he and hiswife had mourned their daughter in the days since receiving Linton'sletter, but now the living required their undivided attention.

"That will serve well, sir." Linton looked at the older man, compassionin his eyes as he understood his thoughts. "I shall drop thisinformation into a few, carefully chosen ears in both London andParis—the gossips will have it in no time and if news of Languedoc hasalready reached the French court it will explain the matter ofDanielle's survival most satisfactorily."

"And the wedding.. . ?" March queried, raising one eyebrow.

"In London, I think, at the start of the Season. We do not wish anyappearance of a hole-in-the-corner affair, any undue haste or secrecy,"Linton said slowly. "A quiet ceremony attended only by family in St.George's, Hanover Square, will do very well—Danielle's and your recenttragic loss will explain the lack of pomp. It will be quiteunexceptionable."

"And how, Justin, do we explain to my granddaughter that she is tobecome the Countess of Linton?" March could not resist a soft chuckleas he put this so-important question.

"I think you may safely leave that to me," Justin declared coolly. "Onmy return will be soon enough.

My brat needs some healing time beforeshe is presented with any more shocks."

"She is remarkably quick-witted," March murmured, avoiding Linton'seye. "I am sure she will quickly grasp the principles of a marriage ofconvenience."

"You mistake the matter, Charles," Justin said gently. "This is to beno marriage of convenience. I will wed Danielle de St. Varennes becauseI choose to do so, not to preserve my honor or hers."

"Is this to be a love match, then?"

"I have loved your granddaughter since the first evening I met her" wasthe calm reply. "She is, of course, quite unaware of this fact. I couldhardly take advantage of her situation, so have played the part ofdictatorial guardian." He shrugged slightly. "She is not, I think,indifferent to me but the woman in her

still sleeps. I look forward tothe very pleasant task of awakening her." He smiled suddenly. "Have nofear, March. Danielle will come to no harm from me."

"I have no such fear, Justin. We will take good care of her in yourabsence."

"That I don't doubt," Linton said with a short laugh, "but I think ittime she stopped running wild and began to make some excursion intoSociety."

"Lavinia will arrange that with great enthusiasm, unless I am muchmistaken. There are several families

in the area who will provide quiteunexceptionable contacts for the child so long as she does not developsome 'tendre for the squire's son."

"I shall return with all due haste, March." Linton laughed. "ButDanielle, for all her childishness, has a deep core of sophisticationthat will not, I suspect, allow her to fall prey to the dubious charmsof some callow youth."

*  *  *

When Danielle descended to the breakfast parlor very early the nextmorning she found only Linton. She was not to know that this had beenarranged at his request when he had taken leave of his hosts theprevious evening and came forward eagerly, her hands full of papers.

"I am glad to find you alone, milord. I have written to

Monsieur leCure