LuckySilver by Clare Murray Read Free Book Online

.”
    He settled her behind the horse’s withers and set off at a
gallop. When they reached the main road, he reined toward the town. Ahead of
him, Marissa murmured an unintelligible question.
    “I’m getting reinforcements first,” Rhys told her. “Keep
holding on, there’s a fence ahead and we’re jumping it.” One of his arms
tightened reflexively around the girl but she kept her seat remarkably well, a
fact that only increased his admiration of her.
    The small town at the foot of Montford Hall’s hill was just
beginning to stir. A young boy gaped at them as they approached, nearly
dropping the eggs he was collecting. Rhys rode past him and reached out to rap
on the smithy door. John Hardy, the local blacksmith, was just the man to have
at his back. After a quick explanation of the situation, the smith and a few
other men were following him up the hill, Hardy riding bareback on his giant
draft horse.
    Rhys briefly considered leaving Marissa behind in the safety
of the town, but he was worried she would walk away again. He was certain she had
intended to leave him this morning. Unconsciously, his arm tightened around her
waist as he resolved to convince her to stay.
    To his great relief, Rhys caught sight of Montford Hall’s
head groom as they rode up the long driveway. Barely pausing, he bundled
Marissa into the man’s care, ordering him to take her inside and to send some
of the burlier servants down to the kitchens as reinforcements.
    With one last look at Marissa, Rhys drew a silver pistol and
led the way around the back.
     
    Everything was happening so fast, Marissa could hardly take
it all in. One moment she was on horseback, the next Rhys had lifted her down,
abandoning her to ride away like some avenging hero. She stood by the front
door, disapprovingly watching him disappear around the side of the Hall.
    After a moment, the groom cleared his throat. “The baron
ordered us to retire inside, Miss.”
    “I’m a damn brown belt in judo!” she answered him. Only it
came out as “I can damn well fight too!”
    Diplomatically, the groom kept his mouth shut. After a
moment Marissa begrudgingly followed him inside, trying not to gape at the
sheer size of the foyer; she hadn’t properly appreciated it last night.
    There were a great number of servants dashing around,
although that was hardly surprising given the many well-bred visitors staying
over after last night’s party. Annoyingly, several of the ladies, early risers,
began to devolve into hysterics at the mention of bandits.
    Purposefully, Marissa strode down the hall, directing them
into the drawing room. Despite the early hour, there were quite a few people up
and about, hopeful perhaps of catching a glimpse of Rhys before they returned
home later in the day.
    As she fanned one drooping young woman, ordering her to
loosen her corset, Marissa caught sight of a familiar gray-haired woman near
the window. She paused mid-fan, agape.
    “Harriet?”
    “There you are! I knew I would find you somewhere.” The
professor rushed over and embraced her tightly. Their reunion was ignored as
more young ladies entered the drawing room, chattering loudly.
    Harriet drew Marissa over to the corner so that they could
talk in relative privacy. “I went after you when you didn’t emerge from the
maze. I found the center and abruptly everything changed and went cold. I was
terrified at first, but I managed to follow some footprints in the snow all the
way to the maze entrance. Then I saw Montford Hall.”
    “Impressive, isn’t it?” Marissa couldn’t help another look
around.
    “When I came inside, I inquired about you. I found myself
speaking with Lady Montford.”
    “Rhys’ mother,” Marissa whispered.
    “Yes. She was very interested in you, not to mention a
trifle sharp with me at first for failing in my chaperone duties.” Harriet
barely repressed a smile. “I realized you and the baron must have been caught
in a compromising situation. So I painted