Heart in Jeopardy by Holly Newman

Author:Holly Newman [Newman, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, erotica
ISBN: 9781557734938
Publisher: Diamond Books
Published: 1991-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

"Leona! Where's Miss Leonard?''

Deveraux's angry voice resounded through the entrance hall and into the surrounding rooms. Leona heard him quite clearly from the library. She laid the book of poetry down beside her on the sofa.

"Nigel! What are you shouting for?" It was Lady Nevin. The countess sounded irritated. "Leona went into the village with Lucy and Chrissy."

"No, she didn't. Purboy, have you seen Miss Leonard?"

Leona tried but couldn't hear the butler's response.

"Damnation! You, too?"

"Nigel what is going on?" demanded Lady Nevin, her voice louder now.

Leona swung her feet to the floor and leaned forward, straining to hear the ensuing low-voiced conversation between Deveraux and his mother.

"Purboy, summon the staff to assemble here in fifteen minutes. No, there shall be no excuses. Absence shall mean immediate termination!" Deveraux suddenly ordered just before the door to the library crashed open, rattling pictures on the wall.

Leona fell back against the sofa cushions, one hand creeping up to cover her heart beating frantically in her chest. A tiny sound escaped her, a tiny mew of fear as she stared wide-eyed at the sight of Nigel Deveraux in the doorway. His black hair was in wild disarray, his dirt-streaked coat reminding Leona of the first time she saw him. A handkerchief wound around the knuckles of his right hand showed evidence of fresh blood.

He strode into the room and firmly closed the library door behind him, shutting out the curious faces of his mother, Maria, and Fitzhugh.

Leona shrank back into a comer of the sofa, biting her lower lip as her eyes searched his face for any clue to his thoughts.

He stopped three feet away and stood towering over her, his face a mask, his eyes hard, glittering gems. A muscle in the granite surface of one cheek jumped spasmodically. He stood staring down at her, taking in her pallor, her wide vulnerable eyes. Her expression tore at his insides. This was not how his Leona should be. She should be fighting and spitting and yelling enough to give the devil his due! What have they done to her?

He dropped down to his knees before her and softly repeated the question.

Dumbly, Leona shook her head.

"Leona—" Gently he reached out to pull her hand away from her heart and to enfold it in one of his own. "Tell me."

"No." The single word came out on a soft breath of air.

Deveraux swore and dropped her hand. He bowed his head a moment, then rose and ran his hand through his thick black hair. He paced before the sofa. "I know about the rumors," he said harshly and grimaced. "I know about Miss Benedict. She has been sharply reprimanded—more by Chrissy than me!" he added, a ghost of a reluctant smile pulling at his lips. "Obviously you also have become aware of what the servants are saying or you would not be hiding in here."

That stung. Her eyes flashed as she straightened her body and folded her hands in her lap. "I am not hiding!"

"No? Then why do I come in here to find you cowering?"

"I was merely uncertain as to your reaction.

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