Free A Not So Respectable Gentleman? by Diane Gaston Page A

mother, happily oblivious to Mariel’s frightful situation—and her husband’s if his misdeed came to light—giddily pronounced everything a delight. Her father’s behaviour proved even more appalling. Gone was the miserable demeanour he’d adopted when confessing all to Mariel; he now laughed appreciatively at Kellford’s attempts at humour and chatted genially to the ladies seated on each side of him.
    The table included some impressive guests, making Mariel wonder how many of these titled men were fooled by Kellford’s gracious facade and how many knew his true nature. Worse, were any of these men like him? Did their wives endure the horrors Leo had described to her?
    Kellford continued to lay on the charm as thick as plaster on a wall. She supposed some would think him a handsome man with his fair hair and pale blue eyes; that is, if they ignored the expression of disdain in those eyes and the hint of cruelty around his mouth. He was paying for this dinner on credit, she would wager. She’d be paying for it out of her inheritance, no doubt.
    Not if she could help it, she vowed.
    Although Mariel tried to avoid looking at him as much as possible, she watched everything else carefully. Impatiently, she looked for the opportunity she needed. The guests were busy talking and eating, the servants, serving. Now was the perfect time.
    Damping down a flutter of nerves, she leaned over to Lord Kellford and spoke in a quiet, confidential voice. ‘Sir, I fear I must use the ladies’ retiring room.’
    He looked perfectly solicitous. ‘Are you ill?’
    ‘No,’ she replied. ‘But it is a matter of some urgency.’
    He glanced around at his guests as if assessing their reaction to their private conversation. The guests paid no attention to them.
    The corner of his mouth turned up. ‘Do you need for me to show you the way?’
    ‘Not at all,’ she assured him. ‘I remember where it is.’
    When she and her parents had arrived at Lord Kellford’s town house, her mother requested a tour of the house, so Mariel knew precisely to which room she was headed.
    She stood and addressed the guests. ‘Please excuse me. I will return shortly.’
    Most of them did not even trouble themselves to look up.
    She exited the dining room in some haste and quickly found the room set up as the women’s necessary. She went inside, but only long enough to find a lighted candle. Peeking out to make certain the hallway was empty, she tiptoed to the door of the library.
    Her father had mentioned that Kellford kept the incriminating paper in his safe. Her father’s safe was in the library, so it stood to reason Kellford’s would be, too.
    She opened the library door and stepped inside, closing it behind her.
    Instantly she was seized from behind. She uttered a surprised cry and dropped the candle. Its flame was extinguished by the fall.
    A man’s hand covered her mouth. ‘Be quiet. Do not make a sound.’
    How could she mistake that voice?
    ‘Leo?’ she mumbled beneath his palm.
    He freed her mouth, but still held her. ‘Mariel?’
    ‘What are you doing here?’ she whispered.
    Another man, dressed all in black and his face shrouded by a mask, stood behind the desk. Although there was a small candle in his hand, he almost blended into the shadows.
    Leo’s lips came very close to her ear. ‘We have come for a paper incriminating your father.’
    He knew about the paper? ‘You are mad. The house is filled with people.’
    ‘Perfect time to come.’ His breath was warm against her cheek. ‘Everyone is occupied.’
    The other man turned back to the shelves behind the desk. Mariel’s eyes adjusted to the dim light and she could see the man had found the safe.
    Leo pulled her away from the door to a small alcove.
    He loosened his hold on her. ‘Why are you here? Are there others walking about?’
    ‘They are all dining. I am alone.’ She turned to face him. ‘Why are you searching for the paper? I’ve come for it, as well. What do