Page 5 of The Lord Meets His Lady

He leaned closer, all the better to hear her. “I beg pardon, miss. I can’t recall your name.”

“Genevieve Turner, milord.” She brushed unbound hair off her face, offering him a better view. “Ours was a hasty introduction before you went off with an actress.”

He flinched.Off with an actress.The bald words described his escapades. Working the brace, his boot-covered knees pushed on unforgiving ground. Anyone who stepped inside the Golden Goose was no stranger to London’s midnight antics, especially Miss Turner, who lived them.

Yet, he couldn’t look her in the eye.

One red-gloved hand flattened on the coach near his head. “I’m…I’m coming north for a housekeeper’s post in Cornhill-on-Tweed. For a better life.”

He looked up from the brace. Standing moments ago off the road, her features weren’t clear when the wind pushed back her hood. Nightfall had made sure of that. Sitting by the coach, she faced the moonlight. Faint freckles dotted her small nose. Thick, blunt lashes fringed dark, imploring eyes. Secrets hid in those depths.

Flirtation aside, he liked talking with her, and there was the very male impulse to offer protection to a young woman alone.

He grabbed the axle and tested the first knot. “I’m wintering near Cornhill-on-Tweed. My cottage needs a housekeeper.”

She laughed without humor. “Oh no. A post in your household wouldn’t be good for the likes of me.”

“Why not?”

“Because I already have a position with a Mr. Beckworth and family. Afamily, milord.”

She was going to work for Samuel Beckworth? His friend’s proximity to Pallinsburn had been the single reason this northern exile was palatable. Resting his forearm on his knees, he absorbed another fact, the telling brightness in Miss Turner’s voice when she saidfamily.

He let go of the axle. “You’re taking a position with my good fr—”

“Ah, looks like yer about done.” The coachman’s lamplight intruded. The old man bent low, his weathered features scrunching with inspection. “Good enough to get us to Lowick. These tired bones of mine need a rest. Been a long night, but my thanks for your help, milord.”

The coachman hooked his lantern on the front panel, the light catching Miss Turner’s golden tresses flying free. Marcus pushed off the ground, about to offer his hand, but she scrambled to her feet and grabbed the blunderbuss before he could help her. He wiped road dust from his hands, following her under the brim of his hat. This accidental interlude was coming to a close. Less than an hour ago, he didn’t want to stop. Now, he didn’t want this stop to end.

“You’ll want this.” Miss Turner handed the pistol to the driver.

The coachman set it on his footboard. “If ye’d be so kind, milord, to see Miss Abbott finds her seat, we can be on our way.”

Marcus’s swiping hands stilled.Miss Abbott?

Miss Turner spun around and set one finger to her lips, her eyes saucer big.

“Of course,” he called back. “I’d be happy to helpMiss Abbott.”

The driver hoisted himself up to his seat. Miss Turner darted for the coach door, but Marcus took quick steps backward, his hand covering the latch. He had no hold on her. Why the deception?

“Miss Abbott, is it?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“For now.” She averted her eyes. “I wanted to explain, but I wasn’t sure if…if…”

“If you could trust me.”

Her solemn stare pinned him. “Yes.”

Fresh gusts brushed the bottom of his redingote against her. Miss Turner’s mouth flattened, and a need surged, the want to soften those lips with smiles and laughter.

Giving a light flourish, he laid his hand over his heart. “You wound me. ‘Honor’ is my middle name.”

“Honor?” Doubt threaded her quiet voice.

“Lord MarcusHonorBowles. Trustworthy as a vicar.”

A single feminine brow rose. “A vicar?”