Beguiled Read Online Free PDF Page B

again. “I must say, having seen the girl, I believe I would jump at such a chance as yours, but…well, we are moving into a new world. It’s quite archaic that your father insists upon arranging your marriage.”
    â€œHe made the agreement with Brian Stirling when I was just a lad and the girl a babe,” Mark said with a shrug. “I don’t know why. She’s not Lord Stirling’s child, rather his ward. I’ve always assumed there must be a skeleton in the closet somewhere.”
    â€œAh, yes. Illegitimacy, no doubt,” Patrick murmured.
    Mark scowled at him. “Don’t think of starting such a rumor.”
    Patrick laughed. “I promise to do nothing of the kind.” He grew serious. “Your impending marriage aside, I daresay we’re not going to have much of a reputation left soon. We didn’t even steal a piece of the girl’s jewelry.”
    â€œDon’t worry. We’re going to O’Flannery’s.”
    â€œAnd…?” Patrick inquired.
    Mark grinned. “Why do you think I warned you against rumor? I intend to start one myself. Trust me—by nightfall, we shall be the most dangerous figures since the days of Jack the Ripper.”
    Â 
    T HERE WAS NOTHING WRONG with her, Alexandra thought, but from the moment the carriage arrived at the castle, Shelby created such a stir that she was treated like fragile glass. At the gates, before they set off along the long winding drive to the castle, Shelby started shouting for help. Several members of the earl’s household rushed out, the countess among them, as they neared the front door.
    â€œThe police, my lady!” Shelby cried to the countess. “We must inform the police! We were held up by that despicable creature all the newspapers write of—the highwayman. I was knocked unconscious, and he kidnapped Miss Grayson. He is on the loose but cannot be far. The earl must be informed immediately. This is an outrage. And the poor girl! The gall. The utter gall. How dare he? Anyone in England should recognize the coat of arms on Lord Stirling’s carriage.”
    The countess, Lady Camille, was instantly concerned, but thankfully, she had always been wise and levelheaded and not one to give in to the vapors. Before her marriage to the earl, she had been a commoner and had worked for a living, and she still gave time to the Egyptian department of the museum. She frowned, looking at Ally as Shelby distractedly helped her from the carriage.
    â€œShelby, please, calm down so we can ascertain all the facts. Ally, were you injured? Are you all right?”
    â€œI’m fine, perfectly fine.”
    The earl, tall and exceedingly handsome, came up beside his wife. “You’re quite sure?” he asked, reaching out to touch her hair. “You’re wearing leaves.”
    â€œI swear to you, I’m absolutely fine,” Ally said.
    â€œI shall call the police,” Camille said, turning to head back up the steps to the main entrance to the castle. “Ally, come along. Fine or not, it must have been quite an ordeal. Brian, please, make her come in quickly.”
    â€œYes, in just a moment. Shelby, see that my horse is saddled and ready. If this fellow is on the roads now, I am going after him.”
    â€œOh, but you must not!” Ally protested. “He is—he is armed and dangerous.”
    Brian Stirling watched Ally with an arched brow and a look that caused her to flush. As if the concept of danger would so much as make him hesitate when a member of his circle had been threatened.
    â€œCome in. While my horse is being saddled, you must give me what details you can.” He offered her his arm and called over his shoulder, “Shelby—call three of the men to ride with me.”
    She accepted his arm, and followed him into the castle. In the foyer, he called for his housekeeper, then led Ally on into the massive kitchen. It was a place she