Devil Takes A Bride by Gaelen Foley Read Free Book Online Page B

morbid.”
    â€œOh, I don’t know,” Lizzie answered with caution. “I rather like it on the shelf, safely out of harm’s way—where certain ‘cats’ of my acquaintance cannot knock one down and shatter one into a hundred bits, like your poor vase.”
    Lady Strathmore leaned nearer, sliding her a mischievous smile. “But on the shelf, my dear, all you get is dusty.”
    Lizzie burst out laughing and shook her head at the incorrigible old woman. Nevertheless, she was eager for a change of subject rather than her nonexistent love life. She turned to show Lady Strathmore the progress she had made on repairing her treasured vase, when suddenly a high-pitched shriek pierced the air from somewhere near the entrance hall.
    â€œGood heavens, what now?” her employer exclaimed.
    Lizzie was already on her feet, rushing to see what was the matter. She was halfway across the room when Margaret burst into the doorway with a look of wild excitement.
    â€œOh, milady, it’s Master Dev! He’s come! He’s riding up the drive!”
    â€œDevlin?” the old woman breathed, her face lighting up with instantaneous joy.
    â€œAye, ma’am!” Margaret cried, her eyes sparkling. “He’ll be here in a trice!”
    â€œHeaven preserve us!” she whispered. “He’s come!” Radiating shocked amazement and motherly pride, the formidable old dragon did not seem to know what to do with herself all of a sudden. She was breathless, positively fluttering. “Why, that rascal, he gave no warning! Isn’t that just like him? Well, don’t just stand there, daft creature! Run and tell Cook to set another place for supper! My nephew will be hungry—he always is! Lusty appetite, that boy—no doubt it’s why he’s grown into such a fine, strapping figure of a man.”
    â€œYes, ma’am!” Margaret agreed a bit too eagerly, then dashed out a curtsy and raced off to carry out the divine privilege of feeding Master Dev.
    â€œI don’t trust a man who doesn’t relish a good meal,” Lady Strathmore went on, quickly wiping away a tear that she thought no one saw, but Lizzie barely paid heed.
    She stood frozen with astonishment, her mind in a whirl.
    Good God, her ruse had worked!
    But how? How on earth had he gotten here so fast? He would have had to have traveled all night through the blizzard at breakneck speed—
    â€œQuickly, child, how do I look?” Lady Strathmore demanded. Busily adjusting the lappets of her black lace house cap, her cheeks were flushed with pleasure, her coloring better than Lizzie had seen it in weeks.
    It was miraculous.
    Darling Dev had not even shown his face yet, but somehow he had the power to revitalize the old woman with an impact that all Lizzie’s patient, cheerful, daily companionship could not begin to approach. And that, she supposed with a lonely pang, was the power of genuine love.
    â€œYou look beautiful, ma’am,” she forced out. “As ever.”
    â€œWell, don’t just stand there, Lizzie, go and change that frumpy gown!”
    â€œMa’am!” she said indignantly.
    â€œI’ve told you how stylish he is.”
    A hint of temper flashed across her brow. “It’s not the Regent come, my lady.”
    â€œHeadstrong gel. Take that awful thing off, at least.” Lady Strathmore pointed to her head.
    Lizzie frowned, touching her white muslin house cap. “What’s wrong with it?”
    â€œIt makes you look
old
.”
    â€œI am old,” she insisted.
    â€œChild, I have gowns in my closet that are older than you. Well, suit yourself, stubborn creature. You always do. But don’t blame me if Devlin teases you about your dress. He is always teasing,” she added with lavish doting.
    â€œHe wouldn’t dare.”
    â€œOh-ho, dear miss, there is little my nephew would not dare. I cannot wait for you to meet him