Noah thought briefly of his youngest sister, Ginny. Before his father’s death, his mother had been much more driven to marry her children to mates who would move them forward in Society. Ginny had obeyed, and now was truly miserable with a man who didn’t love her.
“I’m certainly not Ginny. And I’m sure I’ll grow to love Marion.” He stopped in horror as he realized he’d said another name instead of his intended’s.
“I mean, Charlotte,” he corrected, but his mother’s gaze was already honed in on him and there was a startled look on her face.
“Noah…”
“I’m sorry.” He set his cup down. “I would love to continue this discussion, but I have something I must do before supper.”
With that, he walked out on his mother. He heard her call his name one more time as he hurried down the hallway, but strode on. Once he’d reached the front door, he whistled for Phantom to be brought to him. As he rode off, he shook his head. He’d never left his mother like that before. It was wrong. But she said things that hit too close to the mark. Things about marriage. Love.
Love was something he didn’t want to consider. It didn’t fit into his carefully laid plans.
***
Marion tossed the book in her hand aside, letting out a soft curse as it hit the floor and skidded under a chair across the room. As interesting as the matchmaking attempts of Emma were, Marion could no more concentrate on them than she could a boring treatise on commerce in modern England. All she could manage to think about was Noah Jordan.
“Ridiculous girl,” she chided herself softly. “As if a man like him would ever think twice about a no one like you.”
“Beg your pardon, miss?”
Marion turned with a blush at being caught muttering to herself. “Nothing, Sally,” she said to the girl at the door. “Was there something you needed?”
“There’s a message for you, miss.” Sally held out a silver tray with a note.
Marion barely resisted the urge to grab it greedily. “Thank you.”
When the other woman was gone, she turned the letter over to look at it carefully. Her name was written in a bold hand across the face of the envelope and her heart began to beat faster. Noah, only Noah would send her a message.
She nearly tore the note in half as she opened it and threw herself into the nearest settee. As her eyes scanned the paper, she noted the strength that even his handwriting exuded.
Meet me in the rose garden, N.
She read it over once more. Her father and Lucas had gone out for a few hours, so she had time for a secret meeting. She thrilled at the adventure of that thought as she stuffed the note into the pocket of her pelisse. As she hurried into the foyer, Sally looked up.
“Is everything all right, miss?”
Marion turned back. She had to calm down or the whole house would suspect her! The smile on her face seemed false and stiff, but she said, “Oh yes, just going for a stroll in the garden.”
“Very good, Miss Marion,” the girl said with a tiny curtsey. “You just seem a bit flushed.”
“It must be this humid heat.” She waved her hand around in the air. “Perhaps I’ll find some relief in the shade.”
Sally nodded as she returned to her duties. “I hope so, miss. Have a nice walk.”
Marion nodded, then turned and strolled casually to the door. Seemed she had much to learn about sneaking around. She didn’t want the household to become suspicious of her activities and report them to Josiah Lucas or her father.
Once she was outside, Marion gave two quick glances around, then took off at a brisk walk toward the rose garden. Noah had chosen a spot that was close enough to the house that it seemed casual, yet private enough where they could talk.
When she finally reached the small area where tended roses bloomed in their last gasp of summer, Marion didn’t see Noah. With a frown, she took a few more hurried steps through the bushes.
“You look as though you’re trying to escape a fire, not meet a friend.”
Marion spun around to find Noah sitting on one of the low benches in the middle of the garden. He was sprawled out with one foot pulled up on the bench. He held a red rose in his hand. As she took a step closer, he held it out to her.
“We’ll have to work on the expression of panic on your face, as well,” he teased as she took the flower with a blush.
“I’m sorry.” Marion sat down on the bench, but left a respectable amount of distance between them. “I was just so happy to get your message. After you left yesterday, I wasn’t certain you’d come back, at all.”
A guilty look crossed his face. “I’m sorry to have worried you, Marion. You must understand your proposition surprised me. I needed some time to consider your request.”
“And have you had enough time now?”
He nodded slowly. “I believe so.”
She waited for him to continue, but he was silent. In frustration she asked, “Well, what was your decision? I don’t think I can bear the tension any longer.”
He let out his breath slowly and nodded. “You were very honest with me yesterday, Marion. You shared an embarrassing secret about your father and Mr. Lucas, and then a pleasant one about your aunts. I assume that means you have some level of trust in me.”
Marion bit her lower lip as she thought of some of the details she’d left out when she’d told Noah about the marriage arrangement she so wanted to avoid. But that wasn’t a matter of trust, that was a matter of avoiding complete humiliation.
“Do I take your silence to mean that you don’t trust me?”
Marion shook her thoughts away. “Oh no, I do. I wouldn’t have asked for your help if I didn’t.”
“Good.” Relief swept over his face. “Then I feel I can trust you, as well. What I’m about to tell you is something very few people know. I need it to stay that way.”
Marion’s eyes widened. “I won’t breathe a word.”
“I’m afraid I’ve been misleading you.” Noah held her gaze. “I’m not here in Woodbury for the reasons you believe me to be.”
