Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney Page A

expression a blend of anger and shame. “I apologize for my behavior, Mrs. Clarke. My admiration and hopes led me to misread the situation.” He retrieved his hat. “I shall leave Hartley today. There is nothing more for me here.”
    There was no mention of a lawsuit. Maybe that had always been an empty threat, now dissipated by the presence of a living, breathing husband who was willing to defend Mariah and her rights. Hoping there would be no more strife, Mariah said quietly, “I wish you well in the future, Mr. Burke.”
    He acknowledged her with a jerky nod of his head, then left. She exhaled roughly. “I feel sorry for the man, but I shan’t miss him.” She glanced up at Adam, who was looking exhausted now that the crisis was past. “You heard us arguing?”
    â€œRaised voices and crashing furniture have a way of capturing one’s attention.”
    Since he was beginning to sag heavily on her shoulder, she steered him to the sofa. “Sit down. I’m amazed that you had the strength to walk in here, much less save me from George Burke.”
    Adam smiled at her with a sweet intimacy that made her catch her breath. “I couldn’t let that fellow hurt my wife.”
    â€œI am very glad you came to investigate.” She was ashamed of the quaver in her voice. “How did you manage to toss a great lummox like Burke across the room?”
    Adam frowned uneasily. “I…just knew. There are ways of using a man’s weight and size against him. Not that I thought about that. I just saw you fighting him and acted from instinct.”
    So whatever his past, he knew how to fight. That went with his workman’s hands, but not his cultured speech. He was an enigma. And he believed completely in their marriage. Knowing he had defended her honesty to Burke made her feel wicked. “I’ll help you back to your room when you can walk again. You’re recovering splendidly, but Julia won’t like it if I let you overexert yourself.”
    â€œI should like to sit up for a bit.” He pulled her down next to him on the sofa and put an arm around her, drawing her close. “I have missed you.”
    Though she knew it was unwise, she relaxed into him, grateful for his strength and protectiveness. “Do you remember being with me?” she asked warily.
    â€œI’m afraid not.” He rested his cheek against the top of her head. “But holding you feels so right that I know I must have been missing you.”
    Her deception was getting more dangerous by the second, yet she couldn’t bring herself to move away from him. She, too, felt right when they were close. “You’re feeling better, I gather.”
    â€œMy head still hurts and right now I’m too weak to swing a cat, but I feel much better than when I was hanging on to wreckage at sea.” His warm hand stroked down her arm. “Though it might be best not to talk about my past, what about your father? How did he come to win the estate from the unpleasant Mr. Burke?”
    â€œHe supported us by traveling from one house party to the next. He was a charming guest, a good sportsman, never a burden. His card playing was good enough to keep us comfortable,” she explained. “Mr. Burke is not a good card player.”
    â€œWas your father from around here?” Adam halted. “Where am I, anyhow?”
    â€œCumberland. The extreme northwest of England, just south of Scotland. Does that make sense to you?”
    He frowned and with his free index finger began to trace a shape on the fabric of his banyan where it lay across his knee. Mariah saw that it was the rough outline of Britain. “Cumberland is here, yes?” He touched a spot on the northwest coast.
    â€œExactly. So you remember Britain.” She glanced up at him. “Do you know if you’re British?”
    He frowned again. “In my mind, I hear yes and no at the same