Page 16 of Marquess of Stone

“Only to avoid a particular kind of scandal,” Nicholas replied smoothly, his tone unapologetic. “Though, I must confess, seeing him retreat from your sharp tongue was quite delightful.”

Marian folded her arms and squinted. “You are unbearable.”

“And yet, here I am,” Nicholas replied with a slight bow, his smirk fading into something resembling true amusement.

Marian let out an exasperated breath, turning away from him as she moved toward the shelves. “If you came here to gloat, you can save your breath.”

“I am not here to gloat,” Nicholas argued, following after her with causal ease. “I merely found myself curious.”

“Curious?”

He stopped a few paces behind her, his voice dropping slightly. “I just wanted to know why you chose to stay and confront him rather than accompanying me.”

Marian’s fingers brushed a book’s spine as she froze. She was surprised by the question and hesitated for a bit before answering. “Because running away would have only made things worse.”

Nicholas acknowledged, “Indeed,” but his tone suggested he wasn’t entirely convinced.

Marian’s hazel eyes were angry as she angled her body toward him. “Nicholas, I don’t need your meddling. I can handle men like the Viscount.”

With a fixed look, Nicholas answered, “I never questioned that. However, I must argue that just because you can, it doesn’t mean you must, Marian.”

The genuineness in his tone sent a shiver through her, yet she quickly concealed it with defiance. “I do not require your protection.”

“Understood,” Nicholas remarked, nodding slightly. But if you’ll allow me to make one observation…”

Marian folded her arms and arched an eyebrow. “And what have you noticed, if I may ask?”

“You looked kind of… agitated when I left earlier,” he said, his lips forming a faint grin.

Her cheeks reddened, but she wouldn’t look away. “You’re making things up.”

“Perhaps,” Nicholas said breezily, “but I don’t think so.”

Marian turned back to the shelves and let out a quick exhale. She mumbled again, “You are intolerable.”

Nicholas leaned against the edge of an adjacent table and laughed. “I remember you stating that many times already, Marian. And yet, you seem to put up with my company rather well.”

Marian disregarded him, her fingers gliding over the spine of another book while she tried her utmost to calm her nerves. Her heart leaped at the sound of footsteps approaching once more, but this time they were heavy and deliberate, not as light as Nicholas’ footfall. “Looks like we’ve got company again,” Nicholas said, his tone lighthearted.

Marian’s heart began to race as she suddenly turned around. “You ought to go,” she hissed.

Nicholas smirked more broadly, but he went unopposed to the side door again. Prior to leaving, he said over his shoulder, “Try not to look too pleased to see me go.”

Marian hardly had time to gather herself when Lady Prudence Brandon stepped into the room as the door clicked shut, coinciding with the opening of the main library door. With piercing eyes, her mother said, “Marian,” looking at her daughter, “why have you entered this room?”

Marian held out her book and replied with ease, “Reading, mother.”

Although Lady Prudence’s eyes narrowed a little, she seemed content with the justification. “Come along now. The picnic is about to begin, and I expect you to make an appearance — and put in some effort.”

“Yes, mother,” Marian replied, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions churning inside her. As her mother turned to depart, Marian cast a quick glance toward the side door, half anticipating Nicholas to reappear with a witty comment and that annoying smirk of his, but the door stayed closed, and Marian let out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding.

CHAPTER 6

“Must you pout, Marian?” Jane’s tone held a hint of frustration as she pulled her sister along the twisting path that led towards the lake.

“I am not pouting,” Marian responded with an air of formality although her voice revealed her annoyance. She repositioned the brim of her bonnet, her hazel eyes squinting against the bright sunlight.

Jane raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Because you have been scowling since breakfast, and it is beginning to scare the birds.”

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