Read Online My Favorite Bride by Christina Dodd - Free Book Online Page B

dancing.”
    Celeste blinked. “Oh, Lady Featherstonebaugh, I most definitely enjoy getting to know an old and honored guest.”
    The little bitch had definitely emphasized the word old . Valda’s hand twitched. She wanted to slap Celeste.
    As revenge for Celeste’s insolence, Valda caught her husband’s eye. She snapped her chin up.
    He scuttled across the dance floor to them.
    To Celeste, she said, “You are too kind to me, my dear.” She placed Celeste’s hand on Rupert’s arm. “Our lovely young hostess is without a partner.”
    Rupert couldn’t believe his good luck. He’d been trying to get his paws on the new Mrs. Throckmorton since the first time he’d seen her, back when she was newly returned from Paris and flaunting her seductiveness in front of any man who showed interest. Now he wiggled his eyebrows, bowed, and led her onto the floor.
    Valda stayed long enough to see that they were well and truly occupied, then she made her way to Throckmorton’s office.
    A voice came from the antechamber. Throckmorton’s voice, raised in loud disbelief. “This is outrageous. I don’t believe it. Who made this accusation?”
    Valda strained to hear as another voice, low and indistinct, answered.
    â€œI assure you, he hasn’t the intelligence to fool me for so long,” Throckmorton proclaimed.
    Valda took a long, silent breath. Clutched at her silk-covered chest.
    The low voice answered again.
    Valda crept closer.
    â€œHow likely is that? She’s old.” Throckmorton sounded as if he were sneering. “Furthermore, they are revered Throckmorton family friends!”
    Valda had heard enough. They were talking about Rupert . . . and her. Before long, Throckmorton would be convinced, and she . . . she would be dancing at the end of a silk rope.
    She walked away from the door toward the ballroom. Once there, she swept the room with her gaze. The old fool, Rupert, was standing off to the side by himself, clutching his hand as if he were in pain.
    Apparently, young Celeste had not been amenable to his groping.
    Valda glared at him, caught his eye, and again jerked her chin. She watched as he tottered toward her, a bony, long-chinned, disreputable old man who she longed to leave behind. But as always, he hung around her neck, a burden dragging her down.
    He knew too much. He scared too easily. He had to go with her . . . back to the Lake District and Maitland Manor. Back to the place where she’d hidden their cache of gold and jewels.
    Once there, she would set their escape plan in motion, and they would disappear from England.
    She rubbed her aching hip. If only she were still young enough to enjoy the adventure.

Chapter Seven
    â€œThose children are monsters.”
    â€œAye, miss.”
    â€œI treat them with respect, and all I want in return is a little respect for myself.”
    â€œAye, miss.”
    â€œYet they continue to sulk, to refuse to cooperate, and to pretend they don’t understand their lessons when I know very well that they do.”
    â€œCould be worse, miss.”
    Samantha raised her drooping head and stared at Clarinda. “How could it be worse?”
    â€œFer Miss Ives, two governesses ago, they filled a bag with manure, lit it on fire, and put it by her desk, and when the governess tried t’ stomp it out—”
    Samantha lifted her hand to stop Clarinda’srecitation. She sat in her bedchamber, the room that had become her refuge, taking her luncheon on a tray while the children took their luncheon in the schoolroom under the supervision of their nursemaids. Her own cowardice shamed her, but after four days she was bone-tired and for the first time in her career, unsure how to proceed in the face of such unending hostility. “How do they get away with such tricks? Is everyone in the household in on their pranks?”
    â€œIn a manner o’ speaking, miss.