No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper Read Free Book Online

very agreeable,” Ellie said politely.
    “She will be.” He’d make sure of it. Simon cleared his throat. “I’d like you to remain very close to her. Particularly when you leave the house.”
    He wished he hadn’t had to say that. The excitement vanished from Eleanor’s face, replaced by the blank, frightened look that was usual these days. She was silent for a moment, and when she did speak, her voice was almost a whisper. “Forgive me, but this isn’t just a matter of teaching her, is it?”
    If he’d lied to her, she’d have believed him, as she wouldn’t have a month ago. So he told the truth. “No. I’m sorry if that upsets you.”
    “Not at all. I…I mean, thank you.” The relief on her face was almost physically painful to see.
    That night in April, after she’d come out of her trance, Eleanor had cried on Simon’s shoulder for what had seemed like hours, during which he’d patted her hair awkwardly while she shed helpless, hysterical tears. The doctor had come afterward and given her laudanum, which had lasted most of a week. Since then, Simon had seen no strong emotion cross her face. Not until today.
    Ah, God, he thought. I’ve botched this almost from start to finish. I’d like, for once, to make it right.

Chapter 6
    Joan slept for fourteen hours, waking every four, as was her habit in strange territory, to check for threats and remember that nobody needed her to take watch. She could have stayed in bed longer, but her stomach started growling and she remembered that the food here was damn good. Still, she didn’t head for the kitchen right away, and not only because she didn’t know where it was.
    This wasn’t a vacation. First things first. That meant training: stretching, jumping jacks, forty push-ups balanced on her knuckles, fifty kicks on each leg, and then a regimen of punching techniques. By the time she was done, Joan could have eaten the next thing she saw.
    Nobody had knocked on the door, though. Either Simon had told them not to disturb her or they expected her to go and find her own food. She glanced around, didn’t see her dress—they’d probably burned it—and decided that the clothes in the desk drawer were a bad idea too. She’d wear the nightgown, then, even though it looked damn silly with her bony wrists and ankles sticking out and with more ruffles than any grown woman should ever wear. With luck, she could grab some bread and coffee without seeing anyone.
    Of course she ran into Simon before she reached the end of the hallway.
    “Good Lord,” he said, shaking his head as he looked at her. “Nobody’s told you anything, have they?”
    “You sure haven’t.” Joan drew herself up. “I was looking for breakfast. Your servants probably thought I knew what to do.”
    “Right,” he said. “Pull on the rope by your bed. Rose will bring you a tray.”
    “I can get it myself. I don’t want to be a hassle.”
    “You’re no trouble. Besides, you can’t leave your rooms like that.”
    “I’ll be in this for a while, then,” Joan said, “unless you keep a bunch of women’s clothes around.”
    “Hardly,” Simon said, laughter and shock mixing in his voice. “I’ve sent for the village dressmaker. She should arrive sometime after you’ve had breakfast.”
    Great news in theory: it’d be good if her clothes made her look less freakish. In practice…
    “I’ll need something to wear while she measures me,” Joan said. “There are marks on my back. I can’t explain them.”
    Simon frowned. His eyes went over her body, quick and carefully impersonal. “You’ll probably fit in some of Ellie’s things for the moment, though they’ll be short. I’ll ask if she minds.”
    “Right. I’ll pay you back,” Joan said abruptly. She didn’t know how. She’d figure some way out. “For the room and food too.”
    Simon’s frown didn’t go away. Instead, it just got deeper and more surprised. “Do you honestly think I’d ask a lady for payment?