Mandy

“How did you come by such information, when no one else has been able to?”

“Amanda, I am not without means, but tell me,” he frowned at her. “When you refer to ‘no one else’ do you mean—your groom, or Ned?”

Mandy didn’t like the odd look that flitted across his face and answered vaguely, “Well, for one, I rather thought Skippy might have come up with some information by now.” She didn’t want to mention the duke. The less information she gave the better.

“What of your guardian?” He raised a brow at her and she felt his penetrating gaze studying her. “I met him yesterday at the viscount’s where he is a guest.”

He was baiting her. She could feel it. Why? Did he want to know if the duke knew her whereabouts?

“I see,” was all she gave him, and saw irritation flicker in his eyes.

He shook his head and said, “Ah, you still don’t trust me. Very well, but why you should think the viscount would be extending himself in this matter, is beyond me. I have already told you that he may have reasons of his own for wanting Elly Bonner to stay missing.”

She turned away from him while she got her natural hot retort under control. He took her chin and turned her face him. She didn’t want to make an enemy so she restrained herself from slapping his hand away.

He, however, raised a brow, as though he felt her tension and released her chin. His hand dropped to his side. “Did you know the duke had come?”

“We do hear things…even closeted with friends as we are,” she answered. Instinct had made her suddenly suspicious of Sir Owen. “Do you think the duke is capable of helping?”

“I am sure he will try as he has his own name to think about,” Sir Owen returned on a frown. “He might succeed where others have failed, simply because of his station in life. There are those who may take a step back with their innuendos with regard to your brother.” He waved this off, “But never mind him. I want you to keep in mind that there are reasons why you should not trust your long time friend, Skippendon.”

“At this point, Sir Owen, I don’t trust anyone,” she said simply.

“Trust me Amanda, you can you know,” he said as he moved closer.

“No, not even you,” she answered at once. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t want you put in a position where you might have to lie to the authorities.”

He laughed; pleased enough with this answer and his eyes flirted with her as he ran a hand down her arm whose shirtsleeves had been rolled up against the summer warmth. “A kiss to spur me home then, Amanda sweet?”

“Don’t be absurd,” she answered but gave him a soft smile. No sense annoying him completely.

He sighed but asked, “When will you meet me again?”

“I don’t know. But if you have a message for me, write it down and place it here,” she said moving to a hollow in a nearby maple tree, “and I will answer it.”

“So I shall, my love. One day we will look back on these days as our fine adventure together, but I am not willing to wait till one day, for that kiss…”he said suddenly grabbing hold of her in a crushing embrace.

Her hand flew up in retaliation but, before she could bring it to his cheek, he caught it, laughed rakishly and murmured, “Now, that is no way to serve me for my help.”

“Take your help and go to the devil,” answered the lady.

“I can’t and won’t do that,” he returned, but he also released her then and stepped away, backed up a few feet and turned to vanish in the woods.

She ran after him and watched as he mounted his horse tethered not so far away from where they had met. She stood and waited while he weaved the animal toward the road and then a few more moments before she turned away. However, even as she turned something caught her eye and stalled her progress.

A young serving woman was walking toward the village and there was something familiar about her wide ambling gait.

* * *

Mandy had been looking for ways to stop thinking about what she had done with the duke. It had been the most beautiful experience of her life, but…what did it mean? She knew beyond any doubt that she was in love with him, but what did he feel? Was she just a passing fancy? If so, in the end, he would leave and she would be broken hearted.

She couldn’t think about that.

Well, now she had something else to think about.

She could scarcely contain herself as she rushed back toward the abbey.

Chauncey and Ned’s arrival at the old ruins had preceded hers by only a few moments and he was in the midst of distributing food when she exploded upon them.