Jane Feather - Charade

by Unknown

  "Oh." Her, bottom lip disappeared between her teeth. "It seemed so when I thought of it—to hold you

  up for my own property. You do have it, do you not, milord?"

  Laughter welled deep in Lord Linton's powerful chest but was severely repressed. "I have the property

  of the Lady Danielle de St. Varennes, nothing that belongs to a hoyden who considers playing at highwayman 'unpeu amusant.' I shall expect to meet with Danielle de St. Varennes within the half hour."

  "Perhaps within the hour, sir?" A pair of slender eyebrows arched delicately.

  "Certainly no longer."

  Danielle tugged her cap down over her eyes, gave him a grin of pure mischief, and turned the dappled mare, riding low over the saddle as they disappeared into the trees bordering the path. "All right, George. If the horses are quieted, pray let us continue."

  The coachman leant from from his box peering around the side of the coach. "Just let me get my hands on that lad," he muttered direly. "I'll dust his jacket for him!"

  "I know the feeling, George," His Lordship sighed, and pulled up the window again as the coach moved forward.

  Lady Lavinia greeted him with pleasure not unmixed with consternation as she confided that Danielle had not been seen all day. "She has been very restless these last weeks—I think the lack of news has bothered her greatly," she explained, taking his arm and leading him into the drawing room.

  "I am confident, ma'am, that she will make an appearance very shortly," he replied easily and Her Ladyship was instantly soothed, although she could not imagine why.

  Meanwhile, Danielle was tearing off her riding clothes, throwing out a bewildering series of commands to the placid girl assigned to wait on her.

  "The pink and white taffeta, Hetty, quickly. No, no, the striped one with the cherry velvet knots. You must do my hair like you did the other night, with the curls over the ears, but I must bathe. Oh, but there is no time, damnation! Why did I have that so stupid idea?" Naked, Danielle strode to the porcelain tub and began swiftly to scrub herself, dipping briefly under the water before holding out imperative hands

  for the towel.

  Hetty had long since become used to her young mistress's immodesty in prancing around the chamber in her bare skin, heedless of the sensibilities of a servant girl who believed firmly that bathing was a dangerous business at the best of times and when utterly necessary should be pursued only when clad in an undervest. One did not see oneself naked, let alone allow others to do so! However, waiting on the Lady Danielle was not an arduous task and indeed provided considerable amusement, and she was a considerate and most generous mistress who rarely allowed her own low spirits to affect those around her.

  It was just within the hour set by the earl when Danielle appeared in the drawing room. Her hair, while still unfashionably short, had grown considerably in the last weeks and was now dressed in soft ringlets caught up over her ears and falling softly to the nape of her neck. A cherry red ribbon threaded its way through the wheat-colored curls adding to the look of demure innocence created by a simple but beautifully cut gown whose low neck was somehow both concealed and accentuated by a lacy collar that slipped over a pair of creamy sloping shoulders to fall in a froth of wide sleeve at her elbow. A lace-edged petticoat peeked tantalizingly from the hem of the gown, drawing the eye to pink and white satin slippers exactly matching the stripes of the dress. Linton's glass went up with his eyebrows before he turned to Lady Lavinia.

  "My compliments, ma'am. You have indeed wrought a transformation."

  "Well, of all things!" Danielle exclaimed indignantly. "Am I to receive no credit?"

  "When I am assured that your conduct has undergone a similar transformation, most certainly you will," His Lordship replied dampeningly.

  "Danielle, your curtsy, child!" Lady Lavinia spoke hastily in shocked reproof and Danielle, remembering her manners belatedly, sank with a swish of her skirts into a deep salute receiving a most magnificent leg in exchange.

  "Why, milord," she twinkled roguishly, "you have never done that to me before."

  "I only bow to ladies" was the cool response. "Hoydenish minxes receive other treatment."

  A pink tinge stole into her cheeks and the brown eyes held an tppeal he could not resist. "Very well, we will say no more about it, brat. I will put it down to the effects of the full moon which must have run

  away with your wits."

  "Whatever are you talking about?" the countess said in jewilderment.

  "Nothing of any consequence, ma'am," Linton replied sasily and then turned at a gasp of delight from Danny. She had opened the carved box resting on the small mahogany table inder the window and was now holding a magnificent diamond necklace to her throat.

  "The St. Varennes diamonds," she whispered reverently. 'Are they not magnificent? Maman always said that not even Toinette had such stones as these." She struggled with the ;lasp at the back of her neck but Linton forestalled her, taking the necklace gently but firmly from her hands.

  "You may not wear these, Danielle, or the emeralds," he said quietly. "Not until you are a married lady—they are quite unsuitable for a debutante."

  "Oh, pshaw!" Danny expostulated. "What nonsense. They are mine after all."

  "That is not under dispute." Linton drew out a simple strand of flawless pearls. "Turn around. You may wear these as often as you choose, also the topaz and the turquoise set. The rest must go to the bank for safekeeping."

