“And if he isn’t? Would you then consider maybe following in his footsteps and finding yourself a nice woman to marry?”
“Not a chance in hell, Grandmama. If my brother persists on this course, then he can bloody well provide the next heir. Because I certainly won’t.”
With that, he turned and strode from the study. His conscience poked him with red-hot irons at the way he had spoken to his grandmother. She and his brother were the only two people in the world he loved. But talk of marriage always put him in a foul mood. He would apologize later. Now, the mosturgent thing was to find his brother before the fiery Lady Renier did.
CHAPTER 4
THALIA STOOD ON THEbustling platform of King’s Cross Station. The vast space seemed capable of containing the whole of London within its walls, and judging by the cacophony and the crowd, it looked as if the entire population of London was indeed inside the cavernous space covered by the grand iron and glass roof arching high above.
The station was alive with the clamor of passengers, porters, and the hissing of steam engines. Well-dressed gentlemen and ladies hurried past, while vendors shouted their wares, adding to the racket. The scent of coal stung her nose, while the aroma of baked goods from a nearby stall enticed her.
A whistle blew, and the conductor called for boarding. The train to York awaited her, its polished carriages gleaming under the station’s gas lamps. For a moment, her heart hammered with trepidation. She only had a few minutes to board her train, yet the tumult was making it difficult to find her carriage. Clutching her travel bag, she took a deep breath and stepped forward into the throng of travelers.
As she hurried along the platform, a hurried porter jostled her, and she stumbled. Her travel bag slipped from her grasp and spilled its contents onto the stone floor. Flustered, she knelt to gather her belongings, only to have her hat knocked askew by a passing gentleman’s umbrella.
Just as she regained her composure and secured her hat, a young child darted past, brushing against her skirts and causingher to lose her balance. Thalia’s heart skipped a beat as she teetered on the edge of the platform.
Strong arms circled her, holding her safe against a firm body. She instinctively knew who it belonged to even before she heard the deep voice rumble in her ear.
“Good God, woman. Be careful.”
The Marquess.
She had regained her footing, but her heart kept racing for an entirely different reason now. She turned, looking up into his eyes.
“Thank you, my lord. What a coincidence, meeting you here.” She instantly wanted to kick herself for the inane comment. His sardonic gaze told her he was thinking the same.
“Hardly a coincidence, Lady Renier. I daresay your destination and mine are the same, and this is the next train out of London today. Small wonder our paths crossed again.”
“Of course, my lord. Now, if you will excuse me, we need to board or risk the train leaving us behind.”
She turned, intending to board the second-class carriage just ahead, but his hand on her arm stopped her.
“I have my private coach hitched to the train. If you’d like to join me, I think you’ll be much more comfortable there.”
He was inviting her to his private train coach? They would be alone together for hours. Her heart stuttered, then took off galloping at the prospect. It was tempting. One glance at the interior of the second-class carriage told her the place was crowded and noisy, the seats hard. She did not relish the idea of hours of travel in such uncomfortable conditions, but... No. She couldn’t accept his offer. It was unthinkable.
“I thank you for the generous offer, my lord. But I can’t accept it. It would be inappropriate for us to be alone in a private carriage.”
The twist of his sculpted lips wasn’t quite a smirk, but it mocked her all the same.
“Were you not the hellion who dared to invade my house this very morning?”
Heat crept up her cheeks at his words and his frank perusal. “I would not call it an invasion, my lord. I merely paid a call...”
“You barged through the front door.”
“I knocked!”
“Browbeat my butler—”
“I did no such thing!”
“Demanded to see my brother—”
“I asked! Iaskedto see your brother. But how is that relevant to the issue at hand?”
“You were fierce this morning. Don’t turn into a timid little mouse now. Come.”
