Jane Feather - Charade Unknown (great books to read .TXT) 📖

the nape of her neck. Acherry red ribbon threaded its way through the wheat-colored curlsadding to the look of demure innocence created by a simple butbeautifully cut gown whose low neck was somehow both concealed andaccentuated by a lacy collar that slipped over a pair of creamy slopingshoulders to fall in a froth of wide sleeve at her elbow. A lace-edgedpetticoat peeked tantalizingly from the hem of the gown, drawing theeye to pink and white satin slippers exactly matching the stripes ofthe dress. Linton's glass went up with his eyebrows before he turned toLady Lavinia.

"My compliments, ma'am. You have indeed wrought a transformation."

"Well, of all things!" Danielle exclaimed indignantly. "Am I to receiveno credit?"

"When I am assured that your conduct has undergone a similartransformation, most certainly you will," His Lordship replieddampeningly.

"Danielle, your curtsy, child!" Lady Lavinia spoke hastily in shockedreproof and Danielle, remembering her manners belatedly, sank with aswish of her skirts into a deep salute receiving a most magnificent legin exchange.

"Why, milord," she twinkled roguishly, "you have never done that to mebefore."

"I only bow to ladies" was the cool response. "Hoydenish minxes receiveother treatment."

A pink tinge stole into her cheeks and the brown eyes held an tppeal hecould not resist. "Very well, we will say no more about it, brat. Iwill put it down to the effects of the full moon which must have run

away with your wits."

"Whatever are you talking about?" the countess said in jewilderment.

"Nothing of any consequence, ma'am," Linton replied sasily and thenturned at a gasp of delight from Danny. She had opened the carvedbox resting on the small mahogany table inder the window and was nowholding a magnificent diamond necklace to her throat.

"The St. Varennes diamonds," she whispered reverently. 'Are they notmagnificent?

Maman

alwayssaid that not even Toinette had such stonesas these." She struggled with the ;lasp at the back of her neck butLinton forestalled her, taking the necklace gently but firmly from herhands.

"You may not wear these, Danielle, or the emeralds," he said quietly."Not until you are a married lady—they are quite unsuitable for adebutante."

"Oh, pshaw!" Danny expostulated. "What nonsense. They are mine afterall."

"That is not under dispute." Linton drew out a simple strand offlawless pearls. "Turn around. You may wear these as often as youchoose, also the topaz and the turquoise set. The rest must go to thebank for safekeeping."

"But then I shall never wear them," she declared stoutly, "for I shallnever be married."

Justin's eyes met those of the Earl and Countess of March over the benthead as he fastened the pearls around her neck. "Now you are beingidiotish, Danielle. You will most certainly marry."

"If you are that certain, sir, then perhaps you will also tell me whomI am to marry." She turned, delivering her acid challenge with angryeyes and squared shoulders.

"Why me, of course." The earl spoke calmly, opening his snuff box withdeliberation.

There was a short stunned silence and then Danielle stammered, "But . .. but you cannot wish to marry me."

"Why ever not, brat?" He smiled.

"Well

that

, for one reason,"she said, recovering herself somewhat."People do not marry people they

call 'brat' and all sorts of otheruncomplimentary names. You are forever telling me what to do and beingmost unpleasant when I have other ideas, and you have threatened tobeat me I don't know how many times .. . and . . . and you even boxedmy ears once!" She delivered the coup de grace with the full force ofher suddenly remembered indignation.

"Yes, well that was indeed a little hasty of me," the earl saidthoughtfully, "but you must admit the provocation was great."

"I do not admit it," Danny cried. "I was not drinking the ale—I findthe taste

most

disagreeable!"

"I appear to be out of my depth here." March broke in suddenly. "Whathas ale to do with anything?"

"Quite a lot, it seems," Linton murmured. "Come, Danny, if I undertakenever to do such a reprehensible thing again will you at least listento what I have to say?"

Danielle chewed her lip, that deep frown of concentration drawing herdelicate brows together, giving her that fierce, serious expression shehad worn habitually in her vagabond days. "I think, milord, that your

so delicate notions of propriety compel you to offer for me," she beganslowly. "It is not at all necessary, you know. My reputation wasalready hopelessly compromised before you rescued me from the baker.You are perhaps unaware that I have known this for very many weeks,since before I met you, and everything I have done, both before andsince, has been in the full knowledge of the consequences. That is whyI have said that I will not make my come-out. I shall be quite contentto remain here."

This simple speech had a profound effect on her listeners and LadyLavinia turned away, feeling for the handkerchief tucked in the lace ather bosom.

"I seem always to be underestimating you, Danielle," Linton saidquietly. "But there remains one thing,

of more importance than anyother in this affair, that you do not yet understand."

She gave him a serious, inquiring look and he bowed deeply. "Milady,will you do me the very great honor of joining me in a turn about thegarden?"

For a second she remained motionless and then, to his everlastingdelight and astonishment, unfurled her fan, holding it up to her faceso only her eyes were visible as she swam into a curtsy.

"La, sir, but I must protest. It is you who do me too much honor."

Taking her hand as she rose gracefully he tucked it firmly under hisvelvet-covered arm, inclined his head.briefly in the direction of theEarl and Countess of March, and escorted Danielle through the opendoors onto the terrace.

March passed a hand expressively across his brow. "You know, m'dear, Ido not know whether