Free The Blackmailed Bride by Mandy Goff Page B

bonnet,” she said, ignoring the fact that Nick suddenly looked like he had single-handedly defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.
    As she was walking toward the door, Gibbons intercepted her. His eyes were still bleary with sleep. “My lady, the—” he squinted at the card in his hand “—Marquess of Huntsford is here…again, it would seem.”
    “I noticed,” she said, her hand perched on her hip.
    “Well, I see there was no need to rouse myself then,” he mumbled as he left.
    “I’ll return in a moment,” Olivia said to the marquess, following after the butler, but she was unable to resist stopping at the doorway and giving Lord Huntsford one more smile.
     
    Nick had smiled back, pleased she had, if just for the moment, softened toward him. He’d been nervous in bringing her the book but wanted to give her something. And no, he didn’t stop to analyze his motives.
    “Sorry for the delay, my lord,” Lady Olivia said, standing in the doorway, ready for their outing. He was struck again by how beautiful she looked. The pale pink of her morning gown complemented the creaminess of her complexion, and her dark hair made her eyes have even more of an impact.
    “I hope you’ll forgive the impropriety if I say you were worth the wait.” Nick smiled at her, and he led her out to where his curricle awaited. Several carriages slowed down, and the occupants inside craned their necks to get a glimpse of him and Olivia.
    Once she was seated, he moved to climb aboard himself.
    Nick didn’t notice something else held Olivia’s attention until he heard her speak.
    “There’s Lord Finley,” she said, watching as the man strolled down the sidewalk toward her house. The baron caught sight of her, and his mouth formed an O of surprise.
    Nick wavered between staying the horses and slapping the reins to leave Finley standing behind, watching them drive off.
    He slapped the reins.
    “That was badly done of you,” she chided as she held fast to her seat.
    “What was?”
    She gave him a look.
    “Oh, that, ” he said. “I was just ensuring that my plan for a drive with you remained uninterrupted. In my line of work, proper planning means the difference between life and—” Nick stopped himself in mid-sentence, hoping she had not been listening to him. He could have kicked himself for not guarding his tongue.
    Luck wasn’t with him.
    “Your line of work?” she echoed. “I didn’t think powerful lords worked.”
    “We don’t,” he said somewhat hastily. “I simply meant my responsibilities with the estates and such. Your brother is one of those powerful lords, too.” He looked at her out of the corner of his eye to see if she believed him. “Surely you know how much effort he puts into his own lands and the people there.”
    “Of course I do.” But her tone was too light for Nick’s comfort. “Forgive me, I simply thought since you had only just returned to England you wouldn’t have had time to assume all your responsibilities.”
    She was clever; he would give her that much. “Yes, well, I was able to learn from my father before I left.”
    It was the only thing of value the old Marquess of Huntsford had taught him, and the only lesson he’d been willing to learn. The rules of seduction and debauchery, ever his father’s favorite pastimes, had fallen on deaf—and disgusted—ears.
    “Why did you leave?” Lady Olivia asked then, and Nickcouldn’t help but feel he had dodged one bullet only to be struck by another.
    “For exploration.”
    “Exploration of what?”
    “The world.”
    “I should think your father would have had numerous reservations about allowing you to go on such a venture. You were, after all, the sole heir to the marquessdom,” she said.
    While he admired her tenacity, he could not claim he was comfortable with the direction their conversation had taken. There were things—particularly things in his past—he would rather not discuss with her. She should never be touched with