Mastering the Marquess by Vanessa Kelly

Jacob, Uncle Isaac, these are Annabel’s cousins, Lord Silverton and Mr. Robert Stanton. They have been most helpful in assisting General and Lady Stanton to place us in our present situation.”
    She glared defiantly at her uncle, feeling infinitely more secure now that Silverton stood by her shoulder. Meredith didn’t know why she felt that way, given the gravity of the situation, but she was absolutely sure the marquess would allow no harm to come to her or to Annabel.
    Isaac ignored the introduction as he scowled at the unwelcome visitors. Jacob, however, threw a cautious glance at Meredith and sketched a small bow in Silverton and Robert’s direction.
    â€œMy lord, Mr. Stanton,” he said. Silverton acknowledged the greeting with a remote nod of the head.
    A quiet sob snapped Meredith’s attention back to her sister and Miss Noyes. Annabel was still dreadfully pale, but she bravely stood her ground, her arms wrapped around the small governess, who wept into her handkerchief. Meredith crossed the room and led the two women over to the sofa, murmuring encouragement as she gently pressed them to sit.
    She glanced at Silverton. His mouth thinned with displeasure as he observed the scene through narrowed eyes. Meredith took a deep breath.
    â€œLord Silverton, we are in need of your assistance once again. My uncle is insisting that Annabel and I leave this house immediately and move with him to Swallow Hill. I have tried to explain we are under the protection of General and Lady Stanton, but my uncle refuses to acknowledge that we are perfectly safe here and that he must abide by the wishes of Annabel’s family.”
    Isaac spun around surprisingly quickly for a man his size.
    â€œDon’t get impudent with me, girl. Annabel is under my command, and if I wish her to come with me, then come she will. I have the legal right of her and that is the end of it.”
    He sneered and took a step forward, as if he meant to grab her sister and make good on his threat. Annabel shrank back against the sofa cushions and Miss Noyes wept harder than ever.
    As Meredith braced herself in front of her sister, Silverton’s voice whipped through the room like a lash, causing her uncle to halt in his tracks.
    â€œI would advise you to stay where you are, Mr. Burnley, or you may well regret the outcome of your actions.”
    The marquess walked slowly toward Isaac, but the way he held his body was anything but relaxed. Meredith became aware, not for the first time, of how very tall and muscular Silverton actually was. He also exuded a subtle but commanding force of presence that made the other men in the room look smaller than they were.
    Isaac stared incredulously at Silverton. He laughed harshly at first, but his brow furrowed with anger when he perceived the look of cold disdain on the other man’s face.
    â€œI don’t know who the hell you think you are to order me around,” her uncle growled, “but I can assure you, I have the legal right to take the girl with me now. She is under a doctor’s care at home and will come with me immediately.”
    Robert, quiet until now, uttered a smothered oath and stepped hastily forward, apparently ready to charge across the room and attack Isaac.
    Silverton’s hand shot out and grabbed the boy’s wrist in a tight grasp, locking him by his side. Robert started to protest, but his voice died when he looked at his cousin’s face. Silverton’s gaze remained fixed on Isaac.
    â€œI’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Burnley,” he replied, not sounding disappointed at all, “but neither Miss Annabel nor Miss Burnley will be leaving this house or London until they choose to do so. They are under my uncle’s protection and, by extension, mine as well.”
    He glanced over at Meredith and Annabel, and his eyes grew even colder.
    â€œIt is obvious that you have distressed the ladies enough for one day. I suggest that you