Candice Hern

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Book: Candice Hern Read Online Free PDF
Author: The Regency Rakes Trilogy
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 treats the housemaids with kindness, they
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