Read Online In the Arms of the Heiress (A LADIES UNLACED NOVEL) by Maggie Robinson - Free Book Online

plenty of people under her own roof, so she she’d never lacked for company—just
select
company.
    She’d give all these dresses to Kathleen to sell. Louisa had lots of elegant Parisian clothes now and would be spoiled for choice tonight. But damn. A dinner party to ready herself for, and ready Captain Cooper, too. She really had to think of him as Maximillian, and was wishing she’d named her husband something simple.
    Like Charles.
    She wandered the twisting corridor and opened the door to her sitting room. Charles Cooper was in his shirtsleeves, both stockinged feet on the gray sofa. He had the illustrated art history book Mrs. Evensong had given him across his lap, but he rose instantly. “Where have you been?”
    “Do sit down. I went to see my aunt. You’d fallen asleep, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
    “You should have woken me up. What must she think?”
    “She thinks you had a headache from traveling.”
    He looked as though she’d insulted his manhood. “From a few hours on a train? What a poor sort of fellow I’d be.”
    “I blamed it on your eye, if you must know. I didn’t want her to be surprised when she meets you later and have her ask rude questions about it. She can be very . . . formidable.”
    “Is that your way of saying she’s a right bitch?”
    Louisa grinned. “What a way with words you have, though Maximillian would never use such a pejorative.”
    “I figured she had to be a dragon if she drove you across the Channel.”
    “She likes to have her own way, and so do I. Our relationship became more difficult as I grew older. She wanted me to marry my cousin Hugh, and when I refused, things went from bad to worse.”
    “So I’ll have competition.” He waggled a dark eyebrow.
    “Of course you won’t! We’re already married.”
    “Somehow I don’t think that will stop your cousin from paying you compliments. Marriages can be dissolved, you know. Especially ours, as it doesn’t really exist.”
    “Which reminds me. My banker is coming to dinner tonight, along with several other exalted personages that Aunt Grace has invited. I’m afraid we’re about to have our trial by fire.”
    Not a flicker of emotion crossed the captain’s face. “I’m ready. A whole army brought up our trunks and unpacked everything. That’s what woke me up.”
    “Are you? I’m not. I’d hoped to have a few more days to prepare you. Be wary of Mr. Baxter. He’s been in Aunt Grace’s pocket for years. Something fishy is going on with my bank, and I plan on asking him about it.”
    “I thought you have control of your inheritance now.”
    “I do. But everything goes to Mr. Baxter first, and then he’s responsible for making deposits to my account. There’s not as much there as should be.”
    Captain Cooper shrugged. “Some investments lose money.”
    “I know that! I’m not some empty-headed nitwit.”
    “No one said you were. Well, if we are to impress the masses tonight, who gets first dibs on the bath?”
    Louisa knew she was blushing. “You go first. I want to visit the kitchens. I’ll have some tea and sandwiches sent up. Or do you want a whiskey for courage?”
    Captain Cooper closed the book. “No whiskey. Wasn’t that one of the rules?”
    “
I’d
like one,” Louisa said.
    “None for you, either. We’ve got to keep our stories straight. A moderate amount of wine at dinner will have to do.”
    “I suppose you’re right. We keep country hours, here, Captain. Dinner will be at six. Oh! I really
am
a nitwit!”
    “Why so?”
    “You haven’t a valet. Maximillian Norwich must have a valet.”
    “Don’t you remember? The poor soul—Antoine, I believe—broke his leg climbing all those stairs at Château La Whatsis right before we were ready to sail. He is recuperating.”
    “Lachapelle. You’re rather good at this, aren’t you? Thinking on your feet.”
    “Some might call it lying, Miss Stratton. I should call you out.”
    “You might not win. I’m very