To Rescue a Rogue by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online Page A

milady.”
    Mara started as if caught in a sin and hurried off to her sister’s room. She entered Ella’s bedchamber with her mind elsewhere—to find George and Ella kissing. Not just a peck on the cheek, either!
    â€œOh, I’m sorry….”
    Mara almost had the door shut again when Ella called, “Don’t by a widgeon, dear! Come in, come in.”
    Mara returned to find her sister and brother-in-law apart, smiling, but blushing. “I truly am sorry. Ruth said…”
    â€œGeorge just came to say goodbye.” Ella smiled wryly up at her husband. “So many meetings and committees, then another long day in the House, he fears.”
    George, a robust man with high color and fleshy build, nodded. “Troubled times. Must be off. My dear. Mara.”
    Mara watched Ella watch him leave. “I want to marry someone like that.”
    Ella turned to stare. “Like George? You’d never suit.”
    Ella was as robust as her husband, though with a perfect cream-rose complexion and a trim waist, for now. Her soft brown hair—proper Brideswell hair—only showed as waves at the edges of a lacy cap tied beneath her chin.
    â€œNo. I’d drive him mad,” Mara agreed with a laugh. “I mean someone I can adore as you do him, and who would feel the same way about me.”
    â€œOh, but of course. It would never do to marry for less. Especially with the hair.”
    Ella’s maid came in with a fresh chocolate pot and put it on the table by the window, where Ella had clearly been taking breakfast.
    â€œSit and eat,” Ella said, resuming her place, and pouring chocolate for Mara. “I can’t do all this justice.” She nibbled at a piece of toast. “It’s my observation that people have different requirements in marriage. Do have a currant bun, dear. They’re always excellent and I can enjoy it through you.”
    Mara took one and buttered it. “You mean some people like a currant bun for breakfast, and some like dry toast?”
    â€œI do not like dry toast, as you well know. Wait until your turn comes. We’re all like this, but we bear well, and that’s a blessing. Now where was I? Ah, yes. Some people seem to be truly content with a cool marriage—one in which their spouse means no more to them than a friend.” She topped up her teacup. “Most require something warmer or they will be unhappy at best and unfaithful at worst. A few require fire. I suspect Black Ademar’s hair makes that demand.”
    Mara sipped at her chocolate, wishing she dared ask where on this thermometer Ella placed her own marriage.
    â€œThat’s why I haven’t yet found a man to suit?”
    â€œVery likely, but you’re young yet.”
    â€œYou married at twenty.”
    â€œ I found George.”
    Ella’s smug tone made Mara laugh. “Hardly a heroic achievement when he’s lived not five miles from Brideswell all his life and been in and out as well. Not finding him would have been the miracle.”
    Ella pulled a humorous face. “You know what I mean. He was there waiting for me and me for him.”
    Ella had never shared such romantic notions before, but she was right. About four years ago she and George Verney had recognized each other. Suddenly they’d changed, acting like perfect fools to everyone’s gentle amusement, and then announcing their plan to marry as if expecting people to be surprised.
    â€œDid you have no idea?” Mara asked. “I know every possible young man within thirty miles of home and I can’t imagine suddenly seeing any of them surrounded by a golden light.”
    â€œOh, dear.” Ella picked up another piece of toast. “Someone new may move into the area.”
    â€œOr I might meet my destiny here.” She watched for horror, but instead, Ella seemed to take it as a complaint.
    â€œI’m sorry, dearest. I do intend to take you to