By Love Unveiled Read Online Free
Author: Deborah Martin
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Historical, Historical Romance
sirs.”
The earl’s voice stopped them before they could escape. “Please don’t leave your business unfinished on my account,” he said with a cloying civility she knew was directed at her. “I’d like to hear more about my pleasurable days abroad.”
Marianne stifled a groan. He clearly itched to punish her for her insults. How she’d like to spar with him, but she dared not. The last thing she needed was to draw attention to herself.
“Thank you for your consideration, milord, but we’ve finished our business,” Aunt Tamara said, using the ingratiating manner of a practiced gypsy.
But apparently her words weren’t enough for hiscurst lordship. He moved forward to block their exit, placing his hand on the door handle.
“I see your companion has lost her tongue,” he told Aunt Tamara, although his gaze was fixed on Marianne’s masked face. “Such a pity, for I really wish to hear more of her spirited opinions.”
Heat rose in Marianne’s cheeks. Thank heavens for her mask.
“But if I may be so bold, I’d at least like to know your names,” he continued. “I should like to begin reacquainting myself with the people of Lydgate who once served my father.”
More likely, he wanted to know who’d insulted him so he could take his revenge.
“I am Tamara,” her aunt said, “and this is my niece Mina. You must excuse her mask. ’Tis the smallpox, you see. She was struck by it when young, and her face is quite disfigured, milord.” She shot Marianne a warning glance. “It has made her bitter and more inclined to say things she shouldn’t.”
Marianne glared at her aunt from beneath the mask. Trust Aunt Tamara to make her sound like a crotchety troll. And an ugly one, too.
Lord Falkham looked skeptical. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to pry.”
She doubted that. He struck her as the sort of man who trusted nothing and no one.
Aunt Tamara tightened her grip on Marianne’s arm. “We really must go.”
For a moment Marianne feared he wouldn’t let themleave. Then he opened the door with a mocking flourish. “Then don’t let me hinder you. I’m certain we’ll meet again.”
When they were out of earshot, Aunt Tamara muttered, “And I’m certain we won’t, not if I can help it.” As soon as they’d gone a good distance, she exploded. “You should have listened to me! We were nearly discovered back there. We should leave Lydgate immediately.”
“I’m not leaving! It’s quite possible he’s the one who arranged to have Father arrested. He might even have had something to do with Father’s death.”
“That would mean he planted the poison so your father would be blamed. But that would have risked the king’s life as well. He wouldn’t have done that.”
“We can’t be sure of the exact circumstances. He mightn’t have risked His Majesty’s life but merely made it look as if Father had done so. A man with his power could do all sorts of things to ensure someone’s arrest.”
Aunt Tamara shuddered. “That’s what frightens me. If he discovers who you are—”
Marianne laughed. “How can he? You conveniently gave me a reason to wear my mask all the time. That was brilliant of you.”
“It might not keep your neck out of the hangman’s noose. Especially if the earl—”
“I know. I’ll have to avoid him.”
“That might not be easy. He isn’t the sort to let an insult pass. Be careful, poppet, that you don’t findyourself caught in his trap, for he would easily devour you.”
“Nonsense. He’s probably already forgotten about me.”
But Marianne’s heart continued to pound like the heart of a bird hunted by a falcon, long after she and her aunt had passed out of sight of Lydgate.
Chapter Two
Take heed lest passion sway
Thy judgement to do aught, which else free will
Would not admit.
—John Milton, Paradise Lost
W eary to the bone, Marianne slipped out of the cramped cottage where she’d just served as midwife to a villager. She pulled up her
The earl’s voice stopped them before they could escape. “Please don’t leave your business unfinished on my account,” he said with a cloying civility she knew was directed at her. “I’d like to hear more about my pleasurable days abroad.”
Marianne stifled a groan. He clearly itched to punish her for her insults. How she’d like to spar with him, but she dared not. The last thing she needed was to draw attention to herself.
“Thank you for your consideration, milord, but we’ve finished our business,” Aunt Tamara said, using the ingratiating manner of a practiced gypsy.
But apparently her words weren’t enough for hiscurst lordship. He moved forward to block their exit, placing his hand on the door handle.
“I see your companion has lost her tongue,” he told Aunt Tamara, although his gaze was fixed on Marianne’s masked face. “Such a pity, for I really wish to hear more of her spirited opinions.”
Heat rose in Marianne’s cheeks. Thank heavens for her mask.
“But if I may be so bold, I’d at least like to know your names,” he continued. “I should like to begin reacquainting myself with the people of Lydgate who once served my father.”
More likely, he wanted to know who’d insulted him so he could take his revenge.
“I am Tamara,” her aunt said, “and this is my niece Mina. You must excuse her mask. ’Tis the smallpox, you see. She was struck by it when young, and her face is quite disfigured, milord.” She shot Marianne a warning glance. “It has made her bitter and more inclined to say things she shouldn’t.”
Marianne glared at her aunt from beneath the mask. Trust Aunt Tamara to make her sound like a crotchety troll. And an ugly one, too.
Lord Falkham looked skeptical. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to pry.”
She doubted that. He struck her as the sort of man who trusted nothing and no one.
Aunt Tamara tightened her grip on Marianne’s arm. “We really must go.”
For a moment Marianne feared he wouldn’t let themleave. Then he opened the door with a mocking flourish. “Then don’t let me hinder you. I’m certain we’ll meet again.”
When they were out of earshot, Aunt Tamara muttered, “And I’m certain we won’t, not if I can help it.” As soon as they’d gone a good distance, she exploded. “You should have listened to me! We were nearly discovered back there. We should leave Lydgate immediately.”
“I’m not leaving! It’s quite possible he’s the one who arranged to have Father arrested. He might even have had something to do with Father’s death.”
“That would mean he planted the poison so your father would be blamed. But that would have risked the king’s life as well. He wouldn’t have done that.”
“We can’t be sure of the exact circumstances. He mightn’t have risked His Majesty’s life but merely made it look as if Father had done so. A man with his power could do all sorts of things to ensure someone’s arrest.”
Aunt Tamara shuddered. “That’s what frightens me. If he discovers who you are—”
Marianne laughed. “How can he? You conveniently gave me a reason to wear my mask all the time. That was brilliant of you.”
“It might not keep your neck out of the hangman’s noose. Especially if the earl—”
“I know. I’ll have to avoid him.”
“That might not be easy. He isn’t the sort to let an insult pass. Be careful, poppet, that you don’t findyourself caught in his trap, for he would easily devour you.”
“Nonsense. He’s probably already forgotten about me.”
But Marianne’s heart continued to pound like the heart of a bird hunted by a falcon, long after she and her aunt had passed out of sight of Lydgate.
Chapter Two
Take heed lest passion sway
Thy judgement to do aught, which else free will
Would not admit.
—John Milton, Paradise Lost
W eary to the bone, Marianne slipped out of the cramped cottage where she’d just served as midwife to a villager. She pulled up her