Read Clandestine for Free Online Page A

moment to offer her his fealty and his sword arm to defend her from all enemies.
    â€œAs a portrait, it’s entirely imaginary, of course,” a woman’s voice said with a hint of humor. “It was painted about ten years ago as a present to the duchess. I doubt that the real Ambrose de Verrant was either so handsome or so romantic. Though he was an ancestor of my husband’s—and for quite different reasons my baby is his namesake—the first Ambrose was very probably a bit of a brute.”
    Sarah spun about.
    Swinging a black mask from one hand, a dark-haired lady had entered through a door that had been hidden in the paneling. She was breathtakingly lovely, the kind of beauty that could stun both men and women into silence.
    â€œWelcome to Blackdown House, Mrs. Callaway.” The woman walked forward. Her entire being seemed lit from within, as if she carried a lamp in her heart. “I’m Lady Ryderbourne, the wife of the present duke’s eldest son, and the proud mother of the next in line to the dukedom. I’m afraid that all of this”—she waved both hands—“is in my baby son’s honor, poor little mite, though he’s not yet eight weeks old. Meanwhile, I don’t know whether you can tell that I’m meant to be Nell Gwyn, since I’ve set down my oranges somewhere. I can’t think where. And now, I imagine, someone’s eaten them.”
    Unable to help herself, Sarah laughed. She felt suddenly light, as if she had just met a long-lost sister, instead of a duke’s daughter-in-law.
    â€œAh, that’s better!” the new mother said. Her smile warmed like the sun. “For a moment I thought you were about to turn tail and flee. But any friend of Guy’s is a friend of ours, so we really do extend our warmest welcome.”
    Sarah curtsied. “You’re very kind, Lady Ryderbourne, but I met Mr. Devoran for the first time only yesterday. I’m hardly his friend.”
    â€œYet you will be, which comes to the same thing. So you mustn’t let any of us daunt you for a moment. If it helps, just remember that I was born in a cottage.” Her Ladyship waved the black mask again and laughed. “For all my exalted titles, I’m no doubt a great deal less respectable than you are.”
    â€œI don’t know if any person can claim total respectability when she’s wearing sheep on her head,” Sarah said, smiling. “Though I’m doing my very best to herd them with the appropriate aplomb.”
    Lady Ryderbourne giggled like a schoolgirl. “With a rather marked lack of success, alas! Yet I trust you’ll forgive me for both the sheep and that ridiculous little hat? It was all I could throw together at such short notice.”
    Dismay undermined Sarah’s courage for a moment. “Your Ladyship chose this costume?”
    â€œI’m afraid so, though Guy helped. I confess that we found all the bits and pieces in the attics. In the end the sheep were Guy’s idea. Never mind! Let me help you to adjust them before they run off into seriously unmentionable places.”
    Sarah swallowed her astonishment as a future duchess stood on tiptoe to wrap the sheep-laden ribbon securely about her guest’s headdress.
    â€œThere!” Lady Ryderbourne said. “That should survive a whole night of dancing.”
    Sarah turned back to face her. “But surely I’m not expected to attend the ball?”
    â€œWhy ever not? Though it’s a terrible fuss for a baby, isn’t it? I’ve left strict instructions that I’m to be fetched should my little son cry for even an instant, whatever King Charles’s fearsome mother may have to say about it.”
    â€œKing Charles’s mother?”
    â€œThe Duchess of Blackdown. Of course, she’s my own mother now, as well, since I married her eldest son last September.” One lovely dark eye closed in a wink. “Her