Page 92 of The Lord Meets His Lady

“As were the two of us,” Marcus stated firmly.

She shook her head, fretting with her elbow cuff. “No. He is more than a regular soldier.” Her fingers skimmed the pale skin on the underside of her forearm. “He has a tattoo here. A black dagger made to look like a cross. He belongs to a special order that serves the Prussian king.”

“How do you know this?” Samuel asked.

“Reinhard and his man Avo spoke freely about a Brotherhood of Silesia, but I didn’t know what it meant. One night Reinhard’s tongue was loose.” She drew a circle on the underside of her forearm. “He went on about his tattoo and serving a man called the Baron of Bromberg.”

Marcus tensed. Those talented fingers of hers rested at the crook of her elbow. She’d shared information gained in a state of undress with Herr Wolf. He didn’t like it. Genevieve gave more details to Samuel, yet the cadence of her breath, the proud tilt of her head told him she guessed what was going through his mind.

“Then we’re forewarned,” Samuel said. “If rule of law doesn’t make him leave, we’ve pistols.”

“Please,” she pleaded. “I’ll leave. I don’t want you to get hurt. Not on my account.”

It was only natural for Marcus to pull her into his arms and soothe her. Slowly he stroked her back and kissed the top of her head, murmuring reassurances.

He eyed Samuel. “Give us a moment.”

Samuel frowned at Marcus before turning heel and speeding downstairs. Once the cottage door was shut, Genevieve’s body sank into Marcus’s. His mouth opened, but no words came because her head nestled on his shoulder as if made for the spot.

His cheek rested on silken hair. He couldn’t be cross with her. “You wound my manly pride, Lady Bowles.”

“How have I done that, milord?”

“You doubt my soldier’s skills. Trust me. I wasn’t that much of a wastrel.”

“I’ve no doubt you were a fine soldier, but you don’t understand… Reinhard…” Genevieve pulled back, staring over his shoulder. “He’s…different. Two men armed with knives attacked him once. He moved so quickly. Broke one man’s arm. The other man’s nose. They dropped their knives and ran.” Her brown eyes searched him. “Do you understand? It was over in a matter of seconds.”

“Thank you for the warning.” He bristled at her implied comparison, especially since he came up lacking in her eyes.

She fingered a button on his coat. “What you’ve done for me is more than anyone has ever done before. I know our marriage is a sham, but it’s…”

“It’s what?” he prodded.

“It’s too much. The Wolf has won.” Swallowing hard, she put some space between them. “I’ve already packed my things. I’ll go with Reinhard when he comes.”