Free Jo Beverley - [Rogue ] by An Unwilling Bride Page A

and surmounted by smooth dark brows.
    She had chosen the outfit to be becoming, though, and succeeded all too well. She went about a little in Cheltenham with her aunt and had no desire to appear an antidote. In fact, she remembered with a rueful smile, when this outfit had been commissioned a few months ago she had entertained mild hopes of the interest of a local curate. He had turned out to be a rather stupid man.
    Beth gave up the fruitless contemplation of her appearance. The marquess was doubtless acquainted with all the great beauties of the land. He was hardly likely to be overwhelmed by Beth Armitage in her Sunday Best.
    The maid looked at the clock. "It is time for you to go down, miss."
    Beth started. "I—I confess I have no idea of how to find 'down,' Redcliff. Or where I am supposed to be."
    The maid looked mildly surprised and rang a small silver bell which stood on a table. A footman came smartly into the room.
    "Miss Armitage is ready to go down, Thomas," said the maid.
    The footman gave a little bow and stepped outside again. Redcliff stood by the door to close it when Beth had left. Beth left.
    The footman set off at a stately pace and Beth followed, feeling a little like a lap dog being taken for a walk. The young man was tall and well-built. Beth had heard that sometimes footmen were chosen for their handsome appearance and supposed that to be the case here. Again, they passed other footmen just standing like statues. In their yellow liveries and powdered hair there was no easy way to tell them apart.
    She followed her guide along corridors and down a different staircase, just as magnificent as the one she had come up. She could not deny the elegance and beauty of her surroundings, but how ridiculous, she told herself staunchly, to have this enormous building and all these servants for just three people.
    They approached gilded double doors with panels painted with climbing roses. Beth's footman and another stationed there swung them open with smooth efficiency so she could sweep into the room without breaking step. I am likely to lose the use of my hands entirely, Beth thought, as she prepared to meet her persecutors.
    She had expected to be overwhelmed by personal ostentation to match the house and was prepared to sneer. She found instead that the room she entered was small and not particularly grand, and the family was dressed like any people of good birth and comfortable circumstances.
    The duke and the marquess were in elegant day dress, the duchess in a charming but simple blue-striped silk with only a delicate sapphire pendant and earrings for ornamentation. She was a tall, slender lady with the same handsome features as her son. The sweetly curved lips moved into a warm smile as she came forward.
    "My dear Miss Armitage, welcome to Belcraven." Her voice carried the delicious flavor of her native France. "Thank you so much for coming." It was a statement quite suitable for the hearing of the footman standing by the wall, but Beth knew it said more. The duchess did not resent her arrival. The woman obviously accepted her husband's plan and there was to be no help from her quarter.
    "I found it an opportunity quite impossible to resist, Your Grace," said Beth dryly.
    A twinkle of amusement and some disarming sympathy sparkled in the duchess's blue eyes. "Yes," she said. "The de Vaux men are irresistible, are they not, my dear? Tell me now, am I permitted to call you Elizabeth?"
    In the circumstances it was impossible to refuse. Next Beth had to face the duke.
    "I echo my dear wife's sentiments, Elizabeth. It is a delight to have you here." He smiled at her benignly as if he had never forced her into this. Beth clenched her teeth on unwise words. Offending the duke would achieve nothing.
    Beth was directed to a seat on a sofa where the duchess joined her. The duke sat opposite while the marquess stoked the fireplace, watching Beth sardonically. The footman served wine and the duchess asked Beth about