She was drawn in by the serious seductiveness of his tone and the gleam in his eyes. “Then why are you here?”
“Marion, I’m a spy for His Majesties War Department. I’m here on a case.”
Chapter Seven
Noah had been forced to tell people about his role in the government before. Most took the news with the seriousness afforded it. Marion tilted her head back with a peal of laughter.
“Marion.”
He glanced around to make sure her outburst hadn’t drawn unwanted attention to them. Had she become hysterical after the stress of the past few days?
“You know.” With a sigh, she wiped away her tears of mirth. “If you don’t want to help me, you only have to say no. You don’t have to concoct some kind of silly story meant to impress and mislead me.”
Noah opened and shut his mouth. Women cooed over him, they fawned over him… they did not laugh at him.
He stood up. “I-I’m not concocting a story. I’ve served the government for ten years.”
She giggled.
“On dangerous missions,” he insisted.
She nodded as she tried in vain to control her laughter. “I’m sure you have.”
“I kept the Prince Regent from being assassinated not one year ago!” His voice went up two levels as his frustration grew. With a grimace, he checked the immediate area for listeners.
Marion looked at him with pinched lips and eyes full of wonder, but didn’t say anything for a moment.
“Well?” he snapped.
“I’m trying to decide if you’re being serious or if you’re simply daft.” She folded her hands on her lap. “I no longer think you’re lying, though.”
“Well, thank God for that.” With a grunt, he threw himself back into the seat. “I so enjoy being called crazy rather than a liar.”
“I’m sorry, Noah,” she said with a small smile for his sarcasm. “You must admit it’s difficul
t to believe.”
He frowned. It had never been difficult for the women he’d told before to believe. In fact, they’d been so impressed with the fact that many had fallen into his bed because of his status in the Department alone. But Marion wasn’t like those women. Marion wasn’t like anyone he’d ever known.
“I can see why it might be difficult for you to believe,” he said through clenched teeth. “But I promise you, it’s true. I can provide references if you wish.”
When she looked closely at him, something in her face changed. “No. I believe you. I’d forgotten yesterday…”
“What about yesterday?”
“Yesterday there was a moment where you looked so dangerous.” She shivered. “I can believe you’re a spy when I think of how you appeared in that instant.”
Noah’s blood moved quicker through his veins at her words. There was something very sensual about her finding him dangerous. Something that made him want to prove just how dangerous he could be.
He cleared his throat. “A-at any rate, the reason I’m telling you this is because I need your help.”
“My help?” Marion eyes widened. She’d been so focused on him telling her about his secrets that she’d almost forgotten how they related to her.
“Yes.” Noah smiled as if he could read her thoughts. “I’m here in Woodbury not only to begin my duties as Marquis, but because I’m hunting a dangerous man, a man who may have committed a murder.”
Now she again wondered if he was teasing her. “Are you trying to impress me by being vague?”
Noah opened and shut his mouth again, just as he had when she’d doubted the truth of his story a moment before. Really, it was almost too easy to make him speechless.
“No. I’m investigating Josiah Lucas.”
The color drained from Marion’s face and all the humor she’d felt faded with it. Noah thought Josiah Lucas was a killer and yet she was forced to share a home with the man. And perhaps a bed if she couldn’t escape his advances soon.
“Whom do you believe he killed?” She fought to remain calm.
Noah’s voice grew quiet. “His wife.”
She closed her eyes to absorb the shock she felt hearing all this information. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she asked, “Aside from terrifying me, how does this relate to my quandary?”
“You must be frightened if you don’t see the answer to that question,” Noah said with a humorless laugh. “If Lucas goes to prison, the debts he holds over your father will be gone as if they never existed.”
She nodded slowly. “I suppose that’s true. But you said Lucas was only a possible suspect in Georgina’s death. What if he’s innocent? I would still be forced to marry him.”
Noah sighed as if he were uncomfortable with what he was about to say. “If we cannot prove Lucas is a killer, then I’ll do what you ask of me. I’ll make it appear you’ve been ruined.”
Marion covered her mouth with a little yelp of joy. “You’ll help me?”
His eyes narrowed at her emotional outburst. “Yes. Don’t worry, Marion. I’d never let you come to any harm.”
She lowered her hand slowly and looked him up and down. “Yes, I know that. Somehow I know it.”
His face darkened, and for a moment she thought she saw a flicker of desire in his gaze. With a quick movement, he got up from the bench and turned away. His action broke the spell he’d held her in, and Marion remembered that by the end of the month Lucas would claim her body whether they were married or not.
“How long do you think this will take?” she asked.
He didn’t look back at her. “Probably no more than a few weeks, why?”
She paused, weighing the benefits of telling Noah the whole truth about her father’s agreement. But then, it seemed like the whole situation would be taken care of before she was forced to do anything unsavory. Why tell him if Lucas’s bargain would never come to be? It was so humiliating.
“Father is planning on beginning our – engagement - at the end of the month, so my time is limited,” she said.
