Rules of Engagement by Christina Dodd Read Free Book Online

clear indicator of courage." Young Timothy, the footman, opened the door. He held the umbrella in one hand and offered his other hand. Taking it, she stepped out and turned in time to see Beth tumble out on her heels. "Ah. A chance for our first lesson. One always allows the footman to lend a hand when descending a carriage."
    Beth looked up at the impassive, liveried servant. "I can get out without his help." Then, perhaps thinking she had hurt his feelings, she said to him, "But thank you anyway, mister."
    The footman's mouth twitched with suppressed laughter.
    Yet he liked the child's courtesy, Pamela could see that by the stiff little bow he gave.
    Kerrich had to keep her. Pamela fell further into the role of masterly Miss Lockhart. "Very good. One should always thank the servants, by name if possible. He is Timothy."
    "Timothy," Beth repeated.
    "Now stand up straight, shoulders back."
    Beth straightened.
    "Come with me, and remember—you are a lion."
    "Yes, Miss Lockhart." Beth answered bravely enough.
    But her little hand crept into Pamela's, and Pamela looked down at her and smiled with encouragement. "That's the spirit!" she said, although Beth had paled so much the smudges of dirt stood out on her cheeks.
    The footman with his umbrella sheltered them as they started up the stairs toward the massive double door that was the entrance to Kerrich's townhouse.
    Beth's steps dragged. "Miss Lockhart? Is this a boardinghouse or a hotel or… what is this place?"
    Pamela stopped, brought face to face with the massive task she'd set herself—to prepare a foundling for a masquerade to fool society. To fool the queen who, from Kerrich's throwaway comments, knew him and his mechanisms only too well. Pamela, used to entering the homes of the wealthy, counted Kerrich's home and its trappings as among the greatest she'd ever viewed. Beth, raised by middle-class parents, living in a squalid orphanage, was ill prepared to deal with this kind of affluence.
    But Beth was a child. Children adapted easily to change—or so Pamela told herself. With a gesture that encompassed the broad stairway, the Roman arches above each window, the brooding stone eagle carvings set in the brick facade, she said, "This is Lord Kerrich's home."
    Beth lifted her chin and looked up, up, to the roof four stories above the street. "Does he have a large family? Children?" She pleaded for information as if she suddenly realized how little she knew of the man who held her fate in his hands.
    "Never fear, he has only a cousin, whom I met and who seems a good gentleman. I understand from Mrs. Godwin, the housekeeper, that he is staying for a time with Lord Kerrich. I don't know about any other relations." She didn't, she realized. She hadn't cared about Kerrich's family, only about herself and how he and his money could serve her.
    And that was fair, she told herself sturdily. She cared about him as much as he cared about her. Although it did seem Beth had a good plan to acquaint herself with her patron before being introduced to him.
    "Is Lord Kerrich nice?" Beth asked.
    That Pamela could answer without qualm. "Very nice indeed, when he decides to be." She rapped on the door, and nodded at Moulton when he opened it.
    "Is this the child?" Moulton asked as Pamela led Beth into the foyer.
    "Is this the master?" Beth asked in a voice of awe.
    Moulton, stuffy and pretentious, unbent enough to whisper, "No, miss. I am the new butler."
    "You're the butler?" Beth examined his austere features and magnificent suit, and she made her admiration known with one reverent word. "Never."
    Pamela smiled as she unpinned her hat and handed it to the footman. Beth had charmed Moulton, for if he had been a grouse he would have ruffled his breast.
    Instead he examined Beth's shabby appearance with undisguised horror and advised, "Lord Kerrich is in the study. Miss Lockhart, I would strongly suggest you wash the child before presenting her to the master."
    So he, and undoubtedly all the