Read Online Jo Beverley - [Rogue ] by An Unwilling Bride - Free Book Online Page B

small rugs, and the appointments consisted of two chairs, two large armoires, a washstand, a mirror, and a very large chest. There was a fireplace where yet another fire burned. How very wasteful this all seemed.
    The maid must have noticed her frowning consideration, for she opened a panel above the fireplace to show a metal tank. "It's to keep the water warm for a bath, miss. The fires are only let out in the hottest weather. You could bathe now if you wish, miss."
    The woman flipped back the lid of the chest to reveal a large bathtub ready and waiting. Beth couldn't resist going over to peer at this marvel—-it was even decorated with pictures of fish.
    This was the first luxury of the day which tempted Beth. At Miss Mallory's a proper bath was a rare treat requiring much planning, and the thought of just being able to order a bath and have one was delicious. And tempting. She suspected, however, that the maid would want to be part of the process, and she was not ready for that as yet.
    Beyond the dressing room was her bedroom. This was as stunning as the sitting room, with another rich carpet upon the floor, yellow silk hangings on the large tester bed and matching curtains at the windows. The walls were covered with panels of Chinese silk, picking up the yellow theme, and the paintings hung upon them were not known to Beth but had all the appearance of being Old Masters.
    These rooms were not a hidey-hole, they were a gilded cage.
    More than anything in the world at that moment, Beth wanted to be alone, yet she could think of no way to get rid of the maid.
    "Has my trunk been brought up?" she asked, hoping the woman would go to find it, but at that moment there was a noise from the dressing room.
    "That will be it now, miss," said Redcliff and bustled off but only as far as the next room where she supervised the footmen in the placing of the baggage. Beth had only managed to remove her bonnet before she was back.
    Beth tried again. "I think I would like to wash, Redcliff," she said.
    "Certainly, miss," replied the maid and disappeared. But again only as far as the dressing room where there was the sound of running water. Beth had forgotten the ever-ready tank.
    In a moment the woman was back, indicating that Miss Armitage should join her. Beth obeyed. She was beginning to learn about the tyranny of servants.
    Beth felt like a child. She managed to undo the buttons at the front of her long-sleeved spencer herself, but it was the maid who eased it off. It was the maid who undid the three buttons at the back of the bodice of her gown and loosened the laces which tightened the waist. In a moment the gown was off, and Beth was standing in her cambric petticoat. The maid's fingers started again, but Beth balked.
    "That will be quite enough," she said, somewhat sharply. "Please unpack for me."
    At least that got the woman a pace or two away.
    Beth took up the thickly woven cotton square and the soap and began to wash what she could reach. If the maid would only leave she could go farther, but she had never undressed before another person since she was a child and could not bring herself to do so now.
    The soap was sweetly perfumed and rich and smooth on her skin. The embroidered towel was soft.
    As soon as she was finished she found the maid beside her offering an alabaster pot containing cream. "For your hands, miss."
    Beth dipped her fingers in the unguent and smoothed it over her hands. It, too, was perfumed. Before she was finished she would smell like a spring garden.
    "There is lotion for the face, too, if you would wish it, miss," said Redcliff.
    Beth declined, and the maid turned back to the trunks. "Which gown would you wish to wear this evening, miss?"
    Beth knew she had nothing appropriate for this setting and steadfastly refused to be concerned. It was a matter of pride, surely, not to have wasted a fortune on her back.
    "There is a fawn peau de soie," she said. "I will wear that."
    Then Beth was helped into her