The Two Lords of Wealdhant Manor by Katherine Marlowe Read Free Book Online

library.”
    This immediately struck upon Algernon’s sense of adventure. Another library, with not hundreds of books but thousands . “Want to go find it?”
    Jasper glanced up, surprised but visibly tempted. He considered for a few seconds before shutting the book he was holding and returning it to the shelf. “Yes.”
    Algernon grinned, delighted by the prospect of exploring the old manor in the company of this appealing—albeit surly—gentleman. He dusted himself off a bit and stepped into the hallway, flagging down Mr. Cullen to dispose of the mouse-damaged books which he had left in a little pile in the study. Jasper followed after him, and Algernon glanced back to see Mr. Cullen and Jasper exchanging scowls.
    Raising an eyebrow, Algernon looked away quickly, not wanting to draw any more attention than necessary to Jasper’s general hostility. He started up the stairs with Jasper following close behind, and then paused again to look back. “Cullen? Have you found a library? A large one.”
    “Yes, sir. Second floor, east wing. Shall I show you?”
    “That’s all right, Cullen. I imagine we’ll find it soon enough.”
    Jasper had stopped just a step beneath Algernon when they paused, and Algernon became suddenly aware of how close he was. Distracted again by Jasper’s sheer physical power and the heat of his temper, Algernon stared for a moment. He’d always preferred brawny, working-class gentlemen, and the combination of Jasper’s roughness and his obvious intelligence was very quickly working upon Algernon’s lust.
    “Mr. Clarke?” Jasper said, drawing attention to the fact that Algernon had paused to stare.
    “Yes, forgive me,” Algernon said, resuming his path up the stairs. He plumb forgot that the next step was the missing one, and his foot went straight through it.
    Jasper grabbed him with a broad arm around Algernon’s chest.
    Heart pounding with the rush of energy from missing the step and the feeling of Jasper’s steady chest pressed against his back, Algernon grasped the railing to steady himself, and Jasper let go of him.
    “Thank you, Mr. Waltham,” Algernon said, breath still quick and ragged. “How scatterbrained of me!”
    Straightening his spine, he stepped over the missing tread and continued up the stairs with as much dignity as he could manage. Jasper trailed after him without comment.
    Once the stairs were cleared, they walked abreast down the hallway to the first fork, where they both paused.
    Algernon bit the inside of his cheek.
    “East is that way,” Jasper said, pointing.
    “Ah!” Algernon said, tightening his jaw with irritation at Jasper’s perceptiveness. “To be sure.”
    They turned east.
    A few turns in their path brought them to a long, straight hallway, lined with doors, which seemed a likely candidate for being the east wing.
    Algernon opened the first door, which was a dusty old bedroom, and shut it again. When he looked over, he found that Jasper had likewise begun opening doors and was so enthralled by the exploration that he seemed only half aware of Algernon’s presence. There was a sort of awe on his face, like an orphan child opening a Christmas present, and Algernon paused in his own exploration to watch.
    It was fascinating and endearing how Jasper approached each new room with a mixture of reverence and proprietary satisfaction. Algernon was so caught up in watching him that he found himself honestly disappointed when Jasper opened door and turned back to announce, “I found the library.”
    “Splendid,” Algernon said, annoyed when Jasper strode straight on ahead into the library without waiting for him. He followed after quickly, pursuing Jasper into a vast, two-storey library.
    Jasper had stopped just inside the threshold, and Algernon collided with his shoulder. Both of them gaped at the vast, dust-coated collection.
    “That’s a lot of books to check for bookworms,” Algernon said.
    Jasper made a coughing sound that might have been a