Free A Bride for Lord Esher by P J Perryman

over to the end of the table where his wife sat talking quietly with her female guests. He smiled, throughout the entire meal he had completely forgotten her origins, and had observe with pride her natural grace and charm. Perhaps fortune had not mistreated him after all. Chastity looked up, and seeing her husband before her, she rewarded him with the sweetest smile he had ever seen. At that moment he wished he could dismiss their guests to be alone with his wife. But it was not the thing to do, so he took her hand instead and smiled at the other ladies.
    “My dear, would you show Lady Sudbrooke the house when you are finished with your gossip. I would do it myself but the men will have their one hour alone. Can’t be helped.”
    “Of course, my Lord, I’d be delighted.”
    “Very good.”
    As the men left the dining room for the library, he thought how blessed he was, and wondered if Tom Warren would be as fortunate in his choice of wife. He doubted it, and smiled.
    ***
    The Esher manor had a great oak stair case, built by John Mortimer, a noted architect of his day. Though Chastity did not know this herself, her sister-in-law, Lady Ashworth, was more than happy to point out the architectural attributes of the house, and both Chastity and Lady Sudbrooke listened intently. One to know her home better, the other determined to go one better and outshine them all.
    At the top of the staircase was hung a great portrait, painted on a ten foot canvass, which seemed to peer down at the ladies as they climbed.
    “Who is she?” asked Lady Sudbrooke.
    “That was our great grandmother, the first Lady Esher. I recollect her poorly, for she died when I was very young, but by account she was a very formidable lady in her day and a great favorite with the queen.”
    “That is a beautiful pearl necklace she is wearing, I wonder what became of it,” said Lady Sudbrooke.
    “Oh, Robert has it in his keeping. It was part of the estate, so it came to him, along with other items of my grandmother’s jewelry. Not that it matters, for my dear sister-in-law doesn’t seem to care for such baubles, just look at how unadorned as she is.”
    “Oh, I like jewels very much,” said Chastity. “But Robert hasn’t given me and I’ve never really thought to ask.”
    “I intend to have the best jewelry money can buy. I’m sure my fiancé can afford it. One looks so cheap without it.” Feeling she had cut a blow, Lady Sudbrooke climbed to the top of the stairs and waited impatiently for the others to join her. Her hand rose to her breast. She had the cameo lodged at her bosom and was hoping for an opportunity to plant it somewhere in her hostess’s bedchamber.
    She looked down over the banister to where the two women were whispering to each other. The one was no doubt consoling the other, but what did she care? She would not need to court the friendship of Lady Esher for much longer.
    They passed through endless rooms in the upper chamber, but came at last to Lady Esher’s rooms. It was decorated simply and elegantly, not as showy as many great ladies rooms, but it exemplified the great taste of their host nonetheless.
    “I believe Lord Robert redecorated these not too long ago. It’s a very charming room, Chastity, I can only imagine you are very comfortable here.”
    “Yes, very much so, Eliza, it’s very different to what I’m used to.”
    “No doubt,” said Lady Sudbrooke.
    While the sister-in-laws admired the view from the windows, Lady Sudbrooke slipped quietly over to Chastity’s dressing room. Her heart pounding, she recovered the cameo from her bodice and slipped it inside the top drawer of the dressing table, then turned to rejoin the others before her absence was noted.
    “Such a beautiful prospect,” said Lady Ashworth. “It’s almost the same as the view I had from my room when I lived here. Oh, happy days. We had such a happy childhood here, Robert and I.”
    “What was he like as a boy?” asked Chastity.
    “Oh