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

head to the small ear revealed by the upward sweep ofher curls caught under the veil to whisper, "Do not worry, my brat. Iwill make it very easy for you to fullfil your vows, I promise." Herfingers gripped his tightly and a soft choke that he was convinced waslaughter came from beneath the veil. The heavy gold band slipped overher left finger and the earl himself raised the frothy veil to lookinto a pair of very grave brown eyes before he bent to brush her lipswith his own.

The remainder of the afternoon passed in a curious dream for Danielle,now Countess of Linton. She stood for what seemed hours beside herhusband in the ballroom of March house, receiving their guests. Thecongratulations from this group at least were sincerely uttered, thoughdoubts still fluttered in the concerned breasts of Linton's family andfriends—with the exception of Lord Julian who, after the formalities ofthe receiving line, bore her off to meet the younger members of thevast Carlton clan with as much proud possession as if he himself werethe groom. Linton watched with an amused tolerance as he devoted hisown attentions to the older generation and the Marches. His mother andsisters were fortunately well acquainted with Lady Lavinia and weresoon settled for a comfortable coze. The Countess of March graciouslyreceived the many compliments on her granddaughter's beauty and deftlyfielded the many probes as to her circumstances.

Danielle, surrounded by an admiring circle of Julian's cronies andfeeling as if she had never before enjoyed herself so muchat a party, absently took a glass from the tray offered at her elbow bya liveried flunky. Before she could raise it to her lips, however, ithad left her hand. Startled and not a little put out, she looked up ather husband now standing at her shoulder.

"You will prefer the champagne, my love," he said placidly.

"But how can I know that until I taste this?" she demanded, frowningdeeply.

"Try it, by all means, but curb your reactions." He held the glass toher lips and watched with great amusement as an expression of astoundedhorror crossed the intent face.

"

Mais, c'est abominable!

Whatever is it, Justin?"

"Ratafia, my dear, and now you know you will be able to avoid it in thefuture."

"It is fit only for . .."

"Madam Wife," he interrupted her swiftly, "will you allow me to escortyou to the dining room?"

The wedding had taken place at noon and was followed by a receptionthat included what Lady Lavinia had erroneously described as, "A simplenuncheon, for you know, my dear, people will have dinner engagementsand will not wish to be quite overeaten by the evening."

"This is

Grandmere's

idea ofa simple buffet?" Danny choked as theyreached the long, first-floor dining room. The tables groaned under theweight of souffles and syllabubs, stuffed quail, dishes of deviledeggs, capons and pigeons in a delicate wine sauce, dishes ofartichokes, buttered cauliflower, and mushrooms, interspersed withlobsters, buttered crab, and several Scotch salmons.

"You know," she said suddenly, "when one has been truly hungry,painfully hungry, this seems a little ... a little too much. Youunderstand, milord?"

"Perfectly," he said quietly. "Do you prefer not to eat now?"

"That would look a little churlish." She smiled. "Perhaps a morsel ofthe crab and some salmon."

"Come and sit with my mother whilst I procure you a plate and a glassof wine."

*  *  *

At three o'clock, Lady Lavinia, prompted by a quiet word from thegroom, hastened to send her granddaughter upstairs to change herwedding gown. "Linton wishes to leave within the hour, my love," sheexplained. "If you are to reach Danesbury by dusk you must get readynow."

In Danielle's bedchamber, Lady Lavinia began with great hesitation on amother's duty to a bride on her wedding day. "I do not know how muchyour mama may have told you, my love, about the duties of a wife .. ."She began hesitantly, but was instantly interrupted.

"Dear ma'am, pray do not. I understand much more than perhaps is seemlyand what I do not, Milord had promised to teach me."

"Dear God!" the Lady Lavinia was betrayed into uttering. "You havetalked of such things with Linton?"

"Indeed, ma'am," Danielle said coolly, resisting the mischievous urgeto declare that more than talk had taken place between them.

"Well, he is, of course, a great deal older than you," her ladyshipmuttered uneasily, "And he has much experience of the world." Thatthought gave rise to another, much more difficult to explain to thiseager creature who seemed to repose such utter trust in her husband.But it was a necessary, though unpleasant, task.

"Danielle, gentlemen frequently find that a wife is not alwayssufficient for certain ... uh ... certain

needs . .."

"Grandmere."

Danielle whirledfrom the mirror. "I have not theintention of being a complacent wife. If Linton sets up a mistress Ishall most likely cut his throat in the night!" She crossed the roomhastily to take her shattered relative in her arms. "Now I have shockedyou, and I am truly sorry for it, but you must understand that I amrather different. I can promise you, Linton will have no need of amistress whilst I am his wife."

"Oh Danielle, whatever is to become of you if you speak like that inSociety?" Lady Lavinia moaned, more shocked than she had ever been.

"Why nothing at all, ma'am, because I shall not," her outrageousgranddaughter reassured cheerfully. "Can you imagine Justin's reactionif I did?" Her lips curved in an impishsmile. "Come,

Grandmere

, let

us not discuss this further. It isembarrassing for you and quite unnecessary, I do assure you."

With that Lady Lavinia was obliged to be satisfied. Reflecting thatLinton certainly appeared to have the measure of his bride whosesophistication, while certainly shocking in one so young, perhaps bodedwell for a good understanding between husband and wife, she turned herattention thankfully to Danielle's toilette.

Radiant in a crimson traveling dress of her