Read Online Quick, Amanda by The Paid Companion - Free Book Online
Authors: The Paid Companion
Ads: Link
balusters twisted upward to a balcony that was
lined with more bookshelves.
“Miss Lodge, my lord.” Ibbitts made his announcement as though he was reading Elenora’s name from
an obituary notice.
“Thank you, Ibbitts.” At the far end of the room, near the window facing the unkempt garden, Arthur
rose from behind a heavily carved desk.
Silhouetted against the poor light his hard face was unreadable.
He came around the front of the desk and walked toward her down the length of the room.
“Welcome to your future home, my dear,” he said.
It dawned on her that he was playing his part in front of the butler. She must do the same.
“Thank you. It is so good to see you again, sir.” She made her best curtsy.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Ibbitts backed out of the room and closed the door.
The instant the butler disappeared, Arthur halted midway down the room and glanced at the clock.
“What the devil took you so long? I thought you would be here an hour ago.”
So much for his role of gallant fiancé, Elenora thought. Evidently her new employer did not intend to
maintain the charade when they were private.
“I apologize for the delay,” she said calmly. “The rain made the traffic quite difficult.”
Before he could respond, a woman spoke from the balcony overhead.
“Arthur, please introduce me,” she called down in a warm, soft-spoken voice.
Elenora looked up and saw a tiny bird of a woman who appeared to be in her mid thirties. She had
delicate features and bright hazel eyes. Her hair, dressed in a simple chignon, was the color of dark
honey. Her gown appeared to be relatively new and made of expensive fabric, but it was not in the latest
style.
“Allow me to present Margaret Lancaster,” Arthur said. “She is the relative I mentioned, the one who
will be staying here while I conduct my business affairs. She will go about with you and lend her services
as a chaperone so that your reputation will not suffer while you are in this household.”
“Mrs. Lancaster.” Elenora dropped another curtsy.
“You must call me Margaret. After all, as far as the world is concerned, you will soon be a member of
the family.” Margaret started down the circular staircase “My, this is going to be so exciting. I am quite
looking forward to the adventure.”
Arthur went back to his desk and sat down. He looked at Elenora and Margaret in turn.
“As I have explained, I want the pair of you to do whatever is necessary to distract the attentions of
Society so that I can conduct my business affairs with the greatest degree of privacy possible.”
“Yes, of course,” Elenora murmured.
“You will make arrangements immediately to attend the most important and most fashionable balls and
soirees so that everyone in Society will see that I really do have a fiancée.”
“I understand,” Elenora said.
He looked at Margaret. “As Elenora’s chaperone and female guide, you will deal with the details
involved in making certain that she creates an immediate and convincing impression on the Polite World.”
“Yes, Arthur.” Margaret’s expression seemed somewhat strained.
“She will need suitable gowns, hats, gloves and all the fripperies that go with them,” Arthur continued.
“Everything must be in the most current mode, of course, and purchased from the right shops. You know
how critical fashion is in Society.”
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
There was a short pause during which Margaret seemed to collect herself
“Yes, Arthur,” she said again. This time her smile was decidedly shaky.
Elenora glanced at her in surprise, wondering what was amiss.
Arthur, however, did not seem to be aware that anything was wrong.
“Very, well, I think that is all for now,” he said, reaching for a leather-bound journal and a pen. “You
may both go. I’m sure you have a number of things to do to
lined with more bookshelves.
“Miss Lodge, my lord.” Ibbitts made his announcement as though he was reading Elenora’s name from
an obituary notice.
“Thank you, Ibbitts.” At the far end of the room, near the window facing the unkempt garden, Arthur
rose from behind a heavily carved desk.
Silhouetted against the poor light his hard face was unreadable.
He came around the front of the desk and walked toward her down the length of the room.
“Welcome to your future home, my dear,” he said.
It dawned on her that he was playing his part in front of the butler. She must do the same.
“Thank you. It is so good to see you again, sir.” She made her best curtsy.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Ibbitts backed out of the room and closed the door.
The instant the butler disappeared, Arthur halted midway down the room and glanced at the clock.
“What the devil took you so long? I thought you would be here an hour ago.”
So much for his role of gallant fiancé, Elenora thought. Evidently her new employer did not intend to
maintain the charade when they were private.
“I apologize for the delay,” she said calmly. “The rain made the traffic quite difficult.”
Before he could respond, a woman spoke from the balcony overhead.
“Arthur, please introduce me,” she called down in a warm, soft-spoken voice.
Elenora looked up and saw a tiny bird of a woman who appeared to be in her mid thirties. She had
delicate features and bright hazel eyes. Her hair, dressed in a simple chignon, was the color of dark
honey. Her gown appeared to be relatively new and made of expensive fabric, but it was not in the latest
style.
“Allow me to present Margaret Lancaster,” Arthur said. “She is the relative I mentioned, the one who
will be staying here while I conduct my business affairs. She will go about with you and lend her services
as a chaperone so that your reputation will not suffer while you are in this household.”
“Mrs. Lancaster.” Elenora dropped another curtsy.
“You must call me Margaret. After all, as far as the world is concerned, you will soon be a member of
the family.” Margaret started down the circular staircase “My, this is going to be so exciting. I am quite
looking forward to the adventure.”
Arthur went back to his desk and sat down. He looked at Elenora and Margaret in turn.
“As I have explained, I want the pair of you to do whatever is necessary to distract the attentions of
Society so that I can conduct my business affairs with the greatest degree of privacy possible.”
“Yes, of course,” Elenora murmured.
“You will make arrangements immediately to attend the most important and most fashionable balls and
soirees so that everyone in Society will see that I really do have a fiancée.”
“I understand,” Elenora said.
He looked at Margaret. “As Elenora’s chaperone and female guide, you will deal with the details
involved in making certain that she creates an immediate and convincing impression on the Polite World.”
“Yes, Arthur.” Margaret’s expression seemed somewhat strained.
“She will need suitable gowns, hats, gloves and all the fripperies that go with them,” Arthur continued.
“Everything must be in the most current mode, of course, and purchased from the right shops. You know
how critical fashion is in Society.”
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
There was a short pause during which Margaret seemed to collect herself
“Yes, Arthur,” she said again. This time her smile was decidedly shaky.
Elenora glanced at her in surprise, wondering what was amiss.
Arthur, however, did not seem to be aware that anything was wrong.
“Very, well, I think that is all for now,” he said, reaching for a leather-bound journal and a pen. “You
may both go. I’m sure you have a number of things to do to
Similar Books
