A Heart in Jeopardy by Holly Newman Read Free Book Online Page B

lack of sympathies. I was blind to what was right before me. Miss Sprockett is correct. You should be in bed. It is wicked of Chrissy and I to detain you any longer, though I hazard from what I understand about your naive concept of duty that you will insist on remaining out of bed."
    "Naive?! What—"
    "I suddenly realize—rather belatedly I'll admit—that we Deverauxs are under an obligation to you. I would not have you dying before that obligation may be fulfilled." He bent over her.
    " Piffle ," she managed with lofty dismissal before she realized his intent. The next moment found her high in his arms as he lifted her from the sofa. "What? Put me down! How da-da- Aachoo dare you?"
    "Calm yourself, Miss Leonard. Any more sneezes like that and I shall most likely drop you. Miss Sprockett, if you would be so kind?"
    Maria beamed at him, now completely smitten. "Delighted. This way, sir. .. ."
    Out of charity with both of them, but too weak to argue, Leona contented herself with scowling, oblivious to the comfort she'd taken in resting her head against his shoulder as he carried her upstairs.
    In her room, he laid her gently down on the counterpane, then stepped back several paces for propriety's sake. Chrissy came up beside him. He slipped an arm about his niece's shoulder. "We began badly, and I apologize. I'm annoyed to admit your summation had the ring of truth to it. Still, I feel compelled to point out you risked lives—Chrissy's as well as your own. You are far too rash for your own good. No, do not speak. Hear me out. Though the magistrate believes the Norths to be long gone and not soon to show their faces in this area, I am more pessimistic. The particular brand of ransom demanded by these kidnappers places them beyond the ordinary. There is a viciousness I cannot dismiss. I have requested the Tubbs family and Sir Nathan to keep to themselves the events of last night. For your own safety it would be best if your role in this be secret. I am hoping that the failure to raise a hue and cry will make the Norths careless and bring them back to this county. Then we shall be able to capture them. But if they come back, it might be to extract revenge on whomever spoiled their plans. I would not dismiss the notion lightly," he said quickly as he saw her about to protest.
    "Promise me one thing, Miss Leonard. I know you will not accept a monetary reward. I shall not embarrass you or myself by offering such again. Just promise me that if you get any inkling that the Norths are again in the area or that they might learn of your part in rescuing Chrissy, you will immediately come to Castle Marin for safety."
    "Oh, piffle, they won't—"
    "Promise me!"
    Leona ran a hand across her aching forehead. What harm could there be in making that promise? It was an easy one to keep for she doubted the Norths would return, and what reason would they have for suspecting her? Because of her attire, whoever saw Chrissy and her leave was bound to believe some man or boy had been responsible.
    "Miss Leonard—"
    Leona sighed. Her head throbbed, and her whole body seemed to ache. Lying in bed, she realized that all she wanted to do was sleep. Sleep meant peace.
    "All right, yes, I promise," she said wearily. She summoned the dregs of a smile to her lips.
    "Good. Excellent. Then we'd best be off. We have a long way to go, and the family is awaiting us."
    His crisp, forthright tone brought a strangely sad and disappointed frown to Leona's lips, but she was too tired to wonder why as Maria led them down the stairs and saw them on their way.

Leona stared at the contents of the little box that young Abraham Tubbs—cheerful and whistling through the gap left by the loss of his two front teeth—delivered to her not five minutes past. His mood was infectious and suited the bright sunny day in March. Leona couldn't help smiling and laughing in kind, but the lighthearted mood evaporated when she opened the box. Carefully she set the box on a table and