How to Marry a Marquis Read Free

year of Elizabeth's birth. A funny little coincidence, Elizabeth decided, but she wasn't a superstitious sort of person.
    And she certainly didn't need a little book to tell her how to live her life.

    Besides, when it came right down to it, what did this Mrs. Seeton really know?

    After all, if she had married a marquis, wouldn't she be Lady Seeton?

    Elizabeth slammed the book shut decisively and returned it to its spot on the shelf, making
    certain that it laid sideways, just the way she had found it. She didn't want anyone to think she'd actually been looking at the silly thing.

    She picked up her stack of books and crossed back to the drawing room, where Lady Danbury
    was still sitting in her chair, stroking her cat and staring out the window as if she were waiting for someone.

    "I found some books," Elizabeth called out. "I don't think you'll find many 'begats' in these, although perhaps in the Shakespeare-"

    "Not tragedies, I hope."

    "No, I thought that in your current frame of mind, you'd find the comedies more entertaining."

    "Good girl," Lady Danbury said approvingly. "Anything else?"

    Elizabeth blinked and looked back down at the books in her arms. "A couple of novels, and some poetry."

    "Burn the poetry."

    "I beg your pardon?"

    "Well, don't burn it; the books are certainly more valuable than firewood. But I certainly don't want to hear it. My late husband must have bought that. Such a dreamer."

    "I see," Elizabeth said, mostly because she thought she was expected to say something.

    With a sudden movement, Lady Danbury cleared her throat and waved her hand in the air. "Why don't you go home early today?"

    Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. Lady Danbury never dismissed her early.

    "I have to deal with that blasted estate manager, and I certainly don't need you here for that.
    Besides, if he's an eye for pretty young girls, I'll never get him to pay attention to me with you around."

    "Lady Danbury, I hardly think-"

    "Nonsense. You're quite an attractive thing. Men love blond hair. I should know.

    Mine used to be as fair as yours."

    Elizabeth smiled. "It still is fair."

    "It's white, is what it is," Lady Danbury said with a laugh. "You're a sweet thing. You shouldn't be here with me, you should be out finding a husband."

    "I... ah ..." What to say to that?

    "Very noble of you to devote yourself to your siblings, but you have to live as well."

    Elizabeth just stared at her employer, horrified by the tears pooling in her eyes. She'd served Lady Danbury for five years, and never had they spoken of such matters. "I'll-I'll be off, then, since you say I might leave early."

    Lady Danbury nodded, looking oddly disappointed. Had she been hoping Elizabeth would
    pursue the topic further? "Just put that book of poetry back before you go," she instructed. "I'm sure I won't look at it, and I can't trust the servants to keep my books in order."

    "I will." Elizabeth set the rest of the books down on an end table, gathered her things, and said her farewells. As she was walking out of the room, Malcolm jumped off of Lady Danbury's lap
    and followed her.

    "See?" Lady D crowed. "I told you he loved you."

    Elizabeth eyed the cat suspiciously as she headed out into the hall. "What do you want, Malcolm?"

    He flicked his tail, bared his teeth, and hissed.

    "Oh!" Elizabeth exclaimed, dropping the poetry book. "You beast. Following me out here just to hiss-"

    "Did you throw a book at my cat?" Lady D hollered.

    Elizabeth decided to ignore the question, instead jabbing her finger in Malcolm's direction as she snatched up her book. "Go back to Lady Danbury, you awful creature."

    Malcolm stuck his tail in the air and stalked away.

    Elizabeth let out a long breath and walked into the library. She headed toward the poetry
    section, scrupulously keeping her back to that little red book. She didn't want to think about it,
    she didn't want to look at it-

    Drat, but that thing was practically giving off heat. Never in her