Nowthatwas an invitation he didn’t plan to ignore, even if she didn’t realize she made it.
A knock sounded on the door “Lady Beaumont?”
Anthony! He looked toward the door, and noticed for the first time the darkening of the room.
Mariel grabbed the sheets and crumbled them up against her.
He whispered in her ear. “Tell him one moment.”
She nodded before swallowing. “Yes. One moment.” Her voice was not loud, but it would be enough.
Jumping from the bed, he picked up the quilt and covered her before grabbing up his pantaloons and pulling them on. Then he bent over the bed to press a kiss on her cheek. “You’d best dress. I’ll be back in to help you finish.”
Striding toward the door, he found her sitting up in bed with the quilt pulled up to her neck, her eyes round with nervousness.
He opened the door only as far as needed and slipped out. “You’re back.”
Anthony took one look at him and grinned. “Indeed I am, but I fear not in time to save a lady’s virtue.” He lost his smile. “Or was it the same?”
It was his turn to grin. “It was different in every way.”
Anthony clapped him on the shoulder. “This is good news. You’ll marry her then?”
“I’m having the banns posted next week.”
“Congratulations.” Anthony looked pointedly at the door and lowered his voice. “You looked like you’d been to hell and back this morning. Another night of dreams?”
He grimaced. “Dreams from hell.” He glanced toward the closed door. “I have a feeling I’ll sleep well tonight though. I believe marriage will agree with me.”
“Before the wedding, you may want to search out Cobby. He’s here.”
Cool anger rushed through him. “At Blackmore House?”
“No, but he’s in Town. He’s taken lodging at the Broken Oar, near the Thames. I have a man watching him. If you wish, we can go tonight.”
Grabbing Anthony’s arm, he moved them further down the corridor. “We go tonight. The sooner I dispatch the bloody miscreant, the safer all women will be.”
“I agree. Do you want to take your sword or your flintlock?”
“Both.” And he’d bring his dagger as well. “The man is sly. I’ll use whatever is required.
Anthony started to leave. “Wait. Tell Gibson to have the coach brought around. Lady Beaumont’s swollen ankle is doing better and I will escort her home.”
His friend grinned at the fabrication and nodded before hurrying off.
He turned back toward the room where Mariel was no doubt dressing. If he didn’t already have enough reason to rid the world of Cobby, he had more now. He could not allow the man to live while he had someone so precious in his life.
Opening the door to find her completely dressed including her hair tied back once again, he forced a smile. “Turn around and I’ll finish your ties.”
She did as he requested. Once he had her clothing secure, he reached into his fob pocket, where he always kept it, and pulled out the garnet necklace. Laying it around her neck, he locked the clasp. “You always did and always will have my heart.”
Her intake of breath told him she understood. Her hand came up and held the stone as she turned around to face him. “And you always did and always will have mine.”
Chapter Seventeen
Mariel pulled onher gloves and brushed down the skirts of her dark green riding habit, pleased to be seeing Marcus so soon. She rarely was able to ride while in London, so the fact that he was taking her to Blackmore House where she could work with Hector made her even more anxious to leave.
Stepping before her looking glass, she scanned herself with a critical eye. Despite the fact the banns had been read last Sunday, there were still two more weeks to go and she wished to impress upon Marcus that he’d made the right decision.
