Free The Mysterious Lord Marlowe by Anne Herries Page A

Martha for taking me in,’ Jane said as they began to stroll across the open countryside towards a small wood. ‘Yet I am certain my brother is searching forme, and he must be very worried. I think I should go home and take my chances. I cannot stay here for long. Martha has little enough food for herself and I am depriving her of her bed.’
    George frowned. ‘She is very proud. I have offered her money before this, but she refuses it.’
    ‘She has no need of money. I think a cow, perhaps a sow in pig and some poultry. I shall certainly make her a present of the cow when I am home again.’
    George was defensive, his mouth tight with annoyance.
    ‘You make me feel that I have neglected her. In my defence I had been in the army until a few months ago—but, you are correct, I should have made certain she had all she needs.’
    ‘As you say, she is proud and would not accept charity, but she has looked after me and I hope she will accept my gift.’
    ‘I shall make certain she is able to survive the winter without hardship,’ George said. ‘Thank you for drawing my attention to her needs, Miss Lanchester. It was not intentional neglect.’
    ‘I dare say you have had a great deal on your mind.’
    ‘Yes, more than I wished for when I sold my commission,’ he admitted ruefully. ‘I had hoped for some peace and time to enjoy life, but it seems fate has decreed otherwise.’
    They had reached a stile. George gave her his hand to help her over. As she came down the other side, she caught her heel in the hem of her dress that was slightly too long and fell. George moved swiftly to catch her. For a moment he held her close to his body.
    Jane glanced up at him. She was not surprised when he lowered his head and kissed her. Something had been growing between them since that first night. His kiss was sweet, his lips firm and yet tender. He smiled ruefully as he released her. She found herself responding without reserve despite all her doubts. When he released her she felt sorry and wished she might cling to him, stay in his arms for ever.
    ‘That was foolish and reprehensible of me, Miss Lanchester. I am in too much trouble to indulge in a flirtation and at the moment the future is uncertain.’
    ‘It was a moment of madness, nothing more,’she excused him with a smile, though her heart had raced madly and she had felt something leap to life within her. ‘I think I have been overly harsh with you, sir. You are not to blame for my abduction—and I have much to be grateful for. Indeed, had it not been for you, I think I should probably be dead.’
    ‘I would not ask for gratitude. Yet I have no right to expect anything more.’ George’s look was thoughtful. ‘Perhaps you
should
go home. Had Blake managed to follow us, I think he would have shown his hand by now. I should advise you not to walk alone and to stay indoors for a while, but I hope to discover Blake’s whereabouts soon—and then…’
    ‘If you manage to recover what you need, will you go to the magistrates then?’
    ‘Blake must be stopped somehow. If Lady Fanshawe has been harmed in any way, her family will not rest until they have justice.’
    ‘If you reveal your part in the affair, you may be arrested.’
    ‘That is a chance I must take. After I have discovered Lady Fanshawe’s whereabouts and done what I can to help her, I shall see that Blake is punished one way or another.’
    ‘The person you contacted has no idea where Mariah might be?’
    ‘No, I fear not. Blake told no one of his plans. The empty house we used for you was somewhere Blake knew of, but it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. He never had any intention of taking her there. Wherever she is, must be somewhere he believes quite secure.’
    ‘Yet you do not think he has her at his home?’
    ‘He is a devious creature,’ George said and frowned. ‘If he were suspected in this affair, his house would be the first place the magistrates would have searched. No, I am certain he has