The Wicked and Wonderful Miss Merlin by Anne Herries Read Free Book Online

looked crestfallen.  ‘It is a devil of a coil, isn’t it?’
    ‘I dare say you may find he insists on marriage.  Unless we can arrange a credible story for the past few days there will be scandal.  Eleanor has told me of your unfortunate situation, and this is what I suggest…’
    Toby listened in silence to all she had to say and agreed meekly.  Leaving him to mull over the foolishness of their escapade, Samantha returned to the room she was to share with Eleanor, and discovered that Joan had brought up their hot milk, ham and bread and butter.
    ‘Miss Brough has told me of your plans, Miss Merlin,’ Joan said.  ‘It sounds very sensible to me, and if people was to think that it had been their destination all the time…’
    ‘Yes, I am hoping that it will squash any scandal – and that Lord Brough will approve when we tell him.’
    ‘You will not tell him at once?’ Eleanor begged, looking apprehensive.
    ‘No, not until we are settled in London and have the eminent Mr Hasleton’s opinion of Toby’ condition.  It would be as well for Toby to be feeling more the thing when he explains to your brother, Eleanor.'
    ‘Robert will likely have given up looking for us by then,’ Eleanor blithely said.  ‘I am so glad you came, Samantha.  Everything will be wonderful now.’
     
     
     
     
    Robert arrived at Lady Merrill’s house at a little after twelve the next morning.  His horse had cast a shoe when he was still twenty miles from her home in Northampton and he had been obliged to sit and wait while it was shod.  He had at least had time to eat a good breakfast and was therefore in a slightly better frame of mind.  Having left without touching one mouthful of the lovingly-prepared meal his chef had laboured over the previous evening, he rather doubted that Andre de Bourbon would still be with him when he returned to his home.
    Chefs as good as Andre were damned hard to find, and he would regret it if the temperamental but brilliant cook were to leave his employ.  Another grievance to heap at his sister’s feet - or rather at that young idiot’s who had run away with her.
    Robert hoped that at last his quest was ended.  A stately and refined butler answered his knock and invited him to wait while he inquired whether Lady Merrill was receiving visitors.
    Left to kick his heels in a very elegant and modern parlour, styled by Mr Adam himself, if he were not mistaken, Robert’s mood began to deteriorate.  Lady Merrill had better receive him or he would want to know the reason why!
    Hearing the sound of footsteps, he turned impatiently.  ‘Well?’
    ‘Lady Merrill asks if you will step into her boudoir, sir.  She has not yet dressed for the day and will receive you in private.’
    Did the woman think he wanted an assignation?  Robert gritted his teeth and kept his silence as he followed the butler upstairs and along the landing to a pair of double doors, which were painted in cream with inlaid medallions of a pair of cupids in French porcelain.
    ‘Lord Brough, milady.’
    The butler flung open the doors and Robert entered the very pretty parlour, which was done out in shades of cream and rose.  A lady of mature years, but looking not a day over forty was sitting in a delicate elbow chair wearing a lace peignoir of bright crimson, a pair of satin slippers on her small feet.
    ‘Forgive me if I could not come down to you, sir,’ she said in a voice husky with sensual charm.  ‘I suffer from what my doctor is pleased to call arthritis and seldom venture downstairs before tea these days.  Besides, I have always found it pleasant to receive gentlemen in my boudoir.’
    ‘I am sorry for your pain, ma’am, for I know the condition to be crippling.  My grandmother suffered from it for years,’ Robert said, some of his ire abating.  ‘However, I have no time to waste.  I am searching for your nephew Toby Brockleton and my sister, Eleanor.  Apparently, they are staying with you?’
    ‘I did