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

favorite velvet, Danielledescended the wide, shallow staircase to be received on the arm of herhusband. "That hat, my love, is going to have to come off very soon,"

he whispered.

"Do you not care for it, my lord?" she questioned innocently. "Ithought it monstrous pretty, myself."

"It is very fetching, but those ridiculous feathers will tickle mynose," he replied solemnly. "I do not find sneezing compatible with theactivity I intend to pursue once we are away from this bear garden."

"Oh, infamous, Justin!" she whispered, laughing up at him. "How can yourefer to this so elegant gathering in such a fashion?"

"Goodness me!" the Dowager Countess of Linton exclaimed in a low voiceto her daughter. "I do believe Justin has made a love match. Do you notsee the way he looks at the child?"

"And the way she looks at him, ma'am," Lady Beatrice replied, anuncomfortable stab of envy piercing her ample breast. Ten years ofmarriage and six children had, she thought, cured her of the romanticleanings of her youth—not so, it appeared.

The light traveling coach bearing the Linton arms stood at the door.Justin handed his bride into its upholstered interior after a slightlytearful farewell from her grandparents before entering himself andclosing the door firmly.

"Now, my love," he said with satisfaction, seating himself beside her."Let us rid ourselves of that hat."

"But, Justin, we have not yet left the square." She made half-laughingprotest.

"True," he concurred and pulled the blinds over the windows. "Now weare free of prying eyes, so I will have no moreexcuses, if you please." The hat left her head to be tossed carelesslyonto the opposite seat and the Countess of Linton found herselfruthlessly crushed against a broad chest as imperative fingers liftedher face to receive a kiss, at first gentle and exploratory, thenincreasing in demand and possession as the earl, for the first time,truly gave rein to his passion.

When finally he released her lips she remained in the circle of hisarm, sobbing for breath and composure as the pulsing heat in her bodyslowly receded. "You . .. you have kissed me many times before, milord,but never quite like that," she stammered in wonder.

"Before, my little love, I had to keep myself in check." He smiledgently, running a long finger over the bridge of her tip-tilted nose."Today, I may anticipate a little."

Danielle absorbed this slowly. There was so much that she still did notunderstand about this business of lovemaking, particularly its effectson her mate.

"How soon before we reach Danesbury?" she asked carefully. It seemed anatural enough question in

the circumstances.

"We are not going to Danesbury today" came the totally unexpected reply.

"But why is that?" Danielle pushed her hands against his chest in aquite unsuccessful attempt to right herself.

"I do not wish to spend unnecessary hours of my wedding day boxed up ina chaise," he replied placidly. "And neither do I wish you to becometired, my love. Not yet, at least."

"But . . . but you told the other chaise with my abigail and all theluggage to go straight to Danesbury.' I heard you."

"I have dressed and undressed you before, Danielle. Will you not allowme to do so again? Surely, I was not so very unskilled," he teased,running soft fingers through the lightly powdered curls resting against

his shoulders.

"You were most skilled, milord," she murmured mischievously. "I seem toremember remarking on how very experienced you were."

"But you will be a little more discreet today, my brat?"

She laughed softly and possessed herself of his hand, examining thelong beringed fingers with frowning concentration. "But I have noclothes, Justin, no toilet articles. Is it to be as it was that firstevening in Paris?"

"Not quite. I have everything you will need for one night, which, Itake leave to inform you, madam,

will be very little! Now try to sleepa while, I wish you rested when we arrive at our destination."

Their destination turned out to be a pretty, whitewashed inn on thebanks of the River Thames about fifteen miles from London. Anapple-cheeked woman enveloped in a voluminous white apron came to

thedoor to greet them, wreathed in smiles as she bobbed a curtsy.

"My lord, you made good time, indeed. My felicitations, sir, and toyou, my lady. Welcome to the Swallow's Nest. As you instructed, mylord, you and her ladyship are the only guests and everything isprepared exactly."

"My love, may I introduce Mrs. MacGregor? To me she has always beenBiddy." Iinton smiled.

"And to you too, I hope, my lady. I've known His Lordship since beforehe was in leading strings."

Danielle gave the woman her smile. "Then, Biddy, you shall tell me somestories of that time. I have a great desire to know what manner ofchild My Lord was."

"A real imp, m'lady." Biddy laughed, totally won by this frank, openmanner. "Now many's the time

I've ..."

"Biddy, not now, please," His Lordship interrupted, anxious toforestall a long catalog of reminiscences which would probably notreflect too favorably on his boyhood character.

"Goodness me, what can I have been thinking of?" Biddy recollectedherself briskly. "You must be tired, my lady, after your journey andsuch an exciting day. I'll show you to your apartments and you needhave no fear you'll be disturbed. There's a cold supper waiting for youand Jed's best burgundy." She bustled ahead of them into the inn, up aflight of oak stairs, and along a passageway to open a door at the end.Danielle walked into a long, sunny room running the length of the inn.It was both bedchamber and parlor with a bright fire in the grate, anoak piecrust table set for dinner, flanked by two carvedwooden chairs, tapestry-covered armchairs, and an enormous canopiedbed, fluffy with feather pillows and a patchwork comforter. A workedscreen stood to one side of the fire and a pink-cheeked girl