Karis knew she could put a stop to whatever it was if the need arose. Coming to a decision, she hurried down the stairs and entered the library. She went to the tall casement windows and peeked around the edge of the faded green curtains. Her cousin's cream-coloured bonnet was barely visible above the top of the long uncut hedge. Dorinda was making her way towards the very room in which Karis now stood.
As her cousin's face came into view, Karis drew back, wondering if Dorinda was so lost to propriety that she would actually invade Lord Marsden house. The question was answered within minutes when the window creaked and groaned as Miss Westerly pushed it open.
Karis frantically looked for a place to hide. The library was spartanly furnished with few chairs and tables. With the exception of the desk, she could see nothing behind which she might hide. But to step to the huge oak desk would make her clearly visible to her cousin.
Dorinda's leg came through the window, indecorously exposing her silk stocking to the knee. About to be caught, Karis quickly stepped behind the curtain by the window, hoping her cousin wouldn't spy her.
After a great deal of grunting and swearing which was more suited to a groom than a lady of Quality, her cousin pulled herself through the window. She issued another loud groan.
Karis peeked around the edge of the curtain. She saw Dorinda's cape extended back out the window, caught tight on some obstruction, likely a bramble. Her cousin, face distorted with frustration, pulled on the garment with all her might. Suddenly the cape came free, sending Dorinda reeling backwards into a heap on the library floor. Her casquet bonnet flew from her head and land in the ashes which spilled out on the hearth.
Scrambling to her feet she yanked the bonnet away, but sooty grey stains had ruined the cream-coloured surface. Dorinda swore, then tossed the bonnet on the chair. She marched back and closed the window she'd entered through, then returned to the fireplace and removed her cape.
Karis covertly watched her vain cousin pull bits of leaves and twigs from her black curls, throwing the pieces into the dying fire. The girl muttered angrily to herself, but her words reached Karis.
“Well, my lord marquess, you have put me to a great deal of trouble this cold morning and I shall see that you pay the toll. If I have my way, you shall have a fiancée before I leave this house today.”
Karis bit her lip to keep from crying out in shock. This was no mere attempt to meet Lord Marsden. Dorinda's intent was far more sinister. She was going to try to compromise herself.
The sound of rending fabric brought Karis from her musings. Dorinda had torn the sleeve of her velvet dress, exposing a length of arm. Karis clutched the curtain in horror. She'd never before realized the depth of the cousin's wickedness.
The sound of a door being sharply closed echoed from the Great Hall then the marquess's voice. As footstep came closer to the library, Karis knew she must do something to protect Lord Marsden from her cousin.
About to step from behind the curtain, she was suddenly struck by the thought that his lordship might think she was somehow involved in her cousin's devious plot to ensnare him. She was filled with uncertainty about what was best to do.
Karis heard the marquess step through the open door and come to an abrupt halt. His familiar voice as cold as the wind outside reminded Karis of her own first meeting with the gentleman.
“Good, God, not another one. Madam, who are you and why are you in my library?”
Chapter Four
Marsden glared at the young woman standing before him. He'd never seen her before but he knew the type--beautiful, spoiled and determined. He'd married just such a woman. There was little doubt in his mind as to why she was in his house.
Dorinda, unaware of his growing hostility, stepped forward. Tilting her head just so, she gazed with a wide-eyed stare so the marquess could admire her
As her cousin's face came into view, Karis drew back, wondering if Dorinda was so lost to propriety that she would actually invade Lord Marsden house. The question was answered within minutes when the window creaked and groaned as Miss Westerly pushed it open.
Karis frantically looked for a place to hide. The library was spartanly furnished with few chairs and tables. With the exception of the desk, she could see nothing behind which she might hide. But to step to the huge oak desk would make her clearly visible to her cousin.
Dorinda's leg came through the window, indecorously exposing her silk stocking to the knee. About to be caught, Karis quickly stepped behind the curtain by the window, hoping her cousin wouldn't spy her.
After a great deal of grunting and swearing which was more suited to a groom than a lady of Quality, her cousin pulled herself through the window. She issued another loud groan.
Karis peeked around the edge of the curtain. She saw Dorinda's cape extended back out the window, caught tight on some obstruction, likely a bramble. Her cousin, face distorted with frustration, pulled on the garment with all her might. Suddenly the cape came free, sending Dorinda reeling backwards into a heap on the library floor. Her casquet bonnet flew from her head and land in the ashes which spilled out on the hearth.
Scrambling to her feet she yanked the bonnet away, but sooty grey stains had ruined the cream-coloured surface. Dorinda swore, then tossed the bonnet on the chair. She marched back and closed the window she'd entered through, then returned to the fireplace and removed her cape.
Karis covertly watched her vain cousin pull bits of leaves and twigs from her black curls, throwing the pieces into the dying fire. The girl muttered angrily to herself, but her words reached Karis.
“Well, my lord marquess, you have put me to a great deal of trouble this cold morning and I shall see that you pay the toll. If I have my way, you shall have a fiancée before I leave this house today.”
Karis bit her lip to keep from crying out in shock. This was no mere attempt to meet Lord Marsden. Dorinda's intent was far more sinister. She was going to try to compromise herself.
The sound of rending fabric brought Karis from her musings. Dorinda had torn the sleeve of her velvet dress, exposing a length of arm. Karis clutched the curtain in horror. She'd never before realized the depth of the cousin's wickedness.
The sound of a door being sharply closed echoed from the Great Hall then the marquess's voice. As footstep came closer to the library, Karis knew she must do something to protect Lord Marsden from her cousin.
About to step from behind the curtain, she was suddenly struck by the thought that his lordship might think she was somehow involved in her cousin's devious plot to ensnare him. She was filled with uncertainty about what was best to do.
Karis heard the marquess step through the open door and come to an abrupt halt. His familiar voice as cold as the wind outside reminded Karis of her own first meeting with the gentleman.
“Good, God, not another one. Madam, who are you and why are you in my library?”
Chapter Four
Marsden glared at the young woman standing before him. He'd never seen her before but he knew the type--beautiful, spoiled and determined. He'd married just such a woman. There was little doubt in his mind as to why she was in his house.
Dorinda, unaware of his growing hostility, stepped forward. Tilting her head just so, she gazed with a wide-eyed stare so the marquess could admire her
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