Mastering the Marquess by Vanessa Kelly Read Free Book Online Page B

her nose with her already tear-dampened handkerchief. Little doubt remained that today’s events had turned her into a watering pot.
    Annabel and Lady Stanton were still locked in a tight embrace, and no one witnessing the scene could remain unaffected. Miss Noyes wept into her handkerchief, and young Robert shuffled his feet and rubbed his eye as if a cinder had lodged itself there. Even Lord Silverton had lost his guarded and rather hard expression. The corners of his sculpted mouth curved into a genuinely charming smile, surprising Meredith with its warmth. The reunion, by any measure, seemed to be a complete success.
    But even as Lady Stanton petted and soothed her, Annabel continued to sob dramatically. Meredith began to worry her sister was on the verge of hysterics. She stepped forward and placed a hand on Annabel’s shoulder.
    â€œCome, darling, you mustn’t cry so hard. You will make yourself sick. Why don’t you and Lady Stanton sit together on the sofa while we wait for tea?” Meredith pointedly nodded her head at the maid, who hovered nearby with a look of eager curiosity on her face. Agatha reluctantly bobbed a curtsy and backed out of the room.
    â€œThat is a very sensible suggestion, Miss Burnley,” said Lady Stanton, her voice reedy with emotion. “It will do us all a great deal of good to sit and rest for a few minutes.” The old woman led Annabel to the sofa. Miss Noyes pulled a handkerchief from her enormous tatting bag and offered it to Lady Stanton.
    â€œDon’t weep so, darling. All will be well,” Lady Stanton murmured. Annabel leaned against her grandmother’s shoulder and allowed her to dry her tears.
    Meredith turned to Lord Silverton and Robert. “My lord, Mr. Stanton. Please do be seated.” She cast a doubtful glance around the sitting room, acutely conscious of how small and shabby it must appear to their guests. Miss Noyes barely had enough furniture to seat everyone.
    But if Lord Silverton was offended by the modest nature of their accommodations, he didn’t show it. He bowed gracefully to Miss Noyes, smiling kindly at the flustered woman. “Good afternoon, ma’am. I am Lord Silverton, and this is Robert Stanton. We have the honor of being Miss Annabel’s cousins.”
    Meredith swallowed a groan, conscious that her manners had once again gone missing. “Do forgive me, gentlemen, Lady Stanton. Allow me to introduce our former governess, Miss Noyes. She has most kindly given us shelter since we arrived in London.”
    â€œYes, Grandmamma,” Annabel hiccupped. “We don’t know what we would have done if she hadn’t taken us in.”
    Lady Stanton smiled graciously at the governess. “Then you will always have my gratitude, Miss Noyes, for taking such good care of my granddaughter and her sister. You must be sure to tell me exactly what I can do to help you.”
    â€œOh, no thanks are necessary, your ladyship! There is nothing I would not do for my dear girls. I mean . . . of course, I . . . for Miss Burnley and Miss Annabel.”
    Miss Noyes was a gentle mouse of a woman, painfully shy at the best of times, and Meredith feared so many visitors all at once in her tiny sitting room would provoke a spasm. She searched her mind for an errand that would allow Miss Noyes to escape the room.
    â€œMiss Noyes,” Lord Silverton said, unexpectedly taking charge of the conversation, “I noticed you and Miss Annabel were engaged in needlework when we entered. That is certainly a very fine piece of embroidery my cousin is sewing. I presume you taught her the skill when you were her governess?” He sat next to Miss Noyes, picking up Annabel’s work and inspecting it as if it were a fine piece of art.
    Meredith watched in amazement as the nervous little woman visibly relaxed and began to extol her former student’s talents. As their governess pointed out the beauty of Annabel’s