Marshal and the Heiress by Patricia; Potter Read Free Book Online Page B

doorway, her head tilted slightly as if she were curious about something. He swung Sarah Ann to the floor, keeping her small hand in his.
    â€œMrs. Hamilton,” he acknowledged. The various titles confused him, and even if they didn’t, he was uncomfortable with them. “I’m not quite sure of the proper address.”
    â€œBarbara and I are both formally Lady Calholm,” she said. “But the servants—and many of our acquaintances—call us Lady Lisbeth and Lady Barbara. Otherwise it would get terribly muddled.”
    â€œLady Lisbeth, then?”
    â€œIn the family, we dispense with all that. Lisbeth will do.”
    â€œLisbeth, then,” he said, searching her face. Despite the words that were almost friendly, her eyes reflected something else.
    â€œI understand you are displeased with your accommodations,” she said abruptly.
    â€œNot having seen mine, I have no reason to complain about them. But I do understand the nursery is on the third floor and that my room is on the second. I would prefer to be closer to Sarah Ann.” He watched her carefully as he spoke. “She’s just turned four and is too young to be this far away from anyone.”
    â€œI thought we might try to find a nursemaid,” Lisbeth Hamilton said. “It’s customary—”
    â€œI don’t give a damn about ‘customary.’”
    The tiniest glimpse of a smile played across her lips and her eyes widened with surprise—whether because of his vehemence or the apparent impropriety of his demand, he didn’t know.
    â€œWould a room next to yours be close enough?” she asked.
    He hesitated. Sarah Ann had been in his cabin on the ship and in the inns along the way. He had become very adept at stringing curtains between them while he dressed.
    â€œI want to stay with Papa,” Sarah Ann whispered almost desperately.
    â€œAnd so you shall,” Lisbeth Hamilton said, then added, “To bloody hell with convention.” Ben was reminded of the masculine clothing she’d worn earlier and how she’d soared over a five-foot stone wall astride a stallion few men could handle.
    â€œThere’s another room in the west wing,” she continued. “It’s not so fine as the one I intended for you, but it connects to a smaller room.”
    â€œI don’t need fine,” Ben replied. “I’ve often slept on the ground.”
    One of her eyebrows lifted in question, but he offered no explanation.
    â€œI’ll have Duncan show you the room. He’s hovering somewhere in the hallway.” With a soft smile, she added, “He’s rather set in his ways.”
    Ben thought her manner toward the servant more suited to an indulgent daughter than to the mistress of a grand estate.
    â€œI’m afraid the room needs airing and dusting,” she said. “Perhaps Sarah Ann could eat her supper in the kitchen while we have dinner.” She turned to go.
    â€œAh …”
    Lisbeth stopped.
    â€œSarah Ann and I eat together.”
    She turned around again, and this time a real smile curved her lips. It lit her face.
    â€œI’ll inform Barbara,” she said. “She and Hugh will be delighted to have you both at the table.”
    From the mischief in her voice, he gathered Barbara and Hugh would be no such thing. He felt a powerful urge to smile back at her, but he wasn’t ready to take sides in what appeared to be a royal family row.
    â€œI’m glad we’ll be welcome,” he said dryly, and her grin spread. He had the strangest notion that she realized exactly what he was thinking.
    â€œTonight, then.” She turned to say a few words to Duncan, who was waiting outside, then left.
    Duncan was at least seventy and probably more like eighty, Ben figured. No wonder the butler didn’t like changes. The man should have retired years ago—an observation that did little for his opinion of Lisbeth