A Reckless Promise by Kasey Michaels Page A

good reason. Wait, no, he doesn’t, not if he doesn’t know what Miss Hamilton knows and hasn’t told him.”
    â€œYou’re all forgetting Marley,” Darby reminded them, knowing they wouldn’t let him alone until they’d dragged everything he knew out of him. “She, unlike her aunt, is happy to talk about most anything, according to my housekeeper at the cottage. It would seem that poor John was barely in the ground before Sadie came to her niece in the middle of the night, rousing her, dressing her and leading her off into the dark, dragging their only piece of luggage with them a good distance from the village, to a posting inn.”
    â€œEscaping John’s creditors?”
    â€œNo, Rigby,” Gabe pointed out. “Female relatives aren’t tossed into the Fleet for a male’s debts.”
    Darby chanced a quick look to the ladies, who were still deep in conversation, although he doubted Sadie was getting a word in sideways.
    â€œAccording to Sadie, John’s surgery, complete with living quarters, is owned by the village, and she and Marley had to leave in order for the council or whomever to install another doctor. That explains why she brought the child to me, but nothing explains a moonlight flit.”
    â€œDid you ask?”
    â€œNo, Coop, I haven’t as yet had the opportunity. My well-meaning friends keep interrupting me whenever I think I have a moment to broach the subject.”
    â€œSorry,” Rigby mumbled. “Do you think she took the silver with her? Being penniless and all. She was penniless, wasn’t she? I would think so.”
    â€œI doubt John owned much silver or anything else of value. What I believe, gentlemen, is that Sadie wasn’t so much running to me as she was running from someone else. With Marley somehow smack in the middle of it. I feel certain every step Sadie has taken revolves around my new ward.”
    â€œThe child’s gotten to you, hasn’t she?” Gabe patted Darby on the shoulder. “You’ve never really spoken about it, but we all know you were orphaned while still quite young.”
    After which I was also whisked from the only home I’d known and plunked down among strangers, if that is also something to consider...
    â€œSadie said something the day we first met, something I don’t think she wanted to say. She wants Marley to be safe . When I pressed her, she gave a reasonable answer, but I didn’t believe her then and I don’t believe her now.”
    â€œSafe? He’s right, nobody could be safer than to be under our friend’s protection,” Rigby declared. “Look at him. There are times even I wonder at how dangerous he could be. Probably the eye patch, don’t you think?”
    â€œThank you, Rigby—I think. So, at the end of the day, and to hopefully put an end to this discussion, what I believe is that a marriage between us would be a comfort to Marley, who clearly is terrified that more people will leave her, and protection for both of them, whatever that may entail. In other words, my friends, I am being noble. Except, of course, for the part where I admitted to the fact that Sadie is definitely a beautiful, even desirable woman. I don’t have the makings of a martyr.”
    â€œSince you didn’t ask for our advice before you embarked on this course, I suppose we would only be wasting our breath now.”
    â€œBless your practical mind, Coop. I can always count on you to think with a clear head.”
    â€œBut not me?” Gabe asked, grinning. “What have I ever done that would make you doubt my sensibilities, if not my intelligence?”
    Darby believed his friends, although clearly not happy, had satisfied most of their curiosity. “Do we really have to discuss the birds again?”
    â€œNo, I suppose not. Rigby, are you insulted?”
    Their friend shook his head. “Since the only opinions I have