The Inventor (The Legend Chronicles) by Theresa Meyers Read Free Book Online

unnerved him further, locked with his. “My father has always been in Her Majesty’s service. Few are called, Sir Turlock, but it is a proud tradition handed down from father to son.”
    “And what of you? Is it handed down to daughters as well?”
    Her teeth nibbled at the edge of her lip. Marley had the insanely curious urge to kiss her then and there, but he resisted. “We are not Hunters, as the boys are.” Her fingers twisted in the chain about her neck, making the key catch the light. “We are Keepers. We tend to the histories, the knowledge of the Legion. I’m not sure how much of this I can share with you, Sir Turlock.”
    Marley leaned forward and wrapped his hand over her slender fingers. “Given all that’s transpired this morning, don’t you think we’re well past such formalities? I think you should call me Marley.”
    Her lush mouth widened into a smile. “I should like that. And you must call me Sephie.”
    Sephie. He liked the sound of it. Rather like an exotic flower from Egypt or some other such faraway land. But darker thoughts intruded.
    “How will we know that your father and the others are safe?”
    “They will send word.”
    “But they don’t even know where we are going.”
    Sephie arched a delicate brow, an incredulous look on her face. “Marley, do you really think that Father would have asked you to take me to safety if he didn’t already know everything about you?”
    Marley stiffened. He didn’t know if he liked the idea of any man prying into his personal affairs without his consent or knowledge. He tended to be more of a private man, steeped in his work. He didn’t socialize like Thadeus. Focus was critical if he was to complete his work.
    “Do you actually have any interest in aeronautics or mechanics or were you merely sent over to capture my attention?”
    Sephie broke her direct eye contact with him and sighed. Her gaze dropped to her lap and the little dog in her grasp, before she looked back up at him. “He didn’t say anything about helping you with your invention. That was purely my curiosity and your kindness.”
    His shoulders relaxed a bit. “I meant what I said yesterday. You’re very good.”
    She shook her head, making the riot of fiery ringlets about her face dance. “Father is dead set against me inventing anything. My first responsibility is to marry into the Legion and perform the duties of a Keeper.” The sad, hopeless sound of her voice reached into his chest and gave his heart a sharp twist.
    “That’s why he’s made an arrangement with the lieutenant, isn’t it?”
    She nodded, her eyes growing shiny with unshed tears. Marley chose his words carefully. “You aren’t . . . fond . . . of him, are you?”
    She rubbed her fingers over the smooth metallic coat of the little spaniel. “He’s a formidable Hunter. One of the best of the new young ones in Her Majesty’s service. But being an excellent Hunter doesn’t necessarily make one good marriage material.”
    “Have you told your father how you feel?”
    Sephie sighed, thediv sighed glistening tears beginning to spill down her cheeks in such perfect little drops they looked to Marley like translucent pearls. Lady Persephone Hargrieve even cried prettily. She hastily swept the tears away with a brush of her hand. “You must think me a silly chit to cry over such things.”
    Marley reached out again and covered her hand with his. “What a woman feels is never silly.”
    She gave a hiccup and a sad little bubble of laughter. “I’ve never heard a man talk like that.”
    He offered her a gentle, genuine smile. “Perhaps that’s because the men you’ve been around have been fighting the unthinkable instead of having an army of well-meaning aunts see to their instruction.” He reached up and brushed one of her perfect tears away from her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
    Sephie gave a delicate sniff and a tremulous smile. “I rather like the difference.”
    Lady Persephone Hargrieve was