AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Elizabeth turned around. “Now whisk me to safety and comfort, my dearest Robin.”
*
Greer stood outsideLucy’s bedchamber door.Rap. Rap. Rap. It was well past dawn. She couldn’t still be asleep. Could she be ill? Or harmed after she’d returned to her rooms, escorted by her sister last night. “Lucy?” he called, but there was no answer. “Lady Lucy.”
“She’s gone to meet with Master Darby.”
Greer turned to see Cordelia Cranfield walking toward him. He should question her about her mother’s treason. She’d witnessed it firsthand.
“To see about the poisoning of Richard Whitby?” Greer asked.
Cordelia stopped before him. “I’m sure the topic will come up, but I believe she went to him for…personal reasons.”
Personal reasons?Greer’s stomach tightened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. What could Lucy be doing with Darby that was personal? She’d said she didn’t favor him.
“What type of personal reasons?”
“The definition of personal, Master Buchanan, means that it is not knowledge for the common man.” Cordelia’s insincere smile gave Greer the impression that she really didn’t like him.
“Have I wronged ye, Lady Cordelia? Or do ye dislike all Scotsmen?”
Her eyes widened slightly at his blunt words. “I dislike people who could bring injury to my sister. She’s the only family I have left.”
“I have no intention of harming—”
“Your honorable intentions don’t concern me, Master Buchanan. You could inadvertently tear apart my soft-hearted sister. She’s a champion of the outcast, and now she’s in a dangerous position at court, one that has recently been vacated through murder.” She tugged on one of her long white gloves. “I suggest you keep your interactions with Lucy strictly to protecting her person.” Her frown softened. “If you do so without making her fall in love with you, you will be the second Scotsman I’ve grown to like.”
With a rustle of silk, she continued to stride down the long, poorly lit corridor. Greer stood stiffly, watching her.Champion of the outcast?Did Lucy see him that way? Compared to her wealth, he was poor indeed, but he certainly didn’t need charity.
He grunted softly, turning to stride off.I bloody hell don’t care.He had a mission to complete, one that had just proven to be deadly.Without making her fall in love with you.He would make it clear to Lucy that she should not soften her heart to him. Love only muddied matters and missions. Greer avoided the emotion at all costs.
Therefore, his rapid walk toward the poison chemist’s quarters had nothing to do with finding out if Lucy and William were kissing or tupping or anything else that involved the Englishman being allowed to touch her soft golden hair. It took Greer a few turns and one reverse to find the rooms that a maid told him belonged to the father and son tasked with checking everything that touched Elizabeth’s skin.
Greer strode up to the Darbys’ door.Rap. Rap. Rap. Rap.
Footsteps came, and the door swung open. William Darby stood there with his hair mussed like someone had run fingers through it. “Buchanan?”
“I am looking for Lady Lucy.” Greer’s gaze swept behind Darby to a changing screen with a gown thrown over it. Without thought, Greer pushed past him into the room. “Lucy?”
“Blast it, Buchanan,” Darby called after him. “You can’t barge in here.”
The hell he couldn’t. Greer walked around the side of the screen where Lucy stood wrapped in a bathing sheet, her shoulders and arms naked.
“Greer?” she said, her eyes wide, a flush running up her neck into her face. “What are you doing here?” She clasped the edges of the sheet in one hand, the other hidden down by her side.
He looked between her and the young cock who fumed. “I was concerned with your welfare since there’s an assassin walking Whitehall. Especially when ye don’t seem to understand thatanyonecould be a traitor.”
“William’s not a traitor,” Lucy said. “He is…”
Her words trailed off, allowing Greer to fill some in. “Your lover.” Her mouth dropped open, but he continued. “Excuse me for the interruption.” Greer pivoted on the heel of his boot.
“Greer,” Lucy said, but he continued past the frowning Englishman without breaking his stride. If he did, he might stop long enough to punch Darby in the face. “Master Buchanan!” Lucy called.
Anger made him stalk blindly down the corridor. William Darby hadn’t even escorted her into the dark streets of London Christmas Eve when she took the dogs to Cranfield House. And yet she was trusting him with her body. Had the bastard seduced her? He’d heard virgins could be easily tricked, which was why he avoided them.
Greer walked out of the building, striding toward the barn where Darach was stabled. A lad was in the stall, letting his horse lip up a small apple from his palm. “He’s well, milord,” he said as Greer entered. “Such a grand fella, he is.”
Greer clutched the stall door and took a full breath before entering. He ran his hand down Darach’s shiny black neck. The horse’s ears perked up as he eyed his master. He was sensitive to his master’s moods, and Greer’s mood right now was made of thunder. He held a coin out to the lad and nodded at him. “Thank ye.”
