Elizabeth's Education (Forbidden Lust) Read Free Page A

doing?’
    ‘Noisy, isn’t she?’ said Lord Michael, winking at Grace.
    Elizabeth was furious, and the way he was ignoring her, talking about her rather than to her – and to one of the staff, to boot – was making her even more furious by the second. And then to have the audacity to call her noisy!
    ‘I am going to whisper the question in your ear,’ he went on to the maid. ‘Is that all right, my dear?’
    Grace looked up into his eyes, and saw kindness and strength there. ‘Yes, sir,’ she said quietly. ‘Of course, sir.’
    Then Elizabeth watched in horror as Lord Michael leaned closer and whispered something to the maid, and Grace broke into a broad grin and then laughed out loud!
    ‘Oh, Lord Michael, no sir,’ the servant girl giggled. ‘Never. I think I’d die from shock.’
    ‘Fine, Grace,’ he said, smiling at her. ‘That’s what I thought. You may take the rest of the day off. Your mistress will not be needing you. Have a lovely time, and return to your duties promptly tomorrow morning.’
    ‘You’ll do no such thing!’ Elizabeth exclaimed heatedly, but Lord Michael merely took Grace gently by the arm, guiding her to the door.
    ‘Thank you ever so much, sir,’ she said, clearly amazed at this turn of events, clearly confident that she would be all right as long as she did as Lord Michael said.
    He smiled at her kindly, and closed the door behind her.
    ‘How dare you?’ Elizabeth demanded, stamping her foot in fury.
    ‘Elizabeth,’ he said calmly, ignoring her tantrum, ‘would you like to know what I asked Grace?’
    She hadn’t expected a question in response to her indignation, and it caught her off guard.
    ‘Elizabeth?’ he prompted, his tone insistent.
    ‘I couldn’t care what you asked her,’ she spat back at him. ‘You have no right to interfere with how I utilise my staff.’
    ‘I asked her,’ Lord Michael continued, easily, ‘if you ever said please or thank you. And you heard her response, didn’t you?’
    ‘She’s my servant, and I shall treat her as I please,’ she stated vehemently.
    Lord Michael crossed his arms and frowned, then after a moment he clasped his hands behind his back and wandered about the room, ending up at the desk by the bay windows, overlooking the landscaped gardens.
    ‘What staff is here today?’ he asked, staring out at the view.
    ‘Excuse me?’ Elizabeth replied, genuinely perplexed by the odd question.
    ‘Are you deaf?’ he said sharply, making her jump slightly. ‘What staff is here today?’
    ‘Everybody’s off today except the cook and Smithy, the footman,’ she answered, still wondering why he would care.
    ‘Wasn’t that Smithy I saw, driving the cab for your father?’
    ‘Oh, yes it was,’ she acknowledged. ‘The usual driver has the weekend off. Only cook, then. Downstairs.
    ‘Excellent,’ he mused, his eyes still scanning the lovely grounds, and Elizabeth realised she was being distracted. Was that what the questions were about? Just to get her mind off his interference?
    ‘Now look here, Lord Michael,’ she said. ‘What’s the point of all this? I want to talk about Grace—’
    ‘Elizabeth, you really are a very spoiled and ill-mannered young lady, aren’t you?’
    ‘I beg your pardon?’ she gasped in shock. ‘Oh, you… you…’ she blustered, trying to think desperately of an appropriate response.
    ‘Now, the thing is, Elizabeth,’ he continued, ignoring her childish protestations, ‘I do not think it’s entirely your fault. You’ve not received the proper education for a young female of your means and bearing.’
    He moved closer to the oak desk and carefully pulled out the armless desk chair. It was straight-backed with a wide, beautifully padded seat, upholstered in burgundy velvet. He placed it facing the windows.
    ‘Lord Michael,’ she replied, shaking with rage, ‘I have been very well educated indeed, thank you. I have even attended a finishing school in Paris. How dare you suggest such a