Thea's Marquis by Carola Dunn Read Free Book Online

old man was raking leaves into neat heaps.
    It seemed a prosperous neighbourhood. Then Rod looked up at the stone-and-brick facade of the Kilmores’ house and was puzzled to see row upon row of windows untidily draped in cheap brown holland.
    He took a calling-card from its case and passed it to his tiger. “Ask if the ladies are receiving visitors,” he instructed.
    “Ho—ladies, is it?”
    As Billy hopped down and dashed across the pavement to ring the doorbell, his master noticed that the boy’s wrists and ankles protruded from his livery again.
    He was growing too big for his present employment. Time to give the lad a choice of becoming stable-boy and working with the horses he loved, or under-footman, wearing a new suit of the smart uniform he was so proud of. If he chose the latter, he’d have to learn to curb his impudent tongue!
    A maid trimly clad in black with a white apron and cap answered the door. Billy spoke to her, then returned to the curricle to announce, “She says ’is lordship’s out but the ladies is at ’ome, if your lordship don’t mind waiting a minute or two.”
    Rod stepped down and handed over the reins, with orders to walk the horses. Entering the house, he looked around with interest. The hall was of elegant proportions, with a fine staircase, but furnished with only a couple of deal chairs, on one of which the maid set his hat and gloves. The other was already encumbered by a glossy, curly-brimmed beaver, a pair of York tan gloves, and a silver-topped cane he thought he recognized.
     

CHAPTER FIVE
    Rod’s amused surmise proved correct. When the Kilmores’ maid ushered him into a small room at the front of the house, the dapper figure standing at the window overlooking the square swung round.
    “Oh, it’s you, coz,” said Will sheepishly.
    “Not one of your more brilliant observations. I did say I meant to call, you may remember.”
    Will dodged the reminder that he had vowed Russell Square to be beyond the pale. “I say, devilish smoky, ain’t it?” He gestured at the shabby table and chairs. “Why not show us into the drawing-room?”
    “Perhaps it is not prepared for visitors, as they did not expect any,” Rod suggested, his tone dry.
    Abashed, Will smoothed the sleeve of his mulberry coat. “Only proper to ask after the invalids,” he muttered. Raising his voice, he added, “Besides, they won’t have any other callers here at the back of beyond, so I felt it my duty to come and cheer them up.”
    His face bid fair to match his coat as Miss Megan appeared in the doorway. Her hair cut short in a froth of curls, she was fresh and pretty in a simple but modish gown of white muslin sprigged with rosebuds, a pink silk shawl about her shoulders. With a reproachful glance at Will, and very much on her dignity, she advanced into the room to curtsy to the marquis.
    “How delightful to see you again, my lord.”
    “The pleasure is mine, ma’am. I trust you are quite restored to health?”
    “Oh yes, I recovered quickly, thanks to your suggestion of dividing the rest of the journey in two. It was prodigious amiable in you to go to the trouble of reserving rooms for us at Biggleswade.” She favoured him with an enchanting smile. Will looked glum as she turned to him and said coolly, “Good day, Mr. DeVine.”
    Her sister was hesitating on the threshold, the slender grace of her figure accentuated by a new gown of cerulean blue kerseymere. She had put off her cap, revealing the sheen of her smooth, dark hair. She seemed half poised to flee, so Rod went to meet her. At his approach, her gaze descended to his top waistcoat button. He did not suppose that she was admiring the circle of polished horn.
    “Miss Kilmore, I am happy to see you safely arrived in Town.”
    “Thank you for calling, sir. It is most kind when we are situated in such an unfashionable location.”
    “No part of Town can be deemed unfashionable when such fair ladies dwell there.” The compliment