Jo Beverley by Forbidden Magic Read Free Book Online

don’t suppose you do.” Meg was trying to think coherently about all this, trying to take it seriously, but she couldn’t. “It really doesn’t make sense, you know.”
    â€œIt does if you know him. You see”—Susie leaned forward again—“he likes to take chances, Sax does.” Doubtless because of Meg’s surprise at the name, she added, “Everyone calls him Sax, though us servants don’t to his face, of course.”
    â€œI don’t see that there’s any ‘of course’ about this extraordinary situation.”
    â€œYou’ll see.” Before Meg could protest that, Susie added, “He treats life like an endless game. Not that he neglects his responsibilities, but he doesn’t like to always do the expected. He makes decisions by tossing a coin or rolling dice. He doesn’t gamble for high stakes, but he’ll use cards and dice to risk other things.”
    â€œAre you certain he shouldn’t be in an asylum?”
    Susie giggled. “Oh, miss!” But then she sobered. “It’sa true offer, though, and you’d be a fool to turn it down.”
    â€œA fool? To turn down the offer to marry an eccentric, possibly a lunatic, sight unseen?”
    â€œA very rich eccentric.”
    Money. The root of all evil, but so very important when one didn’t have any. The maid was right. Here was the chance to save her family from disaster—the chance, surely, she had asked for. How silly to sit here quibbling. After all, she had been willing to become Sir Arthur Jakes’s mistress to save them all. Could this be any worse? At least she was offered marriage.
    She stood. “I will come with you now to meet the earl.”
    The maid, however, stayed in her chair. “I’m sorry, miss, but he says not. If you want to do it, you’re to turn up at the church tomorrow at eleven o’clock.”
    â€œWhat church?”
    â€œWhatever your parish church is. I’m to find out.”
    â€œThis is insane! What possible reason can there be for us not to meet? Unless there is something about him that will repulse me. But then,” she added thoughtfully, “I could refuse to go through with the ceremony. . . .”
    â€œExactly. I don’t know his reasons, miss, except that it’s the way he is. He flipped a coin, and it pointed to you. If you don’t agree, he’ll pick a name of one of the society ladies out of a hat. But if you say you will, then don’t go through with it, he’ll let his grandmother have her way.”
    â€œFlipped a coin!” But then, was that any worse than making a wish on a risqué statue? “Describe the earl to me.”
    â€œOh, he’s a handsome man, miss. Tall, well built.”
    A strong maniac.
    â€œAnd his nature?”
    â€œHe’s a pleasant enough gentleman. Right charming to the ladies when he’s of a mind to be.”
    And when he’s not? Meg wondered, a little shiver running down her back. “You say he’s handsome. Is he dark, pale . . . ?”
    The maid wrinkled her brow. “Well, he’s sort of yellow, miss.”
    â€œYellow? You mean blond?”
    â€œSort of. His skin’s darker than most gentlemen’s because he loves to sail in the summer and don’t have a care to wearing hats. His hair’s a darkish kind of blond—from the sun, see—and his eyes are kind of yellow, too. Yellowish brown.”
    â€œAre his teeth yellow, too?” Meg was beginning to think she knew why the earl had trouble finding a bride. This story was perhaps largely a face-saving exercise.
    Susie giggled. “No, miss! White and strong and healthy. Are yours? It was one of his things he had to have.”
    Meg stared. “Are you supposed to inspect them?”
    Susie actually leaned away. “Er . . . no, miss. It was just a comment. He didn’t say anything about