Jane Feather - Charade by Unknown (howl and other poems .TXT) 📕

he swung an immaculate leg across thebanister, bracing himself with one hand against a . carved pillar.

"Justin, you'll fall," Danielle yelped, seeing for the first timeexactly how precarious the position was.

"I am less likely to do so than you, hampered by those petticoats," hestated.

"Well, I

was

going to put onmy britches . . ." she murmuredmischievously.

"Remind me to beat you one of these days, Danny," Linton saidconversationally, stretching toward the gibbering creatures, swingingjust oift of his reach.

Danielle gurgled, well aware that her husband was only feigningannoyance, and watched with admiration as, with soft-spoken commandsand the enticement of the bananas, he received first one of thefrightened creatures and then its companion, handing them to her withthe brisk injunction to keep them away from Peter and not let themloose again if she valued her skin ...

"Let us hope, Peter, that she has already disposed of the unfortunatecreature," the earl said, returning to the reality of the dining roomat Danesbury as he shook these memories aside. "Otherwise, I feel surewe shall be obliged to house it here, in the stableyard."

Peter chuckled softly. "I rather think, sir, that even Lady Danny willfail to achieve John's consent to

such an arrangement."

"Never underestimate my wife, dear boy. It's a lesson I learned manymonths ago. She has already contrived to change most of thetime-honored practices in the stables with John's positively eagerconsent."

"And Bedford's cellars, also," Peter added with a smile.

"Just so. However, I do draw the line at dancing bears so, if you willexcuse me, dear fellow, I shall

make my arrangements for an earlydeparture."

Linton left his secretary musing quietly that however cataclysmic hadbeen the changes wrought by the Countess of Linton in the last sixmonths, they had all, without exception, improved the general tone andquality of life. Both Linton House and Danesbury had lost theirsomewhat somber air and even such austere individuals as Petersham andBedford had capitulated, after only the shortest period of dignifiedreserve, under the bright charm and unquestioned competence of theiremployer's young bride. Peter's own work load had been lightenedconsiderably by Danielle's insistence on taking over the accounts ofboth establishments. She accomplished the task with a degree of sternconsistency that had swiftly

earned her the respect and grudgingadmiration of those hitherto responsible for the housekeeping andmanagement of Lord Linton's households.

*  *  *

The greatest change of all, however, had been in the Earl of Lintonhimself whose countenance these days was rarely impassive. True, onoccasion, it assumed the black glower of an impending hurricane,sending all but Lady Danny scurrying out of sight. True that thehousehold was at times shaken by tempestuous scenes quite unsuited to anobleman's establishment. But it was also true, although everyoneforebore to discuss the fact, that these scenes ended in the bedchamberwhence the earl and his countess would eventually emerge, wreathed insmiles and quite at peace with one another.

Linton had found a se'ennight away from his wife quite long enough andwas more than willing to respond to her importunate summons. The demandhad been bolstered by some remarkably frank and uninhibited statementsthat brought a smile ofanticipation to his lips as he contemplated their reunion. Petershammerely bowed when informed of their premature departure and drew hisown conclusions from His Lordship's expression.

It was later than he intended when Linton left Danesbury the followingmorning and owing to one of his chestnuts throwing a shoe just outsidethe little village of Chiswick, it was after ten o'clock that eveningwhen the racing curricle d rew up in Grosvenor Square.

Bedford greeted His Lordship with a low bow and the information thatHer Ladyship bad said he was expected.

"Lady Linton has left for Rutland House?" the earl inquired, strippingof his gloves.

"Yes, my lord, about an hour since."

"Who escorted her?" Linton shrugged out of his dust-covered drivingcape, resisting the urge to substitute "what" for "who."

"Lord Julian, sir." Bedford refrained discreetly from mentioning thatJulian had been but one of half a dozen gallants who had assisted atHer Ladyship's toilette before escorting her sedan chair with muchlaughter to Rutland House. "Have you dined, my lord?"

"Indifferently, Bedford, but it will suffice." Linton shudderedslightly. The only inn in a position to provide dinner at Chiswick hadbeen patently unused to the delicate palates of the Quality. "Did HerLadyship use the chaise?"

"No, my lord, the chair."

"In that case, have the chaise brought round. I shall leave within thehour." Linton mounted the stairs to change his traveling clothes forthose more suited to the Duchess of Rutland's ball. He was tempted tobathe and await the return of his wife, but knowing her indefatigableability to dance the night and morning hours away decided that he wouldbe better advised to fetch her himself.

Thus it was that on the stroke of eleven, just as she was preparing toleave her post at the head of the great staircase, the Duchess ofRutland was gratified to see the unmistakable figure of Justin, Earl ofLinton, mounting at a leisurely pace towardher.

"Linton, how delightful!" she exclaimed, extending a plump hand. "Weunderstood you were in the country, although your entrancing littlewife did say there was a possibility you might honor us with yourcompany."

Justin bowed low over the hand, brushing his lips across the heavilyringed fingers. "I find I completed

my business rather earlier thanexpected, your grace."

"How fortunate for us all, Justin." Her grace gave him a shrewd smile."I rather suspect, though, that

even had you not done so, you would nothave remained out of town overlong."

Justin laughed softly. "How right you are, Amelia. Where is my ladywife?"

"I am not certain, but if you look for the men you will assuredly findher."

A frown passed over His Lordship's previously smiling countenance andthe duchess made haste to explain herself. "I implied no criticism,Justin. But you must know that Danielle is like the proverbialhoneypot. She has only