  "But then I shall never wear them," she declared stoutly, "for I shall never be married."

  Justin's eyes met those of the Earl and Countess of March over the bent head as he fastened the pearls around her neck. "Now you are being idiotish, Danielle. You will most certainly marry."

  "If you are that certain, sir, then perhaps you will also tell me whom I am to marry." She turned, delivering her acid challenge with angry eyes and squared shoulders.

  "Why me, of course." The earl spoke calmly, opening his snuff box with deliberation.

  There was a short stunned silence and then Danielle stammered, "But . . . but you cannot wish to marry me."

  "Why ever not, brat?" He smiled.

  "Well that, for one reason," she said, recovering herself somewhat. "People do not marry people they

  call 'brat' and all sorts of other uncomplimentary names. You are forever telling me what to do and being most unpleasant when I have other ideas, and you have threatened to beat me I don't know how many times .. . and . . . and you even boxed my ears once!" She delivered the coup de grace with the full force of her suddenly remembered indignation.

  "Yes, well that was indeed a little hasty of me," the earl said thoughtfully, "but you must admit the provocation was great."

  "I do not admit it," Danny cried. "I was not drinking the ale—I find the taste most disagreeable!"

  "I appear to be out of my depth here." March broke in suddenly. "What has ale to do with anything?"

  "Quite a lot, it seems," Linton murmured. "Come, Danny, if I undertake never to do such a reprehensible thing again will you at least listen to what I have to say?"

  Danielle chewed her lip, that deep frown of concentration drawing her delicate brows together, giving her that fierce, serious expression she had worn habitually in her vagabond days. "I think, milord, that your

  so delicate notions of propriety compel you to offer for me," she began slowly. "It is not at all necessary, you know. My reputation was already hopelessly compromised before you rescued me from the baker. You are perhaps unaware that I have known this for very many weeks, since before I met you, and everything I have done, both before and since, has been in the full knowledge of the consequences. That is why I have said that I will not make my come-out. I shall be quite content to remain here."

  This simple speech had a profound effect on her listeners and Lady Lavinia turned away, feeling for the handkerchief tucked in the lace at her bosom.

  "I seem always to be underestimating you, Danielle," Linton said quietly. "
But there remains one thing,

  of more importance than any other in this affair, that you do not yet understand."

  She gave him a serious, inquiring look and he bowed deeply. "Milady, will you do me the very great honor of joining me in a turn about the garden?"

  For a second she remained motionless and then, to his everlasting delight and astonishment, unfurled her fan, holding it up to her face so only her eyes were visible as she swam into a curtsy.

  "La, sir, but I must protest. It is you who do me too much honor."

  Taking her hand as she rose gracefully he tucked it firmly under his velvet-covered arm, inclined his head.briefly in the direction of the Earl and Countess of March, and escorted Danielle through the open doors onto the terrace.

  March passed a hand expressively across his brow. "You know, m'dear, I do not know whether to offer Linton my condolences or my felicitations."

  "The latter, my love," his wife said with a sniff into her handkerchief. "They will deal extremely together. They already know each other a great deal better than most couples starting along that road and Linton loves her as much for her unconventional ways as despite them, I suspect."

  The earl at that point was plunged in thought, debating how best to convince the silent figure at his side that his offer of marriage was made through much more than chivalry. Then it occurred to him that Danielle was such a direct, honest person herself that a simple statement would most likely be believed. The main problem would be to achieve her acceptance.

  They had reached the rose garden. Danielle moved toward the low stone wall separating this fragrant spot from the cliff road. The evening air was heavy with the scent of June roses and a soft breeze from the sea wafted the fresh tang of salt and seaweed across the cliff top.

  "I would like to sit on the wall, milord," she announced calmly, breaking the long silence. The earl did not respond, merely rested his forearms on the mellow stone, looking intently but unseeing down the road.

  "Milord?"

  He turned with an abstracted smile.

  "I would like to sit on the wall."

  "Then do so, child."

  "If I were dressed otherwise, sir, I could manage myself, but these—" she gestured to her gown—"give me some difficulty."

  He laughed then, picking her up by the tiny waist and lifting her onto the stonework. "It is most indecorous of you to be sitting on walls and, besides, you will dirty your gown, but I daresay such considerations do not weigh with you, my brat."

  "Not in the least," she concurred cheerfully. "Now that we are comfortable, sir, you have something you wish to say to me?"

  Her hands disappeared into a firm warm clasp. "Danielle, you have said that you trust me, you must therefore believe me when I say that I have loved you for these many weeks. I have not behaved as a lover but, as you have already proved once today, you are sufficiently aware of the facts of life to understand why."

  Her response to this blunt statement surprised him. She did not question his statement, but instead asked with quiet interest, "When did you start to love me, milord?"

