What You Propose (Anything for Love 2)

But how could he accept her precious gift knowing what he was about to do?

To keep her safe he needed to know everything about the business dealings of the Comte de Dampierre. Was there an accomplice? When it came to business and delving into people's affairs, Dudley Spencer was more adept at uncovering information.

Dudley's price would be high, of course.

The price would be information regarding Miss Beaufort's secret hideaway. The price would be a little cottage in the village of Marlow, somewhere near a church, he suspected.

Chapter 16

"Take

this to your father come first light," Marcus said, handing the letter to a tired-looking Selene. "Tell him to send it as a matter of urgency." He sat back in the chair behind his desk and surveyed the five solemn faces.

"We have searched every room, Mr. Danbury." Andre shook his head and shrugged. "There is no one here. I am sure of it."

It was as he suspected.

Someone had found a way into his home, and it did not sit well with Marcus. "You searched every room, the warming room, the pot house?"

Andre nodded and then jerked his head to the man on his left. "Justin checked them all twice, made sure the windows were secure, checked for any sign of entry."

Justin plastered his hand over his mouth to stifle a yawn. "I did, Mr. Danbury."

"And what of Selene's and Matilda's room?"

"Andre, he even searched behind the armoire," Selene murmured.

"Very well." Marcus sighed. Once they had all returned to their beds, he would check again for any sign of forced entry. Just to be certain. He turned his attention to Selene. "I suggest you take Justin with you when you go down to the village. It would not be wise for a woman to walk alone until we know who we're dealing with."

Selene lowered her gaze. "Forgive me. But perhaps … perhaps Miss Sinclair was mistaken. Dreams can sometimes seem so real … si vives … so vivid."

Had they been talking about any other woman, Marcus might have considered the possibility. But Anna was no simpering miss. She had witnessed the worst kind of depravity, experienced the most terrifying abuse. Her courage knew no bounds. Unlike most women of his acquaintance, she did not have to lie or invent silly stories to get attention.

Marcus straightened. "If Miss Sinclair says she saw someone running out of the monastery, if she says she spoke to a man in the stables, then I believe her."

Selene nodded as she glanced at the floor. "Oui. Of course."

"Now." Marcus stood and brushed his hand through his hair. "It's just a few hours until dawn. You had all better get yourselves back to bed. But stay alert. I want to know the moment you encounter anything suspicious, hear a noise, discover something out of place, anything."

His staff nodded, and collectively muttered 'Yes, Mr. Danbury' as they vacated the room.

Marcus remained standing, his mind preoccupied with the night's events. Was Anna really in any danger? Or had the intruder used intimate knowledge of her situation to divert their suspicions away from his real objective.

Bloody hell.

After putting an end to many nefarious plots over the years, numerous men could have broken into his home as a means to exact their revenge. He had always known the day would come. Up until now he hadn't given the matter much thought. When one possessed a certain skill in the art of pugilism, was adept with a sword and an accurate shot with a pistol, there was no need for concern.

So why did he feel like tracking down every suspect and stringing them up from the nearest tree?

Anna.

With no family, no responsibilities, he had never given a damn for his own safety. He had accepted his fate a long time ago. With his type of work, one never presumed they'd live to see the sun rise. In a perverse way, he almost wished the day would come. Indeed, should anything happen to him he knew his father would blame himself for Marcus' death. When the time came for him to draw his last breath, the knowledge would bring him comfort. Anything that caused his father to suffer was worth the pain.

But now things had changed.

Now he felt responsible for another.

Not in the way he felt about Tristan — he would give his life for the man who'd been his loyal friend and constant companion. He would give his life for Anna, too, he suddenly realised. But as each day passed, the thought of living in the monastery without her, the thought of not having her in his life—