The Accidental Mistress Read Online Free PDF Page A

knew she should be making plans, thinking of a way out of her current predicament but she’d experienced several nights with scant sleep and the shock of Roxburghe’s attack had left her craving oblivion.
    Her last thought before exhaustion overtook her was that, even caught up in the savagery of fury, the Marquis had still managed to look as beautiful as a fallen angel.
     
    Sophie awoke to a darkening room, the fire dead in the grate and a sharp chill in the air. Suddenly terrified, she sat up quickly, searching the shadows, but it was clear that she was alone. The dull throbbing of her bruised throat was a reminder of what had taken place and she shivered, wondering where Roxburghe was now.
    Sliding off the bed, she walked across to the window. Dawn had been replaced by a rapidly growing dusk… she must have slept the day away! It was vexing because the longer she was absent, the more her aunt would worry. But there was no way to get a missive to her and even if she could, Sophie doubted the wisdom of doing so. What would she say? What could she say, when her actions would only serve to convince Alice that she had ruined her chances with Roxburghe and her dreams of becoming a marchioness? It had been a lucky escape. His scathing and unflattering view of her cousin told her just how wicked his intentions had been. If he had displayed the slightest hint of remorse, or even of distress that Alice was not there with him…
    No , Sophie thought grimly, he doesn’t care for Alice at all …
    There came a soft knock at the door and she swung around, heart hammering. She walked across to it slowly, then hesitated. ‘Who is it?’
    ‘Mrs. Chambers. I’ve come to make up your fire for you.’
    Relief coursed through Sophie. Mrs. Chambers might not have a very high opinion of her but the woman exuded solid good sense which was exactly what Sophie needed. She opened the door and stood back. The housekeeper was carrying a dress over her arm. She gave Sophie another searching look and the girl offered an apologetic smile.
    ‘I’m sorry. It seems I’ve slept the day away.’
    ‘So you have, Miss. You must be hungry.’ The woman came in, laying the dress on the bed before she bustled over to the fire. ‘His lordship’s compliments, Miss. He asks that you join him downstairs for dinner. I’ve brought a dress along that his lordship thought you might care for.’ There was something in Mrs. Chamber’s voice that indicated she didn’t care for it at all.
    Sophie looked at the dress on the bed, walking across to hold it up. It was clearly expensive and just as clearly unsuitable for dining with a man unchaperoned. The low cut, pale green silk with white sarcenet lining was quite beautiful but its very fineness would reveal more than it would conceal. Sophie knew that some young ladies – very daring young ladies – favored such dresses but she flushed as she held it up. No female with any sensibility would wear such a gown. Not unless she were a certain kind of female. It was accompanied by narrow satin pumps, a woolen shawl to ward off the chill and a pair of stockings of such fineness that they seemed to float through the air like gossamer. Sophie looked at it all, before dropping the dress in disgust.
    I think not, my lord …
    A maid arrived, carrying an ewer of warm water, which she poured into a basin. Sophie caught the girl’s quick, curious look and sighed. Obviously Roxburghe brought his ladyloves to his country estate on a frequent basis and just as obviously, his servants believed she was his latest interest. It was unpleasant but, as she was unlikely to ever see any of them again, Sophie was pleased to ignore it. The sooner she put the place behind her, the better it would be.
    After several minutes she was alone again, the fire having been made up in the grate and now burning cheerfully. Instead of changing, she tidied her dark brown hair in front of the mirror, brushing it out so that it fell in heavy waves