Charmed and Dangerous Read Free

happy to help you secure a new post later on,” added the general’s wife, privately promising herself that it would not be necessary.
    Laura was silent a moment longer, then seemed to make up her mind. She nodded.
    â€œSplendid.”
    Catherine had hurried away then, making all the subsequent arrangements so that Laura could not change her mind. And those arrangements had brought them here, to the shop of one of the leading dressmakers in London, to outfit Laura for her new role.
    And to startle her yet again, Catherine thought, watching Laura run a critical eye over a bolt of material in a luscious rose red. Catherine had expected to be asked for advice, perhaps even to choose the wardrobe that Laura would take to Vienna, but she had been relegated to the background from the first. Laura had very definite ideas on the sort of clothes she wanted, and exquisite taste. It made Catherine wonder why every gown she had seen her wear was drab and forgettable.
    â€œYes,” said Laura to the dressmaker. “I would like that pattern you showed me made up in this fabric. And the other in that green.”
    â€œThat green” was precisely the color of her eyes, Catherine thought, feeling superfluous. It would bring them out admirably.
    They finished at the modiste’s late in the afternoon, leaving the dressmaker deeply gratified by the size of their order. As they rode back to their hotel in a hack, Catherine said, “What would you like to do while we are waiting for the gowns to be made up? We might visit some of the sights, perhaps see a play.”
    â€œYes.” Laura sounded like someone waking from a sound sleep. “I need to get used to being…out.”
    The general’s wife was touched. Laura appeared to be seeing this opportunity as a second debut, making up for her aborted first one. “We won’t be invited to any balls or that sort of thing here in London,” she felt obliged to warn her.
    Laura turned.
    Her whole manner was different now, Catherine thought. She looked at one directly, almost dauntingly. Sometimes, she seemed to see right through one in the most unsettling way.
    â€œOf course not.”
    They pulled up in front of the small, respectable hotel Catherine had chosen and walked through the reception area and upstairs to their rooms.
    â€œWe might make some calls,” the general’s wife added as they were taking off their wraps. “If you would like to go to…”
    â€œI wouldn’t want to encounter the Leiths,” Laura interrupted.
    No, thought the older woman, much struck. That would be odd. The countess was known to be a flighty, temperamental creature. What would she do if she met her former governess in a drawing room?
    â€œI did not mean that I was expecting invitations,” Laura added. “Only…” She paused. “A governess is little more than an upper servant, you know. The post requires a great deal of…circumspection.”
    Catherine gazed at her.
    â€œI found it was best not to be noticed by anyone except one’s charges,” she went on. “And perhaps, now and then, by the mistress of the house.”
    The general’s wife frowned in confusion.
    â€œPerhaps you know the Earl of Leith and his set?”
    Comprehension dawned. Leith was a womanizer, and not very discreet about it. “He did not…”
    â€œHe did not notice me,” said Laura. “Nor did his friends. No one noticed me, unless I wished them to, and I almost never did. I was a great success as a governess.” She smiled.
    Catherine nearly took a step backward in surprise. The vivacity, the charm weren’t gone. Apparently, they had simply been in hiding.
    â€œAnd now I must become accustomed to attracting notice once again,” the younger woman finished.
    Perhaps Laura Devane would be able to catch Graham’s attention after all, Catherine thought. Undoubtedly, she would capture