Read Online Dilemma in Yellow Silk by Lynne Connolly - Free Book Online Page B

small curtsey. “It was my pleasure, my lord.”
    “I doubt that.” But he raised her and kissed her cheek. “I will leave first thing in the morning, probably before you are awake. You will stay here tonight?”
    She had not expected that. “Oh, but it’s not far. Only half a mile. It’s a fine summer evening.”
    “And full dark,” the marquess said. “I insist. Do you need a maid to help you?”
    When he spoke in that tone she knew better than to argue with him. And, she realized with a flip of pleasure, they had put her in the Chinese room. They could not mean her to use that. “I can manage perfectly well, my lord. Should I find a room?”
    “I took her to the Chinese room,” Marcus said. “She should be comfortable there.”
    His lordship smiled and nodded. “Yes, indeed. Since I intend to leave at dawn, I’ll bid you goodnight.” He bowed over her hand. Enchanted, Viola loved it, even the wink he bestowed on her when he straightened.
    She could smile back, none of the reticence she felt when the Stewarts patronized her tainting her mood. “If you will excuse me, then, I’ll make my way upstairs.”
    “Of course. Feel free to ring for whatever you need.”
    As if she would. But with another word of thanks, she lifted her skirts to run upstairs.
    His lordship said to Marcus, “A word with you before you retire.”
    So they were leaving in the morning. Gloom settled on her. They would go back to London, and she would return to her father and spend her days caring for him and his house, as she always wanted to. Why should she not be happy with the prospect?
    In the room, she lit the candles in the sconces and pirouetted in front of the mirrors. The light played over the gleaming folds of her skirt. But her enjoyment had faded with the prospect of losing her friend so quickly. Yes, her friend. It was all Marcus could ever be and she should feel glad. He might write this time, now he had the opportunity. She’d like that.
    Reluctantly she took off her clothes, plucked her day gown from the bag, and laid it out for the morning. The yellow silk she folded carefully and put away. Perhaps she’d attend the assembly next month in York and give it another airing. If the Stewarts deigned to attend, no doubt they would remark on the reappearance.
    Hot water sat in a can by the door. She washed with the finely milled white soap on the dish and finished undressing.
    She had no night-rail with her, so she climbed into bed in her shift. The sheets were fresh and the room smelled of lavender from the sprigs used to preserve the linen. What would it be like to live this way? To have the best all the time?
    She’d be bored in a month.
    Determined to enjoy her night of luxury, she snuggled down and laid her head on the pillow.

Chapter 5
     
    Viola opened her eyes to the sound of carriage wheels bowling along the drive. Dawn filtered through the windows, but she was awake. She would not sleep any more tonight. Today.
    Turning her head, she could just make out the little clock on the mantel, but she could not read the time. She didn’t really need it. With the light at this level, it must be around six. Time to get up.
    She could get some food in the kitchens here, but Mrs. Lancaster would tut at the disruption. The housekeeper’s formidable counterpart in the kitchens would most likely do the same. They’d be serving breakfast at her house, so she’d get up and work up a fine appetite on the walk over.
    Besides, with Marcus gone, she wanted to get back to her real life as soon as possible.
    Her decision gave her the impetus to swing her legs out of bed, wash in fresh water—cold now—and dress. It did not take her long. The only sign of her presence was the not-quite-straight cover on the bed and a few hairs in the brush on the dressing table.
    Time to go back to normal. Her deflated spirits would revive in no time.
    Downstairs, she was surprised to find Tranmere standing in the hall, in full livery. They