Page 72 of No Ordinary Lady

“When did you and Crossman meet my son?”

“In the last village, the night before he returned home.”

“Explain. In detail.”

“Uncle had followed his carriage from the previous town, and then had a chance to test his generosity when faced with someone in need of his charity. Your son was too generous and painted a target on his own back, I’m afraid.”

“I see.”

“But I didn’t like the plans they were making to take his carriage the next day, so I went to warn him to arm his men.”

“You betrayed your own uncle for my son? A man you’d never met before that day, or so you claim.”

“Yes. I don’t really understand why I did it even now. It just… I felt I had to protect him for some reason.”

The countess shook her head violently. “That is a tale you’ve heard my mother speak of.”

“It’s no tale. That’s how I met Danny. Just ask him,” Marian suggested. “He could have been wounded or even killed. I couldn’t bear the thought, so I did what I had to do.”

“No—that can’t be how it happened,” the countess scowled. “Mama told you the story of how I met my husband without giving you the full details, and you’ve twisted it for your own scheme to deceive us all. It won’t work.”

Marian blinked. “You protected the late Lord Scarsdale from thieves, too? From Crossman?”

“You know I did.”

“I didn’t, I swear. So, we both did foolish things for the men we—” Marian choked on what word almost came next…but then decided, what was the point of keeping that secret when her feelings about Danny had never mattered and never could? “The men we fell in love with at first sight. No wonder Granny was so amused when I told her how I met your son.”

She shrugged away the pain that followed her confession. The countess’ eyes had narrowed on her, and Marian bravely continued.

“Your experience with my family should tell you there’s no way to win against Crossman forever, but you might with my help. He’s wily and skilled at avoiding capture. My leaving won’t guarantee your safety, but I can help you to stop him coming back to bleed you dry.”

“I thought you said you wanted to protect my son,” Lady Scarsdale taunted, as if she didn’t believe any of her claims. “If you say you love him, how could you still want to leave him?”

“I don’t, not really.” Marian lifted her chin. “But I’m not good enough for your son. Nor can I stay to watch him marry Miss Wilson. She deceives you. She cares for nothing but the title she’ll gain in marriage. The power this marriage grants her will make Hammersley Lodge her own. All your attention and devotion to grooming her to take your place will make that happen in ways you don’t yet fully appreciate.”

“You’re wrong about her,” Lady Scarsdale insisted. “Amy’s perfect for my son. She’s almost a daughter to me already.”

“But you’re not a mother to her, are you?” Marian held the countess’ gaze and saw a flicker of discomfort appear in her eyes. But she smoothed it away almost instantly. “You know I’m right. Deep down,” Marian whispered sadly. “She’ll do as she pleases, no matter what you want. Then she’ll pack you off to the dower house or send you off to Portishead with your mother before the first year is out.”

“That is enough.”

“I’m only telling you what I see. And what I’ve seen with my own eyes…a slight sneer when you talk. She’ll drive a wedge between you all. It’s already happened with your mother, hasn’t it?” Marian shrugged. “Amy is the real reason you don’t get along anymore. I’ll go at first light, and I promise you will never see me again.”

“You’ll go where you’re told to go and not a moment sooner, young lady,” the woman answered, standing abruptly, snatching up the candle and heading away without a backward glance.

She stepped out and shut the door behind her with a loud bang, leaving Marian in total darkness with the money she’d stolen piled up beside her. She heard the turning of the lock and then nothing but the creak of bed ropes after that.

Left alone in the dark dressing closet, Marian let out a heavy sigh and lowered her head again. She didn’t want the family torn apart by deception and greed, but there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening…unless the countess heeded her warnings and accepted her help.

Chapter Sixteen

Marian was gone. Daniel could hardly believe the woman really had left so suddenly or quietly. Yet she could be found nowhere in the manor last night or anywhere out on his estate grounds this morning, either. No one had seen her in nearly an entire day, in fact.

Granny had sent a message along to the Kimble residence, just in case Marian had gone there without remembering she should tell anyone.

But the news back was not what he’d hoped. Miss Kimble had not seen Marian since yesterday afternoon, when they had been in his mother’s chambers together.

Daniel seemed to be the last person to talk to Marian, and when she’d fled him, there appeared to have been no further sightings.