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

Julian? You are considered something of an expert inthese matters, after all." My Lord turned to his cousin, still sittingin abstracted silence, staring into his tankard as if all the answerswere contained therein.

"Oh, what?" He looked up hastily. "What d'you say, dear boy?"

"I asked your opinion on the question of birds' nests," His Lordshipreplied calmly.

"Birds' nests, yes, yes, quite so ... quite so."

Danielle gave an inadvertent gurgle of laughter. "Poor Lord Julian! Wehave quite destroyed your peace, have we not? Do not trouble yourselfwith the question, I beg you."

"No, no, no trouble at all, ma'am, happy to be of service," hereassured her hastily. "Can't for the  life of me see why M'LadyMarch wishesto disguise you as a bird's nest. Not at all the thing. Is she feeingquite well, d'you know, m'dear?"

This was too much for Danny and she went off into a peal of laughter soinfectious that even Linton's rather grim countenance lightenedsomewhat.

"Julian, Danielle is, I think, referring to her coiffure for herpresentation this evening," he explained patiently.

"Oh, well why didn't she say so. All this talk of birds' nests—it'senough to confuse anyone."

"But I did say so," Danielle protested indignantly, then addedthoughtfully, "At least I think I did. Anyway it is a monstrous affair,all lacquer and powder and stuck with dead birds and feathers and twiceas tall as I and I will not wear it."

Fortunately for her audience, their knowledge of prevailing fashion wassufficiently deep to enable them to adapt this horrendous image to morerealisic proportions.

"Who's to dress your hair?" Lord Julian asked after a short period ofcogitation.

"Monsieur Artur, and he is quite the most idiotish person, alwayswaving his hands about and speaking

in an accent that he considers tobe French, but it most assuredly is not."

"But he is the best in London, m'dear." Lord Julian was scandalized atthis slanderous dismissal of such

a noted artiste.

"Then it is no wonder everyone goes around looking so ludicrous," shedeclared roundly. "But I do not intend to be in their company, and ifyou, milord, are going to insist, I should inform you that we are notyet married and you do not have the right of command."

"Do not challenge me, Danny, please," His Lordship begged mildly. "Itwill make things most uncomfortable for us both. I do not, as ithappens, think that what you have described will look well on you atall. You are far too small."

"Exactement!"

she declaredwith satisfaction. "I shall look positivelytop-heavy."

This inelegant expression earned her a raised eyebrow from Milord and ahastily suppressed chuckle from Julian.

"The powder and feathers are

derigueur

at Court, but I think we canfind a satisfactory compromise," Linton stated. "The lacquer and thebirds we can do without."

"And you will tell

Grandmere

so?"

"You may regale Julian with the salient facts of your story, brat,avoiding unnecessary detail, if you please, whilst I find my coat. Iwill accompany you to Bedford Place. Is your groom with your horse?"

"No, I sent him home and had your servants stable the mare. I thoughtwe might be some considerable time, you see, and as I knew you wouldride home with me it seemed wasteful to keep Harry kicking his heels."She gave him her ravishing smile and the earl, with an almost defeatedheadshake, left the room to exchangehis embroidered dressing gown for more suitableattire.

*  *  *

Justin, Earl of Linton, married Danielle de St. Varennes on a green andgold day of Indian summer, the last Saturday in September. It wasindeed a quiet wedding, attended only by family and very close friendsof the groom and the bride's grandparents, with the notable inclusionof the Prince of Wales, without Princess Caroline, from whom he hadbeen scandalously and openly separated for four years, and WilliamPitt, who watched the proceedings with a most remarked air ofsatisfaction. However small the guest list, the occasion was of anelegance bordering on the magnificent. St. George's in Hanover Squarewas bedecked with hothouse flowers of a delicacy and simplicity thatmatched the bride's fresh youthfulness, and the music, selected withgreat firmness by the bride, resounded through the nave on the soaringtongues of the choir.

The Earl of Linton, in midnight blue satin, Dresden lace foaming at hisneck, and the most magnificent sapphires at throat and fingers, hishair powdered and curled in a manner that Danielle for one found ratherintimidating, stood before the altar attended by his cousin, watchinghis bride's measured progress down the aisle on the arm of the Earl ofMarch.

She wore a gown of white velvet opened over a white satin underdressthickly encrusted with seed pearls. Her mother's flawless pearl set wasclasped around wrist and throat and the exquisite tiara held her longflowing veil in place, to fall down her back over the velvet train. Shecarried white roses to complete a veritable picture of maidenhood onits last voyage. The earl's lips quivered slightly as he remembered thepithy comment she had delivered on this very subject during theceremony rehearsal the previous afternoon.

She stood beside him now, her head demurely bent to the bouquet betweenher gloved hands. They were quite steady, he noticed. When the momentcame, the Earl of March took her hand and gave it into the possessionof the Earl of Linton before quietly stepping back. Lady Lavinia buriedherself in herhandkerchief; her tears were of joy for her granddaughter and grief forher daughter who had most truly been sacrificed on the altar ofmatrimony. It needed all her resolution to remind herself that Louise'shad been a self-sacrifice. She had been as headstrong as her daughterbut Lucien, Vicomte de St. Varennes, had been, alas, no Earl of Lintonwho would most assuredly cherish his wife as he was now firmlypromising to do.

Danielle's own responses were firm and clear. Only the slight tremor ofthe fingers between his as she promised her obedience gave anyindication of inner turmoil.

The earl bent his