Lady Thief Read Online Free PDF Page A

had been stripped nearly
bare of all things fine to pay for Marianne’s dowry. The green gown
she wore was the last of her finery, with only her plainest of
clothing packed into her luggage, and this was only because her
father did not want them to present himself as a pauper to
William.
    Still, they both knew it would hardly be
enough.
    Holton pointed his hand in Archer’s
direction, but did not look at him, though he sneered dramatically
when he spoke of him. “I would offer you this servant, not sell, as
compensation for the trouble you have had to endure at his
wretched, deceiving hands. His father made the finest arrows so he
has some skill in that trade, but his specialty lies with the
horses. He can sleep with them as well if you like. Or you may
dispose of him.”
    Marianne shrieked. “Father!”
    He did not flinch at the high pitch produced
so closely to his ear, nor did he look at her. Marianne was left
with the helpless notion that no matter how much she yelled or
begged, Archer’s fate was entirely out of her hands.
    William turned to Archer, and Marianne’s
heart fell into her stomach while he considered it.
    She silently prayed, though for what she was
unaware. Should Lord Gray turn Archer away he would have no home to
go to as he was obviously no longer welcome to work at Holton
House.
    And if he stayed here, what then? How would
he be treated? Lord Gray had sworn on his honor in a church that he
would pretend those men had never existed should he see them again,
but it was quite difficult to pretend in this situation, if he ever
had any intention of keeping his word, that is.
    Lord Gray tapped his chin thoughtfully.
“Despite my suspicious nature, which you will find forgivable as
you wish to give me a servant who has participated in my abduction,
and whom you have called a treacherous villain, I shall accept him.
He sounds as if he can be of use. I will not ‘dispose’ of him,
however.”
    Marianne shrieked inside her head for joy and
anguish, and Archer continued to open and close his mouth, as if
the words he wanted had been sucked from his body. Eventually he
resigned himself to the rueful fact that he could not speak against
his betters and lowered his head.
    Holton grew two inches taller.
“Understandable, milord, very understandable. You are very generous
in your kindness. Now, just between the two of us, my lord,”
Marianne’s father freely walked around the table and approached
Gray with the air of an old friend, and without permission as
well.
    Marianne was not sure of their manner towards
each other, especially when Lord Gray was so friendly earlier.
Whatever friendliness was there had evidently been a show put on
for the servants, because now he seemed appalled that Marianne’s
father could do such a thing as kneel down and put his fatherly arm
around William’s noble shoulder.
    Holton hardly seemed to notice. “I know that
Archer somehow tricked my daughter into this scheme, villain that
he is. He confessed as much. There must have been more people
involved, but no one in my household will speak of such things
despite my best efforts.”
    Marianne wondered if her father’s best
efforts were still stinging poor Archer’s raw back.
    “Tell me, my lord, how many men accosted you
in the church? Tell me what they looked like and I swear on my
honor I shall help you track down every last one of those cowardly
worms. Should they be a part of my household they shall be tossed
out and left to starve.” He paused, as though remembering that the
decision would not be his. “Or, you may dispense of them
yourself.”
    William looked at Marianne with a raised brow
when her father finished with his speech.
    She held her breath and returned his steady
gaze, her fists shaking at her sides as she addressed her father.
“I told you there was no one else.”
    Red faced, her father ran back around the
table to screech in her ear. “Nonsense! Who performed the marriage
then?”
    William stood and