Free The Blackmailed Bride by Mandy Goff Page A

nothing.
    Nick wondered over the source of the silence. “Are you worried my reputation will negatively affect her?” Nick knew the gossips would be vicious.
    Marcus seemed surprised, if his expression was a true indication. “That’s the last thing I’m worried about. I know what they’re saying isn’t true. So it doesn’t matter to me what sordid tales the gossips have concocted.”
    Nick nodded in satisfaction. While he tried not to let the ridiculous stories and speculations disturb him, he was gratified to hear his friend believed in him wholly.
    “I shudder to think of what Olivia will say if she finds out what we’re up to,” Marcus said by way of an agreement.
    “I guess we’ll have to take the chance,” Nick said, wondering why he’d assumed the mantle of responsibility so quickly but knowing he was loath to remove it. Something about being involved with the siblings made him feel a little less lonely.
    And something about being near Olivia appealed to him immensely.

Chapter Seven
    O livia turned the page of the latest Mrs. Radcliffe novel. And she muttered to herself about Danfield’s pronouncement that she read too many books for a lady. Nothing was wrong with seeking innocent entertainment.
    But that didn’t stop her from shoving the book under a cushion when she heard someone approaching. Really, couldn’t she finish a whole chapter without some sort of interruption?
    She looked up guiltily, expecting to see her brother, but was startled to find the Marquess of Huntsford before her. She hadn’t seen him since they’d returned to London three days earlier.
    His presence and her discomfort made her grumpy.
    “Hiding something?” he asked with a hint of a smile.
    “Of course not,” Olivia retorted. But she flashed a quick look at the cushions to make sure she had not left a corner of the book poking out.
    “What are you doing here, anyway?” she asked ungraciously, wondering where Gibbons was. Most likely asleep.
    “I thought you might enjoy a ride.” Lord Huntsford seemed unperturbed by her hostility.
    She barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
    “I’ve brought you a gift,” he continued, pulling a wrapped package from his coat.
    Olivia took the present with the reluctant stirrings of curiosity. She was used to men bringing her flowers, but this was something new.
    She tore the wrapping off gently, gasping in delight when she saw what lay beneath the paper.
    “A copy of Twelfth Night? ” she asked, trying to keep the excitement from her voice. The play was her favorite of Shakespeare’s. She had read her own copy so much it was tattered and falling apart.
    He smiled at her. “Do you like it?”
    She nodded, not quite trusting herself to say more.
    “How did you know?” she asked finally.
    “I noticed you had a copy sitting on the table at Westin Park. It looked as though it was in dire need of retirement, so I thought you would appreciate a new edition.”
    Olivia cradled the volume in her hands, enjoying the feel of the cool leather binding. The thoughtfulness of the gift overwhelmed her.
    “Thank you.” She forced herself to meet his eyes.
    “My pleasure,” he replied, and when Lord Huntsford said the words, she believed them.
    She wanted to rise from her seat, uncomfortable with him towering over her. His nearness was unsettling. The marquess was too attractive for his own good. And the well-chosen gift also showed him to be perceptive and kind. All of that made for a heady—and dangerous—combination. It would be best for her to keep her distance, in every way. But he was too close for her to stand without brushing against him, so she remained seated.
    “Are you sufficiently grateful to accompany me to Hyde Park?” he asked.
    It would be best for her to refuse. Reason dictated that nothing good could come from pretending she could be a normal woman and enjoy the company of a charming man.
    Her mind clearly didn’t care about reason. “Let me fetch my