wondered if her father’s best efforts were still stinging poor Archer’s raw back.
“Tell me, my lord, how many men accosted you in the church? Tell me what they looked like and I swear on my honor I shall help you track down every last one of those cowardly worms. Should they be a part of my household they shall be tossed out and left to starve.” He paused, as though remembering that the decision would not be his. “Or, you may dispense of them yourself.”
William looked at Marianne with a raised brow when her father finished with his speech.
She held her breath and returned his steady gaze, her fists shaking at her sides as she addressed her father. “I told you there was no one else.”
Red faced, her father ran back around the table to screech in her ear. “Nonsense! Who performed the marriage then?”
William stood and commanded all of the authority into his voice as he glared down ice at Holton. Lord Gray was a head taller than his shorter, thicker guest, and easily intimidated him with these alone. “Sir Holton, you are correct that someone had to be present to perform the ceremony. Since that man would obviously have to be a man of the cloth, I will withhold his name and assure you that there were no others. You can rest easy knowing that your house has not been corrupted by anymore felons.
Her father’s face returned to a normal color and Marianne’s face grew hot as she fought not to faint. She could hardly believe her ears.
He was going to keep his promise! If she was not so put out with him for being the wrong man she would have thrown her arms about his neck.
Sir Holton muttered to himself grudgingly, knowing very well that it was beyond him to argue. “Very good, my lord, but are you quite sure you would not wish to share the identity of the priest?”
William glared and Holton flushed, stumbling to the other side of the table. “Very well, you are a good man to protect him, even if he is a man of the cloth.”
“Indeed.” William then turned to Archer who still had his head down, staring at the floor as though he still couldn’t quite believe what had occurred. “You. I am sure the others will tell you which way to the stables, go there and ask for Robert. He will give you work and show you a place where you may sleep.”
Archer opened his mouth, and then looked at Sir Holton, who did not look back at him. “Aye, milord,” and he bowed and ducked out of the room.
Marianne’s heart went out to him. She guiltily lifted her eyes to look at Lord Gray, wishing he would bestow some pity on her and let her leave with Archer so that she would not have to endure anymore of this torture.
He did no such thing, and his eyes remained cold on her.
A knock on the door sounded and a servant walked in without waiting for an invitation.
His audacity startled Marianne when the man stopped cold in his tracks at the sight of both Marianne and her father.
Sir Holton snapped at him. “The nerve of you! Coming in here and interrupting us?”
“Milord, I am deeply sorry, I—-” the servant cleared his throat and spoke as if he had not heard her father. “Your guests are arriving outside, milord.”
Marianne felt sick. Guests meant that she would have to stay in William’s company longer. Much longer if this were to be the proper celebration of a true earl.
She did not know if she could face the guests and play the blushing bride to satisfy the crowd.
William turned his back on Sir Holton and Marianne to look out the windows, and by his expression Marianne knew that he could see the guests coming up the same road she had traveled earlier.
“I see. Adam, have their rooms prepared and bring them some warm wine. The days are becoming chilled.”
The servant bowed and scurried out the door.
William walked around his writing table and Marianne once again found his eyes on her as he approached. He stood close, she could feel the heat from his body as he raised his hand to caress her cheek. An uncertain chill ran down her spine that had naught to do with the weather.
His eyes remained cold. “I should like to introduce my guests to my beautiful wife.”
***
Marianne’s face burned from her cheeks all the way to the back of