Quiet Meg by Sherry Lynn Ferguson

Author:Sherry Lynn Ferguson [Ferguson, Sherry Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-11-16T23:05:00+00:00

Dressing for Lucy’s ball was such an extended, tortuous process, at least as overseen by a valet as fastidious as Dietz, his uncle’s man, that Chas was tempted to send last minute regrets. According to Dietz, a gentleman must wear so much in evidence of his standing and good taste that Chas was convinced he could evidence neither. He consented to the elaborately styled cravat, to the ostentatious buckles on his shoes, and to the impressively high, stiff shirt points. But he balked at having his hair powdered. He told Dietz in no uncertain terms, and in the only language Dietz understood, that he refused to appear looking like a character from Fasching carnival.

Dietz, who had to be nearing ninety, could manage offended pride and servile abasement simultaneously. Chas considered it an opportune moment to suggest that Dietz remove himself permanently to Brookslea, where he would have a large staff to terrorize, instead of one transient, obsti nate master. How that would work, Chas hadn’t a clue, since Dietz spoke neither English nor French. But Dietz took the proposed removal as a sign of promotion, and retreated to a pleased and dignified silence. As Chas finished with his finery he could only stare resignedly at his reflection in the mirror.

He thought tonight might be the last time he saw her.

Of all the eventualities for which he had prepared over the previous weeks, that was the one for which he had not prepared-for which he was perhaps incapable of preparing. The finality of the thought affected him as nothing else had.

Yet there was no other recourse. Had there been, Sir Eustace would have thought of it and acted before now. All remedies at law were closed to them. All society’s penalties for uncivil behavior had been exercised. And Chas knew he could not continue as he wished while Meg was effectively in Sutcliffe’s power. The earl was quite literally squeezing the life out of her.

The hour was close. Chas had been to Wimbledon just that morning, to walk the ground, to see if there were any possible advantage to be had.

Sutcliffe might challenge him at any moment now, but at least the challenge would not come tonight. There was little likelihood the earl would approach Lady Billings’s home, with hundreds of guests attending, and all the protection Sir Eustace and Bertram would have arranged.

Chas sighed as he touched his cravat. He wanted to concentrate on the task at hand, on meeting Sutcliffe, and not on the outcome. Even then, like some troubling refrain, all he could contemplate was his desire to see Meg, to hold Meg, to more than hold Meg.

“What a lovesick puppy you are,” he muttered to himself, only to quickly dismiss Dietz’s inquiring “Bitte?” In his present state, Chas had to believe himself fortunate to have a man who did not speak English.

He had been asked to arrive at Lady Billings’s a bit early, just why he could not imagine. Perhaps Lucy had requested his presence so that she might regale him with some extensive description of a recent revel.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.