Loving the Marquess Read Online Free PDF Page A

when he finally spoke.
    Other than the fact she had been caught preening like a
silly school girl, Louisa thought, with a dress that was not and could never be
hers, what could possibly be the matter?
    “No, nothing, my lord. You need not concern yourself with
me. But what about you? How are you feeling?”
    At her words, his jaw tightened and a mask came down over
his features. The warmth and concern she’d seen in his eyes only moments before
was gone.
    “I’m fine.”
    He entered the room and crossed to the window, his back to
her.
    She was not convinced he was telling her the truth. “Is
there anything I can do for you?”
    “Thank you, but no.” He turned to face her, his hands
clasped behind his back. “I have decided to return home. There are matters
there that require my attention.”
    “When?”
    “Now. After I take my leave of you.”
    She could only stare at him for several moments. The
marquess had stumbled after breakfast, proving to everyone he was not
completely recovered, and now he intended to ride home? Surely even he could
see such an action would be foolhardy.
     “Are you certain you are feeling up to it? Only this
morning—”
    “Yes,” he said, an edge of impatience in his tone. “I am
aware of what happened this morning. It was nothing.”
    “But—”
    “Surely I do not have to explain myself to you?”
    His words hit her like a slap, stopping her cold. The man
who stood before her now was not the same person with whom she had shared
breakfast that morning. He certainly wasn’t the person who had understood the
pain of having lost a father. The man she had found herself beginning to like.
No, this man was a stranger.
    She felt the loss of that man more deeply than she cared to
admit. It was clear she’d been acting foolishly. He was, after all, a Manning.
But despite his cool demeanor, she couldn’t allow him to leave.
    “No, of course not, my lord. You owe me no explanations. But
perhaps you could wait until John returns. I expect him midafternoon. He can
ride with you.”
    She didn’t think it possible, but he seemed to stiffen even
more.
    “That will not be necessary,” he said, his words clipped.
    Louisa couldn’t understand his anger, nor could she
understand the cursed male pride that balked at showing any sign of weakness.
Surely he realized she was just concerned for his safety. But if Overlea
insisted he was well, she wouldn’t be able to prevent him from leaving. Overlea
Manor wasn’t far by horseback and she could only hope his strength would hold
until he reached it.
    “I am in your debt, Miss Evans.” He paused briefly. When he
continued, his voice had lost its curt edge. “If there is ever anything I can
do for you or your family, you need only ask.”
    Now it was her turn to stiffen. Distasteful as the thought
was, they might one day have to rely on the charity of strangers. But she, too,
had her pride, and she doubted they would ever be so desperate as to accept
charity from the Mannings.
    “Thank you,” she said.
    He looked at her for several seconds. His dark eyes seemed
to see straight through her and she couldn’t help but think that he knew what
she was thinking. Finally, he looked away and reached into his coat pocket to
produce a small gilt case from which he removed a calling card.
    “Please accept this,” he said, handing her the card. “I’ve
written my direction in town on the back. I’m not sure how long I will remain
in the country. If you change your mind—” She started to protest, but he spoke
over her objection. “If you change your mind, please feel free to contact me.”
    She stared down at the card, a suspicion forming. “I will
not accept payment for last night.”
    “No, of course not.” He rushed to reassure her. “But you may
very well have saved my life.” His lips twisted slightly at that. “At the very
least, your hospitality saved me from a cold, uncomfortable night on the side
of the road. Hopefully you will