Jacquie D'Alessandro by Loveand the Single Heiress Read Free Book Online Page A

claims that while walking down Park Lane, he was accosted from behind. When he regained consciousness, he realized he’d been relieved of his purse and watch fob.”
    “I see,” she said slowly. “Did the robber have a pistol?”
    “Mr. Graham didn’t know, but then, he never saw his attacker before he was rendered senseless.”
    “No doubt the scoundrel knocked him out with the butt of the pistol,” Lord Ravensly fumed. “Then the weapon discharged, and here we are. Damn footpads.” He shook his head, then frowned at Lady Catherine. “Now what is this nonsense Dr. Gibbens said about you wanting to return to Little Longstone tomorrow?”
    “I promised Spencer I’d be home tomorrow, Father.”
    “We’ll have the lad brought to London.”
    “No. You know how he hates the city. And after tonight, can you blame me for not relishing a prolonged stay in Town myself?”
    “I suppose not, but I don’t like the thought of you alone, isolated in the country while you’re recovering. You need someone to take care of you.”
    “I agree,” she said slowly, frowning in a way that made Andrew wonder what she was thinking. He agreed wholeheartedly with the earl, but somehow he’d expected the new “headstrong, independent” Lady Catherine to demur. To claim that her staff could adequately care for her.
    “’Tis a pity Philip cannot come to Little Longstone for an extended visit.” She said the words lightly, but something in her tone caught Andrew’s attention. That and the fact that she hadn’t said “Philip and Meredith.”
    “Yes,” the earl mused, “but he cannot leave Meredith now. I’d volunteer my services, but I’m afraid acting the nursemaid is not my strong suit.”
    Andrew forced himself not to point out that acting the nursemaid was hardly Philip’s strong suit either. He looked at Lady Catherine, and their gazes met. His stomach tightened when he again saw a flash of fear, and something else he couldn’t decipher in her eyes. Then her expression turned speculative, and almost…calculating?
    Before he could decide, she said, “I believe I have thought of the perfect solution. Mr. Stanton, would you consider accompanying me to Little Longstone, then remaining as my guest? It would prevent me from having to travel alone, and I’m certain you would enjoy a visit to the country. Spencer would love to see you again and hear more of your adventures with Philip in Egypt. You had little opportunity to get acquainted at my husband’s funeral.And with Spencer there as chaperone, your visit would, of course, be above reproach and quite proper.”
    For reasons he couldn’t explain, a warning tingled in his gut—an instinctual reaction that had served him well over the years—telling him that there was more to her invitation than met the eye. But what? And did he really want to question her motives right now? No. He’d spent the better part of the last hour trying to figure out a plausible argument for going to Little Longstone with her and staying for an extended visit, and here she’d solved the problem.
    “I realize you have responsibilities in London—”
    “None that cannot wait,” he assured her. “It would be my honor to accompany you, then remain for a visit, Lady Catherine. You may rest assured that I will see to it no further harm befalls you.” Indeed, God help anyone who attempted to hurt her again.
    “An excellent solution, my dear,” the earl said, with an approving nod. “You’ll have company and protection.”
    “Yes. Protection…” Her voice trailed off. There was no mistaking her obvious relief. Clearly she didn’t feel safe in London, a sentiment he could well understand. But he suspected she’d asked him to remain in Little Longstone for an extended visit for the same reason—protection. Why? Did she not feel safe in own home?
    He didn’t know, but he surely intended to find out.

Chapter 4
    Men possess so little understanding of women because they seek out