Free A Conspiracy of Alchemists: Book One in the Chronicles of Light and Shadow by Liesel Schwarz Page B

later.”
    He stared at her for a long moment. “Attacks on my character, Miss Chance, do not sit well with me.” His voice held that dangerous edge again. “And I’ll not have you blundering into this matter, only to destroy all hope of rescuing the professor alive. If your father’s abductors are who I suspect they are, then they’re not men one should wish to trifle with. Their network spreads everywhere. They operate with calculated force and precision. I, for one, have no wish to run after these men unprepared. Now oblige me and finish your breakfast. Please.”
    Elle picked up her fork and spooned some egg into her mouth with as much nonchalance as she could muster. She hated to admit it, but he was right. He always seemed to be right—something that was becoming most annoying. “Well then, what do you propose we do?”
    “ We are not going to do anything. I am going to make sure that you are safe, and once that is accomplished, Patrice and I will find these men. We have ways to make them tell us what they’ve done with your father. And once I have established your father’s whereabouts, then he and I will rescue him.”
    “And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
    “I don’t know. Staying alive might be a good start.”
    “Very well, then, I shall go back to work and ask for a new assignment. I am taking my ship back.”
    His face grew stern. “Absolutely not. I forbid it.” He placed his palm on the table.
    Elle’s temper raged. “How dare you forbid me to do anything? You are not my father or my husband!” So much for the model of poise and sensibility.
    “I might not be, yet here I find myself in charge of you. Again.” He gestured in exasperation. “What will you have me do? Shall I marry you so I can force you to listen to me?”
    “I’d rather eat my own foot than marry a man like you.”
    He leaned toward her. “I should propose to you right now, just to see you try.”
    She leaned forward to reply, but realized her mistake almost immediately. Her face was suddenly only inches away from his.
    His eyes darkened. The reaction was animalistic, almost predatory. Very gently he reached over to trace the line of her jaw, lifting her face even closer. His touch made little tremors sift through her. She closed her eyes, lost in the sensation.
    The sound of Mrs. Hinges thumping down the stairs, humming loudly, tore the moment apart.
    Marsh let go of Elle and sat back in his chair. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “Please forgive me. That was entirely inappropriate. It has been two days since I’ve slept properly and my patience is worn somewhat thin.”
    She stared at him, too mesmerized to speak.
    “I am not a man who was blessed with deep reserves of patience. You would do well not to provoke me like that again.”
    Elle blinked, breaking out of her trance. “Right, then. We will rest a while and then set out to find my father. But I am still coming with you, Mr. Marsh, and there is nothing you can do about it.”
    A shuffling sound preceded Mrs. Hinges as she made her way toward the dining room. “Let’s not upset Mrs. Hinges any further by fighting. She’s had quite enough shocks for one day, don’t you think?” Elle said.
    “Agreed.” His voice was soft, intimate.
    Elle turned back to her now cool eggs and toast just as Mrs. Hinges entered the room.
    “My lord, I just wanted to let you know that Mr. Chevalier is resting. He says he should be back on his feet in an hour or two.”
    Marsh smiled. “That’s wonderful, Mrs. Hinges. But let him rest. I think we are all a little tired.” He cast a quick look at Elle.
    Mrs. Hinges nodded. “Indeed so, my lord. Indeed so.”
    “And, Mrs. Hinges …”
    “Yes, my lord?”
    “Thank you for taking us in. That was very kind of you.” He gave her one of his special smiles.
    A red flush crept up over the housekeeper’s cheeks. “Oh, no need to thank me, my lord. It’s the least we can do. But I did