“I see.” Noah rubbed his chin. “If you’re helping me, we should catch him before you’re forced into something so vile.”
Marion stood up and rung her hands in front of her. “I’m not sure I’ll be very good at this. Perhaps I’ll hinder you.”
He shook his head. “I’ve had women as partners before, I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully.”
A pang of jealousy shot through her. Noah’s former partners had probably been gorgeous, sophisticated women. After a long night of spying he probably returned to his rooms with them, repaying their efforts with kisses and…
She shook her head. The thoughts were making her angry.
“My sister Audrey and I solved many a crime in France,” he continued with a reminiscent smile.
“Your sister?” Marion gasped. Powerful relief poured through her.
“Yes.”
“But-but isn’t she married? Isn’t she respectable?”
Noah laughed. “She is both. She married Viscount Berenger last year and is one of the most respected ladies in all of London.” His smile broadened. “She was also one of the best spies the Crown ever had the privilege to employ.”
Marion shook her head in mute shock. What was there to say?
He sat back down next to her and touched the top of her hand. All her fears fled instantly at the gentle gesture, replaced by a strange warmth that curled in her belly.
“Marion, I’ll help you. You won’t be in danger.” He brushed a few loose curls away from her face with the back of his hand. “Will you be my partner in exchange for your freedom?”
She shut her eyes and hoped that by breaking visual contact with him, she could form words. His touch certainly wasn’t helping. Finally, after a few short breaths she managed, “Yes. What will I need to do?”
Noah stared at her before answering. It had been a long time since he’d wanted a woman so much. He couldn’t help but remember what his mother had said about the lack of passion in convenient matches. He had no doubt a joining with Marion would be passionate.
“Noah?”
She opened her eyes and stared at him. He pulled his hand away to rake it through his hair. He had to focus, focus on the plan. Not on the way her stare heated him. Not on the way the tip of her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
“Uh,” he stammered, hoping the proof of his desire wasn’t as evident to her as it was to him. “You would obtain information about Georgina.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“You’d keep your eyes open for anything you see or hear that could be incriminating,” he continued. “And you’d become friendly with the servants to ascertain if they have any information involving Georgina’s life here at Toppleton Square and her death. And you can help me get access into the house.”
She frowned. “Is that all?”
He nodded. She didn’t seem to be concerned by what he was asking for, even though any one of those requests could put her in danger. If Josiah Lucas really had killed his wife, he wouldn’t want his houseguest asking too many questions.
“I don’t know if you fully comprehend what I’m asking you to do.”
She shrugged. “But I do. And all those things should be fairly simple.”
He arched a brow. “Are they?”
She nodded. “There are reminders of Georgina in all corners of the estate, from all those massive portraits Lucas has hung up everywhere, to the lady’s sitting room we were in last night. I believe it may have been hers. If I asked about those things it wouldn’t seem out of the ordinary, especially since my father is so desperately trying to get me to show an interest in Lucas. They hope I won’t fight them when they announce their plans to me.”
Her face twisted in disgust and horror at the thought of her upcoming nuptials to the older man. Noah again felt the urge to comfort her, but he used every ounce of strength in him to keep from doing so.
“What about the other tasks?�
� he asked. “They might be more difficult for you.”
She glared at him with a snort of derision. “Very unlikely. I’ve always got my eyes open, Noah, so I’m sure to notice what you call ‘incriminating items’. I’m already friendly with the young lady who tidies my quarters. And as for helping you obtain access to the house.” She smiled. “You don’t seem to have any trouble with that, but I’ll leave my chamber window open if it would be of assistance.”
She was teasing him, but the thought of climbing into her bedroom window gave Noah another jolt of awareness. The last thing he needed was a constant reminder that he had access to her bedchamber night and day.
“Yes, it might help.” He edged closer to her. “But there may be one part to your plans you haven’t truly prepared for.”
Her eyes widened. “What’s that?”
“If we’re ultimately forced to pretend I’ve ruined you, will you be ready for that?” He raised his hand to wrap one loose strand of chestnut hair around his finger in slow, steady circles.
“I believe so,” she said, but her voice was suddenly hoarse.
“Hmmm?” With his opposite hand, he gently cupped her chin. “Because even a false seduction must appear real.”
“I think I’ll be able to handle it,” she whispered as she swallowed hard.
“Are you certain?”
With aching slowness he lowered his mouth toward hers. She lifted her face immediately and he brushed his lips against her mouth. At first he meant only to kiss her lightly then release her, but when she sighed and her hands came up to grip his elbows, he couldn’t seem to control his reaction.
“Marion,” he whispered against her lips, pulling her up flush to his chest. Her body molded naturally with his own.
She hesitated for just a moment. With timidity, she brought parted her lips a fraction. He flicked his tongue between them, testing the sweet softness of her lips before delving into the cavern of her mouth. She tasted like peaches as much as she smelled like them. It was a heady flavor and made him yearn to taste her skin, to explore her body until her scent filled him.
“Noah.” Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He could feel her pulse pounding wildly through her veins.
The Temptation of a Gentleman (The Jordans) Page 6
