Anthony strode further into the room and sat on the arm of a wing-backed chair, a habit of his. “Since he was one of the two we could find no headstone for when we returned, and the other died at sea, I decided to return to the village immediately that night. I was told at the pub that a man fitting the description ofmy brotherhad been seen with a woman named Kitty.”
“You convinced the patrons that Cobby was your brother?”
“Me poor, addle-minded brother, who had gone off to war and hasn’t been the same since.”
Anthony had an uncanny knack for convincing people of the most outrageous stories, even if this one was far closer to the truth. Only a man of addled-wit could have done what Cobby and his friends had done.
Forcing the image away that threatened to come into his mind and give him his blasted nightmares, he focused on the issue at hand. “Then you have confirmation that not only is he alive, but he was in the area.”
“No. I have confirmed that Cobby tried to kill you.”
“What? That makes no sense. I never had the chance to report those men after being wounded.” Actually, he hadn’t been in a shape to do anything besides try to breathe. “And until now, we thought them all dead. Why would he want to kill me?”
“I’d rather not contemplate what’s in the mind of the likes of him.” Anthony shook his head. “It could be anything from him thinking you reported them as you said you would. Or to him, it could be simply wanting to finish what they’d started since he’s the last.”
Despite the threat on his life, an old anger burned again in his gut. “It appears I’ll need to take care of the last of my own men after all.”
“Wait.” Anthony shot to his feet. “Think about this. You have made it known that Lady Mariel is once again your betrothed. Going after Cobby could put her in harm’s way.”
“Exactly. Which means I must get to him first. Find out everything you can about his whereabouts. I plan on arranging an execution, and I won’t make the same mistakes he and his comrades made.”
“But—”
He held up his hand. “I will not be dissuaded. Whatever funds you need are yours. Find me Cobby before he can strike again.”
Anthony shook his head. “I’ll do what I can.” With that, he left the study.
Marcus turned his gaze to the window, but he didn’t see the landscape before him. Instead, the vision of the French farmhouse filled his head, the screams of the women inside echoing through the wood, stopping just moments before he stepped on the porch and opened the door.
Squeezing his eyes shut, he shook his head. He didn’t need to see it again. He didn’t want to. What did he have to do to get rid of the nightmare? “Mariel.” He spoke her name, by sheer will, forcing himself to think about her in church, sitting beside him attentively listening, her sweet scent filling his nostrils. He opened his eyes and his breathing slowed as he once again looked upon the drive to Ravenridge.
She was his salvation, and he must push her away.
Seeing no alternative, he returned to his desk. He needed to respond to Madame Fontaine. She’d finally asked for his assistance, and he was pleased to aid her. Sitting, he pulled a paper from the left side drawer and dipped the quill in the ink. The old woman had found him on the battlefield after his men had left him to die. She’d saved his life until Anthony had come looking for him. He’d always told her to call upon him for anything. Though he’d set a regular allowance for her, her request for passage to England was the least he could do.
Though they had kept a correspondence going over the last three years, he’d refrained from adding anything about Mariel. By the time Madame Fontaine arrived, Mariel would no longer be in his life. Finishing his shorter than usual letter, he pulled another sheet of paper out and dashed off quick instructions for his solicitor. He’d just affixed his seal to the second letter when a knock sounded followed by Gibson.
“My lord. You have a caller.”
He glanced at the clock. What gentleman would call upon him so early? It was not yet midday. “Is he in the parlor?”
“Sheis in the stables.”
He rose at his butler’s answer. Despite the warning of his own head, his chest filled with anticipation. He didn’t have to be told who it was, but his butler expected the question. “Who is in the stables?”
“Lady Beaumont.” Gibson didn’t hide his distaste at the situation. The man was new, hired only two years ago, so was unaware of Mariel’s relationship to his family.
Still, it angered him that the butler would think he had a right to pass judgement on Mariel, who in his estimation was the perfect lady. “Gibson, Lady Beaumont is not only a widow, but my betrothed. I expect her to be treated with respect.”
The man’s eyes widened, clearly ignorant of that, and his reddening neck proved his embarrassment. “Of course, my lord. Please pardon my assessment of the situation. After turning away so many young ladies and their mothers, I expected one had made bold trespass.”
Now that Gibson explained himself, he understood the man was simply being protective. “Lady Mariel and I were betrothed before I left to fight. She is an excellent horsewoman and has come to see which horses still remain here at Ravenridge. She is as apt to arrive at the stables as the front door.”
“Yes, my lord.” Gibson quickly bowed and exited the room, his whole face having turned quite rosy.
Though he’d explained away Mariel’s visit, he was as shocked as Gibson. Had she meant to send a note and forgot? It was not like her. She planned everything two days or more ahead of her intended outing, dinner, or event. Also, it was highly irregular for a woman to visit a man’s stables. The more time he was in her company, the more he discovered she wasn’t the same woman he’d left four years ago. The question was, how did he feel about that, and what to do about it?
Quickly, he strode from his study and ascended the stairs two at a time. If Mariel was at the stables, it could only mean one thing. She’d ridden over from Silver Meadows, and he planned to take advantage of that to determine if her interest in riding was still as keen as it had been. Her statement of a few days ago came to mind.I’m thinking of breeding horses. He had thought she’d made it to shock him, but now he wondered.