  "It's a little difficult to be exact." He frowned thoughtfully. "But I think it all began that moment when you stood like some little Amazon with those entrancing breasts bared, daring me to take advantage of you. In fact," he added with a rueful smile, "I felt merely ridiculous and at a great disadvantage."

  "You did not appear so, sir." She laughed. "You were quite horrid to me and made me feel most uncomfortable."

  "For that, I apologize." Justin laid a firm finger over her lips, continuing seriously, "I wish you to be my wife, milady."

  "I do not know a great deal about the love between husband and wife, sir. Maman, I fear, had little experience. In the beginning there was some love, I think, but it lasted only a very short time. You understand that I talk not about the physical aspects of marriage, milord, but of the spirit?"

  He nodded gravely. What an extraordinary creature she was.

  "Of the former, I perhaps know more than I should." Her dimples danced. "But that will not surprise you."

  "Not at all," he concurred, suppressing a smile.

  "But of the latter—you will teach me, milord, n'est ce pas?" She held out her arms to him in a completely unself-conscious gesture of trust and invitation.

  "I will teach you of both, Danielle," he said softly, lifting her off the wall. "You cannot truly know of

  what you have never experienced."

  He continued to hold her by the waist, looking seriously into those big brown eyes regarding him with a gravity to equal his own.

  "Would it be most improper of you to kiss me, milord?"

  "I do not think I should pay much attention to the proprieties if it were." His hands left her waist, cupping the heart-shaped face as his lips very gently touched hers. She held herself still and breathless, eyes open, waiting for she knew not what. The pressure on her lips increased as his thumbs began to trace her cheekbones, fingers to explore the softness of her shell-like ears.

  Justin raised his head for a moment. "Close your eyes, brat. This is an exercise in sensation, not observation."

  The long lashes dropped instantly and his lips twitched before returning to their original position, but now they began to demand as his tongue flicked, darted between her lips, forcing entry. In the dark world behind her closed eyes crimson flashes of panic sparked as, for a second, she fought the intrusion, tried

  to draw her head back. But the grip tightened and suddenly the sensation of violation disappeared. Her mouth opened and he was inside her head, a strong, muscular presence exploring the softness of her mouth, becoming a part of her as it became familiar with the contours of her cheeks, the roof of her mouth, slid across her teeth, drawing from her something she did not know she possessed. Tentatively

  her own tongue began to move, to fence with the ,other, stroking and curling as a tightness began to build deep within her and her body moved involuntarily against his. One hand left her face, the fingers stroking the taut skin of her throat before heat exploded through her body as it found the soft swell of her breast beneath the lace collar of her gown. Long fingers slipped inside the neck, reaching further and, to her utter confusion and embarrassment, she felt the tips of her breasts take on a life of their own, beginning to burn as they hardened, pressing against the taffeta bodice.

  "No, no, milord, please!" She pulled back desperately and was instantly released, whirling away from him, one hand unconsciously on her breasts, the other touching her warmed, swollen lips.

  "Danny?" Hands held her shoulders, slipped down to seize her own as it plucked at her bodice.

  "You don't understand," she whispered.

  "No, child, this time I understand; it is you who do not."

  "But what happened?"

  "Your body, my little love, was responding quite naturally and most pleasingly to my caress. It is right

  that it should do so."

  She was turned gently but inexorably to face him, her downcast face lifted by a firm finger to meet his amused but understanding regard.

  "You are not out of countenance, are you?" His voice mocked gently. "Not my indecorous litte vagabond, surely?"

  A slight smile touched her eyes. "It is truly normal for that to happen, milord?"

  "Quite normal. Did your maman tell you nothing of such things?"

  "A little, but, as you said, sir, one cannot truly know of what one has never experienced."

  "I think that should conclude the lesson for today." Linton straightened the lace at her bosom with efficient fingers. "Your grandparents will be wondering what has become of us."

  Danielle peered over her shoulder, dusting the back of her dress impatiently. "Have I grass stains on my skirt, sir? The wall is a little mossy, I fear."

  "You were warned,'" he observed mildly, turning her around, brushing her down briskly. His hand slowed suddenly, and yielding to impulse he allowed it to rest on the curve of her buttocks, his fingers caressing t
he firm flesh beneath the layers of skirt and petticoat.

  "Sir!" she squeaked indignantly, jumping away from him.

  Linton laughed softly. "You have an adorable little bottom, my love. I have long thought so."

  "You should not say such things!" she exclaimed, a deep flush suffusing the ivory complexion.

  "Perhaps we shpuld have the second lesson today, also." He was smiling at her, but there was a hint of gravity in the black eyes. "It is a most important one. Whatever is said or done between two people

  during their loving can never be wrong. Do you understand that, Danielle?"

  She regarded him thoughtfully. "I think, milord, that I shall perhaps understand it better when I experience more of these things you refer to."

  "You have much wisdom under those curls." He pinched her cheek lightly. "Let us go back to the house."