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Egad, what was wrong with him? Why was he so affected by all this? He was far too emotional and he didn’t get emotional. He should approach the problem logically, emotion be damned.
Even as he told himself these things, Mandy’s piquant face, her laughing dark eyes, and her spirit—her indomitable spirit teased him so that he was licking his lips with the thought of kissing her.
Sometimes he damn well wanted to take her over his knee…
But oh her pluck, her faith, her determination, made him want to shift her onto that same knee and press it between her thighs…
The door opened again to display Sticwell instead of the Viscount and the duke’s brows rose. When Sticwell announced, Sir Owen, the duke was actually astonished. Well, well, what was this?
Sir Owen entered the library, his hand extended, “Your Grace, Sticwell tells me the viscount is momentarily occupied, so I hope I don’t intrude on you by waiting here for him?”
This was an opportunity to investigate the man and see what his intentions toward Mandy actually were, though he had already decided that with his pockets to let, Owen was probably only after Mandy for her inheritance. After all, the man was an inveterate gambler and a notorious petticoat man. It was certainly possible that he had been charmed by Mandy and therefore, perhaps his heart might be in it. Even so, Sir Owen was not the sort of man he would choose for her—not the sort at all!
He looked Sir Owen over as he waved him to be seated. The man was casually dressed in buckskins and an open neck white shirt beneath. His riding boots had been polished and he wore his auburn hair carefully parted and combed.
“Not at all, pour yourself a drink and be comfortable, Sir Owen.” As he watched the man stride over to the wall table he remarked, “I have not seen you about London in a very long time.”
“No, the sorry truth of it is I am on a repairing lease. Recouping my finances while I see to the upkeep of my lands at Turndale Grange…not far from here, about few miles south actually.” He carried his drink and tipped it before taking a sip and sitting on the leather bound chair opposite the duke. He eyed the duke curiously and asked, “What brings you all the way from London?”
“The Sherborne twins. I am their legal guardian and Skip made me aware that more than their finances were in need of attention.”
“Indeed,” Sir Owen said slightly surprised.
“An understatement, I suppose, considering the seriousness of the situation at hand,” stuck in the duke watching for a reaction. “Tell me, what is your interest in the business, for I must surmise that is why you are here?” the duke inquired, his one dark brow up, his tone while not quite threatening, certainly cool.
“Friendship,” Sir Owen said quietly.
The duke was struck by Sir Owen’s reticence. Why was he being so cautious? He felt himself bristle. He was already irritated by the fact that he had witnessed the man take Mandy into his arms. How had he known she would be there? He was however, interested in keeping Sir Owen talking, so he did nothing to give his agitation away. He wanted to get a true measure of the man for himself.
Ignoring Sir Owen’s clipped response to his question, he shifted in his seat and changed the subject for the moment, asking, “Have you found your repairing lease an answer to your troubles?”
“Indeed,” Sir Owen shrugged, “I have managed to settle most of my debts with the sale of many valuables I had sitting about in my home. However, returning to London just now is not feasible. I have a great deal more to attend to.” He frowned thoughtfully and added, “It is my hope that the future will hold better times…”
The duke wanted to land him a facer and tell him just what his future would hold if he accosted Mandy in the woods ever again. However, as he contained himself, he was saved by the sound of the door opening once more, and this time he saw the viscount standing at its threshold, looking from Sir Owen to him with one arched brow.
The viscount strode into the library, exchanged a quick glance with the duke and said as he turned to his new guest, “Sir Owen. This is unexpected.” Again, he gave the duke a heartfelt glance, and sighed to hurriedly add, “Brock, forgive me for keeping you waiting. My dratted man wouldn’t let me go. But I see you two have been amusing yourselves in my absence.”
Skip strode to the sideboard table, also apparently, in need of a drink. He poured himself a snifter, put it to his lips and sipped before he pulled up a chair, sat and looked at Sir Owen to ask, “Right then, I have a notion, you have a specific reason for coming to see me, so then Owen, what is it?”
“It is a delicate matter…” Sir Owen said glancing at the duke.
The duke got to his feet, “Of course, I’ll…”
“Sit, sit,” the viscount waved Brock back into his seat. “Delicate meaning something to do with the twins, I’ll wager and if so, you may speak freely. As you must know, the duke is their guardian.”
“Yes, his Grace just mentioned it, though I can’t imagine how that came about,” Sir Owen said curiously.
“Nor I,” the duke almost snorted, shook his head and said, “Alas, as it is the sorry truth, if you have anything that concerns them, it does also concern me.”
“Very well then gentlemen, I shall get to the point. Today, and quite by accident, I ran into Aman…er, Miss Sherborne near the stream that runs through Abbey Forest.”
“Good God!” ejaculated the viscount, his eyes opening wide. “Why would she be running about in the open? Madcap.” The viscount shook his head but his eyes spoke of the great affection he had for her as he said warmly and with a touch of admiration, “She has always had a mind of her own.” However, a frown descended over his pleasant features as he added, “Indeed, but this is not good. Bound to land herself in the basket if she runs about in the open.”
“Exactly so,” agreed Sir Owen. “There is no telling who she could run into if she goes about so freely while she is still with her brother in hiding and I must assume that there is where she intends to stay until she can prove him innocent.” He shook his head and clucked his tongue before adding, “I tried to talk some sense…well, she has her own mind, as you said and hence I fear she won’t take my advice seriously.
“Aye, she won’t leave him in this mess. Loyal to a fault. I can’t think of another woman who would put herself in such harm’s way…” remarked the viscount and this time there was no hiding the approval he felt for Mandy’s behavior. “Did she tell you where they are hiding?”
“No, of course not. I fear she does not trust me…at all,” Sir Owen said grimly. “I had hoped otherwise, but she seems to think I believe her brother guilty. She actually thinks that I have laid such beliefs against him to the authorities, which is of course, ridiculous.” He threw down the remaining contents of his glass and heaved a long sigh before saying, “I thought, perhaps, you may be able to get word to them to be more careful.”
