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to explain himself, then halted as the footmen returned with the children. When they rushed past him with the wary expressions their cousin ought to have worn, it occurred to him that he didn’t have to tell Miss Bancroft how he got his nickname.
    Why should he? She would look at him differently, or worse yet, tell her aunt. Then he’d have two hysterical females on his hands, trying to escape his house for fear of their lives or their virtue.
    As he stood there mulling the idea of not having to be the dreaded Black Baron for once, he overheard Huggett say, “You really don’t have to stay in here with your aunt, miss. There’s an adjoining chamber that belonged to his lordship’s mother. Surely you and the little girl will be more comfortable there, and you can always come in to check on Mrs. Metcalf whenever you please without disturbing anyone. The lads can sleep in the green room. It’s got a truckle bed.”
    â€œHis lordship seems to think I must accompany the children everywhere,” she said stiffly.
    â€œIt’s all right—we can handle a few lads underfoot, and besides, the green room is right across the hall, and I daresay you’d hear them if they came out.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. Huggett. That sounds like the perfect arrangement.”
    Her warm tone rubbed Martin raw, since she hadn’t yet used it with him. And he was the one who’d rescued them in the first place.
    â€œNow, I suggest we get these children out of their wet things,” Huggett said.
    â€œI’m afraid that’s impossible,” she retorted. “Their fresh clothes are in our trunks, and his lordship didn’t see fit to have those brought from the other carriage.” Her tone of resentment tested his temper anew.
    He strode to the open door. The children flanked her like an army, and the little girl grabbed her hand as soon as he appeared in the doorway.
    He ignored the children to focus on Miss High-­and-­Mighty Heiress. “Surely you packed separate bags for inns and such—”
    â€œJust the trunks.” She faced him, her smile chilly. “If you’ll recall, I did tell you there were things we needed in them.”
    Thinking back to their short encounter, he grimaced. She had told him, but he’d been concentrating on getting her away from the blasted ice. And he’d assumed that the trunks were extra luggage. Why, he wasn’t sure. Probably for the same reason he’d assumed that she knew of his reputation.
    He began to wonder if he’d assumed too much.
    When they all looked at him expectantly, even Huggett, he had to stifle an oath. “I’ll send the footmen back for your trunks,” he bit out. Then he modulated his tone. “Is there anything else you require?”
    The cordial question seemed to catch her by surprise. Then a soft smile touched her lips. “Not at the moment, no. But thank you for asking, sir.”
    That smile thoroughly undid him. Three years had passed since the last time a young woman had smiled at him. It made him warm. Too warm. It made him notice her silky black hair and pleasing figure, and the lilt to her words that reminded him of her clear, high voice singing carols—
    Hell and blazes. He couldn’t be thinking like this about some heiress who didn’t know who he was. Besides, there was more to a woman than a pleasing appearance, and he’d be surprised if anything lay in that head but the usual silliness and fascination with fashion. He didn’t want a wife. He didn’t need a wife.
    â€œI’ll go see about the trunks,” he muttered.
    Then he fled.

Chapter Three
    Dear Charlotte,
    Is your neighbor a man of good reputation? What is his profession? Is he married? Take care—many men prey on women alone by pandering to their concerns.
    Your still-­anxious cousin,
    Michael
    E llie didn’t see his lordship again that afternoon. Not that it mattered;