The Poor Relation Read Online Free Page A

complaining about a headache,” Hannah said, then whispered, “Her flask is dry and all the trunks haven’t come up yet.”
    Chloe nodded, as she understood that Lady’s Sophia’s trunk with her booze stash hadn’t arrived yet. She walked over to a chaise lounge positioned in front of the fire where Lady Sophia sat in her dressing gown.  
    Looking at Chloe, her aunt groused, “Two days bouncing around in a coach has made my bones hurt.”
    “Hmmm, I do not doubt that,” Chloe said, brushing a stray gray curl off the baroness’s pale face.  “Still, Aunt, I am sure the Marchioness will be disappointed if you stay in your room.”
    “Nonsense,” Lady Sophia huffed.  “Adele know s I’m old.  After all, I’ve outlived her mother.”
    “Of course you are right,” Chloe said, turning toward the door.  “I will have a tisane sent up.”
    “No, no,” Lady Sophia said and rose stiffly.  “Dare say a hot tea will do me better than some foul-tasting herbal concoction. Hannah, help me dress and make sure my trunks are here when I get back.”
    A short while later, Chloe entered the drawing room with her aunt on her arm.  They were immediately greeted by the Marchioness who made introduction as she led them around the room.
    Lady Sarah enthusiastically welcomed both Lady Sophia and Chloe.  Dressed in a soft pink gown embroidered with tiny red and yellow flowers, the young lady brightened when she addressed Chloe.  “I am so very glad to have someone nearer to my own age, Miss Woodforde.  I do hope we can spend time together.”
    Next to Lady Sarah stood the Dowager Lady Edwina Reaves and her son Sir Clarence, who were both well known to the baroness and Chloe.  Sir Clarence, a handsome gentleman in his mid twenties with closely cropped blond hair, fair skin, and small pale blue eyes kept his focus on Lady Sarah.  As a companion, Chloe knew she could expect nothing else. 
    Chloe followed Lady Clairmont and her aunt to where most of the gentlemen clustered about the large fireplace in the center of the long room.  Clairmont greeted his wife’s smile with one of his own before acknowledging the baroness and Chloe.  In turn, the Marquis introduced them to Mr. Leslie Pe arson, who bowed to Lady Milbanke, nodded to Chloe, and then turned to the tall, slim gentleman beside him. 
    Monsieur Pierre Guyot bowed deeply for the baroness before he took Chloe’s hand, which he held longer than necessary.  As he expressed his pleasure in meeting Chloe, his deep set, brown eyes glinted with a harshness that belied his smooth manners, making Chloe feel uncomfortable in his presence. 
    When the Marchioness led them across the room to a settee where Sir Morley sat, Lady Sophia in a loud aside to Chloe said, “Can’t imagine why the Marquis would invite an upstart like that Frenchy.”
    Inwardly, Chloe cringed and dared not glance over her shoulder at the Frenchman. “Please, Aunt Sophia, say no more,” she whispered and patted her aunt’s hand where it rested on her arm.  Before her aunt could reply, she added, “Oh, do see what Sir Morley has for you, a cup of hot tea.”
    Sir Morley’s beckoning smile suggested he’d laced the brew, and Lady Sophia eagerly accepted the porcelain teacup with the Marquis’s crest on it.  After everyone was comfortably seated, the beautiful Judith Palmer swept through the double doors and glided straight to the fireplace and immediately struck up a conversation with Mr. Pearson.  The lovely blonde never left Pearson’s side, nor did she circulate among the other guests.   
    A short while later, just as Chloe and Lady Milbanke had started to head up stairs to dress for dinner, a commotion announcing a new arrival commenced at the front door.  As Chloe glanced behind her, she saw Camden arriving, looking quite travel worn with his hair disheveled and his greatcoat covered in dust.  Camden must have realized that she was watching for he lifted his eyes to where she