Jo Beverley - [Rogue ] by Christmas Angel Read Free Book Online

There was no question, however, of intimacy with one in such different circumstances. She had thought sadly that if Lady Arden had come among them while Sebastian was alive it might have been possible to be friends.
    "Mama!" prompted Bastian. "You can't just leave her there."
    "I suppose not." Judith rose and took off her work apron. She washed her sticky hands in the bowl in the sink. "Boil the kettle for tea, please, children, but don't pour it on the leaves unless I say." They couldn't afford to waste tea. "Lady Arden probably won't stay above a minute."
    The cottage only had two rooms downstairs and so they called the front room exactly that, though some might call it a parlor. It boasted two upholstered chairs, and three hard ones at a table. That was about all it could hold.
    As Judith entered, her visitor rose and smiled. "I'm sorry to drop by unannounced, Mrs. Rossiter, but I felt we had need to talk."
    Judith knew then that it was something to do with yesterday's adventure. Had the marchioness come to apologize on her husband's behalf, or to complain? Her tormentor had said he was a guest at Hartwell. Perhaps he was deranged.
    "We had better have tea, then," Judith said, and called to the children to complete their work. She waved Lady Arden to one chair and took the other.
    "Mrs. Rossiter," said the marchioness. "Yesterday I understand you had an encounter with a guest of ours."
    Judith kept her face blank, still unsure what was to come. "He did say he was staying at Hartwell, my lady."
    "Indeed he is. We are talking, of course, of the Earl of Charrington. He's an old school friend of my husband's. He fought at Waterloo, and has not been back in England very long."
    Judith let go of some of her tension. So that was it. The poor man was suffering from battle-madness. She had sensed some terrible need. "I'm very sorry," she said.
    Lady Arden wrinkled her brow at this. "I don't think he particularly minded being abroad."
    "I meant about his... sickness, my lady."
    "Sickness?" Beth stared at her then laughed. "Do you think him mad? Poor Lee, though I fear he deserves it, rushing his fences like that."
    The conversation halted as Bastian came in, carefully bearing the tea tray, followed by Rosie with a plate of biscuits. Judith was glad of an opportunity to review the situation. It was clear she still had no idea what it was about.
    Lady Arden smiled at the children and asked to be introduced. After chatting she said, "I quite forgot. I brought a cake. It's in the carriage. Perhaps you could bring it in for me, my dears. I shouldn't think your Mama and I particularly want cake at this time of day, but you may have a small slice if you are allowed."
    Judith gave a nod, and the children were off in search of their treat As soon as they were gone, however, all good humor fled for she could not see a pleasant interpretation to put on the affair. She poured the tea with a steady hand. "I can't imagine what part you have in all this, my lady."
    Beth took the cup. "An honorable one, I assure you, Mrs. Rossiter." Her tone compelled Judith to meet her eyes. "I would never be part of anything designed to injure another woman."
    Judith was tempted to believe her. "What's going on, then? The man was clearly wicked or mad."
    Beth shook her head. "You have every reason to doubt Lord Charrington's sanity, but he is not mad, or wicked. I cannot speak for him, but he has reasons for wishing to marry. He wishes to marry a woman who will accept the arrangement in a practical rather than a romantical way. When he heard about you, he thought you would suit his requirements. As for your requirements, I can only tell you that he is wealthy and willing to support you and your children in generous style. I think you have seen for yourself that he is not an unpleasing man."
    Judith stared, her tea untouched. "But half the women in England would be willing to marry him if that's what he wants! Why me?"
    "To be honest, I don't really know. I can