My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online Page A

brother’s coach, not mine. You
won’t sit for a week if Rothgar finds out.” He considered the vehicle.
“We’ll buy some paint, and you can cover the damage. A plain coach will
cause no comment; a brutalized one will.”
    Without waiting for her response, he climbed up and reached into the
box under the seat. He pulled out a bundle and dropped it down.
“Harry’s,” he said as he returned to earth. “The real groom. He’s a
mite taller than you, but not much.” He undid the bundle and produced a
rough shirt, a pair of patched breeches, and a neckerchief. “All quite
clean too,” he remarked as he tossed them to her. “How fortunate.
You’ll have to keep your own coat, hat, and boots. If you’re wise,
you’ll rough ”em up a bit.“
    “That will be a pleasure.” Chastity turned. “I’ll go back to Nana’s and change.”
    Cyn leaned against the coach, arms folded. “Are you just naturally
modest,” he asked, “or do you harbor nasty suspicions? I assure you,
Charles, that my taste in bed-partners is… conventional.”
    Chastity felt her color rise again and damned it. “I never thought
otherwise,” she said, beating a retreat. “As you say, I’m just modest.”
    His voice floated after her. “Are you
sure
you’ve been to school?”
    Chastity marched into the cottage and slammed the door. “I
wish
I’d left that man by the roadside!”
    Verity looked up from the box she was packing, a distinct twinkle in
her eye. “I think he’s going to be an asset. No one will be looking for
a brown-haired older lady, with her baby and wetnurse.”
    “I could have played the mother.”
    “You wouldn’t look old enough not to be me, and your hair is a
problem. Wigs are so chancy. Many men still shave their heads and wear
one, but not ladies.”
    Chastity’s hand went to the silky fuzz where so recently there had been lustrous curls.
    “Oh, Chastity,” said Verity, rising to come to her. “I’m sorry for mentioning it. And it will grow, dearest.”
    “It’s already growing,” said Chastity, “but I can’t forget how it
felt when Father shaved it off. And the things he said…” She shuddered,
then shook off the memories. “But see. Father’s done me a favor. I look
ridiculous as a woman, but I make a fine boy and no one suspects. Who
would think a woman would cut her hair this short?”
    “Father will come around—”
    “No,” said Chastity sharply. “Don’t mention his name. He’s as good as cast me off, and I have renounced him.”
    Verity sighed. “I’m sure he meant it for the best.”
    “I’m not. I’m sure he wanted his own way, as always.”
    “But he is our father, dearest…”
    “Then why haven’t you rushed into his loving arms?”
    Verity picked up a pair of stockings and rolled them.
    “I confess, I cannot feel as I should toward him after the way he treated you.”
    Chastity hugged her, knowing how hard this unfilial behavior was for
conventional Verity. It had taken a great deal for her own trust in the
mighty Earl of Walgrave to be destroyed. “You are doing the right
thing. Believe me, Father is not infallible, nor is he the
Incorruptible he is called.”
    Verity surprised her. “I fear you may be right. I have been thinking
about what you said yesterday. My marriage to Sir William does make
little sense, and when matched with Father’s attempt to marry you to
Henry, the absurdity is made clear. Do you think perhaps he is becoming
feeble-witted with age?”
    Chastity cracked a laugh.“‘Struth, I do not! Father is as shrewd as
ever, and doubtless had his reasons—as always, linked to his thirst for
power. You know how obsessed he’s been since Prince Frederick died ten
years back.”
    She smiled grimly at the thought. The Earl of Walgrave had been of
an age with Frederick, Prince of Wales, and his close friend. He had
pinned all his ambitions to him, just waiting for the old king to die
and Frederick to assume the throne. However, Frederick