Gallant Rogue (Reluctant Heroes Book 3) by Lily Silver Read Free Book Online Page B

widow of Mr. O’Donovan, interjected, her subtle Spanish accent laced with bitterness. “You may find true love but you may not be able to keep it.” It was the first time she spoke this evening.
    The gathering seemed startled by the fact that she had spoken at all.
    “Love comes in many forms,” Old Barnaby countered. “A man or woman can have more than one love in a lifetime.”
    “I fear you speak the truth,” Donovan quipped, as if to infuse hope into the sinking conversation. “My mother mourned my father for seventeen long years and then one day, out of the blue, love found her again.” There were a few chuckles and snickers about the table.
    That was cause for hope, to be sure. Donovan's mother, Alicia Beaumont, had married the former Ravencrest butler!
     
    *    *    *
     
    “Thank you, for rescuing my sorry ass,” Jack offered as he and Donovan retreated to Donovan’s laboratory, where the man conducted most of his business.
    “Rose is an annoyingly curious woman,” Donovan said. He uncorked the decanter of fine brandy that sat on his desk and poured them each a generous portion. “She’s looking for fanciful stories for her book.” Donovan pushed one glass across the desk to Jack. “If it’s any consolation, she’s been scratching at my hide for the past month about my mysterious past .”
    “So that’s the direction of the wind,” Jack commented. “I’m glad I was able to offer her my creaking hull for a broadside, if only to shield yours for a short time.” He lifted his glass and Donovan did likewise. They saluted one another and drank heartily.
    “I have a favor to ask,” Donovan said, swirling his glass in his hand as he spoke. “A serious mission that I would not entrust to anyone else, my old friend.”
    “Transporting your oldest lads to England?” Jack took a stab at the possibilities of this nefarious task he was about to be given as he leaned back in his chair in a casual pose.
    “No.” Donovan sighed and shot Jack a look of consternation. “We’ve agreed to hire a tutor to teach the boys here until they are thirteen. Then, Elizabeth may allow me to send them to school in England.”
    “Whatever became of Marceau?” Jack asked, attempting to make light conversation. “Why didn’t you keep him on as a tutor for the boys after Michael left?”
    Donovan’s visage darkened. “The jack nape showed far too much interest in my wife. He  wrote love songs dedicated to her and then performed them for us after dinner. It was all I could do not to bludgeon the bla’guard when I discovered the nauseating songs he kept assaulting us with were all written to Elizabeth. When she found out they were written as a tribute to her she was disgusted and rightly so. The man is thirty years her senior.”
    “I pity you. It must be a curse to have such a beautiful woman as your wife, a woman with wit, intelligence and charm, a woman with a kind heart to soothe all your cares. Poor Donovan .  However do you manage?” Jack could not help himself. Donovan Beaumont took himself far too seriously most of the time, and that was putting it mildly.
    His jest worked. Donovan smiled, a truly besotted smile that made Jack envious.
    Jack secretly yearned for the ideal of a devoted wife. And didn’t the wily Lady Greystowe pick up on that like a hound scenting a wounded bird hiding in the bushes?
    “What is this monumental task? Extracting Michael from yet another difficulty?” Michael was Elizabeth's younger brother, an artist and ne'er-do-well who floated about the world with no ambition or purpose in life but who seemed to find danger without ever searching for it.
    “It’s not Michael this time,” Donovan was quick to assure him. “And yes, the brat has a knack for falling into trouble like a love struck poet stepping in horse shit. No, old friend, this time, I’m entrusting you with the safety of a woman.”
    Jack sat up straight in his chair, astounded. “That pretty little