A Debt Paid_Clean and Wholesome Regency Romance_Dorothy by Amy Corwin

Author:Amy Corwin [Corwin, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scarsdale Publishing, Ltd
Published: 2018-09-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Given the available facts, Marcus could only conclude that Mrs. Polkinghorne had not only been interested in paying her debt to him, but she had also been acting on behalf of her ambitious niece. The thought disappointed him. Miss Stainton had not seemed like one of those ladies who were only interested in a title and not the man carrying it.

But there could be no other reason for Miss Stainton to agree to marry a man she feared might be a murderer.

His jaw tightened as he escorted Miss Stainton back to the Polkinghorne townhouse. At the door, he bowed stiffly. “I apologize, but I must leave you here.” Would that he could leave the entire mess bundled neatly on the stoop and walk away.

“I understand.” Miss Stainton nodded coolly as the Polkinghorne maid yanked open the door. “Thank you, and good day, my lord.”

He waited until she had entered and the door was closed before he walked away.

Despite the growing attraction he’d sensed in her, Miss Stainton appeared to be no different than any other lady he’d met during the London Season.

Well, what had he expected, after all?

In the end, he would have had to pick one of them, anyway, though he’d hoped… No matter. The decision was made. The contracts could be signed tomorrow. In two weeks, they would be married, awkward though it might be once Miss Stainton realized there was more required of her than to simply enjoy her newfound social position. Her first challenge would be to overlook the disadvantage of being married to a supposed murderer.

As he rounded the corner, he was surprised to see a hackney jerking to a halt in front of his townhouse. Mr. Gaunt climbed down to the walkway and turned to face him.

“My lord,” Gaunt nodded as the hackney lurched away in a clatter of horse’s hooves and creaking leather.

“Have you news?” Marcus waved for Gaunt to precede him to the door.

The door opened as soon as Marcus’s foot attained the top step. His butler, Davis, as alert and efficient as ever, in sharp contrast to the Polkinghorne’s overworked maid.

“Not as such.” Gaunt removed his black hat and held it between his gloved hands. A thoughtful look wrinkled his brows.

“Join me in the library.” No need to spread any additional gossip by discussing personal matters in front of the servants, even if he was sure most of his servants were loyal.

Discreet as always, Gaunt remained silent until they’d entered the book-lined room at the rear of the house. They took seats near the windows, and Gaunt finally said, “This may be awkward, however, I would like to positively eliminate you as the responsible party and put an end to the worst of the gossip.”

“Do you truly believe it is possible to staunch the rumors?” Marcus asked dryly, stretching out his legs. “I have always found that the most salacious ones have the strongest will to survive, even in the face of facts to the contrary.”

Amusement flashed through Gaunt’s dark eyes, but his expression remained bland.

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