Lady Beware by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online

hers yet. His true home was still Long Chart. Who would support him at Brideswell?
    Then he said, “Mara’s coming with me. Her family permits it.”
    Thea smiled to hide hurt. Her reaction was stupid and unworthy, but the struggle not to show it was agonizing.
    She must have failed. As everyone fussed about details, Dare came to her, already looking pale and showing other signs of a lack of his usual dose. “I need Brideswell, Thea.”
    â€œWhy?”
    He found a smile. “Soon you’ll visit for the wedding and see for yourself. Feel for yourself.”
    She wanted to cry, “No, I won’t!” like a spoiled child. Instead, she gave him a hug. “I know you’ll win this time.”
    His arms tightened around her. “If not now, never. Thank God for Canem Cave, though I never thought to say that.”
    She drew back to look at him. “Why not?”
    â€œI’d have expected him to enjoy my discomfort.”
    All Thea’s anxieties came together. “What? Why?”
    â€œSchoolboy nonsense.” But then he shook his head. “Not really, but no matter for now.” He eased out of her arms. “Whatever his reasons, I’m grateful, so try to be kind to him.”
    Kind! She clung for a moment, hiding an urge to wild laughter. She’d hoped to talk to Dare about what had happened, even if not in detail, but he was clearly hanging on to control by a thread. She kissed his cheek. “Go. Mara’s waiting.”
    She was rewarded by a smile, but immediately his attention turned to his beloved, to his heart and soul, and Mara St. Bride met his eyes in the same way.
    Perhaps Thea’s warped feelings were not jealousy over Dare, but envy of that love. She couldn’t imagine ever loving so intensely. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to. It seemed immoderate. Dangerous. Terrifyingly open to pain.
    Like the effect of that man, that kiss.
    She shook herself. That had had nothing to do with love!
    A footman announced that the coach was at the door, causing a flurry of farewells, embraces, good wishes. Thea went to hug her future sister-in-law. “I know it’s not necessary, but I have to say it. Take care of him, Mara.”
    â€œOf course,” Mara said, but then added softly, “It’s probably nothing, Thea, but I’m concerned about Viscount Darien.”
    Thea came sharply alert. “Why?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Half or more of Mara’s attention was on Dare, and he was leaving the room, glancing back to see where she was. “I sensed antagonism in him. And yet he did Dare such a favor. Dare said they had some foolish falling out at school, but that can’t explain ill feelings now.”
    â€œWhat do you fear?” Thea asked, going with Mara toward the door.
    â€œI don’t know. But…your mother is feeling deeply grateful.”
    â€œOh, Lord,” Thea groaned.
    The Duchess of Yeovil was a wonderfully generous soul—to such an extent that her many causes required four clerks and a secretary to run them. Heaven help them all if the Cave family was the next one.
    â€œQuite,” Mara said. “At Brideswell we often don’t hear the darkest stories and I thought the Caves merely the usual sort of trouble. Raking, drinking, bullying. But from what I heard last night, well, evil doesn’t seem too strong a word. One even committed murder.”
    â€œI know.”
    Dare called Mara’s name.
    â€œI must go. My alarms are probably nothing, but…be wary, Thea. For all of us.”
    Thea followed Mara and Dare into the pink dawn and waved until the two coaches were out of sight, sending her most sincere prayers with them. But Mara’s words jangled in her mind.
    Mara had given that warning without knowing anything of Thea’s encounter or the blackmailing bargain, but it made Thea’s situation more wide-ranging. Could the man threaten her whole