Read Online Marigold Chain by Stella Riley - Free Book Online Page B

He can’t afford the
whores and … and I’ve had to bolt my door at night.’
    His eyes hooded
and unreadable, Mr Deveril contemplated the faded gown with its
signs of careful mending, then the impossibly straight spine and
the tilt of her chin, both which told him that sympathy would not
be welcome. Finally, with an almost imperceptible nod, he said,
‘Will you excuse me for a moment?’
    Rising, he
reached for his coat and rifled through the pockets till he found a
handful of crumpled paper. ‘Thought so,’ he murmured. And then,
opening the door, shouted, ‘Matt?’ – only to discover that Mr Lewis
was just outside, sitting on the stairs, whittling.
    ‘ What the
hell are you - - ?’ began Mr Deveril. And then, with intense
irritation, ‘Give me some bloody credit, Matt. She’s a child, for
Christ’s sake! What did you think I was going to do?’
    ‘ Make bad
worse – same as always,’ retorted Matt. He stood up amidst a shower
of wood-shavings and looked through the open door at
Chlo ë . Then, apparently satisfied, said,
‘What did you want?’
    A hint of
colour touched the flat pallor of Alex’s face and the flash of
temper vanished as quickly as it had come. ‘These are Ashton’s
notes of hand from last night. Take a look and see what they amount
to, then go and tell him I want them honoured by the end of the
week. Oh - and tell him I’ve married his step-sister but warn him
against paying us any bride-visits.’ A hard smile curled his mouth.
‘Frighten him a bit, if you like … or even a lot.’
    Matt’s seamed
face brightened. ‘Reckon I can manage that.’
    ‘ I don’t
doubt it,’ returned Mr Deveril absently, waving him on his
way.
    As soon
as the door closed, Chlo ë said baldly,
‘Why did you do that?’
    ‘ For
fun,’ he said flippantly. And then, catching sight of her
expression, ‘Don’t read too much into it. I frequently do things I
don’t have to. Now. Where were we?’
    She was
starting to wonder how often Mr Deveril said what he really meant –
but wisely refrained from asking and said instead, ‘You were trying
to decide what to do with me.’
    A very
different smile lit his eyes. He said, ‘Not the best way of putting
it - but yes. And I have a suggestion to make. I will make discreet
enquiries about the possibility of an annulment, meanwhile you will
continue to reside here with all the appearance of wifely
permanence. All, that is, save one.’
    Chloë
looked up, a sudden light in her eyes. ‘ Nisi something copula
carnalis ?’
    ‘ That’s
the one. You’ve a good memory.’
    ‘ Only for
vital implications.’ She hesitated. ‘Since you don’t want either me
or my eight hundred pounds, I can’t imagine what possible benefit
such an arrangement might be to you.’
    ‘ You
don’t need to. And don’t be so cynical. Call it a matter of
chivalry.’
    She gazed back
in rapt fascination. ‘Chivalry? Really? That’s nice.’ Then, shaking
her head, ‘I’m sorry, Mr Deveril – but I don’t believe you.’
    His expression
remained enigmatic and his voice pleasant as he said, ‘That, of
course, is your privilege.’
    ‘ I
suppose it wouldn’t have anything to do with Sarah, would it?’ she
asked thoughtfully. And was given ample time to regret the
question.
    Finally, he
said, ‘Who told you?’
    She swallowed.
‘You did. At least, you asked Mr Lewis to tell Sarah you were
married. And when I told him I had no intention of holding you to
it, he said I’d be doing you a favour if I didn’t tell you so just
yet. So I thought … I just thought the two things might be
connected.’
    He did not
speak but the look in his eyes was no longer either enigmatic or
pleasant. Recognising that she had made a major tactical error,
Chloë saw nothing for it but to plough doggedly on.
    ‘ What I’m
trying to tell you is that, if you have an understanding with Sa –
with any other lady, you need not feel honour bound to terminate it
because of me.’
    ‘ Am