Page 8 of The Masked Baron
Tears slid down her face. “He’s theDark Rider!”
Papa shook his head. “I warned you not to listen to such nonsense. You are more intelligent than that. Lord Cadogen has proved himself to be a very generous man. I will be able to return home to Corbridge, sell the store, and live very comfortably.”
“But what about that ‘someone’ you spoke of earlier? Is it safe to return just yet?”
Papa stared at her for a moment and nodded. “It would only be unsafe if you were with me.”
Andalin shook her head, confused.
“Mr. Crow asked for your hand.”
A shiver ran down her back, and she lowered her gaze. “I know.” She saw their situation with perfect clarity now. Mr. Crow had bullied her father to get to her. Mr. Crow’s fierce determination had led him to many successful investments, but this same strength was also his failing. Andalin should have known his ruthless resolve in business would apply to his personal life as well. She remembered the gleam in his eyes, and her stomach dropped.
“He’s a rake, Andalin. He’s ruined many a virtuous woman. He threatened to devastate me financially when I said no,” Papa explained. “He would have taken everything, including your happiness. He’s an unfeeling, stubborn man. I didn’t have another choice. I had to get you away while I still could. Lord Cadogen’s money will protect me from Mr. Crow, and this new situation will protect you.”
“How can you be sure he won’t find me here? He could have followed us.” Andalin pointed to the door.
“His influence does not extend to these parts. He’s a self-made man and has yet to make many connections. You’ll be safe here. But you mustn’t write to me. You must put your old life behind you.”
Andalin sank down on the floor and put her head in Papa’s lap. “Could you not sell your shop there and come to Thornton Way?”
Papa put his uninjured hand on her head and stroked her hair. “It’s against the terms. You must separate yourself from me and start a new life here. You cannot be a baron’s ward and be connected to a poor craftsman and merchant, not unless you want to scare off all the best suitors.”
Andalin brought her gaze up to meet his, her head reeling and tears stinging her eyes. “And you are in agreement with this?”
“Things may change. Be what he asks of you—always honorable, always attentive. Do not let stories, fear, or loneliness chase away this opportunity.” Andalin shook her head, and Papa stopped her. “If not for yourself, do it for me—for your mother and me. You were meant for more than I can give you.”
Andalin cried into her hands. Papa held her close, and they stayed that way for the better part of an hour.
“Andalin, my flower, it is time for me to say goodbye.”
Andalin sobbed. “No, you’ve not healed enough to travel.”
Papa shook his head. “Lord Cadogen has arranged for a guard to escort me home. I will ride in a carriage, where I can rest.”
“Why is he being so kind? I do not understand. What are his motives?” The uncertainty Andalin had seen in Papa’s face when they had spoken with Lord Cadogen was back. Andalin sighed. Her fate was in Lord Cadogen’s hands now—for better or worse.
Chapter 4
Ellison’s driven nature prepared himmore for dealing with men than emotional young ladies. Miss Durante had shut herself in her room and had not yet emerged. Clearly, she was afraid of seeing him—afraid of what the future would bring for her. He guessed she would not be content closing herself away for long after living in a busy shop, but he would not begrudge her the time to accustom herself to her new situation.
He had grown used to using the main staircase, so it was by coincidence he walked by Miss Durante’s room just before her door cracked open. Ellison tucked himself behind a corner and waited. He needed to be able to trust the girl with everything he had, and a few harmless observations would, hopefully, tell him all he needed to know.
When Miss Durante finally ventured into the passageway, Ellison saw his house through her eyes. There were several wide corridors filled with rows of doors, and she was drawn to each one of them. She opened the doors and peered inside, only to find each room lifeless. It seemed she was as curious to learn about the highwayman as he was about her. He wondered if she was surprised to find his house shut up from the world. The silence must have bored through her deeply to cause her to jump when Hannah came up behind her.
“Pardon me, miss,” the older woman’s words were brisk and her manner abrupt. She was the only servant who had not warmed to the idea of having Miss Durante in Ellison’s house. “I’m Hannah, yer maid.” She was tall, with stooped shoulders and a gray bun at the nape of her neck. “I’ll be the one to help ye dress and put your room to rights. The master says yer never to come downstairs without pinnin’ up your hair tight, but it looks decent enough to me. Mrs. Lewis is belowstairs waitin’ for ye.”
Miss Durante nodded, wide-eyed. She fingered her hair, probably wondering about his strange request and, no doubt, relieved her hideous mobcap was no longer needed.
Ellison followed discreetly as Miss Durante moved to search for the housekeeper. Luckily, Mrs. Lewis was dusting the banister, stepping in as a second maid, and was not too hard for Miss Durante to find. The girl would learn the layout of the house soon enough.
“You were looking for me?” Miss Durante’s voice echoed back to him.
“Yes, miss,” Mrs. Lewis replied. “His lordship requests we begin a series of lessons to teach you to be a lady. Now, don’t you fret. We’ll go at your own pace, and I daresay you’ll take to it with ease.”
Miss Durante twisted her hands behind her. “And his lordship expects...”
She was intimidated by what Ellison asked of her. But with her apparent beauty and grace, she would take naturally to being the ward of a baron. If only money and privilege could change a person into someone who could be trusted. Only time would assure him of that.
