Read Online Red Rose by Mary Balogh - Free Book Online Page B

slow progress right across the center of the room of Sir Bernard Crawleigh and Miss Rosalind Dacey, the ward of Raymore who had been seated all evening and who was rumored to be lame. They all become shockingly aware that the rumor was quite true. Although the girl was rather splendidly dressed and bore herself like a queen, she moved in a rather ungainly manner. Why she chose thus to disclose her deformity no one could imagine, but she appeared quite unperturbed. In fact, both she and her companion seemed engrossed in conversation, apparently unaware that almost three hundred pairs of eyes were on them. Having crossed the room, they disappeared through the open French doors leading onto the stone balcony outside.
    The Earl of Raymore, conversing with a group of acquaintances, had frozen at first. When he realized that his senses were not deceiving him, he ruthlessly suppressed his first instinct, which was to rush across to his ward and drag her out through the closest doorway. He smiled lazily and resumed his conversation. He waited until the music began again, made his excuses, and circled the room in leisurely manner until he too could leave through the French doors.
    He could not remember ever being so angry in his life. The girl had done that quite deliberately. It was a well-calculated move to show her contempt for her guardian. And how well she had succeeded. Little fool! Did she think that any man would willingly be seen with her after this? Even Axby must have taken her in everlasting disgust. His one aim now was to find her so that he might have the satisfaction of placing his hands around her throat.
    He did not have far to look. She and Sir Bernard were sitting on the bottom step leading onto the lawn that circled the house, laughing softly.
    Rosalind looked over her shoulder when Raymore stood three steps above them. She had expected this encounter, was prepared for it. She looked up at him with a mixture of defiance and triumph in her eyes. He held her eyes with his, his expression impassive.
    “Crawleigh, I wish to speak to my ward, please,” he said softly and pleasantly.
    “Miss Dacey was about to faint with the heat,” Sir Bernard explained gallantly. “I suggested that I escort her outside for some fresh air.”
    “I thank you for your concern,” Raymore said, his eyes still on his ward. “Would you leave us now, please?”
    Sir Bernard glanced uneasily at Rosalind, but he really had no alternative but to turn and climb the steps again and disappear into the ballroom.
    “Stand up,” Raymore instructed, still very quietly and pleasantly. He descended the remaining steps until he was standing in front of her.
    Rosalind knew without a doubt that if she did not comply immediately, she would be yanked quite unceremoniously to her feet. She stood.
    “Take my arm,” he said, extending it with the utmost courtesy.
    “Where are we going?” Rosalind asked suspiciously.
    “Would you prefer to walk there with me and find out, or to be carried over my shoulder like a sack and find out that way?” he asked, his words quite at variance with the air of courtesy that he still assumed.
    Rosalind took his arm. They, walked in silence along the lawn close to the house until they came to a servants’ entrance. Raymore opened the door and ushered her inside. He grasped her elbow and led her along dark passageways until they arrived unexpectedly in the main hall. He guided her across to the library, opened the door, and ushered her inside.
    Rosalind drew a deep breath, walked across to the desk, and turned to face her guardian, her chin held high. He busied himself for a while lighting candles that stood on the mantel and then turned to her, his eyes for once alive—with blazing anger, she realized.
    “You will explain that exhibition you just put on for the benefit of my guests,” he said.
    “I needed air, my lord,” she replied defiantly.
    “Don’t lie to me, ma’am,” he snapped. “It was for my