Page 14 of Rogue of the Greenwood
“Ah, but it is. Mr. Gisborn is my steward; he is very much my concern. So tell me, if you have gone driving with him, why is that you and the carriage arehere, and he is not?”
“He will catch up soon.”
“Does he have his own carriage?”
“No, this is his carriage.”
“So you are a thief?”
“I most certainly am not!”
“But you left him behind?”
“What I do is my own business, sir,” she snapped.
He began to get some idea of her business. Either she had been carried off in a runaway carriage, or she had driven herself away and abandoned Mr. Gisborn. And she’d been very adamant that the carriage wasnot out of control. Robert knew there was one obvious reason a lady might abandon her gentleman and bolt. Perhaps Mr. Gisborn was not so much of a gentleman, after all.
And that could mean Robert would have an ally in Miss Maidland.
“Here you are with the carriage, and your companion has been left back a ways,” Robert said, considering his words carefully. “May I infer that Mr. Gisborn is not so much your friend as you would have me believe? Did the man, perhaps, take liberties? Is that why you abandoned him?”
But he’d gone too far. Miss Maidland was not at all ready to confide in him or make him her confidant. She planted her fists on her hips and fumed.
“How dare you, sir! You should infer no such thing and I believe this conversation is ended.”
But it was not. Not quite. Robert grabbed the side of the curricle and swung himself up to stand beside her. The vehicle swayed from his motion, so he took Miss Maidland by her arms to steady her. His grip also prevented her from striking him.
“I need you, Miss Maidland.”
“You may not have me, sir! Now get out of this carriage.”
“I will go, but please… I need your help.”
“I’ll help you to leave!”
“I’ll go, but one thing: Gisborn cannot know that you’ve seen me.”
“What? Of course he should know.”
“Please, Marianne. I’m asking as an old friend.”
“I don’t recall that we were old friends…”
“Then I’m asking as a new friend.”
“I don’t recall becomingnewfriends. The way youare clutching me now, I’m not certain we are anythinglikefriends.”
Her eyes flashed. Off in the distance Robert heard the first indication that she had been correct about Gisborn. The greedy steward was calling from somewhere up the road, around the bend, just out of sight. His voice was muffled by the trees but definitely coming closer.
“See?” she said with a triumphant grin. “Mr. Gisborn is on his way.”
He met her flashing eyes and held the defiant gaze for just a moment. Her arms were taut, tense where he clasped them. Her strength was surprising, hidden behind delicate muslin and a fine silk shawl. She seemed just as sure in this precarious position as she would have been in a ballroom or fashionable salon. Marianne Maidland had certainly grown up to become a remarkable woman.
He realized he was enjoying holding her far too much for his own good. Gisborn’s voice was rapidly approaching. Robert needed to leave.
“Don’t tell my steward you’ve seen me,” he said quickly. “Please.”
Since it seemed ridiculous to ask favors of her while he gripped her like a ruffian, he let his hands drop to his sides. The curricle rocked slightly but she held herself firm, standing perfectly straight and secure, still glaring daggers but not moving the least to get away from him. He let himself swim in the current of her eyes for just a moment longer, then he swung himself down onto the ground.
