To Marry a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

else. What normal
man would wish to be shackled to a cold, skinny beanpole like you?’
    Shocked by his venom she was unable to answer, to offer him
even a crumb of comfort to save his pride. Instead she spoke without thought.
‘I would sooner marry in the stable than ally myself to a man such as you. You
are a parasite. My brother has an open nature and he has never understood your
friendship was purely mercenary. But, like a rat in a sinking ship, you will
desert him now.’ She lifted her head. ‘Your immediate departure is the one ray
of sunshine in all this misery. I do not wish to see you here again, Captain
Pledger. Do I make myself clear?’
    For a moment his right shoulder bunched as if he was
thinking of striking her, but he picked up his hat and bowed formally, his
temper under control, the epitome of politeness.
    ‘I shall bid you good day, my lady.’   She nodded and raised her head. His eyes
bored into hers. ‘You will live to regret this; you will discover that even the
mighty can fall and they have the furthest to go.’
    The door slammed behind him rattling the glassware in a tall
walnut cabinet. Allegra remained staring at the door for almost a minute, her
feet refusing to obey her command. Her knees were weak and she had to sit down
before she collapsed.
    Somehow she groped her way to the padded settle. Her hands
were shaking too much to reach out for the bell. She had never liked Pledger,
but only now when it was too late did she realize he was not the weak man she
had always thought him.
    Slowly she regained control and reached for the bell.
Richard had still to be told that the new owners, the unspeakable encroachers,
the Tremaynes, would arrive in less than one and a half hours. Richard would
not be pleased to be summoned to her side.
    ‘What is it, Allegra, can a man not
have a bit of shut-eye in peace, anymore?’
    Allegra hesitated. Should she tell him about Pledger or
Tremayne first? ‘Captain Pledger has left, Richard.’
    ‘I’m not surprised. Gave him his conge did you? I told him not to approach you, but he would do it.’
    ‘Well, you could have warned me and thus avoided an
uncomfortable ten minutes for both of us.’
    ‘Is that all, my dear? If so,
I’ll toddle along and—’
    ‘No, Richard it is not all. Tremayne and his family are
arriving here in one hour and thirty minutes.’
    ‘The devil take it! Whatever for?’
    ‘To take up residence, you nincompoop, why
else?’
    He shook his head and groaned. ‘I’ve not sorted out my belongings,
nor arranged our lodgings— how can we be expected to leave at such short
notice?’
    ‘We do not have to leave. We have two weeks remember? But
the man owns the property; he is entitled to live here. Why should he wait
until we have gone? The place is large enough to lose an army in for heaven’s
sake.’
    ‘Where have you put them?’
    ‘In the west
wing. He has asked for two apartments to be prepared so he must be
bringing his family with him. Do you know if he is married?’
    ‘I’ve no idea.’ He sighed loudly and scratched his poorly shaven jaw. ‘I suppose I’d better change into my
finest. Thunder and turf - do the staff know?’
    ‘Yes, Richard. I informed White earlier and I have asked her
to speak to Yardley, he will do the rest.’
    ‘This is a bad day, my dear. But we shall come about, never
fear.’
    ‘Miss Murrell suggested I put my faith in the Lord, are you
of the same mind, Richard?’
    He grinned. ‘Fate, faith, call it what you will, something
always comes up. Shall we go up? I’m certain you don’t wish to meet the new
owners dressed in that gown.’
    ‘Indeed I do not. I do not know, quite, how it is I am
wearing such a monstrosity but I intend to find out.’
    Word had spread around the staff
long before Allegra reached her apartments. Her dresser and maid were waiting for
her. ‘Abbot, I have come to change this hideous frock. And by the way, why am I
wearing it, I thought I had asked for my