The Poor Relation Read Online Free Page B

stood on the stairs and nodded his head in recognition.  Embarrassed at having been caught staring, Chloe quickly diverted her eyes and hurried up the stairs.
    Later, the guests gathered before dinner in the drawing room.  After settling her aunt on a settee with Lady Reaves, Chloe noticed that the Viscount was absent, and apparently so did Mrs. Palmer.  Dressed in a shimmering silver gown that had a scandalously low neckline, the widow’s eyes kept darting to the door. She was finally rewarded when Camden entered and she immediately glided across the room to meet him and slipped her arm possessively through his. 
    “I’m sorry I am so late,” said Camden, greeting his host as the Marquis met him at the door.  Except for the startling white of his cravat and the emerald stick pin, Camden dressed all in black, including his waistcoat.  He’d brushed his dark hair back from his forehead, and it curled at the nape of his neck.  His midnight blue eyes scanned the room, and when he saw Chloe, his gaze remained on her as he said, “Business detained me in London, and I could not get away before today.” 
    Chloe understood the reason why the Viscount’s stare remained on her.  She knew the truth about where he was the previous night.  But she would never confront him with the lie and so submissively lowered her eyes and turned around to talk with Lady Milbanke.
    At dinner, Chloe was seated between Mr. Pearson and Sir Clarence.  Mostly ignoring her, both gentlemen spent much of the dinner talking to their other partners, Lady Sarah who was beside Sir Clarence and Judith Palmer by Pearson.  Fortunately, this suited Chloe’s mood.  She was intrigued by the Viscount’s late arrival and his dissembling of his whereabouts.  Remembering what the garrulous Amy Sansbury had said about Camden, Chloe wondered if the espionage rumors might hold some truth.  Certainly, her encounter with the Viscount at the Rose and Thistle Inn was enigmatic, and now he claimed to have been detained in London.  If the gossip was true, she pondered what possibly could have brought the Viscount to the wilds of Kent.
    After dinner, the Marchioness led the ladies to the drawing room to allow the gentlemen their port and cigars.  Chloe sat with Lady Sophia and Lady Reaves and listened to the two dames trade the latest on-dits .   When the gentlemen rejoined the ladies, Sir Morley took a seat next to Lady Milbanke.  He smiled at Chloe and said, “My dear Miss Woodforde, you cannot be interested in the prosaic musings of sanctimonious fossils.  Do go and join the youngsters.”
    Laughing at his caricature, Chloe rose and ventured toward Lady Sarah, Sir Clarence and Lady Howard.  Passing the Viscount, their eyes briefly met.  His dark gaze seemed intense, and gave Chloe pause.  She assumed Camden was concerned that she might expose him and so gave him a reassuring smile.  Judith Palmer, who had her arm through Camden’s, had followed Camden’s line of vision and, pulling Camden closer to her side, venomously eyed Chloe. 
    “Oh Miss Woodforde,” Lady Sarah said as Chloe drew nearer, “do say you ride.  I would love sharing time with you and becoming better acquainted.” 
    “I do ride, Lady Sarah,” Chloe answered, “but not very well.  I fear I would be poor company on a horse.”
    “Never say so,” said Lady Sarah, taking hold of Chloe’s hand and slewing a glance at Sir Clarence.  “I am quite sure we can find you a gentle mount to your liking.”
    Feeling the young woman squeeze her hand, Chloe began to understand Lady Sarah’s insistence for Chloe to join her riding.  “In that case, Lady Sarah, you have only to let me know when you wish to ride.  I will be happy to join you.”
    While no definite plans were made, Lady Sarah gratefully promised Chloe she’d give plenty of warning.
    With no card tables set up, Lady Milbanke’s interests flagged, and soon she asked Chloe to help her upstairs.  For her part,