Only Marriage Will Do Read Online Free PDF

carriage came to a halt and swiftly met the inn’s ostlers who were trying to take the horses out of the shafts.
    Juliet beckoned Glynis and George into the inn and went to find the innkeeper. Not five minutes later she and her servants sat in a private parlor, gathered around a table.
    “I have had a change in my plans for the summer.” Juliet looked at them one after the other. “There is a gentleman in London whom I must avoid until my brother returns in December. The easiest way I see to do this is to retire to the marquess’ Cumberland estate near Wigton. No one must know we are there, so we cannot return to Dunham House before leaving.”
    The coachman and stable boy exchanged dismayed glances.
    “I realize this will put a strain on Roberts and George. You believed you would return to the house this evening and so have brought no belongings.”
    Both men nodded.
    “Please know I will compensate you all accordingly when we reach Guinevere’s Keep and will make provision for your clothing and such necessities as you require until we return to London.” She shrugged. “With the marquess from home, this is the only means I can think of to thwart him.”
    They stared raptly back at her, and she relented. “If any of you can think of a better plan, I will certainly be glad to hear it.” She sat back in her chair, glancing from face to face. Her brother’s servants had always been loyal, but now she asked much of them on very short notice.
    Roberts grunted and put his elbows on the table. “Beggin’ your pardon, my lady, but with the master gone and all, I think you’re showin’ right good sense in tryin’ to get away from that peacock what arrived in that new-fangled French carriage. Cabree-olay his driver called it, or some such nonsense. ’Twas a small two-wheeled carriage if you ask me.”
    Good. If Roberts approved of her plan, she’d have no trouble with the others.
    “Me an’ George’ll keep you safe, my lady. You an’ Glynis. But I think you’re wise to nash it out of London. In Cumberland you’ll be amongst your own people, your brother’s people that is, and there’s none more loyal to a good master.” He pulled at the sleeves of his blue livery jacket. “And don’t you worry none about our clothes and such. We’ll make do. Always have.”
    She smiled at the coachman. Roberts must be winded after such a long speech. The man had never before linked more than two sentences consecutively in her hearing. Weariness suddenly overtook her. “Thank you, Roberts. Do you also speak for George?” The lad, no more than fifteen, ducked his head then nodded.
    “Well, then, do you know the road to take to Guinevere’s Keep?” Saying the name made her smile in spite of herself. If only she were accompanied by her knight, all her dreams would have come true.
    “Aye, my lady. I’ve traveled it a time or two. And we’ve got a good ’nother six hours of daylight left. We can make a decent start even with changes.” He rose to see to the re-hitching while George, red creeping up his neck, acted as protector and escorted her and Glynis to the inn yard. A few minutes later, they were again on their way and Juliet truly relaxed for the first time since leaving Dunham House.
    Less worry about their journey, unfortunately, left more time for thought, speculation, and outright longing for her earlier companion. Rather than banish these wistful pinings, she embraced them, relived the encounter this morning with Amiable Dawson. Especially his outrage at Philippe’s vulgar insinuation about them under the mistletoe. Yes, he had been infuriated at that affront to her honor.
    Had part of that anger stemmed from his desire to be in the same position with her—or the one subtly hinted at by Philippe? Tingling all the way to her toes, she closed her eyes, and imagined kissing Amiable under the mistletoe at a Christmas party, then beneath the silken covers of a soft bed in a room so warm covers weren’t