Read In the Arms of the Heiress (A LADIES UNLACED NOVEL) for Free Online Page B

mean I shall judge you.”
    Charles could not picture ermine-coated Louisa Stratton in the humble kitchen that served as sitting room and occasional bedroom to his family. “My parents are dead. They both were employed by Alexander’s Pottery Works. My brothers and their wives work there now.”
    “Oh. Pottery?”
    “I don’t expect Alexander dishes are on your dining table at Rosemont. George Alexander produces unembellished, practical items, from teapots to chamber pots. For the lower classes. Just like me.”
    He caught Kathleen’s brief flare of triumph across the seat.
    “I—I thought you went to Harrow,” Louisa said doubtfully.
    “And so I did. George sponsored me—took me right off the line and paid for my education.” Tom and Fred had resented Charles’s elevation. Ah yes. His nose—he remembered now.
    “I have nieces and nephews, but I’m not close to my family anymore. I probably couldn’t tell you all their names if you put a gun to my temple. I was away a long while.”
    “I see.”
    “I hope you do, Miss Stratton. I may not turn out to be the right man for your job. Maximillian and I don’t have much in common—I’m bound to put my foot wrong somewhere. I’ve not visited too many châteaux or museums.”
    Try none
.
    There was her tongue peeking out again. He waited for her to tell him to get off at the next station. The silence lengthened—in fact, this was the longest time in their brief acquaintance that Louisa was not talking his ear off.
    “You
were
an officer.”
    “I rose on merit. And have a chest full of medals, for what they’re worth.”
    Not much
.
    Louisa sighed. “Well, I’m sure you’ll try your best. Everyone swears by Mrs. Evensong, so she must have confidence in you. She simply raved about you, you know. I confess I
did
wonder why you were agreeable to do this. I was looking for an actor. Someone with experience. You don’t strike me as one who will stick to the script.”
    “A little improvisation might come in handy. I’ll try not to disappoint you.”
    “Fingers crossed then.” Louisa gave him a bright smile. “We get off in three more stops. I expect Robertson will be there to meet us.”
    Kathleen dropped her book to the floor. Charles bent to pick it up and handed it back to her, but not before reading the green and gold cover. A CHECKED LOVE AFFAIR .
Spare me
.
    “Thank you, Mr. Norwich.”
    “Think nothing of it. Who is Robertson?”
    “Our chauffeur, though I think he doesn’t get to drive the Daimler very often. Aunt Grace hates it. But all that will change now that I’m back home.”
    Charles didn’t trust her gleeful smile. “What is your fascination with automobiles, Louisa?”
    “I don’t know, really. I do so love the wind in my face.”
    “And the bugs and dust,” Kathleen added. “You’d best let Robertson do the driving, Miss Louisa. I hear he’s thought of putting in his notice. No man likes to feel useless.”
    “You
hear
? Did a little bird tell you, Kathleen? So that explains all the mysterious letters you received from Rosemont. I swear, you got more mail than I did, even with Aunt Grace hounding me at every turn.” Louisa turned to him and winked.
    The redheaded maid put her book in her carpetbag and snapped the clasp with finality. “As far as I know, it’s not against the law to write letters.”
    “And if it was, you’d do it anyway. Do you drive, Cap—Maximillian?”
    “I have not had the opportunity.” He’d been perfectly satisfied with horses all his life, and his cavalry career confirmed his expertise.
    “I’ll teach you then.”
    Kathleen snorted and looked out the window.
    “It will be fun!” Louisa insisted. “There’s nothing like the freedom of the open road.”
    Charles would reserve his opinion on that. There had been a time when he’d sought freedom—from George Alexander’s well-meaning mentorship and his family’s resentment. He’d turned down the chance to go to university for the