Free A Fine Caprice - A Regency Romance by Kate Harper Page A

and made rather a late entrance.’
    ‘Your servant? I did not know you were expecting anybody. ’
    ‘Ah, but I do not tell you everything.’
    ‘And why should you?’ Pale blue eyes ran over Caprice again, narrowing a little as he walked forward slowly . ‘Surely not a substitute for your missing valet . This creature is s o young, Merridew. I refuse to believe that he has the talent to do the job adequately ,’ he shook his head in consternation. ‘ How foolish of you to entrust yourself to unskilled hands. Especially when I have already assure d you that I am prepared to make the sacrifice and share Bessant. I take up a lot of his time , it is true, but I am prepared to do what I must for the sake of family. And it should not be too arduous ,’ his eyes flickered towards his lordship, ‘for a man with such a robust constitution as yours requires very little to prepare him for the world where as I require a great deal. Perfection is something we all chase, wouldn’t you say?’
    Before Lord Merridew could say anything at all , there came a high-pitched yapping on the stairs and a voic e that was unmistakably female, velvety low and heavily accented. ‘ Oh now, Minouche, do not be so silly. Ya, ya, ya… such a fuss you make!’
    A small French bulldog bounded into the room, still yap ping, dark eyes bulging as it span around in a circle , b arking at the little gathering with single-minded – and utterly misguided – enthusiasm . A female, also clad in a dressing gown although this one dripped lace and satin and was exquisitely a la mode , appeared in the doorway. She was a glorious vision, chestnut hair artfully arranged, enormous, cornflower blue eyes fringed with ridiculously long lashes above a perfect little nose and a pink flower bud of a mouth. Once again, Caprice found herself gaping. This, she decided dazedly, was quite the most extraordinary house party she had ever attended .
    ‘Honestly beloved,’ the man his lordship had addressed as Ravener half turned to the woman, ‘can’t you silence that dreadful animal? He quite makes my head ache.’
    ‘Oh p ff s t,’ she said, pursing her perfect lips. ‘Minouche is merely sensitive. Aren’t you, moi petit fleur ? He is a good guard dog. ’
    ‘That would be true if there were something to guard,’ Ravener returned dryly. ‘The beast merely likes the sound of his own voice.’
    Caprice was puzzled by the woman’s accent. She speaks French , she thought , trying to catch up with what was becoming a n increasingly peculiar group, and while she speaks it very well, she isn’t French. The accent is wrong, somehow.
    ‘You just do not like my little one but he would most assuredly protect me with his very life, he is so noble. I think you are merely jealous, my dear one.’
    ‘ On the contrary, I am delighted that the little rat gives you a sense of security. So hard to come by in these difficult times ,’ Ravener sniffed, hunching a petulant shoulder. ‘Why are you up, my dear? You know you need your beauty sleep.’
    ‘More than you?’ the woman purred, ‘I think not. I am up for the v ery same reason you are . I heard a crash and voices and wondered what was to do. I was naturally concerned about you. ’ While she spoke her eyes rested on Caprice , inquisitive and sharply curious.
    ‘Naturally,’ Ravener agreed wearily.
    ‘Who do we have here?’ the woman inquired.
    Caprice heard Lord Merridew’s sigh at her shoulder. ‘A servant of mine. H e became lost and arrived here rather late. My apologies if we disturbed you. I was just sending him off to his bed.’
    ‘Oh, well then,’ the woman smiled, giving Caprice an enchanting smile. ‘To bed then, mes enfant . You are clearly weary.’
    Caprice glanced at Lord Merridew, who nodded. ‘Of you go. We shall speak in the morning.’
    Relieved, for really, she was drooping with exhaustion, she slipped out of the room and headed towards the stairs. There was a small silence from behind