The Earl Next Door Read Online Free PDF Page B

didn’t join us last night as arranged. But how will you discover if it is Henri?’
Luke turned his eyes back to his friend. ‘Because I intend to go over to Seaton Hall and find out. In the meantime, we need to get things moving here. Has the luggage arrived?'
'Yes. It came yesterday.'
'And the servants?'
'They should be here this afternoon.'
'Good. The house needs putting in order. We might as well be comfortable. After all, we will be here for some time.'

Chapter Two
 
As Marianne made her way home she was glad she had drunk a glass of Canary wine. The day had turned colder, and now that her stone hot water bottles had lost their heat the wine’s warmth was the only thing that made the journey comfortable.
As she traversed the country lanes she could not help thinking over her meeting with Lord Ravensford. Although in the end it had gone well it had nearly proved disastrous - because she had ignored Trudie’s advice and gone out without a chaperon.
Without a chaperon, and in a horse and cart.
Her thoughts went to the Travis carriage, which was tucked away in a corner of the stables. Her family no longer boasted the number of servants needed to polish its brasses and buff its squabs, as their fortunes had been adversely affected by the turbulence in France . But even so, despite its dilapidation, Marianne would have taken it if Tom had been available to drive it. Her second choice would have been to go on horseback, but with Dapple ill that, too, had been impossible.
For the first time Marianne realised how she must look, not to her neighbours, who knew that her means were straitened and who were used to her ways, but to a stranger. It was one thing for her to tool about the countryside in a rustic cart with no chaperon at her side when the only people she was likely to meet were the Cosgroves or the Reverend Mr Stock, but when there was a new person in the neighbourhood it had been unwise.
She turned Hercules in at the gate of Seaton Hall, glad that her journey was nearly over. There would be a big fire waiting for her in the kitchen - the other rooms were seldom used unless there was company, it being more economical that way – and Trudie would be on hand to hear all about her success.
Of  her ill treatment at Lord Ravensford’s hands she decided to say nothing. It would only lead to a scolding and an “I told you so”, in addition to making Trudie impossible if Lord Ravensford should ever visit Seaton Hall.
Marianne drove the cart round to the stables. Leaving it in Jack’s willing hands she went to see how Dapple was doing. She was relieved to discover the mare was much better, and that Tom expected a speedy recovery. Then, having satisfied herself that her mare was making good progress, she went into the Hall.
The first thing she noticed on entering the hall was a delicious smell, and then she heard the  sound of a heated argument coming from the back of the house. Curiously, she made her way towards the kitchen. As she opened the kitchen door a strange sight met her eyes. There, brandishing her rolling pin, was Trudie, glaring at the man who, only the day before, had been caught in the jaws of the mantrap. And both of them had fire in their eyes.
‘Miss Marianne! Thank the Lord!’ said Trudie, as she turned towards the door.
‘Ah! Mademoiselle ! I beseech you –‘ began the small man, turning imploringly towards Marianne. Before Trudie cut him off.
‘I won’t have it, Miss Marianne, I told him plain. Coming into my kitchen and messing with my things. That’s the best chicken he’s had, messing about with it and cutting it up and doing the Lord knows what with it, and how I’m to cook our dinner now I really don’t know.’
‘What . . . ?’ began Marianne, looking from one to the other of them, pleased to see that the stranger was well enough to be up, but unable to work out what had happened.
Trudie, however, was for the moment too incensed to speak.  ‘Goo,’ she declared finally,