The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,55
a wolfish smile on his face. Outside the townhouse his eyes took on the gleam of the hunter as he considered his plans. He would wander off to his club and later in the day take a much-needed bit of exercise.
Just after lunch Max strolled through the gates of the park, his eyes flickering around the area. If he knew his girl, she would be on the less frequented paths, hidden from eyes that might recognize her and report her activities. Pulling his beaver hat low over his eyes, Max moved to the first path that cut to the left along the more overgrown sections of the park. He appeared to stroll without purpose, his ivory walking stick swinging in his hand, but in actual fact he was quartering the area in search of his quarry. Soon his perseverance was rewarded.
Amity sat on a bench in the sun. She was wearing a mint green muslin dress and perched on her red curls was a straw hat with a darker green ribbon tied in a bow against her cheek. Beside her was her abigail and the ever-present Muffin was sprawled at her feet. Leaning against a tree not far from Amity, Max smiled at the pretty picture she made. He was not certain what he had expected to find but it was not this pastoral scene of contentment.
A quick glance at his watch told him he was in good time to observe his ward and he leaned against the trunk of a tree, satisfied for the moment in observing her. He felt no guilt in spying on her; after all he was responsible for her protection. His patience was rewarded for soon she was joined by a young man who walked with the jaunty air of a soldier.
Max's eyes focused on the darkly handsome face of the man and rage such as he had never felt, almost sent him catapulting out of the cover of trees. How dare he accost Amity! Max wanted nothing so much as to horsewhip the man who dared consider his ward a fit prospect for some shabby dalliance. A slight movement caught his eye and, at the sight of the empty sleeve pinned to his jacket, reason calmed the whirling tide of Max's anger.
Why hadn't Honoria mentioned the soldier had only one arm, instead of dwelling on the fact that the man was so handsome and muscular? Now that Max focused he was able to note that the quality of the clothing and the manner of the man was more suited to a servant than some besotted lover. In fact, it was apparent that the man was barely cognizant of Amity but was besotted by his ward's abigail. Honoria could have checked her suspicions before she accused Amity of a gross impropriety.
"Devil take all women!" Max muttered as he left the comfort of the tree to approach the little group. The threesome was much too deep in conversation to notice his arrival but the faithful Muffin raised his head and growled a semblance of a greeting. At the sound, Amity's eyes opened in astonishment.
"Max!" she called in surprise. Her face glowed with welcome, untinged by any sign of guilty distress.
"Greetings, poppet," Max said, bowing to the party.
"Come let me make you known to our good friend, Jason Conway." Amity made the introductions and smiled as her guardian shook hands with Jason, each man eyeing the other warily.
"I was looking for you, my dear," Max. "I thought we might sit in the sunshine and have a comfortable coze."
"What an excellent idea," she said. "Mr. Conway was just leaving but perhaps I might beg a favor and he could accompany Betta back to the townhouse."
"It would be my pleasure, miss," Jason said, jumping at the opportunity. With alacrity he helped the blushing abigail to her feet, then tipped his hat in a jaunty salute. "Your servant, Miss Fraser. Your lordship."
Max watched as the one armed man leaned over the little abigail as he led her back along the path. He turned to Amity and had to grin at her deep sigh of contentment as she followed the disappearing figures, her gaze misty with vicarious enjoyment. Max cleared his throat and she turned to face him, chagrined to have been so caught up in her romantic fancies.
"I'm sorry, Max," she said. "I was just pleased that Betta could have more of a chance to visit with her young man. She doesn't see as much of him as she would