Miss Marleigh's Pirate Lord by Mindy Burbidge Strunk

Author:Mindy Burbidge Strunk [Strunk, Mindy Burbidge]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Miss Marleigh turned toward the door, but only took a few steps before she stopped and looked back over her shoulder. "Are you coming?"

Alex nodded. "Yes. I need to check the paper and fetch my foil. I shall be along shortly."

Miss Marleigh nodded. “Shall I save you a seat?” She ducked her head as if embarrassed she had asked the question.

“I should like that very much.”

She gave a quick nod and continued toward the door.

Alex waited until she was out of sight before bending over and picking up a paper resting on the floor, just under the edge of the settee. It had fallen out of Miss Marleigh's book when it fell off the cushion.

Alex fingered the paper, knowing it was not proper for him to look at it. His curiosity, however, was stronger than his sense of propriety and he unfolded the paper. He stared down at two columns of neatly written names. The writing was precise, but beautiful in the way it swished and swirled on the page. Alex smiled.

His eyes read each name and his smile slowly began to drop. Mr. Carter, Mr. Bradford, Mr. Cavanaugh, Sir Martin and Lord Ainsley were all listed. Lord Nathaniel, Mr. Jennings, and Mr. Poole all had a single thin line running through their names.

It seemed to be a list of eligible gentlemen. Alex swallowed. He wasn't married nor did he have an agreement with any lady, yet his name was not on the list.

The burning in his thigh started again, and Alex absently rubbed a hand over the wound, leaning heavier on his stick.

Alex folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket with his watch. Why was he surprised that his name was absent from the list? If another lady at the party had dropped the list, Alex might expect his name to be listed, but Miss Marleigh knew things the other ladies did not. And Miss Martindale—if the icy glares were any indication—also knew. Or they thought they knew. He was cotton-brained if he thought either of them would ever consider him an eligible match. Alex growled. Had Dennison not taken enough from him already? Did he have to take his chance at happiness as well?

Alex rolled his shoulders, pushing any pain to the back of his mind. He had not been lying when he told Miss Marleigh he had fought with worse injuries. He had learned early on in his service with Dennison, it was simply a matter of mind over body.

He limped to the table, anxious to see which gentleman would be the first to meet the tip of his foil. Looking at the paper, a sneer curled his lips. "Ah, Mr. Bradford. It looks like you shall be my first victim. Let’s see how eligible you are after I'm finished with you."

Alex walked purposefully toward the Great Hall, hardly using his cane as he went.

Entering the room, Alex immediately found Miss Marleigh in a chair along the wall, her cousin seated on one side of her.

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