AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Oh, for the love of God. Marc heaved an irritated sigh. If he hadn’t known the whelp’s father, if he hadn’t owed the man a favor, he’d have been very happy to send Christian Hawke to meet his maker. The jackass had thrown a blasted dagger at him, after all. “I am returning her to her home, andyouare staying out of my way.” He rose back to his feet and sent a swift kick into thefellow’sribs.
Hawke let out a cryofpain.
“Don’t hurt him!” Rachel cried, damned little fool that she was. The man had thrown a dagger at Marc. He could very well have killed him, and a kick to the ribs wasn’t nearly retribution enough. He supposed letting Hawke live was a repayment on that debt he owed his father. But they wereevennow.
Marc turned his attention to the girl who had ruined his night in more ways than one. “Let’s get you back. Your mother isworriedsick.”
Her brow furrowed as she sucked in a breath. “Please, my lord, please don’t tell my mother. She’ll never let me leave the house for the rest ofmylife.”
Which Caroline would be well within her rights to do. Marc narrowed his eyes on the troublesome girl. “I willnotlie to your mother.” Then he grabbed her elbow and tugged her in the direction of The Strand. “Nowlet’sgo.”
She glanced back over her shoulder at her fallen hero and cried, “Thank you for trying tosaveme.”
“Do you have any sort of idea the pain you’ve caused your mother tonight?” Marc growled as he hailedahack.
“The painIcaused?” she shot back. “Youalmostkilledhim.”
Marc snorted at the exaggeration. “Such is the risk when you go around in a mask, throwing daggers at people.” He pulled open the door to the hired coach. “Mayfair,” he told the man, and then gave him Caroline’s direction on CurzonStreet.
Rachel climbed into the coach and Marc followed her lead. He settled on the bench opposite her and frowned atthegirl.
“He was only trying to help me,” Rachel muttered under her breath. “You had no right todothat.”
Had he ever been that foolish? Would Callista ever be that foolish? God, he hoped not. “Let me explain something to you, little girl,” he said, sounding more menacing that he meant to. “I am a peer of the realm, I have the right to do anything I damn well want, whenever I want it. And you’re bloody fortunate I was theretonight.”
Shescoffed.
Did the little fool really not realize how lucky she was to be alive, unharmed even. “You don’t think your mother has been through enough? You think she needs thisfromyou?”
Rachel shook her head and gazed into the darkness out the window. “She’s not the only one who’s been through something. He was my father. I lost him too.” And then she turned her gaze to settle on Marc. “And hehatedyou.”
The feeling was mutual. But Marc kept from saying as much. The man was dead, after all. And his daughter was still grieving him. He heaved a sigh. “You won’t do this to your mother again. Do youunderstandme?”
She shook her head. “I just wanted…” And even in the darkness, her eyes lit up. “Youknowhim. The Covent Guard. You said a name backthere.”
What was her obsession with the man? “I don’tknowhim.”
“I thought you said you never lie.” Shescowled.
He hadn’t said that and wouldn’t unless he wanted a bolt of lightening to strike the hack. “No. I said I wouldn’t lie to yourmother.” Marc shook his head. “I have no qualms about not telling you thetruth.”
“But I just want to know who he is.” She slid forward on herbench.
So did Bow Street, Marc was sure. But none of that was any of hisconcern.
“I’d never risk going out again, not if I just knew whohewas.”
“Someone far too dangerous for you to concern yourself with.” After all, if Christian Hawke spent his nights in Covent Garden throwing daggers at people, he highly doubted Caroline would approve. Marc would never approve if the girl in question wasCallista.
“Please, Lord Haversham!” shebegged.
Marc shook his head. “I’m not certain where you got the idea this was some sort of negotiation, Miss Benton, but it’s not. You could have been killed tonight orworseand…”
“What’s worse than death?” shecountered.
“A great many things.” Was she truly that naïve? “I don’t think you seem to understand the danger you put yourself in thisevening.”
“I was very careful. No one even saw meuntilyou.”
