Read Online A Promise of More by Bronwen Evans - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bronwen Evans
Ads: Link
tray there if you’d like.”
Was she brave enough to go down and meet all of Lord Coldhurst’s friends? She suddenly knew it would be worse to stay sitting in this room waiting for his arrival.
“I shall freshen up and go down. A tray in the drawing room will be fine. I’m sure my husband is in need of sustenance too.”
“Did your Abigail accompany you, my lady?”
Beatrice shook her head. “No. I only married this morning and I had nochance to organize an Abigail to come with me.”
She could ill afford personal servants before her marriage. She did not want to take the money away from her mother or sisters. In addition, now that she wasn’t in control of her family’s finances, she didn’t know how she was going to continue to support Lizandra’s son. The first thing she must do tomorrow morning was talk to Sebastian and find out how much pin money he would consent to give her. If any.
“If you wish,” the housekeeper offered kindly, “I shall send Lady Serena’s personal maid to help you dress before you go down.”
“That would be most appreciated, thank you.”
Beatrice turned back to the window to gaze down on the manicured grounds below. Finding no solace in the sight, she reviewed her gown, the only gown she owned worthy of her new title, and she wondered if it could be pressed before she had to go downstairs.
She hoped Sebastian did not come to her room until she was presentable once more. The less time she spent with him right now, the better. The large bed seemed to mock her. Thankfully, whatever the reason for rushing down to Dorset, it would appear that Sebastian did have something on his mind. And it did not look as if it were his need for a pleasurable pursuit of any sort.
“Would it be possible to press my gown while I wash and refresh myself?”
“Of course, my lady. Let me help you out of it.”
The kindly housekeeper acted as maid and soon Beatrice was stepping out of her gown and a robe had been found to cover her.
She smiled as the servants scurried round her room, ensuring the fire was lit and the room had all she needed, including fresh water, sweet-smelling soap, and soft towels. The water soothed her nerves slightly.
As she sat waiting for her lady’s maid, she wished she hadn’t asked for her gown to be pressed; for some reason she desperately wanted to go downstairs and find out why they’d had to rush here.
Following closely behind Hadley, Sebastian entered the expansive drawing room and was exceedingly surprised to find three of the other Libertine Scholars present. OnlyGrayson was missing.
The six Libertine Scholars had earned their name, and reputations, while attending Oxford. The men took learning seriously, and equally seriously their carousing.
But his gaze was drawn to Serena, who sat demurely on the couch, a cup of tea in hand, dressed as the duke’s daughter she was rather than the lowly governess she had been portraying while in the Caribbean. Christian, Lord Markham, sat relaxed beside her, his arm behind her on the couch as if trying to shield her from any harm that might befall her.
A hearty slap on his back from Maitland Spencer, the Duke of Lyttleton, broke his gaze. There was lots of handshaking, hugging, and welcoming home for several minutes before he had a chance to take a seat.
Arend Aubury, Baron Labourd, handed him a glass of brandy and said, “You best drink it down. I swear you’ll need it.”
Sebastian wasn’t overly concerned at Arend’s dire warning. He tended to think everything looked dark and dangerous. He was full of conspiracy theories.
Hadley interrupted him. “Before we tell him the tale that is beginning to unravel, Sebastian has some news of his own, don’t you, Sebastian?”
Sebastian felt heat invade his face and he wanted to wipe the mocking smile off Hadley’s face. “I do have some news of my own, thank you, Hadley.” He cleared his throat. “As of this morning, I am a married man.” He took the gasps
Was she brave enough to go down and meet all of Lord Coldhurst’s friends? She suddenly knew it would be worse to stay sitting in this room waiting for his arrival.
“I shall freshen up and go down. A tray in the drawing room will be fine. I’m sure my husband is in need of sustenance too.”
“Did your Abigail accompany you, my lady?”
Beatrice shook her head. “No. I only married this morning and I had nochance to organize an Abigail to come with me.”
She could ill afford personal servants before her marriage. She did not want to take the money away from her mother or sisters. In addition, now that she wasn’t in control of her family’s finances, she didn’t know how she was going to continue to support Lizandra’s son. The first thing she must do tomorrow morning was talk to Sebastian and find out how much pin money he would consent to give her. If any.
“If you wish,” the housekeeper offered kindly, “I shall send Lady Serena’s personal maid to help you dress before you go down.”
“That would be most appreciated, thank you.”
Beatrice turned back to the window to gaze down on the manicured grounds below. Finding no solace in the sight, she reviewed her gown, the only gown she owned worthy of her new title, and she wondered if it could be pressed before she had to go downstairs.
She hoped Sebastian did not come to her room until she was presentable once more. The less time she spent with him right now, the better. The large bed seemed to mock her. Thankfully, whatever the reason for rushing down to Dorset, it would appear that Sebastian did have something on his mind. And it did not look as if it were his need for a pleasurable pursuit of any sort.
“Would it be possible to press my gown while I wash and refresh myself?”
“Of course, my lady. Let me help you out of it.”
The kindly housekeeper acted as maid and soon Beatrice was stepping out of her gown and a robe had been found to cover her.
She smiled as the servants scurried round her room, ensuring the fire was lit and the room had all she needed, including fresh water, sweet-smelling soap, and soft towels. The water soothed her nerves slightly.
As she sat waiting for her lady’s maid, she wished she hadn’t asked for her gown to be pressed; for some reason she desperately wanted to go downstairs and find out why they’d had to rush here.
Following closely behind Hadley, Sebastian entered the expansive drawing room and was exceedingly surprised to find three of the other Libertine Scholars present. OnlyGrayson was missing.
The six Libertine Scholars had earned their name, and reputations, while attending Oxford. The men took learning seriously, and equally seriously their carousing.
But his gaze was drawn to Serena, who sat demurely on the couch, a cup of tea in hand, dressed as the duke’s daughter she was rather than the lowly governess she had been portraying while in the Caribbean. Christian, Lord Markham, sat relaxed beside her, his arm behind her on the couch as if trying to shield her from any harm that might befall her.
A hearty slap on his back from Maitland Spencer, the Duke of Lyttleton, broke his gaze. There was lots of handshaking, hugging, and welcoming home for several minutes before he had a chance to take a seat.
Arend Aubury, Baron Labourd, handed him a glass of brandy and said, “You best drink it down. I swear you’ll need it.”
Sebastian wasn’t overly concerned at Arend’s dire warning. He tended to think everything looked dark and dangerous. He was full of conspiracy theories.
Hadley interrupted him. “Before we tell him the tale that is beginning to unravel, Sebastian has some news of his own, don’t you, Sebastian?”
Sebastian felt heat invade his face and he wanted to wipe the mocking smile off Hadley’s face. “I do have some news of my own, thank you, Hadley.” He cleared his throat. “As of this morning, I am a married man.” He took the gasps
Similar Books
