My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online

of his damsel
yet to do.
    He paced again as he weighed the options. “So Horrible Henry is
looking for a fair-haired lady with a child. As soon as he checks here,
he’ll know he’s looking for said lady plus youthful escort.” He waited
for the correction that never came.
    He considered Charles. “What a shame you can’t act the part of a
lady…” He ignored Verity’s twitching lips and a strangled sound from
Nana, and pretended to study the girl. “No, I don’t think you could
pull it off. I can’t see you simpering.”
    Color flushed her face. “Thank the stars for that!”
    “Well then, could you play the groom?”
    With a spark of interest, Charles nodded.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes. I know how to care for horses. Will you be the coachman, then?”
    “No. I’ll ride into Shaftesbury and hope Hoskins is still at the Crown. He can drive us.”
    “He’ll ask a lot of questions.”
    “He certainly will,” said Cyn. “Especially when I tell him I’ll be
in petticoats.” He gazed benignly at the three thunderstruck faces.
“We’ll outfox any pursuers for sure, for I’m going to be the baby’s
mother.”
    “
You’re
going to play the woman?” Charles said in disbelief.
    “Unless you insist on the honor.” Cyn fluttered his lush lashes.
“But I think it wiser this way. I’m prettier than you, and I know how
to simper.”
    He loved the battle which raged across her features. A very natural
pique at having her looks disparaged was chased by a flash of malicious
amusement—doubtless at the thought of seeing him in a stomacher and
petticoats.
    In that he was quite correct. Chastity was bemused and frustrated by
this damn male who had invaded her life, and seemed well on the way to
taking over. She hoped he hated the lacing, and looked ridiculous in a
gown.
    As for being plain and unable to play the part of a lady, devil a
bit he knew about it. Both the Earl of Walgrave’s daughters had been
drilled and disciplined into perfect ladies, mistresses of all the
feminine arts. How else could their father hope to strengthen his
political web through their marriages?
    Lord Cyn, she told herself crossly, was
not
prettier.
Chastity had been declared a belle during her time in London. She’d had
half the Town at her feet, including— in his cool way—Cyn’s brother,
the Marquess of Rothgar, the matrimonial prize of the decade.
    Abruptly the humor of the situation hit her, and she bit her lip
against laughter. She as the handsome boy. He as the pretty lady. She
wished she were alone with Verity and could let the laughter out. It
was far too long since she’d laughed.
    Cyn saw the tremble of her lips and the twinkle in her eyes. He
wished she would express her amusement. He suspected she would be
beautiful when she laughed.
    He set to persuading his kidnappers to allow him to ride into
Shaftesbury to deal with his servants and buy some women’s clothing.
Charles grudgingly went to obtain a mount—presumably from the nearby
big house which was these ladies’ rightful home.
    When she returned she brought two riding horses.
    “You are accompanying me?” Cyn asked. “Do you think that wise?”
    “I think it wise to keep an eye on you, my lord.”
    “You surely will be recognized so close to home.”
    She looked amused. “Why do you think that would be a problem? I am not the fugitive. Verity is.”
    “Still,” said Cyn, “it might be best if no one realizes there is any
connection between you and me. Let’s begin your metamorphosis to groom.
Do you have any less elegant clothes?”
    “No,” she said unhelpfully.
    “Then let’s see what the coach has to offer.” He set off for the
orchard at a brisk pace. At sight of the mutilated doors, he stopped.
“Was that really necessary?”
    “I thought there would be a hunt for it.” Chastity hated the tremor of nervousness in her voice.
    He looked at her coolly. “You are a hellion, aren’t you? Was this
supposed to be a hit at me? This is my