Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney Read Free Book Online Page B

his brain injuries were severe enough to permanently wipe out his past.”
    â€œThat makes sense,” Mariah said, relieved. “I shall wait for him to return to himself. And if he doesn’t, I’ll tell him the truth.”
    â€œDon’t do that too soon.” Julia covered a yawn. Outside, birds were chattering a dawn chorus to start their day. “Though I believe he’ll recover, head injuries are chancy and he is in a weakened state. It would be a severe shock if he found that he has neither name nor wife and is adrift in an alien world.”
    Uneasily Mariah recognized the truth of that. She had impulsively thrown the stranger a lifeline to anchor him. She couldn’t suddenly decide to release it now.

Chapter Five
    â€œMr. Burke is here to see you.”
    Mariah glanced up from her account books. Rescuing the man from the sea had meant no sleep the night before, and her fatigue made her want to deny that she was at home. But she also wanted to dismiss George Burke permanently, and now she had the opportunity. “He is in the drawing room?”
    The maid nodded. “Shall I bring refreshments?”
    â€œNo need. Mr. Burke will not be staying long.”
    Mariah rose from her desk, knowing that she looked less than her best after the long night. All the better for driving Burke away.
    She took the back stairs to the ground floor, coming out in the narrow passage that separated the drawing room at the front of the house from Adam’s room at the back. She hadn’t checked on him in the last hour, so she looked inside. He was sleeping peacefully and there was more color in his face. He stirred a little when the door opened but didn’t wake. Julia had said to let him sleep, for rest was the best medicine after his ordeal.
    Reassured, Mariah turned and opened the opposite door, which led into the back of the drawing room. She entered to find Burke gazing from a window. He was dressed with his usual dandyish elegance. A good-looking man. A pity he wasn’t more likable.
    She felt a moment of sympathy for him. The fact that Burke had foolishly gambled the estate away wouldn’t dim the pain of his loss. Rather, the contrary.
    Her sympathy vanished when he turned and gave her a lazy smile while he studied her with insulting frankness. She frowned. She was used to being admired by men, but the polite ones at least started by looking at her face.
    â€œMariah.” His smile implied greater intimacy than they shared. “How lovely you look today.”
    Given the circles under her eyes, she assumed that he was either blind or a liar. “You flatter me. I look like a woman who needs a good night’s sleep.”
    She was about to explain that she had been kept up late by her “husband’s” return when Burke said with dripping solicitude, “You are carrying too great a burden for a woman. I admire your spirit and determination in attempting to run the estate by yourself, but you need a man to take care of these business matters.”
    â€œI do not,” she retorted. “I am entirely capable of managing Hartley. And if I do need help, I’ll have my husband.”
    He smiled pityingly. “Isn’t it time you gave up that pretense? I know you invented a husband to keep me at a distance because I was fool enough to offer marriage when you were still shocked by the news of your father’s death. The time has come for honesty between us.”
    He stepped close and took her hand, his handsome face earnest. “Marry me, Mariah. We can drive up to Gretna Green and be married in a day.” His voice became caressing. “I should like to take you to London before the Season is over. You deserve a London Season, and how better to see the delights of the city than with a devoted husband by your side?”
    She was tempted to laugh. Or possibly throw something at him. “I doubt you have it in you to be a devoted husband! Even if