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

experience exactly how she must be feeling andgave a slight cough, hoping to divert his cousin.

"Ah, Julian, it seems you are to have your wish sooner thananticipated," Linton said smoothly. "Danielle, may I present LordJulian Carhon?"

She curtsied gracefully and as Julian received the small hand in his,raising it to his lips as she swam upward, his gaze fell upon anenchanting heart-shaped face, enormous liquid brown eyes, and a pair offull lips opened in a warm smile over even, pearly white teeth. He waslost, instantly and forever, and no longer in any doubt as to why hiscousin was about to forsake his long bachelor career.

"My lady, I am honoured. You are utterly

ravissante

," he murmuredreverently. "Linton is indeed a fortunate man."

Her response devastated him. A light musical laugh, another curtsy asshe said, "Indeed, sir, how kind in you to say such a thing to restoremy dignity after such a set down! I am delighted to make youracquaintance for we are, after all, to be insome way cousins, are we not?"

"And friends, I trust. I just wish I had seen you before Linton." Hesmiled and was rewarded by the appearance of a pair of deep, utterlymischievous dimples.

"Sir, I am sure that that is most improper of you, but Milord warned methat you are a rake."

"Oh brat!" Linton sighed as Lord Julian looked utterly taken aback bythis candor.

"Indeed, ma'am, I must protest." He laughed, making a quick recover."My reputation is much exaggerated."

"Oh, how very disappointing, sir," she murmured, lowering her lashes.

"Danielle, do not, I beg of you, further compound your indiscretion,"Justin broke in swiftly, torn between amusement and annoyance. "Whoaccompanied you here?"

"Oh, I did not come alone, sir. You need have no fears on that score,"she reassured him brightly.

"I am indeed a fortunate man," he responded sardonically. "Do you carefor some coffee?"

"Oh yes, please, and a slice of that ham, if I may. I left in such ahurry, there was no time for breakfast." With swift movements shestripped off her gloves, removed her hat, and tossed them carelesslyonto a chair before seating herself opposite and giving him what shehoped was a winning smile.

"You are a sad romp, my child," he said severely, slicing the hamthinly. "If this matter is so urgent, why did you not send me a messageso that I could come to you?"

"Well, I did think of it," she confessed, pouring coffee from the heavysilver pot, "But the house is in

such an uproar and I was afraid

Grandmaman

would get to youfirst." Her eyes sparkled. "Even poorGrandfather has gone to his club, and he hates to leave the housebefore noon."

"I think you had better tell me the whole, without further ado." Lintonresumed his seat, crossing one elegant leg over the other, twiddlingabsently with his glass on its long riband.

"Well, you see,

Grandmere

wishes to disguise me as a bird's nest and Iwill have none of it. Can you imagine anything more idiotish, milord? Asort of cage with real birdsand feathers—at least they are to bestuffed birds, I think. Real birds could besomething of a problem as they have most uninhibited habits." Shegrinned at him over a forkful of ham and Lord Julian began to have thestrangest sensation of deja vu. Sometime, somewhere, he had met thiscaptivating bundle of mischief before.

"I do not think we need concern ourselves with the less pleasant habitsof birds," Iinton said repressively. "You will be pleased to confineyourself to the facts. So far I am quite unenlightened."

"You are also being most disagreeable," she retorted, shooting him adefiant look that Lord Julian, in the act of swallowing a mouthful ofale, intercepted.

"Good God!" he ejaculated, as the look and the taste on his tonguetransported him to a sunny stableyard on the road to Dover.

They both turned toward him in surprise and then Linton sighed at theexpression of astounded recognition on his cousin's face.

"Yes, Julian," he said resignedly, "just so."

Danielle looked between them frowning, and then comprehension dawned."I see you recognize me, my lord. It is a very long and involved storybut you will. . . you will say nothing of it to anyone, will you?"

"Good God, no! Of course not! Wouldn't dream of such a thing!" LordJulian expostulated, still in a state of shock. "But, Gad, Justin! Youboxed her ears, I saw you!"

"Yes, was it not infamous of him?" Danielle declared warmly. "I was noteven drinking the horrid stuff!"

"Children, children, when you have quite finished shredding mycharacter for an action which I have already admitted to have beenoverhasty, although thoroughly provoked, could we return to this matter

of birds' nests?" Justin sighed wearily, beginning to feeluncomfortably like an unpopular schoolmaster

in charge of a schoolroomof rowdy pupils.

"Well, it is a matter of total simplicity," Danielle stated, returningto her ham and helping herself to a piece of bread and butter. "I willnot wear anything so absurd and

Grandmere

continues to insist that Ishould and if she goes on in this way shall lose my temper and verylikely say something that will cause herto fall into strong convulsions and most probably become ill, since sheis quite old, you understand, and then I shall not be able to go toCourt tonight and I daresay we shall be unable to be married."

"Dear me, the matter is more serious than I thought," Justin murmured,with a supreme effort controlling his quivering lip. "We must avoidsuch a consequence at all costs."

"You find this

amusant

,milord?" She glared at him, a dangerous glintin her eye.

"If you scowl at me like that, brat, I shall be tempted to forgetJulian's presence," he replied gently, flicking open his snuff box totake a pinch between thumb and forefinger.

Danielle prudently altered her expression before inquiring politely,"Well, what is to be done, milord?"

"What do you think