Read 100. A Rose In Jeopardy for Free Online

that led up to the front door and there was a ripple of white aprons as the maids all dropped into deep curtseys.
    Hodgkiss then bent into a respectful bow and Mrs. Dawkins dropped such a low curtsey that she was almost on the ground.
    As Lord Brockley mounted the steps, he scowled at Rosella, his dark eyes flashing under his hooded lids.
    “What’s this?” he grunted. “Get back to your place, miss!”
    He jerked his head at Rosella, indicating that she should go down and join the maids.
    Then he pushed past, almost knocking her aside and went into the hall with Mrs. Dawkins scurrying after him.
    Rosella caught hold of one of the stone pillars to stop herself from falling.
    She might be wearing a dark blue dress, but, even so, how could her uncle have mistaken her for a servant? Could he not see she had no apron?
    “Out of the way, young lady!”
    A blast of beery breath struck Rosella in the face.
    The fair-haired gentleman too had staggered up the steps and he went to push past Rosella, muttering,
    “We’re here just in time, that’s for sure. Servants soon get above their rightful place when there’s no Master in the house!”
    Then he gave a violent hiccup and grabbed at the stone pillar to steady himself.
    “Pardon me!” he said and then his little blue eyes grew wide with surprise. “Well! This really is my lucky day. It’s the divine little angel from the inn!”
    He reached out as if to catch Rosella’s hand, but she backed away and he swayed on his feet and almost fell.
    She longed to run away, but she must not be rude to this gentleman, her uncle’s friend, so she smiled politely at him and said,
    “Welcome, sir, to New Hall. I am Lady Rosella Ryland, the niece of Lady Beatrice.”
    His eyes looked as if they would pop out of his head.
    “Well I never!”
    He then made a wobbly bow, almost overbalancing.
    “Would you care to step inside?” she said, going into the hall. “Mrs. Dawkins has laid tea for you in the drawing room.”
    Algernon made a smacking noise with his lips.
    “Delightful!” he exclaimed. “And just the ticket. I heartily approve of your Hampshire hospitality. Had a nice taste of it already – at that excellent inn,” he added and gave another loud hiccup.
    Rosella led him to the drawing room, hearing his unsteady footsteps behind her on the tiled floor.
    Lord Brockley was seated in an armchair close to the fireplace with a disparaging look on his dark face.
    “Oh, there you are, Merriman,” he said, taking no notice at all of Rosella.
    Algernon stood by the sofa, swaying a little as he gazed around at the room.
    “Marvellous place,” he said. “Absolutely top hole, your Lordship.”
    Lord Brockley sniffed.
    “A modest little country seat. My house at Epsom is vastly superior.”
    It was as if Rosella did not exist.
    She looked around anxiously for Mrs. Dawkins, but the housekeeper must have gone to bring a pot of fresh tea.
    What should she do? Should she quietly slip away and leave the two gentlemen alone or should she introduce herself to Lord Brockley?
    The matter was taken out of her hands.
    “Look who I’ve found,” Algernon was now saying. “The little beauty from the inn!”
    Lord Brockley scowled.
    “What? I let you out of my sight for one moment, Merriman, and you are off chasing some female again.”
    “Not guilty, your Lordship. This little sweetheart is part of the fixtures and fittings! She’s the niece of old Beatrice, your sister-in-law.”
    Lord Brockley looked annoyed.
    “I do remember now, some mention of a girl living here. A useless encumbrance, no doubt, that I must now be responsible for.”
    Rosella felt her face grow hot with embarrassment, but she was saved from any further unpleasant comments by the arrival of Mrs. Dawkins with a silver teapot.
    “Here, my Lord,” the housekeeper said and Rosella noticed that the tray was trembling slightly in her hands. “Will you take cream and sugar? And a slice of cake?”
    “ Cake !” A