A Lady's Plight (Lords of Sussex) Read Free Page A

withdrew, in a rustle of silk skirts.
    Isa bit her lip; she did not want to upset her mother, but she had no choice. She did have many of the bucks pursuing her still, even though affianced to Alex, but he was the one who made her body pulse with desire.
    With the departure of the countess, the meal continued peacefully.
    In her absence, the men looked forward to drinking port or brandy and indulging in the newest phenomenon, the rolled cigar. As the women made their way to the withdrawing room, Letitia touched Isabella's arm. 'Let me stay up for this evening. It has been quite eventful. Please.'
    Knowing that she had private matters to discuss with Venetia, Isabella shook her head. 'Not this evening my sweetheart.'
    Pouting, the girl said, ' But I am of age, I am fifteen.'
    'Nearly, and anyway, you know full well; you should repair to bed.'
    Once in the privacy of the withdrawing room, Venetia sipped her sherry, her eyes gleaming. 'Tell me - la this is all so exciting, tell me what is truly happening.'
    Putting the faceguard before the fire, Isa said, 'I insisted I accompany Alex to Brussels, it is tiresome waiting year after year.'
    'Yes - think of the hundred-year war. But, surely he would not wait much longer; he adores you Isabella.'
    'I know Venetia, but I suspect he shies away from the marriage ceremony itself. We are quite agreed that if the parents did not give their blessing, we would marry in Brussels.'
    'My, how romantic. I fear Horatio is inclined the same way. Now your papa has purchased his colours; I fear I too may have to force his hand.'
    'Are you not worried dear Venetia? Carrying the colours is fraught with danger.'
    'Alas I know, but he has to serve one year as an ensign before gaining the rank of Lieutenant.'
    'Tis the same with Alex, as Captain he leads the charge and commands the square in battle. But, let us not talk of such woeful matters.'
    'I have nightmares often about the battles, but still I wish to accompany him.'
    'Then, pray do not allow him any excuses - why wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all go to Brussels. Besides, if there is war we can help with the casualties.
    'Ooh, I know not that I could actually assist with injuries and such. I fear I would faint at the sight of severed limbs.'
    'Yes, I know, but I have a yearning to help the surgeons.'
    'What a fine lady like you? Why Alex would never countenance it.'
    'It is not up to him Venetia; I am not one of your hapless females who lower their eyes before their lord. Why life would be unbearable.'
    Venetia nodded, 'I know; I was very careful in my choice of husband, there are so many brutes who think of their wives as chattels, cuffing them for the slightest misdemeanour. Why some beat them if they so much as voice an opinion.'
    'So many demur to such louts; for that is what they are Venetia; pugilists - louts - ne'er do wells.'
    'I agree, but I fear it is the norm. Tis time us women raised our voices.'
    Isa frowned, 'But, who would listen? Some of the female writers are raising their voices through the novel. Have you heard of the book "Pride and Prejudice," on the front piece, it says, "By a Lady". Her heroine is a fine example of how women should stand up to domineering men.'
    'That is why we have to be so careful to whom we give our hearts, Isa. Once exchanging the vows, we are their prisoners, for them to do with as they will.'
    'Hmm - not so, if my husband abused me, I would run away, disguise myself as a groom. I handle horses very well.'
    Venetia giggled. 'I fear you are too well endowed for that Isa.'
    'I could bandage my bosoms. Why Lady Ferrers disguised herself as a tiger when her parents demanded she wed that tyrant Lord Eldridge.'
    'Now that was so romantic; the Earl of Blandford had no idea his little groom was a female. Why, she was his tiger for over five months before she was discovered.'
    Isabella fanned herself. 'La, fancy, it was just by chance he found out; I remember he had to go to the stables for something, and