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

eighty miles to Doveralone and at night. Julian decided that he could not take the risk ofcalling her bluff and began to wish heartily that his cousin had chosena conventional bride who would not embroil her innocent relatives inher madcap schemes. "Y're a spoiled brat, d'ye know that?" he declaredwith a resigned sigh.

"I most certainly am not," Danielle denied, a flash of anger in thebrown eyes. "It is simply that in this instance I know better thanJustin and he is being quite idiotishly stubborn."

"And you will, of course, succeed in persuading him of that fact,"Jules said sarcastically. "I wish I could be there to see it."

Danielle, too well aware of how much she needed his cooperation, bitback the retort and said mildly, "We will come to you at five thisafternoon, then? If we leave after dinner, we should reach Dover byearly tomorrow morning, well before Justin. He intends to catch thetide that rises around six tomorrow evening. Molly and I will minglewith the lads carrying provisions on board and hide ourselves until the

Gull

is well under way."

"How the deuce do you mean to do that?'' In spite of himself LordJulian was intrigued.

"There is a small cabin next to the master cabin," Danny explained. "Itis used only by Petersham when he travels with Linton. I think itunlikely that we shall be discovered there."

"Unlikely, but not impossible," Julian stated.

"Certainly," she agreed. "But there is no such thing as a flawlessplan, Jules. One must simply have

one's wits about one. I shallcontrive, never fear."

She would, too, Jules thought moodily as he saw her back into thephaeton with its matched bays that

had been her husband's birthday giftonce he was satisfied of her driving competence.

Danielle returned to Grosvenor Square and accosted her husband in thelibrary where he was reading the

Gazette.

"Justin, I have decided thatsince you are to leave very early in the morning and I do not wish toquarrel with you, and I will because I shall be cross, I will spendthis night with

Grandmere.

Youhave no objections, I trust."

Justin regarded her thoughtfully. This was the first mention of hisjourney since the last confrontation and there were distinctthunderclouds lowering in her eyes. However, if this was the method bywhich she chose to deal with the situation what right had he tocomplain?

"You will not dine with me, love?" he asked with a quizzical smile.

"No," she said gruffly, swinging her hat by its ribband. "I am to dineat the Mayburys' and then go to the ball at Almack's. After which Ishall return to March House."

"Then we must make our farewells now?"

"Yes, if you please. I shall leave within the hour as I intend to dressat March House."

"I consider it cruel punishment to deprive me of your company, my love."

"You are depriving me of yours," she snapped with credible annoyance."It is not the other way around."

"Clearly your plan is the test one," he said dryly. "I have no wish topart with you in anger, so .. ." He took her in his arms. For a momenther body was stiffly resistant, but gradually and inevitably sherelaxed, her mouth opening eagerly beneath his and for a fleetinginstant Justin almost changed his mind. Why deprive them both of thiswhen even Pitt acknowledged her ability to hunt and gather thenecessary information? And Danny was as streetwise as he washimself—more so. But no. She was his wife now, the Countess of Linton,and no urchin waif. He could accept her work in London because she usedher position to achieve her goals, but he would not make a spy of hiswife. Drawing back, he brushed a stray curl from her forehead. "I willbe gone no more than three weeks, Danny."

"Unless there is a storm or a dead calm to prevent the

Gull's

sailinghome." She shrugged. "Or unless

you fall foul of footpads in a backalley, or are discovered in one of the clubs when tempers run high

anda spying stranger in their midst is not to be borne ... I wish yougodspeed, Linton." With that she disappeared, leaving her husbanddisconsolate and not a whit suspicious, while her own spirits danced athow easily that had been accomplished. There would be a penalty to pay,no doubt, but she would pay it with good grace. Once Linton understoodher motives then they would act in this business together.

Danielle and Molly left Linton House without unnecessary fuss, Daniellein a simple afternoon gown, Molly in her usual habit of correctmaidservant. They were obliged to take the Linton town chaise to avoidremark, but Danielle, once

in situ

,gavethe coachman orders to deliver them to Lord Julian's lodgings, sayingthat His Lordship would convey them to March House after an expeditionto the Botanical Gardens. It was not the coachman's place to questionhis orders or Her Ladyship's arrangements and he did neither. Since itdidn't occur to Linton to check up on his wife, the deception escapednotice.

Julian put his bedchamber at Danielle's disposal while his manservantprepared dinner. Jules was quite accustomed to the sight of hiscousin-in-law in britches, but his eyebrows shot up when he saw Molly.

"It will do very well, Jules," Danielle reassured. "Molly will wear acloak to disguise herself. We are exceeding sharp set. You will notobject if Molly dines with us?"

"Not in the least." Jules smiled warmly at the girl whose face betrayedher terror at this extraordinary circumstance. He pulled out a chairfor her and seated the servant, allowing the countess to perform theoffice for herself. Danielle did so without the flicker of an eyelashand addressed herself to her dinner, encouraging Molly to do likewisewith all the warm concern of a close friend.

*  *  *

At eight o'clock that evening, Lord Julian Carlton found himselfdriving his racing curricle to Dover in the company of two women fromvastly different stations in life, both wearing boys' dress. One ofthem fell asleep