Compromising the Marquess Read Online Free PDF Page A

not. You are beautiful, charming, you have a kindly disposition...in short, everything that a man could possibly want in a wife. Unlike me,” she added with a wry grin. “But in order for you to make an impression we must first raise the funds to furnish you with a suitable wardrobe.”
    “Oh no, Leah. There’s no need to go to that expense.” Beth became quite agitated, which brought on a coughing fit.
    Leah moved to sit beside her sister on the sofa, reached for a glass of water, and supported Beth’s head whilst she took a sip.
    “Better?” she asked when the coughing abated.
    “Yes, thank you. But to return to the subject under discussion, I can make whatever new clothes I need.”
    Yes, you can, but as things stand, we can’t even afford to patronise Miss Lewis’s dreary drapery. “Your sewing is exquisite, darling, but I would not have you strain your eyes.”
    “Then what else am I to do with myself all day?” It was as close to a complaint as Beth had ever come about her enforced idleness. “You can’t support us alone. Pray, allow me to do my part.”
    “Get well,” Leah said, gently pinching her sister’s cheek. “If you wish to help, then do that much for me.”
    “That I certainly shall. I feel so much better already.”
    Leah cuddled her sister, careful not to hold her too tightly and create another coughing fit. “You and I will do very well here for the summer. After that we shall just have to see.”
    “What about you, Leah? You seem to have me married off and settled but you’ve said nothing about your own aspirations.”
    “Me? Oh, marriage isn’t for me. I’m not the docile type, nor do I take kindly to being told how to behave.”
    Beth’s smile was laced with obvious affection. “That’s certainly true. But if the right gentleman were to—”
    “There’s no right gentleman for me, of that I’m quite sure. So instead of matrimony, I shall look after your children, write scurrilous articles for whichever newspaper will pay me the most, and generally make you ashamed of me.”
    Beth gurgled with laughter. “I shall never be ashamed of you, nor can you shock me, so don’t think to try it.”
    “Just as well,” Leah said, grinning, “because I think it’s time Leon put in an appearance at the Boar’s Head this evening.”

Chapter Three
    The sisters dined early, as was their habit. Beth, still weak from her illness, retired for the night before darkness fell. As soon as the door closed behind her, Leah swung into action.
    “We shall be going out in half an hour, Jonny,” she told their young lad.
    “Right you are, miss.” As always he displayed no curiosity and Leah knew he would do whatever she asked of him without asking awkward questions. Meg would be a very different matter but, for the moment, contented herself with a disapproving tut.
    Leah removed to her chamber. Turning herself into Leon necessitated the removal of her gown and petticoats. She seldom wore a corset, but her chemise remained in place. Wincing as she bound her breasts with strips of old sheeting, the task was soon accomplished. She then pulled on a pair of tight-fitting breeches and covered her upper body with a plaid shirt and jerkin. Her hair was more problematic. Falling almost to her waist, it took no little ingenuity and many hairpins to tame it into a bun on the crown of her head so that she could cover it with a full cap. Its distinctive colour worked against her when she wished to make covert investigations. If a strand should escape she was likely to be recognized immediately. Leah stifled a giggle when she imagined Mrs. Wilkinson’s reaction, were that to happen. The poor woman would probably have a fit of the vapours.
    As satisfied as she could be that her tresses would remain in place, Leah pulled on thick stockings and a sturdy pair of boots and wrapped a muffler round her neck.
    Jonny waited for her at the kitchen door, Pickle at his side.
    “Where are we going, miss?” he