Royally Ever After Read Online Free

bridesmaid down the steep back staircase in the west wing to the ground floor. With him clasping her arm, she was able to get down the narrow stairs more or less unaided. As soon as they came out under the south front’s arcade, though, the fresh air hit her—or rather she hit it, much in the way one runs abruptly into a wall.
    She tottered backward. He caught hold of her, then wrapped one arm about her shoulder. “Now, stay ,” he said.
    She heaved a great sigh and leaned against him. The top of her head came to his chin. They stood in the shelter of the great arcade, out of sight of anybody happening to look out of the windows. It was a fine opportunity to get up to no good . . . but she wasn’t in proper condition. Not to mention that Bates stood only a few paces away, having a terse whispered dispute with Miss Renfrew.
    Lovedon stood stoically with his armful of drunken deliciousness and gazed down the driveway, watching his carriage approach through the rain.
    â€œDon’t forget,” came a slurred voice from the environs of his neck cloth.
    He looked down.
    She gazed somberly up at him.
    â€œBelieve me, I shall not forget this day,” he said.
    â€œOur duel,” she said. “It was good of you to stop me from falling down, but . . .” She stared at him for a long moment.
    â€œThink nothing of it, Miss Sharp,” he said. “It’s hardly the first time I’ve helped a drunken friend home.”
    She wagged a gloved finger under his chin. “Ah, but I’m not your friend.”
    â€œThat’s what you think,” he said.
    â€œI’ll never be your friend,” she said. “Though I will admit . . .” She bit her lower lip. A tiny crease appeared between her delicately arched eyebrows.
    She was thinking, obviously.
    He pictured thoughts staggering through her brain, trying to find their way.
    The carriage neared, and Bates stepped out under one of the arcade’s arches to signal the coachman where to stop. A footman leapt off the back, opened an umbrella, and hurried toward them.
    After seeing Miss Renfrew stowed safely inside, the footman returned. Keeping a firm hold of Miss Sharp, Lovedon steered her toward the vehicle.
    Getting her into it wanted ingenuity and quick reflexes. He could only hope that his broad back in combination with the large umbrella and the rain would prevent any onlookers in the house from observing the performance.
    When he’d finally got her foot securely on the carriage step, she said, “I’ll admit I might have made a small error of judgment.”
    â€œYou made a fatal error,” he said. “You attracted my attention. Now you’ll have the devil of a time getting rid of me.” He gave her a push. Miss Renfrew quickly reached out and pulled her friend, who landed on the seat in a flurry of swishing silk. She laughed. “Oh, you silly man.”
    The footman closed the door and Lovedon backed away from the carriage.
    A moment later, the vehicle rolled away. He watched it go. As it reached the first curve of the driveway, the window went down and a white-gloved hand appeared and gave a jaunty wave.
    Lovedon House
    18th June, half-past eleven o’clock
    Madam:
    I shall expect to meet you at dusk this day at Battersea Fields for the purpose of defending my honor against the charges of being a coward and no gentleman. I shall supply the weapons, and Bates will act as my friend, whether he likes it or not.
    A ticket porter has been engaged to loiter in the vicinity of your home. A written reply given into his keeping will make its way both discreetly and speedily to me.
    I have the honor to be,
    Madam,
    Your obedient servant,
    Â Â Â Â Â  Lovedon
    Portman Square
    18th June, one o’clock
    My Lord:
    I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your lordship’s letter, which is thoroughly ridiculous. If your lordship thinks I propose to be hanged