The Wyndham Legacy by Catherine Coulter Page A

you’re feeling that engenders such a fist on the reins. Listen to me, you are absolved, Marcus, please believe me. From you I learned that my father did want me. That is important. I thank you for that. Now, I’m sorry but there is nowhere for you to sleep. In Biddenden, very near to the sign of the Biddenden Maids—”
    â€œWho the devil are the Biddenden Maids?”
    â€œYou didn’t come through the village? No matter. They were Elizabeth and Mary Chalkhurst and they lived in the twelfth century. They were Siamese twins. In any case, theChequers Inn is not to be despised, but it is small, but perhaps not too small for the new earl of Chase.” She rose and smiled at him, not much of a smile, but something.
    He stood and strode to her, looking down at her, knowing his stance was intimidating but not caring. “I will be back tomorrow morning.” He left her without another word. Badger was waiting in the small entrance hall. He opened the door and silently ushered him out.
    â€œThe Chequers Inn will stable your horse, my lord,” he said.
    â€œThat is something,” Marcus said, shaking his head. “Siamese twins—remarkable.”
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    When Marcus rode to the cottage the next morning, it was to see the Duchess dressed in an outmoded gown of faded gray, the sturdy cotton coming nearly to her chin, down on her knees, her hands gloved, digging in a flower bed.
    He dismounted, tied Stanley to the tethering post, and walked to her. “I didn’t know you were a gardener.”
    She looked up at him. The sun was behind her, a halo around her head. Her forehead was covered with perspiration and there were two dirt smudges on her face. She looked lovely, more than lovely, damn her. “Yes, I enjoy it very much, as did my mother. Only I have more the green thumb than she did. I had the time, so why not?”
    â€œHow do you suddenly have the time? Does this mean that you won’t suddenly jump up humming and leave the roses?”
    â€œIt’s always possible.”
    â€œI want you to give me an honest answer, Duchess.”
    â€œIf I feel like it.”
    He wanted to box her ears. He came down on his haunches beside her. “How are you supporting yourself?”
    â€œYou no longer believe there is a man in the background?”
    â€œNo, and I never did. Not really. You wouldn’t do that. But God, it makes no sense, surely you must see that.You’re naught but a young girl and—”
    â€œIt has been five years, Marcus. You really have no idea as to my character or lack thereof. Of my talents or lack thereof. In short, you know nothing at all about me.”
    â€œThe Twins miss you, as does Aunt Gweneth. They want you to come home with me.”
    She smiled down at her filthy gloves, at the rich black earth that nurtured her precious roses. “You have become a very handsome man, Marcus, a very eligible gentleman. Since you are the earl of Chase, you will doubtless be sought after by every single female in this fair land. You will be marrying soon so that you may go about the business of breeding an heir. I cannot imagine your wife wanting me anywhere around. I’m a bastard. It would behoove you to remember that.”
    â€œI’m not even twenty-five yet! For God’s sake, give me a few years before I must leg-shackle myself.”
    â€œForgive me. I quite understand your consternation since I share the same reluctance. You must admit that my unusual upbringing could easily leave a girl with a somewhat cynical view of dealings between men and women, particularly married men and unmarried women.”
    â€œNone of this matters, dammit. Listen, Duchess, you cannot remain here, living alone with a man despite the fact that he is your servant. Your reputation will be in ruins. You were raised to be a gentlewoman. It is what you’re meant to be—a gentleman’s wife, the mother of his children. I wish to give you