A Scandalous Secret Read Online Free PDF

not strictly accurate. I suppose,’ he added with a raised brow, ‘that the countess is not well enough to come down herself? Or is it beneath her dignity?’
    ‘I -1 could not say, sir,’ Elizabeth (or was it Bess?) answered, not knowing which way to look. If he had confused the mistress with the maid, it was no wonder.
    ‘Your loyalty does you credit, I’m sure.’ He inclined his head and leaned forward a little. ‘I cry pardon, and will not say a word against your mistress - except that, peeress or no, she could not be half so lovely as her maid.’
    Bess knew that she was blushing again. She also knew that she should stop this bold gentleman at once. But his nearness was having the strangest effect upon her. Or was it only the wine that made her feel so curiously light-headed? Whatever the reason, it was impossible to miss the warmly admiring look in those hazel eyes. That, and the sincerity in his voice, was very pleasant indeed.
    ‘Please, sir—’ she began, aware that her protest was not as strong as she would have wished.
    ‘Forgive me,’ Mr Markham said softly, ‘but, to tell you the truth, you are much more my idea of what a countess should be. Do you never envy your mistress? Do you never imagine what it would be like if you were a countess yourself?’
    ‘I would not be this countess for anything in the world!’ she cried, so vehemently that he looked at her in obvious surprise.
    ‘Is your mistress unhappy, then?’ he enquired. ‘I should have supposed, with her rank and fortune, she would have no cares worth the name.’
    ‘There is more to life, Mr Markham,’ Bess said seriously, ‘than a fine home, jewels and pin-money. When there is no love - no respect...’ Her voice trailed off as she became aware that she was about to say far too much. Mr Markham did not press her, however.
    ‘Perhaps,’ he said with a shrug, ‘I have worked in a counting-house too long. But I must admit that, to a humble clerk like myself, a larger income would certainly increase my happiness.’
    ‘Perhaps it would,’ Bess conceded, trying to imagine what this man’s life must be like as a clerk in a London business. ‘I do not say that it is not pleasant to command the luxuries of life. I merely meant that it is perfectly possible to be happy without them - and that possessing them is no guarantee of contentment.’
    ‘I could never doubt your word, Miss Newcombe,’ he said. ‘The mercenary spirit of the world has not touched a heart such as yours.’ He reached across as he spoke and clasped her hand in his. Bess felt the power in that hand. It was most improper, of course. She should have given him a sharp reprimand and withdrawn her own hand at once; but she did not.
    For hours they talked, and never had Bess felt so much at ease, so perfectly content, in anyone’s company. Nick - she was already beginning to think of him as that - told her something of himself and his ambitions. He would have his own business someday, he said. In the meantime, he had his widowed mother and a maiden aunt to support, and a younger brother who had recently gone into the army and of whom great things were expected. His mother was the niece of a clergyman and the sister of a bookseller. He was more well-read than many of his class, and Bess soon discovered that they shared a similar taste in books.
    Her own remarks were more guarded, of course. She told him that she was an orphan and that she had a younger sister who lived in Wiltshire. They discussed music and dancing, and she related a few of her childhood adventures with her sister, which he seemed to find highly entertaining.
    They were both more than surprised when Nick took out his watch and exclaimed, ‘Good heavens! It is half past eleven already. What gabsters we are.’
    ‘Oh dear!’ Bess said, realizing how the hours had slipped away and that her dream was drawing to a close. ‘I really should go up now.’
    ‘Of course. Your mistress may have need of