Lady Adventuress 02 - The Education of Lord Hartley by Daphne du Bois Read Free Book Online Page B

early.”
    “Then the room is yours, madam,” said the innkeeper. “Shall I also have supper warmed for you?”
    She indicated the parlour behind the duke.
    “Yes, thank you,” Maggie said. She turned to their rescuer. “Your Grace, we really cannot thank you enough.”
    “It is nothing, I assure you. Will you join my wife and me for supper?”
    Maggie hesitated. It would be unconscionably rude to refuse, but the duchess would surely know her on sight as the renegade daughter of the Earl of Chenefelt, even if the duke did not.
    Yet she did not wish to offend him after he had done them such a kindness.
    “We would be delighted,” she said at last.
    Maggie hoped they wouldn’t catch her out and cry rope on her to her father. Then again, perhaps she was just being silly – the duchess was well above telling tales.
    When her ladyship appeared in the parlour, and was introduced to the Maggie and Cecile, she gave them her warmest smile before insisting that they sit down to partake of the delightful meal before them.
    She gave no sign of having ever set eyes on them before.
    “Mrs Smith has a surprisingly apt cook,” she laughed, as though they were just strangers met by chance upon the road.
    Her Grace was a fashionable lady in her early thirties, with a very handsome disposition, and charming eyes. Her ready smiles and earnest manner quickly won Maggie over despite her wariness.
    She had only met the lady a handful of times several years ago, when she had been too nervous to appreciate the duchess’s quick wit. The duke, a decade older than his wife, was very distinguished, with a tall bearing that commanded much respect in society. He was known as an expert on matters of estate management and had made a remarkable success of all his holdings upon inheriting them most unexpectedly.
    After supper, when Cecile had retired to bed, and the Duke had gone out to stretch his legs before setting off on the final leg of their journey, Maggie found herself alone with the duchess. Lady Strathavon looked at her somewhat intently a moment, before adjusting her shawl.
    “You know, Madame, I envy you your stay in Paris. It is a most marvellous place right now – the fashions are truly remarkable. His Grace has a house there, newly purchased now that the war is over, and it is a great shame that it stands as empty as it does. In fact , I think that it might be just the thing if a tenant were to be found for it, however temporarily.”
    Maggie looked at her in astonishment, but the duchess wen to speaking unconcernedly, her expression thoughtful.
    “Perhaps you might be persuaded to take up temporary residence there?”
    “Lady Strathavon, I am sure I could not.”
    The duchess raised an eyebrow. “I beg to differ: I am very sure that you can. I feel as if I might know your aunt, you know, and I think that it would be very remiss of me not to help her niece. Oh, don’t be distressed. I mean you no ill – but you are the niece of Lady Compton and the daughter of the previous Strathavon’s admiral, are you not? You bear a striking resemblance to your father. It is unmistakable. Now, I do not know what your own adventure may be, but perhaps I understand the need for one better than might you think. And I would feel much easier knowing that you are safe. Just remember to keep your wits about you, and I am certain you will come about. And I pray you write to me if you find yourself in some great pickle. I will speak to your aunt, of course. Now, what is your adventure, pray? I beg that you indulge me. Why the masquerade?”
    Maggie hesitated, but the lady’s expression was open and friendly – and she had heard enough about the duchess’s escapades to hope that the lady really might understand. It would be good to find some comfort and advice in the woman – despite her bravado and determination to conquer Paris, she had very little notion of how to begin.
    Lady Strathavon waited patiently while Maggie decided on her