Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) by Jane Charles Read Free Book Online Page A

after them.
Her life had certainly taken some unexpected turns in the last day
or so. What is going to happen next?

Chapter 5

    “Does Lady Sabrina need a doctor?” Taylor
asked as his wife and Marius came into the dining room.
    “No. Nothing a few days off her feet won’t
cure,” Phoebe answered. “How did she get so many blisters?”
    As he helped himself to a cup of coffee and
sat to join his friend, Marius told them all that had transpired
since Taylor had left him a few days earlier. “That is why she
offered to do some mending,” he explained to Phoebe.
    Taylor relaxed back in his seat, cradling a
cup in his hands. “What do you plan to do now?”
    “I planned on leaving Sabrina here while I
travel to London and pay a visit to Ramsey. I have to believe that
he has no idea what his cousin has been doing.”
    “I agree. I don’t think he would have stood
for this.”
    “Those were my thoughts exactly.” Marius
stood. “I’ll say my goodbyes to Sabrina and be on my way.”
    Taylor nodded some more. “Yes. Contact me as
soon as you know something. If Ramsey is as surprised as we expect,
bring him back here to see Lady Sabrina.” He cast a quick glance at
Phoebe before continuing. “Given my own family experience, I am not
sure you want her reunion to be in London until you know what is
going on.”
    Phoebe and Marius both grimaced at his words
recalling the devastation Taylor’s own cousin had brought to keep
him from inheriting.

    *

    A maid helped Sabrina bathe and wash her
hair. She was tucked into bed, reading Sense and Sensibility when Mr. Parker knocked on the door. It had been so long since she
had been treated as a lady that she had forgotten how wonderful it
could be.
    “I have come to say goodbye.”
    The smile faded from her face. She hadn’t
expected him to drop her in this household and up and leave. She
sat up.
    “I am going to London to see what I can find
for you.”
    She relaxed back against the pillows. Marius
would have better luck in knowing what positions were available. If
he had friends like the Sandlins, chances were he knew others in
society. Surely one of them could give her a position within their
household with his recommendation. At least she hoped that was the
case. She just had to be sure there was no chance of Ramsey
learning. Maybe working in a country home would be best. She would
just need to come up with some excuse of why she was no longer at
the academy.
    “I won’t be gone long.”
    Sabrina tried to force the smile back to her
lips. She had known this couldn’t last. The days with him and the
comforts. All too soon the real world would intrude and she would
have to make her place in it. “Thank you for everything you have
done.”
    “Don’t thank me yet. Take care of yourself
and stay off those feet until Phoebe says it is fine for you to
walk.” He bent and kissed the top of her head.
    Sabrina tried to keep a smile on her face.
He kissed her as if she were a child. She would much rather he had
really kissed her and wondered what it would be like. After all, if
you sleep with a man all night, is it any wonder that you would
want to know what it was like to be kissed by him? Then again, he
had no idea how they had slept and she realized how important it
was to keep that information to herself. He obviously only felt a
small affection, if any, for her. The thought was not pleasing at
all. “Have a safe trip and good luck,” she finally offered with
false brightness.
    When he finally left, Sabrina could only
stare at the door and wonder what he really thought of her and if
he was only helping her because he felt responsible. Would he have
gone to all this effort it she hadn’t revealed why she had left the
academy? Perhaps. One thing was very clear however, he didn’t seem
to have developed the strange affection she had.
    Sabrina picked up the book. It was probably
better. They were from two different worlds. It was best that he
left before her feelings