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

of Linton maintaining no financial control over a bridebarely out of the schoolroom! However, Linton had seen

the absurdity ofgiving his wife pin money when she held the reins of his varioushouseholds with such obvious competence. He never questioned herexpenditures and Danielle had never thought to ask his permission tospend what were on occasion sizable sums to relieve the difficulties ofher countrymen.

"I fear that will not suffice,

comtesse

,"D'Evron said with a heavysigh. "The landlord wishes to be rid

of them. He finds the childrentroublesome and can extort the same rent from one tenant as he can fromthis family of five, soon to be six. Even had they the money, they facemuch difficulty in finding new lodgings with such a large family."

"Cochon!"

Danny spat, risingto her feet. She paced the room givingvent to her outrage at this example

of inhumanity in language thatstunned the chevalier who knew nothing of her history. "Ah!" Shestopped suddenly.

"Mon Dieu

,but what have I been saying?

Jem'excuse,chevalier."

She glanced anxiously at

the door, half expecting to seeher irate husband.

D'Evron couldn't help smiling. His friend and accomplice was no longerthe sophisticated countess but rather resembled a guilty child caughtin her naughtiness. "Please, milady." He made haste to reassure

her."There is no need for apology. I quite understand."

"But I do not think Milord would," Danny murmured. "At least, he wouldunderstand my feelings but

not that manner of expressing them."

D'Evron said nothing since an appropriate response failed to come tomind.

"Eh bien."

Danielle shookherself out of her uncomfortable reverie. "Weshall visit this

bete

together.I feel sure we can . . . persuade . . .him to change his tune. At least until after madame is confined. Then,perhaps, if they care to live in the country, I shall contrive tosettle them at Danesbury."

"But your husband,

comtesse

D'Evron demurred. But Danielle dismissedthe half-spoken objection

with an airy wave Justin would make noprotest at a needy French family settling on his estates.

"

Allons-y, chevalier.

You haveyour carriage?"

"I am most grateful for your assistance,

comtesse,

" D'Evron saidhastily, "but should you not change

your dress?"

Danielle's peal of laughter reached Justin as he mounted the stairs.The chevalier was clearly a more amusing companion than he had thought.He decided against joining them and continued on to his own apartmentsto change the morning dress necessary for waiting upon his mother forthe buckskin britches and top boots of the horseman. He would ride withhis wife in Hyde Park this afternoon in an attempt

to quieten thegossips' tongues should her early morning adventures be as generallyknown as his mother feared.

"I will change immediately," Danielle declared. "You will wait a fewminutes,

mon ami?

"

"Avec plaisir."

The chevalierbowed, resigned to a considerable wait. Alady's idea of a few minutes spent on changing her attire was rarelyconsonant with reality.

However, it was but ten minutes later when Danielle emerged from herbedchamber and ran headlong

into her lord.

"Where to in such a hurry, infant?" Linton laughed, taking in herdriving dress of olive green velvet, a

lace jabot at the high neck itsonly adornment. She wore one of her favorite tricorn hats, leatherdriving gloves, and a serviceable pair of riding boots instead of thekid or jean half boots that would normally

be considered sufficientprotection for a drive through the city streets.

"I am going for a drive with the chevalier, milord," Danielle informedhim.

The earl put up his glass and surveyed her feet. "In riding boots,Danny?"

"Ah well, my others have a loose heel,

tu comprends"

she improvisedglibly. "And these are, after all,

tres

comfortable

."

Now what the devil was she up to? But Justin said merely, "I was hopingyou would ride with me this afternoon, ma'am."

"Ventre a terre

, milord?" Hereyes danced wickedly.

"No, most definitely not," he declared. "With sober decorum. I amhoping that the sight of you correctly dressed and escorted will dispelall memories of a hoyden galloping through the park at dawn."

"That does not sound at all

amusant

,sir."

"And driving with the Chevalier D'Evron is amusing?" he inquired.

Danielle frowned, but her lips curved. "I do not yet know, milord. ButI shall find out, shall I not?"

Justin swung his riding crop at her departing rear and Danielle skippedwith an indignant ouch. She stuck her tongue out at him over hershoulder before gathering up her skirts and taking prudent flight inthe direction of the drawing room.

Linton shook his head with a rueful smile. There could be no possibleobjection to her driving,with D'Evron. He was perfectly respectable andreceived in all the best houses. He was known to be quiet and sober toa fault and not overly enamored of the Season's round of gaiety—asensible man in short. So why then did Justin feel this sense ofunease? But as he had agreed long ago with Pitt, Danielle required thelightest hand on the strongest curb—a hand so light that she would beunaware of the curb. He would draw back on the reins only when it wasevident that he had no choice, and in a year or so she would besufficiently established, matured by motherhood perhaps, to have herown hands on her own reins. Linton frowned at the last thought. He wasin no hurry for his brat to grow up too quickly—her childhood hadlacked the usual elements of play and security and she was entitled tosome playtime now. But, nevertheless, it was a little strange that shehad not yet conceived. However, she was barely eighteen and if her bodywas not ready he could afford to wait awhile before setting up hisnursery.

Since Danielle was otherwise occupied, Justin decided to pay his visitto Margaret Mainwairing. The ride to Half Moon Street was a pleasantone on this crisp March afternoon and the earl was conscious of adegree of pleasure in the prospect of his ex-mistress's company.Margaret was a sensible woman and, while her companionship could neverbe as stimulating as that of his wife's, she could be restful. She hadnot Danielle's