Read Online Seven Dreams by Charlotte E. English - Free Book Online Page A

Bastavere’s
appearance with poorly concealed impatience, but Serena had
insisted on his accompanying her. As committed as she was to the
job, nothing could persuade her to undertake her distasteful role
as the Baron’s entertainment without support. He had a detestable
way of getting her alone at every opportunity, and his behaviour
when he succeeded was not such as to inspire Serena with
confidence. She had a secret hope that today, just for once, she
might contrive to escape from the Baron’s clutches without having
to field another proposal of marriage.
    A faint hope, she
realised with an inward sigh, as she observed the twinkle in his
eye which he no doubt considered roguish. Still, she had Fabian to
play the desirable role of fifth wheel, and as long as the Baron
was focused upon her, he would not notice the extra housemaid who
was wandering the halls of his house, or the pair of suspiciously
lively lizards currently sticking their sticky feet all over his
walls. She hoped that her team had managed to infiltrate the house
without any problems, and also that Iyamar, left with the costume
coach, was getting along suitably with Wendle.
    Their primary
objective was to find the key, or whatever it was, before Halavere
arrived to claim it. She had some hopes that Egg, with her natural
inquisitiveness and her eye for the unusual, might manage to
identify it. Failing that, perhaps Teyo’s unusual draykon senses
might reveal it, should the thing prove to be unremarkable to the
eye. Either way, they would need time. The house was enormous, of
course, and much of it was littered with collectibles.
    She exchanged
some lively nothings with the Baron for a few minutes, allowing
herself to be conducted over the gardens. Fabian said nothing at
all as Serena exclaimed rapturously over every single violently
golden bush or tree or flower which her tiresome companion chose to
show her; he merely followed in silence. It was part of his role,
of course. Lord Bastavere was snobbish in the extreme, and not at
all shy of showing his contempt. She might wish, though, that he
would talk a little, and share the burden of entertaining the
Baron, even if he could only be rude. Were some of these bushes painted gold? They were. They absolutely were. Serena
averted her gaze with a strong shudder, and plastered back on her
smile.
    She kept the
whole party out in the gardens for as long as she could, aware that
she was giving her team plenty of time to scout the interior. At
length, however, the Baron would not be dissuaded from leading her
inside. The autumnal weather was just too chilly, alas, for her to
propose tea in the gardens, and she was obliged to allow herself to
be led into a drawing-room on the first floor. This, too, was
appallingly golden, and she seated herself in a gold-upholstered
chair with a sigh, arranging her fine lavender velvet skirts around
herself with ostentatious fastidiousness.
    This sigh of hers
had been audible, she realised with dismay, as the Baron turned a
questioning look upon her. ‘Never say that my fair Fenella finds
something amiss!’ he cried, with lively dismay. ‘If one single
thing in my humble house is not to her taste, she must say so at
once, and it shall be rectified instantly .’
    A man who
referred to a lady of his interest in the third person ought to be
shot, Serena thought savagely. She yawned theatrically and sagged
back into her seat, disclaiming, ‘Oh! No, my lord, how could I
possibly object to such charming arrangements? In truth, I am a
little tired. I attended a party yesterday eve, and I was coaxed
into remaining later than was strictly wise.’
    ‘ I am
overcome with regret!’ he declared extravagantly. ‘I should have
been present to attend you, Fenella. Under my guidance, you could
not have overstrained yourself.’
    Fabian’s lip
curled visibly, and Serena hurriedly exclaimed, ‘How good you are! But I can take care of myself, you know.’
    ‘ Evidently not!’ returned the