An Improper Lady (The Powder and Patch Collection) by Jane Godman Read Free Book Online

years, since before he joined the Jacobite cause and suffered those dreadful consequences. Anyhow, it just feels like the wrong time to tell him, to draw his attention away from this reunion.”
    “ Rosie,” Bella took her hands and drew her down to sit on the bed next to her. “If you think anything matters one jot to Jack in comparison to what he feels for you, well you deserve a good slap, my girl!”
    Rosie laughed. “I will tell him as soon as the time is right,” she promised. “And what of you?” she continued audaciously. “Jack told me that you and Sir Peregrine appeared to be finding a quite uncommon pleasure in each other’s company?”
    “Jack is annoyingly perceptive! But, is it not the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard?” Bella sighed, making no attempt to refute the suggestion. She took a deep breath, “You do not consider him too young for me?”
    Rosie regarded her in astonishment, “Since when has that been an issue for you ?” she caught herself up guiltily, “I mean, of course, he is not!”
    Bella sighed. “At the risk of sounding like a giddy schoolgirl, this is different, Rosie. I have not felt like this since…” She bit her lip. “Well, in a very long time.”
    “Oh, what a pity he is not joining us for Christmas after all!” Rosie exclaimed then, noticing her visitor’s stricken look, asked in concern, “Why, Bella, whatever is the matter?”
     
    ***
     
    On Christmas night, the guests gathered in the great hall, where long tables were laid for dinner. Candlelight glistened off the elegant porcelain tableware and the flickering glow from the huge fire lent a sense of drama. Formal rules for dining were observed, and Jack seated himself at the foot of the table while Rosie went to the head. The most senior of the guests were placed closest to their hosts. Bella found herself between an elderly St. Anton cousin and the local parson. She would be having strong words with Rosie later!
    On this special occasion, the first course consisted of several different soups and broths, buttered vegetables, boiled cod in a rich cream sauce and joints of beef, mutton and ham. The second course was lighter, being made up of steamed and pureed vegetables, chicken cooked with mace and caraway seeds, dressed rabbit and guinea fowl and a large peacock pie.
    The evening’s conversation piece was a mock boar's head made of sponge cake and cream. Elaborate desserts were a statement of high fashion, and Rosie’s cook did not disappoint. Fresh and sugared fruits, sweetmeats, jams, jellies, creams and ices filled every spare inch of the table. Wine and ale were served and, for those guests who craved something lighter, there was cordial or water. When the port decanter was circulated to the gentlemen, the ladies withdrew to the drawing room where they sipped sherry.
    Later, when the tables were cleared and removed, the ladies returned to the hall where musicians struck up, and some of the younger members of the party engaged in an impromptu dance.
    “Could she have tired of me, Bella?” Jack asked, watching his wife as she mingled with her guests and made polite conversation with each of them.
    “ Don’t be a fool, Jack!”
    “ But in the short time we have been married, she has unaccountably changed towards me…” he explained, sipping his wine. “It began in Vienna. She seems distracted. Why, I can say her name a dozen times and get no response! And,” he lowered his voice conspiratorially, “at the risk of sounding indelicate …”
    “ Consider to whom you speak, Jack,” Bella reminded him with a wry smile. “Indelicacy is my speciality.”
    He laughed appreciatively. “When we were first wed, we both wanted to spend every minute in bed. Indeed, we could scarcely keep our hands off each other! Now all Rosie wants to do is sleep!”
    “For a clever man, Jack, you can be quite staggeringly stupid at times!” Bella said. Before he could ask what she meant by her unflattering