Page 63 of The Untamed Heart

“Very well. Keller is a vile piece of humanity. You say he is here. He’s come for me?”

Hawkney nodded. “I’ve sent men to every hotel and lodging house in the area with a description of him, assuming he might not use his real name.”

“I doubt you’ll find him,” Lucius said, steadily devouring the piece of pie Mrs Wainwright had given him.

“Why not?” Hawkney asked, frowning.

Lucius shrugged. “I got the impression his father was less than impressed with him. He’d clearly only gone there for money, and the old man did not look the generous type. I doubt he can afford to stay anywhere respectable.”

Sheringham nodded his agreement. “I’d have to agree.”

“Very well, I shall have the search widened to less than respectable lodgings. In the meantime, Marcus, I want you to come and stay at Hatherley Hall. The gates are closed at night and there is a full staff on hand. He’ll not dare to come after you there.”

Marcus stiffened with indignation. “Scurry into a hole like a frightened rabbit? Like hell, I will.”

Lord Sheringham shook his head impatiently. “Marcus, none of us doubt your courage, but Alex is right. The man is a lunatic. We do not know what he’ll do, where he might strike. You must be sensible.”

Eustacia stared at Lord Sheringham. Though he looked like the intriguing villain from one of Mrs Wildblood’s stories and, in her eyes, he could not hold a candle to Marcus, in that moment she could have kissed him for sounding so sensible. Surely Marcus would agree that—

“If you think I am going to sit back and wait for the villain to attack me, you have all lost your minds.” Marcus folded his arms, his jaw set in a belligerent line.

Sheringham groaned. “Dammit, Marcus. I just knew you would be difficult.”

“I am not being difficult. I am just refusing to hide like a frightened child. If the bloody man wants to kill me, just let him try,” he said furiously, and then his breath hitched and he caught at the side of his chest.

Eustacia got to her feet, moving swiftly to the jug of fresh water on the windowsill. The sound of his coughing tore at her heart but she said nothing, did not allow pity or concern to show upon her face as she poured him a glass of water and set it quietly in front of him.

No one said anything as he steadied his breathing and reached for the glass, sipping carefully. He let out a shaky breath and glared at each one of them.

“I won’t hide,” he said resolutely.

Hawkney sighed and sat back in his seat. “No. None of us thought you would, but it was worth a try. On to Plan B, then.”

Marcus glowered at Hawkney. “You are the most interfering, managing—”

“He’s a duke,” Lord Darenth said with a shrug, as if that explained everything.

Which it did.

Chapter 17

The Second Most Infuriating Man

Ocean View Villa, Little Valentine, East Sussex, 1st October 1816

Marcus opened the front door of his rented cottage and muttered an oath.

“Good morning to you too,” replied Lord Darenth, who was leaning indolently on the wall beside the door.

“What the bloody hell are you doing here?” Marcus demanded, which was rude and ungracious, but bloody Hawkney had taken charge, and it was intolerable.

“You know very well,” Darenth said, pushing himself upright. “I am your escort this morning.”

Marcus sent the man a baleful glare. “I don’t want an escort.”

“No, and I have better things to do too, but there we are. I drew the short straw.”

“You did!” Marcus exclaimed bitterly and shook his head. Well, there was no getting rid of the fellow, he supposed.