A Proper Companion Read Online Free PDF Page A

wonder if she's ailing? She's pushing up against eighty,
you know. Good lord, I hate to think of her declining. She's always
been such a tower of strength." Robert's brows furrowed with
concern as he absently dragged a soapy sponge across his chest.
    "Does she look ill, milord?"
    "No, by Jove, she doesn't. In fact, she is as spry
as a spring lamb. The old girl actually boxed my ears,
Luckett!"
    "She struck you, milord?" the valet replied, choking
back a chuckle.
    "She did. She's fuming about my betrothal," Robert
said as he squeezed the wet sponge over his head. "But this new
companion is a puzzle. I'm sure Grandmother doesn't need a
nursemaid. If she did, she'd never admit it."
    "Could Miss Townsend perhaps be a poor relation,
milord?"
    "Hmm. I doubt it. Grandmother would have mentioned
it when she introduced us, I think. You know how family-proud she
is. If Miss Townsend had been the stepdaughter of a third cousin
once removed by marriage, Grandmother would have taken great pains
to point it out. Then I would have had to endure a half hour
dissertation on the peculiar coiling and twisting of that
particular branch of the family tree. No, Luckett. I doubt that
Miss Townsend is a poor relation. Besides, she's beautifully fair
with intelligent green eyes. Not the Cameron coloring at all."
    "Beautifully fair?" Luckett asked, suddenly frozen
in the act of smoothing the wrinkles out of a blue silk dressing
gown, his brows inching up to his hairline.
    "Indeed." Robert laughed as he massaged soap through
his hair. "She is really quite lovely, though she doesn't seem to
want anyone to notice. Dresses like a prim governess, hair pulled
back in a tight Methodist knot. Doesn't wear a cap, though, thank
goodness."
    "But you noticed?"
    "What? Oh, of course I noticed, you idiot. What do
you take me for?" It had in fact taken Robert only minutes to
observe the finer attributes of Miss Townsend. He had not missed
those large, wonderfully expressive green eyes and that soft, full
mouth. He also suspected that beneath her prim exterior lurked a
witty and spirited nature. Under normal circumstances he would make
it his business to investigate those suspicions. But those days
were over for him. He was now engaged to be married to a beautiful
young woman, ready to settle down to a sober life of responsibility
and duty. He sighed aloud.
    "You amaze me, milord. With all due respect."
    "Amaze you?" Robert mumbled as Luckett poured a jug
of warm water over his head, rinsing out the soap. "What on earth
do you mean?"
    "It doesn't matter where we go, milord. Even within
the dull confines of Bath, they follow you like lemmings to the
sea."
    "Who?"
    "Beautiful women. You could probably retire to some
monastery in Tibet, and a beautiful woman would find her way to
your cell. It is quite amazing, milord."
    "Ha!" Robert laughed as he stepped out of the tub.
Luckett was waiting with a large warm towel, which Robert wrapped
around himself like a toga. "And I suppose we are to ignore your
string of conquests in the servants' halls?"
    "I merely observe, milord, and learn."
    " Touché . Well, back to the subject at hand.
I'm still puzzled about this companion business. Grandmother
doesn't act without a motive. What's her game with Miss Townsend, I
wonder? You say the servants' hall is abuzz with talk of her?
Anything interesting?"
    "Well, milord, I did hear whispers regarding her
background."
    "Yes. And..."
    "She is apparently a woman of gentle birth, a lady
of quality."
    "Yes, that was obvious."
    "Well," he hesitated, "there is speculation as to
her... er... parentage, milord."
    "Give it up, Luckett," Robert said while toweling
his hair before the fire. "What's the story?"
    "It is believed that Miss Townsend is possibly the
offspring of some grand personage, milord. A royal duke
perhaps."
    "Oh, good heavens!" Robert groaned. "Sprung from the
wrong side of the royal blanket, I suppose?"
    "Indeed. I discounted the tale, of course. Just
because Miss Townsend