A Perilous Marriage Read Online Free

confusion, they were the last of the guests to be welcomed into the mansion.
    “Hmm, a large gathering, it seems,” Eleanor said. “How fortunate we decided to come. You should be able to hide yourself nicely in this crowd once we have made our curtsies.”
    However, it became evident that hiding was not meant to be from the moment Edmund Tasker’s eyes lit up when he turned to receive his last guests and saw them ready to curtsy a greeting.
    “How delightful to welcome you, your Grace, and of course, Lady Lucie. I was hoping you could attend this dinner as a prelude to getting to know you both again. Come, let me escort you to the dining room. I believe all our guests have arrived, and my chef is particularly keen to show his mettle. We shall see if his reputation is warranted.”
    He led Eleanor to a chair beside him while his butler showed Lucie to a seat further down the table between two people she already knew—Henry Bancroft, a professor who had retired to the village some years ago, and Colonel Eves, a much younger man. He had been invalided out from the army and was now living with his widowed sister, Carolyn. She had a seat across the table and lifted her hand to wave at Lucie as she smiled a welcome. Lucie relaxed at finding herself in good company, and with her fears quieted, she settled down to enjoy the evening as the meal was turning out to be as good as promised.
    Now and again, she glanced up the table to see her grandmother engaged in light-hearted repartee as she, Tasker, and their neighbours kept the conversation flowing. Eventually, it was time for the ladies to retire, and as Tasker had no hostess, Duchess Braden took on the task. She rose, gave the signal to the ladies, and led the way to the drawing room. The gentlemen soon joined them, and at once, Edmund Tasker came over to Lucie where she stood talking to Carolyn. Ignoring Carolyn, he bowed to Lucie.
    “I trust I find you well, Lady Braden, and that you enjoyed the dinner. It is a long time since we last met, and in the interval, you have become a delightfully beautiful woman. It is a pleasure to welcome you to my home.”
    Well, if that isn’t doing it much too brown, thought Lucie , I don’t know what is!
    “I beg to differ, my Lord. I am just as I always was.” She turned to Carolyn who was beginning to look a little embarrassed. “Let me introduce my friend, Mrs Dempster. She is sister to David Eves and new to the village. I expect you know they run the Riding Stables which is such a boon for the young ones in the area who can’t afford their own horses.”
    “Yes, I remember you were always keen on riding,” Tasker replied, giving a brief bow to Carolyn, but immediately turned back to Lucie and continued to address his remarks to her. “I have some prime beasts in my stables which you would be welcome to try—”
    “It is kind of you to offer,” she interrupted, “but I have my own mare, and I would never desert her.”
    “Well, we can still go riding together, can’t we? I need to be reminded of the district again. I was not long enough in residence before to appreciate all the byways.”
    “I’m sure you can find more knowledgeable people from your own estate to guide you, my Lord. My time is fully taken up already with duties for my grandmother.”
    “I’m sure she will give you permission,” he pressed with a mocking smirk.
    “I’ll decide when and if she does,” she said coolly.
    Finally, he got the message. Narrowing his lips, he bowed. “I must see to my guests.”
    Carolyn watched his rigid back as he walked away then looked at Lucie and whispered, “Ouch, I don’t think I have ever heard you so austere. You don’t like him, do you?”
    “I don’t know him enough to like or dislike. I was undoubtedly annoyed at the way he ignored you. Grandmama was talking recently about the lack of manners people display these days, and he was a prime example.”
    “Oh, don’t be concerned. I was aware he only