Free The Mysterious Lord Marlowe by Anne Herries Page B

her somewhere else—somewhere no one would dream of searching. I think he may go abroad as soon as he has what he wants.’
    ‘You think he may have taken her to the coast, to be near a ship?’
    ‘It has crossed my mind that he may have planned something of the kind.’
    ‘He might have taken Mariah abroad already, perhaps?’
    ‘I am not sure he would want to run the risk. He will try to get her to agree to a marriage and then he needs a lawyer to draw up the nuptialagreement so that he can get his hands on her money.’
    ‘If that is possible without her trustees’ consent.’
    George’s gaze intensified. ‘Could her trustees withhold the money, do you imagine?’
    ‘I think it likely. My own fortune is slight, but even so, Andrew controls it until I marry or I am four and twenty.’
    ‘A husband’s rights will usually supersede a trustee’s,’ George replied. ‘Avonlea could hardly refuse if his ward was in danger—or would he?’
    ‘No, perhaps not, but he might demand Mariah’s return. He could then fight Blake through the courts.’
    George looked troubled. ‘I think her life would truly be in danger if that were to be the case. Blake is a vengeful man. Unless he gets what he wants, he is unlikely to let Lady Fanshawe leave her captivity—and he might well decide she is of no further use to him.’
    ‘You mean he would—kill her?’
    ‘Let us hope that it does not come to that. Perhaps if I can discover her whereabouts, she may be released before Blake realises that he is unlikely to get what he wants from her trustees.’

Chapter Four
    T hey walked in silence for a time. Jane felt shocked. She was more than ever convinced that she ought to return home and tell her story. She would not feel comfortable until she had spoken to her brother and the Duke of Avonlea. The knowledge that she had what might be vital information regarding Blake’s appearance was gnawing at her conscience.
    It was all so horrid and her nerves felt frayed. She knew she needed to go home and yet a part of her wanted to stay here with the man walking beside her.
    ‘I shall take you home before I go to London,’ George said, breaking into the silence that had grown between them. ‘I think it may be forthe best after all. However, I must ask you to promise that you will take—’ He broke off and swore as they came in sight of Martha’s cottage again, having walked in a semi-circle and come to it from another direction. ‘There are horses outside the cottage. Stay here in the shelter of these trees, Jane. I must discover what is going on.’
    She looked at him, feeling stunned and suddenly fearful. ‘You think it may be Blake and some of his men?’
    ‘I can think of no other explanation. Forgive me, Jane. I should have taken you home immediately. I thought you would be safer here, but it seems he has managed to find us here somehow.’
    ‘If you could discover his home, he would be able to discover the whereabouts of your old nurse.’ Jane touched his arm urgently. ‘Martha is old and alone. Please go quickly. She may be in some trouble.’
    ‘I shall try to get them away. Wait here out of sight until you see them leave.’ He hesitated, then, ‘If I am forced to go with them, you must make your own way home. It would be too dangerous for you to remain here now.’
    ‘Yes, I shall,’ she agreed. ‘Please be careful,George. I should not like anything to happen to you.’
    ‘I wish—’ He broke off, shaking his head. ‘Forgive me. I must go. Remain here until they have gone—promise me?’
    ‘Yes.’
    George hesitated, then suddenly took her into his arms. This kiss was very different from those he had given her before, filled with a hungry, almost desperate need that made Jane cling to him.
    ‘George…’ she whispered as he let her go.
    ‘Forgive me. It is impossible. In another life…’ he said and turned away abruptly. ‘May God protect you.’
    Jane watched him stride away. She closed her eyes