Mistress by Amanda Quick Page A

was adamant in her refusal to do so.
    "I dare not tell him, Marcus. He would never he able to accept the knowledge that he is married to a woman who had actually killed her first husband. How would you deal with such a revelation if you were in his shoes?"
    Marcus shrugged. "Knowing what I do about Spalding and his treatment of you, I would congratulate you on being such an excellent shot."
    Hannah gave him a stricken look. "Please, I beg you, do not tease me."
    "I'm not teasing you. It's the truth. I think you underestimate your new husband."
    "I know him better than you do. He thinks I am a paragon. I simply cannot tell him the truth."
    "Apparently the blackmailer knows that, too," Marcus observed. "Interesting."
    "What are you going to do?"
    "I believe that I shall have a long talk with someone who appears to know more about this situation than I had realized."
    "What on earth are you saying?" Hannah wailed. "Marcus, you must not tell anyone about any of this."
    "Do not concern yourself. I shall not give away your secret. But I do intend to seek a few answers to some questions I neglected to ask last night."
    "I don't understand."
    "lt appears I was somewhat hasty. I did something I rarely do: I leaped to a conclusion." Marcus steadied the prancing Zeus. "I thought I was being treated to a very inventive banbury tale, you see."
    "What are you talking about?"
    "Never mind. It's a long story and I do not have time to tell it at the moment. Rest assured that I shall look into this matter at once, Hannah. And do not pay another penny in blackmail without consulting me first, do you understand?"
    "Yes." Hannah's elegantly gloved fingers tightened on the reins. "I am so relieved to be able to talk to you about this. I was going mad."
    "It will be alright, I promise you."
    Hannah smiled mistily. "That is what you said the night you helped me dispose of Spalding's body."
    "And I was right, was I not?"
    She gave him an odd look. "You kept my secret but at a great cost to yourself. You know very well that there are still those who say that you murdered Spalding in cold blood in order to gain control of the investment pool."
    Marcus smiled. "No one could ever prove that he was not killed by a footpad, and that was all that mattered. Gossip does not bother me, Hannah. I am accustomed to it."
    Her mouth curved wryly. "Sometimes I think that nothing bothers you." She hesitated. "I read the morning papers. I could not help but see the gossip about a certain exhibition at the Fenwicks' ball last night."
    "Did you?"
    Hannah gave him a quizzical look. "Come now, Marcus. You and I are old friends. You can confide in me. We both know that you are not the type to become besotted with any female. Did you actually carry Mrs. Bright out of the ballroom in your arms?"
    "She fainted."
    "You have never gotten involved with anyone who made scenes, Marcus. You are infamous for demanding absolute discretion from your paramours."
    "Mrs. Bright is not my paramour," Marcus said coldly. "She is my very good friend. She fainted and I made certain that she got some fresh air so that she could recover. That was all."
    Hannah sighed. "You're in a strange mood today." She reached up to tug her veil down over her face. "Forgive my intrusion. Your connection to Mrs. Bright is entirely your affair."
    "I must be on my way. I told Sands that I was shopping this morning."
    Marcus gentled his tone. "Try not to worry unduly about the blackmailer, Hannah. I shall look into the matter."
    "Thank you." She gave him another sad smile. "I am very fortunate to count you as my friend." She flicked the reins and drove off down the graveled path.
    Marcus studied the sparkling fountain for a long while and then he turned Zeus's head and rode back toward the western entrance of the park.
    "But he's supposed to be dead," Zoe, Lady Guthrie, wailed. "Why isn't he?"
    "Hush, Aunt Zoe." Iphiginia cast a quick glance about at the uncrowded showrooms of Hornby and Smith, Upholsterers.