The Silent Love Read Free Page A

signed a contract and will be expected to deliver. Clear?"
    David looked up from contemplation of his crumpled appearance, reflected in the empty glass and grinned. "Oh, I am sure I can... deliver . Very sure."

Chapter Two
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    ...   "David, I believe we've found a girl who would suit. She's just a day's ride from here, over Derbyshire way. Parents died last week. New heir, no place to go...   that sort of thing." The Marquis looked at his son with some seriousness. "Hear that she has a penchant for doing good works and has nursed her parents all through their illness. Shows character."
     "Yes, well that would be important, of course. What does she look like?" David asked.
     "Don't know yet. Sending Maguire today to look her over and get her signed up if we can."
     "Signed up?" David looked askance at his parent and sipped at the very fine napoleon brandy. "Sounds like you're recruiting an army."
     "Don't be fresh, David. And get your demned feet off my Hepplewhite." The Marquis glared at his son, but there was no real bite to his bark.
    David sat up slowly, dropping his long legs to the floor, his eyes brimming with humor at the chastisement. Taking a deep breath, he spoke in an undertone as he leaned forward toward his father. "Well, I for one am not at all keen on this idea. Only doing it because you have kept me a pauper since university and I, quite frankly, can't turn down the blunt."
     "This is not a game. It is a matter of the title. Our family heritage that has lasted four hundred years. Would that I could just hand it over to you...   but the law says I cannot. Sorry. You'll just have to do the next best thing and produce me an heir."
    In an unprecedented display of affection, the Marquis reached over and grabbed David's hand for emphasis. "Like you, you know. Always have. To bad I couldn't have married your mother. She's a fine woman...   loved her I did. Maybe still do...   "
    David shifted uncomfortably at this unusual exhibit, but did not pull his hand away from the father that had never before given him any sign of affection. He was quite dumbfounded, but wholly pleased.
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    Mr. Maguire arrived at the door of the dilapidated manor house not far behind the new Earl of Crossham, and had the dubious privilege of seeing the preening fop and his thin, waspish countess alight from their travel barouche.
    He perceived the man's cruelty, evident in his dissipated features and beady eyes, and perceived, as well, the woman he held by her bony arm to be foolishly lofty. Malice gleamed in her bulging, biliously green eyes.
    Mr. Maguire gathered himself for a skirmish with some relish, for he did so enjoy putting these upstart types in their place. A solicitor he might be, but being the solicitor for one of the wealthiest and most influential peers of the realm gave him a status that would allow him to give these people quite a set down, should the need arise... and he was sure it would.
     "Good morrow to you, Milord," he called as he stepped down from his carriage, making sure the crest of the Marquis of Darlington was on display. "Are you the new earl?"
    He did not give the man his due obeisance, but held his eyes in a bold manner, privately amused as the man drew himself up and looked down his nose. Mr. Maguire kept his voice casually pleasant. "I'll just have a quick word with you, if you will."
    Not giving the earl time to get up the stairs of the manor, Mr. Maguire approached him and doffed his hat to the countess. "I've come from the Marquis of Darlington... "
    He hesitated, watching the man's eyes light up with smug satisfaction at being approached by a representative of such an exalted personage. "... To see Lady Hannah DeLacey. Can you direct me to her?"
    The light dulled instantly from the earl's eyes, to be replaced with astonishment. He sputtered for a moment, then—his voice almost a whine—spoke to the air, just beyond the solicitors shoulder. "It is rather I you would wish to