Page 48 of The Untamed Heart

Lucius looked up, meeting Sherry’s eyes. “He’s going after Marcus.”

Chapter 14

Nothing of Importance

Seagull Heights, Little Valentine, East Sussex, 28th September 1816

“Damnation!” Marcus cursed, sucking hard on his bleeding finger.

The rosa gallica was putting up a fight, as predicted.

“Is it a fatal wound, sir?”

Marcus turned, smiling as he saw Eustacia walking towards him. She looked like some autumn deity, clad in a stylish brown-and-orange walking dress. Though he took little notice of fashion, he could tell it was new.

It also suited her wonderfully well, highlighting a figure no man could have looked upon and remained unmoved.

“Not yet, but this lovely lady is determined to test my mettle,” he said, his pulse quickening as she grew nearer. “You are looking in prime twig, Eustacia. Do I detect the fine needlework of Madame Auguste?”

She laughed. “Yes, but don’t pretend you have the slightest idea of what her work looks like. You just happen to live next door to her shop.”

He grinned in return, pleased by her sally. “So, I do and saw a bolt of fabric in those very colours when I arrived here, so I know they are all the height of fashion. The gown is most seasonal and suits you very well.”

She smiled, a tinge of colour cresting her cheeks. Marcus watched her, suddenly awkward. He ought not be flirting with her. If he was going to make a cake of himself, he could at least think of something more apt. Suits you very well. He gave an inward wince. Well, there were words to make a young woman swoon.

Not that he intended to make her swoon. It would be unforgiveable of him to inveigle his way into their house and not only make himself at home in their garden and eat all their food but seduce the lady of the house too.

He wouldn’t do any such thing, naturally. He was first, last, and always a gentleman. Seducing was not on his agenda. Not that he could seduce her if he wanted to… could he?

“Marcus!”

He jumped, torn from his confusion to see Eustacia laughing at him.

“Good Lord, you were miles away.”

Marcus smiled, feeling like a blackguard for thinking lewd thoughts when they were… what? Friends? Colleagues?

“Sorry, did I miss something?”

“Nothing of importance,” she said, though the laughter left her eyes, replaced with concern. “Have you heard anything from Lord Sheringham?”

Marcus hesitated. He did not wish to speak of Keller, not now, not here in this lovely garden with Eustacia looking like the embodiment of autumn.

“Nothing of importance,” he replied, echoing her own words.

She smiled, but did not look entirely convinced. “Are you certain? You seem troubled.”

Yes, he thought, forcing himself to look away from her lovely face and back to the savage rose. You trouble me, Miss Foxworthy, far more than is good for either of us.

“Only by this spiteful creature who seems intent on doing me an injury,” he said wryly, gesturing to the rose. “She is most ungrateful, for though I have apologised for pruning her so vigorously, it is only so she grows stronger and lovelier in the future.”

“None of us know what is best for us,” Eustacia said with a laugh. “And our loved one's best intentions are often met with fury.”

Marcus heard a note of truth behind her words, light as they were. “Has something happened?”

She let out a breath, smiling at him. “You are perceptive.”

“Not when something is obvious.”