wasn’t quite as obvious. Not when his lordship had nothing to give her in return.
She entered the room and was surprised when the dog followed her.
‘On guard, Ranger,’ Bane commanded.
Mary swung around. ‘You are jesting?’
An apologetic look in his eyes, Bane bowed slightly. ‘I am afraid not. Enjoy your afternoon.’ He left.
‘This is ridiculous. Bane. Come back here.’ When he didn’t return, she moved to follow him. The dog issued a low growl and lifted its lip, revealing large incisors.
‘Down,’ she said firmly.
The hairs on the back of its neck bristled.
‘Bane,’ she shouted. ‘Blast.’ It seemed she was trapped. Again. What sort of game was he playing? She given into his demands and still he didn’t trust her. It hurt. Badly. More than it should, since she certainly didn’t dare trust him.
The dog watched her with pricked ears, its red, wet tongue lolling from one side of its very large mouth. She knew nothing about dogs and she did not want to put this one to the test. She moved deeper into the room and it lay down across the threshold with its head on its paws, still watching her intently.
‘This is too much.’
The dog whined and thumped its tail on the carpet.
She once more moved towards the door. The dog growled.
It seemed she had no choice but to find a book and read until Bane returned to collect his wretched animal. Was this to be her future with this man? Guarded and watched?
If so, she wasn’t sure she could go through with it. Yet what was the alternative?
* * *
By the time Bane strode through the door, looking wind blown and purposeful, the candles had been lit, a dinner tray provided and Mary was too furious to read a word of the novel in her lap.
Ranger bounded around his legs in joyful abandon. ‘Down, sir,’ he said, looking at Mary. ‘I am sorry I was longer than I intended. I hope you haven’t been too inconvenienced.’
‘Apart from being unable to go for dinner or attend the necessary, I haven’t been the slightest discommoded.’
Amusement flashed in his eyes, annoying her all the more. ‘I am sorry.’
‘I see nothing to laugh about.’
He sobered. ‘Nor I.’
‘Where were you that you must needs leave me here guarded by this animal, a source of amusement for all, especially your cousin Jeffrey?’
‘He was here, was he?’
‘He came for a book and left without one.’
He patted the dog’s flank with a heavy hand. ‘Good boy.’
A footman scratched at the door and Bane looked up.
The young man coloured. ‘Mr Manners said you asked for me, my lord.’
‘Yes, Henry. Please take Ranger to the stables and see him fed, would you please.’
The dog’s ears pricked and he attached himself to the footman immediately.
‘Cupboard lover,’ Bane murmured with a mock glower.
‘It’s as if he can understand every word,’ Mary said as the footman left with the dog lolloping along beside him.
‘He does.’
‘You still haven’t said where you were.’
He frowned. ‘Among other places, I went to St Ives to arrange a ship’s passage for first thing in the morning.’
‘Ship’s passage?’
‘To London. The sooner we are married the better. I can arrange for a special licence there.’
She swallowed. She had thought she had at least two or three weeks before they were wed. Another woman in different circumstances might have been thrilled by his desire for speed. To Mary it felt a bit like staring into a prison cell. ‘Why the sudden rush?’
‘I don’t like this house. I never have.’
‘Because of the ghost?’
‘I thought you too sensible to believe in such nonsense.’
She sighed. ‘After what happened at the mine, I am not so sure.’
He gave her a sharp look.
‘I had the strangest feeling of someone trying to help me.’
‘What? After pushing you down a shaft?’
It really did sound foolish when he put it like that. ‘You know it has been a long day and I think I would like to retire now.’
‘I shall escort you to your chamber.’
‘It is not necessary. I can find my way perfectly well.’
‘Nevertheless...’ He held out his arm.
She could either take it or he would follow her. She could see the determination on his face. And something else, a kind of bitter smile, as if he expected her to reject his offer.
Had other women rejected him, knowing he was low born even though heir to a title? She could imagine they might, in the highest of circles.
She made to place her hand on his sleeve, but he grasped it and drew her close to his side,