Page 19 of Lord of Loyalty

Will held her gaze, his expression solemn. “I’ll not see you bereft. I swore an oath to Edward the day before we undertook that final, perilous mission to look after you. I have his ring, and a signed letter allowing me to deal with your attorney. But if all else fails, I have an alternative solution—so, pray, do not distress yourself.”

She wasn’t distressed. She was boiling with a rage she struggled to suppress. Her fists clenched in the bedcovers.

Will came closer. “Master Pike shall pay his dues—I’ll see to that. We need proof of his felonies—but I’ll not have you go back to Marston House. Not straightaway, at least. Are you well enough to travel? I can hire you a mount from the stables here.”

“Aye.” The fresh air would do her good and calm her temper. “But if we can’t go to Marston House, where shall we go?”

“Back to London—you shall reside with me. I have some matters of my own to resolve, but I can keep you safe while they’re sorted, then restore you to your rightful inheritance. And your place in society, for society is where you belong.”

“Only if no one finds out about this escapade.” She knew enough about tittle-tattle to understand its power, even though it was infuriating.

Will cleared his throat, then took a turn about the room. “I have an answer to that as well, should it be necessary. We can marry. You’re not already betrothed, I take it?”

She was too overcome by his outrageous suggestion to answer right away. How dare this virtual stranger be so presumptuous! She yanked savagely at a loose stitch on her nightgown. “I think I’d remember something as important at that. I am not betrothed. Hubert gave me to understand that in Edward’s absence, he stood as my guardian. There was no hint of any other interested party.”

“I hope Master Pike is not your guardian. But if he’s condemned for his crimes, it will be of no account. He cannot stand in our way.”

What did Will Cavendish mean by pacing about the room, deciding on her future? She’d quite like a say in it, too. To immediately exchange the prison of Hubert’s devising for the shackles of matrimony was unthinkable. There had to be another way.

“Sir William, let me assure you, I have no intention of marrying you. I’m not ungrateful for having been rescued from the vile machinations of my cousin, but I have no intention of exchanging the power of one man for that of another. And that’s my final word on the matter.”