A Rogue of My Own by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online

herself, leaving that very day. Lady Sarah preferred to sweep the whole incident under the rug.” Then Evelyn whispered, “We were told never to mention it again, but I felt you had to be warned, since by all accounts it appears that Elizabeth is going to try to provoke you into creating a scandalous scene as well. For a moment tonight, I thought she would succeed.”
    For a moment tonight, Rebecca had thought the same thing. “Do you know why Elizabeth is so provocative? Knowing the cause might help to alleviate it.”
    Evelyn gave that a moment’s thought. “You mean like jealousy or some supposed grudge?”
    “Yes.”
    Evelyn shrugged. “I wouldn’t call it a grudge unless she blames everyone for her woes, which would be, well, silly, wouldn’t it? Jealousy now, hmmm, if so, my guess would be that it has to do with her lack of money. Her family isn’t well-to-do, so she might be feeling the pinch of that now that she’s among all the grandeur here. By all accounts, one of her ancestors squandered the family fortune with his gambling. You know, that might be why she gets along so well with Lady Sarah. Sarah comes from an impoverished noble family, too. But I don’t really know. Elizabeth might just be provocative because she deplores sharing a room. Her attitude seemed to improve last week when she believed she had that room to herself.”
    They had arrived at the destination Evelyn had been steering them toward…the kitchen, of all places!
    Evelyn was laughing at the look of surprise on Rebecca’s face and asked, “Hungry? I’m famished. We’re allowed accesshere, of course. One of the first things I did when I arrived was to come here and make friends with the head cook, which I highly recommend you do as well. It’s wonderful having fresh pastries delivered to your room each morning. They’re rather stale by the time they get to the duchess’s quarters, where we take most of our meals.”
    The huge area was still bustling with activity even at that time of night, with kitchen maids scrubbing dishes and mopping the floors, and cooks’ assistants making preparations for the next day’s meals. Rebecca thought Evelyn’s suggestion about the pastries was excellent, even if she might have to share those fresh pastries with a disagreeable roommate.
    “Now that you mention it, I do believe I missed having dinner tonight.” Rebecca grinned. “Is the cook about? I’d like to meet him.”
    “No, but I’ll be pleased to bring you back tomorrow for that introduction.”
    “Thank you, and I mean that sincerely,” Rebecca said to her new friend. “You’ve been wonderfully helpful.”
    “It’s my pleasure. I’m just glad you’re not another Elizabeth. One is quite enough!”

Chapter Seven
    F LORA WAS AMAZINGLY PERCEPTIVE. Rebecca was able to give her maid the whole account of what had happened yesterday because Elizabeth had flounced out of the room before Flora had arrived. After a brief display of umbrage on Rebecca’s behalf, Flora came up with a logical plan of action.
    “I’ll do her hair.”
    Surprised, Rebecca turned around on the vanity stool where Flora was working on Rebecca’s hair. “You certainly don’t have to.”
    “I know. But your mother didn’t expect you to land in a nest of vipers here. She expects you to have a wonderful time, to enjoy this grand come-out to the fullest. You can’t do that with a witch plotting ways to make you run home crying to mama as her last roommate apparently did.”
    “The offer to do her hair may not make any difference, you know,” Rebecca warned.
    “If it doesn’t, then I’ll stop. But there’s no harm in trying, is there?”
    Flora had an optimistic nature. So did Rebecca—except in this case. Elizabeth’s unpleasant disposition seemed to be part of her nature, which meant a peace offering wasn’t going to improve it. But Rebecca knew her maid was right. It wouldn’t hurt to try.
    John Keets was waiting in the hall to escort her to