A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde Read Free Book Online Page A

Edmund was a prominent figure in society, and Rosalind could not risk falling into her bad books.
    â€œThank you, Honoria, but I’m afraid I’ve several calls to make. Perhaps another time?” Rosalind found her polite smile and bestowed it evenly on the little assembly. “Thank you so much for your invitation, Lady Edmund. I will have an answer for you regarding the other matter shortly.”
    â€œI look forward to hearing from you, Miss Thorne.”
    Then, because it was expected and therefore required, she turned to face Lord Casselmain and receive his polite bow. Rosalind bobbed her curtsy. But her eyes raised themselves a heartbeat too soon and caught his.
    Memory wrapped her in summer darkness, and Devon’s gentle eyes were filled with moonlight and kindness and something else she did not yet have the courage to put a name to. His hand caught hers, and she felt how he shook. She remembered thinking how this was only fair. She was shaking, too.
    Six hours later, Rosalind was chasing her sister Charlotte down the servants’ stairs, out to the coach and four their father had hired to make his escape.
    Rosalind forced herself back to the present, where Lord Casselmain stood a polite distance away and touched her only with his light, gray gaze.
    â€œOh, I nearly forgot,” he said. “But I believe you know my cousin Louisa, Miss Thorne?”
    â€œYes, indeed. How is she?”
    â€œVery well, thank you. She and my aunt are staying with me for the season. She mentioned she hoped to meet you while you are in town. May I tell her you will call?”
    Rosalind did not for a moment believe this invitationactually came from Louisa. Lord Casselmain was contriving to bring them together again, right in front of the girl who was supposed to be his fiancée.
    Unfortunately, because of the way Lord Casselmain phrased the request, and because they were in company, Rosalind could not refuse without appearing ill-mannered. “Certainly you may, Lord Casselmain. I’ll be delighted to see Louisa. Now, you must excuse me.”
    Annoyance at having been so neatly cornered gave her the strength to turn smoothly away.
    Outside, January’s cold wrapped around Rosalind, digging under her collar and into her finger ends. There was a livery stable nearby where she might be able to hire a hackney carriage, but as she mentally counted the meager number of coins in her reticule, Rosalind sighed, and started walking in the direction of Blanchard House.
    Why?
she thought again.
Why are you doing this, Devon?
    But still there was no answer.

CHAPTER 4
    The Secrets of a Diplomatic House
    â€œHow will this look in Almack’s” was as insistent a question as “How will this look in the universe?”
    â€”Thomas Carlyle
    Blanchard House had been built on a grand scale. Unlike Lady Edmund, however, Lady Blanchard had attempted to find some harmony between her home’s past and its present. The lower rooms maintained much of their old grandeur, with their frescoed ceilings and gilded trim. Since it was not easy to make such vast painted and paneled chambers comfortable, Lady Blanchard did her receiving in the private rooms above the first floor.
    Because Rosalind was expected, the stout footman took her up the sweeping central stair without any of the formal delay of sending up a card or inquiring whether the mistress of the house was at home. As a further mark of distinction, she was led to the private parlor off Lady Blanchard’s boudoir.
    â€œRosalind!” Lady Blanchard held out her hands in welcome. “At last! Sit down, my dear, and tell me of your success.”
    â€œIt was not at all difficult, you know.” Rosalind took her godmother’s hands and pressed them warmly. Her encounter with Lord Casselmain had left her more troubled than she would care to admit, and being able to throw herself into LadyBlanchard’s business was a welcome distraction.