Pascale Duguay Read Online Free PDF Page A

stagecoach. She found that her purchase had left her with only a few shillings. But as the coach would bring her to her final destination, she had no need of money anyway. Miss Thimble had been worried for no reason. In fact, she would likely be extremely happy with her pupil right now. Patience had not been in a single scrape!
    Smiling, she picked up her bag and walked out the door — and collided directly with the person coming in. “Oh! Pardon me, sir! I should have watched where I was going.”
    “What a wonderful surprise!”
    Patience could have sunk underneath the floorboards when she looked up into the portly face of the man whom her father had chosen for her future husband. His beady eyes roamed over her body while his groping hands squeezed her waist. These would probably have wandered lower had she not swiftly backed away.
    “Sir Rupert, how nice to see you,” Patience managed through her clenched jaw.
    Sir Rupert’s beady eyes continued their casual perusal, scanning her body from head to feet, making Patience itch to slap his face. The man acted as if she were his already.
    “What brings you to town?” asked Sir Rupert, managing to grab hold of her elbow and pawing it in a most disagreeable way.
    “Oh, I — I just came to buy a new bag and a few knickknacks.” She motioned to the bag she was holding.
    “Getting ready for the big day, I see!” The old man gave her a knowing wink, which had her almost in a panic. “You should have told me you were planning to come. I would have been delighted to offer you a ride in my carriage. But I suspect you came with your father. Where is the old scamp?”
    Patience suddenly realized two things: one, that the stagecoach had just arrived and two, that her luncheon companion who should have been long gone was now standing at her other elbow, a questioning look on his face.
    “Actually, I came with my cousin, Mr…er…Brown,” she said after glancing at the man’s tan coat.
    Lord Carlton nodded at her companion. “How d’you do? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the Brown family before.”
    “That’s because he is related to my mother’s side of the family,” intervened Patience before “Mr. Brown” could place in a word.
    “Ah, I expect that would account for it. I did not know your mother very well, especially since she passed away so soon after bringing you into the world.”
    Patience winced at Sir Rupert’s comment. Hopefully her Mr. Brown would not remember that her mother had also died of a fever a year before. During this exchange, a few people climbed out of the stagecoach while others settled in. Bags and valises were being taken off the coach while others were loaded on. Patience could not climb aboard the vehicle with both Sir Rupert and her companion watching her. The minutes passed, but the old man just would not go away. With a sinking heart, Patience watched as the steps were put up and the horses whipped into action.

Chapter Three
    “I will let you finish your shopping now.” Sir Rupert leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “Make sure to include something pretty for me, dearie. I look forward to the big day!” He leered at her in a most provoking manner before releasing her elbow and taking his leave.
    If Patience had not been in such a hurry, she would probably have indulged in the urge to heave her lunch on the old man’s shoes. What a disgusting creature! She could not wait to put as much distance as possible between herself and that lecher. But before that could be accomplished, there was still the small matter of boarding the quickly disappearing stagecoach.
    She turned to her companion, “My lord, I find I must ask for another favour. Would you very much mind taking me up in your phaeton and chasing after that coach?”
    To her chagrin, he shook his head. “If I am to revert to being a lord again, I am afraid that men of my status do not go chasing after coaches. Now, if you will move out of my way, I believe I may