Read Online The Bride Wore Scarlet by Liz Carlyle - Free Book Online Page B

on Anaïs. “Well, it’s settled then,” he said, his voice gentler now. “Now kindly hurry, Miss de Rohan. If another hour gets past us, we’ll be sharing the street with the morning’s vegetable barrows.”
    T he following morning, the mood within the hallowed, silk-hung walls of the St. James Society’s coffee room was an odd one. Lord Ruthveyn stood at one of the wide bow windows, one hand set at the back of his neck as he stared across St. James’s Place at the entrance to Ned Quartermaine’s gaming hell—which was, ostensibly, a private club for the most dashing amongst the ton .
    At Geoff’s right sat Lieutenant Lord Curran Alexander, who looked as if he had not slept. Lord Manders had gone to the sideboard as if to replenish his breakfast plate, then left it there, forgotten.
    Even Mr. Sutherland had abandoned his coffee cup, now turning cold upon the table.
    So much consternation , thought Geoff, over one small female.
    And Rance, of course—the cause of all this discord—had not yet seen fit to present himself, being the sort of gentleman who was rarely spotted before noon unless there was a garrison to storm or the grouse were in season.
    Sutherland cleared his throat a little sharply, and motioned Ruthveyn from the window. “I think we needn’t wait any longer, Adrian,” he said. “As Preost, I’m here to arbitrate, but not to decide. That must fall to all of you, the Founders.”
    Alexander had lifted his gaze to Mr. Sutherland’s. “Surely, sir, there can be no question of admitting this woman?”
    â€œWrong question, old friend.” Ruthveyn’s mouth twisted sourly as he sat back down. “The question is whether we horsewhip Rance for that trick last night, or merely toss him out on his arse.”
    â€œGentlemen, let us not be hasty.” Sutherland drew off his silver spectacles and laid them pensively aside. He was a tall man of military bearing, who had been chosen as Preost because of his wisdom and his temperament. “Membership in the Fraternitas is for life. We all know that. As to this so-called St. James Society, there really is no procedure in your bylaws for dismissing a Founder. And it would be overhasty.”
    â€œBut last night was beyond the pale, Sutherland,” said Lord Manders, shoving his coffee aside. “To bring a woman into our midst? Think what she has seen. Imagine the tales she might spread. As Lazonby’s countryman—as a loyal Scot—I am angry.”
    â€œThe Scots have no special sway within the Fraternitas , my lord,” said Sutherland a little wearily. “The Gift runs strong in that nation’s blood, aye—more so than others, I’ll grant you. But we do not think any more—or any less—of a man for his race.”
    â€œBesides, there is a woman in our midst every day,” Geoff heard himself saying. “You forget Safiyah Belkadi lives under our roof.”
    â€œMiss Belkadi deals only with the staff,” said Manders. “No one ever sees her. She rarely speaks, certainly not to men. And she knows nothing, really, of what goes on here.”
    Geoff was willing to wager that Belkadi’s sister knew more of what went on in the St. James Society than did half the members, but he wisely withheld that view.
    â€œAll that aside, she is Belkadi’s sister, and she is to be trusted,” Alexander continued. “But this de Rohan woman—I daresay she was just one of Rance’s damned pranks.”
    â€œI wish, gentlemen, it were that simple.”
    Geoff turned around to see the Preost pinching at the bridge of his nose.
    â€œWhat do you mean, Sutherland?” Ruthveyn demanded.
    The Preost exhaled wearily. “I have been up all night, reading the records Rance gave me,” he said. “They really are quite . . . extraordinary.”
    â€œExtraordinary?” Geoff echoed. “In what