Page 65 of Make Mine a Marquess

It might, an inner voice warned. The country charity was a stone’s throw from Landon House. She was his guest at the house party and, as a result, his responsibility by Society’s rules. He had every right to tell her father.

But will he?

This was the man who’d invited her to spend hours playing an afternoon game and had never spoken a word to her parents or her betrothed.

Would he be able to keep this secret as well? She decided to take the risk. “I’m meeting a woman who helps with a similar charity to the one that I’m involved with in town.”

Two dark eyebrows drew together. “A similar charity? You mean for unwed mothers.”

She watched him. Sunlight glinted off his dark hair. “Yes.”

“Where?”

“I’m not certain. I am to meet a woman. It is my first time visiting.”

“I shall accompany you.”

She should set him straight. She was a grown woman who could make her own decisions. “That’s not necessary.”

His steady gaze bore into her. “Let me rephrase. I’d like to accompany you. If this charity exists in the village, I should know about it.”

“Why? Will you disapprove?” This time, nervousness was evident in her tone.

“After all our time together playing tavlou, do you think so little of me?”

The question took her off guard. Her pulse did a little leap at his gaze. The sun felt warmer on the bridge of her nose, the chirping of the birds louder, and the tingling of her skin stronger.

“To the contrary, I think very well of you.” The words escaped her lips before she could think.

His gaze was soft as a caress and her heart fluttered wildly in her breast. He offered his arm and smiled. “Then let’s go together and learn more about these women.”

She could easily duck under his arm and make a run for it but she wouldn’t get far. That wasn’t what concerned her. She wasn’t afraid of him physically. Not in that way. She was wary of a different type of unease. The tension in her gut was replaced with a heightened awareness of the man, as she rested her hand on his muscled forearm.

Together, they walked the rest of the drive and then down the dirt lane until they came to the village.

“What’s this woman’s name?” he asked.

“Sarah Smith. I learned about her from my maid. Anne spoke with the other servants at Landon Hall. One was hesitant to talk at first, but after we explained more, she shared what she’d heard.”

In the village square, Sarah was waiting for them outside the milliner’s shop. She eyed Landon up and down with a critical squint. “I wasn’t expecting a companion.”

Landon met her gaze. “I’m here only to offer any assistance.”

“And I’m eager to meet the women and children,” Phoebe was quick to add.

Sarah’s gaze went back to the marquess. She flicked a thumb at Phoebe. “She will be received. You, my lord, may not be as welcome.”

Landon arched a dark eyebrow. “You know who I am?”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “All of Hertfordshire knows who you are, my lord. Tongues have been wagging about the arrival of the missing marquess.” She placed her hands on her hips. “As a lord, you may be accustomed to open doors within Society, but here, with the women, you will not find yourself so easily welcomed.”

“I understand.”

“Do ye now?”

“If I can’t be of any help to you or the women, then you are free to send me on my way and I won’t object.”

Phoebe was impressed with how Landon handled the woman. He made no attempt to use his title and status to intimidate or impose his will upon Sarah. Lord Willard, she suspected, would have. Even worse, he would have stopped her from meeting Sarah at all.