Page 28 of The Bodyguard Who Came in from the Cold
“I promise this will take but a moment.”
Anne proceeded to talk about one of the young men who’d be arriving on the morrow. Margery painted a smile on her face and worriedly watched the draperies over Anne’s shoulder.
It suddenly occurred to her that Gareth could take advantage of this situation. He was a poor knight; just by stepping out into the room, he would have the most eligible heiress in England, and all the reward that went with it. She found herself holding her breath with anxiety, her gaze darting constantly to the windows.
Gareth’s face was covered in fabric, and he inhaled his own warm breath, trying not to feel light-headed. He longed to turn his head, but didn’t dare move. Perspiration dripped down his temples.
All he had to do was pretend to sneeze. It would seem an accident, and Margery would never have to know that it had really been deliberate.
But she would be humiliated, and might never forgive him for taking away her choice. And it wouldn’t allow him the ultimate revenge against her brothers.
No, there was still time.Hewould be her choice for husband.
“Margery!” Lady Anne said. “You are so tired your eyes are glazed.”
“Forgive me.” Margery didn’t sound nervous so much as distracted. “What was the last thing you said?”
“If Lord George should not take your fancy, could you guide him my way? And make sure ’tis I, not Cicely.”
“Anne, you are the daughter of an earl, and could have any young man in England. I am sure Lord George will be quite taken with you.”
“You are a dear, Margery. I must say, that new man following you about is interesting.”
“Sir Gareth?”
Margery’s voice sounded a bit faint, and Gareth’s interest intensified.
“He is blindingly handsome, wouldn’t you say?”
“I’m not sure ‘blindingly’ is the right?—”
“Oh, you know what I mean,” Lady Anne interrupted. “ ’Tis a shame he is only a knight. My father expects at least an earl from me. But you have your choice—what freedom.”
“Sometimes I wish I had let my brothers choose for me long ago.”
Gareth heard the sad wistfulness in Margery’s voice, and wondered again what secrets were hidden in her past.
“I’ll let you sleep,” Lady Anne said. “Perhaps Sir Gareth’s pursuit is tiring you.”
“I think not.”
Once he heard them move toward the door, he slowly turned his head to take a deep breath.
“Have a good night, Margery,” Lady Anne said.
He waited a few moments after he heard the door close, then stepped from behind the draperies. Margery was slumped with her back against the door, her face pensive. She looked up, and they stared at each other across the room.
“My coming to your room put you in needless danger,” he said.
“Danger?”
“If she had discovered me?—”
Margery raised a hand. “But she did not. And you were only trying to keep me safe.”
He knew he should find something light to say, some way to endear himself to her. But nothing in his experience had prepared him for trying to make a woman like him. Usually women just wanted something from him; he wanted something from them. It was simple.
He cleared his throat. “So I’m not blindingly handsome?”
