Read Online Jack of Hearts by Marjorie Farrell - Free Book Online Page A

much more helpful than any of the regular Spanish troops I ever encountered!”
    “Indeed, Sergeant Gillen,” Jack agreed with such similar disdain that they both looked at each other and laughed.
    “Well, ‘tis an honor to meet ye, sor,” said Patrick, and he gently reined his horse behind Anne’s mare.
    “You are a traitor, Patrick,” she muttered to herself.
    “Did you say something, Miss Heriot?” asked Jack, his eyes dancing.
    “It seems I have been ignorant about who won the war. Like everyone, I thought it was Wellington. Now I find I am mistaken.”
    “Lord Wellington is a brilliant commander, Miss Heriot,” Jack told her warmly, “but the one thing the British public doesn’t seem to understand is how important it was that Sanchez and Mina and their men kept the French troops busy. Wellington would have been outnumbered otherwise.”
    Lord Aldborough’s voice was calm, but Anne could hear that he was keeping his emotions in check. And from what both he and Patrick had said, the Spanish had played an important role, one for which they received no recognition. She had also heard disparaging comments from time to time about Lord Aldborough’s Spanish background, and she felt a sudden onrush of sympathy.
    “I apologize, my lord. I had no right to talk about the war, given my complete ignorance of military strategy.”
    Jack was touched by her obvious sincerity. “Thank you, Miss Heriot Perhaps I wouldn’t be so sensitive if it were not for my Spanish blood.”
    “I know a little of what it is like to be treated dismissively because of one’s birth, my lord,” she said sympathetically.
    “So we do have something in common, Miss Heriot,” said Jack, giving her his most charming smile. He hesitated and then spoke again. “In fact, I believe we have more than one thing in common.”
    Anne raised her eyebrows. “And what is that, my lord?”
    Sometimes, thought Jack, once one had reconnoitered and found one’s quarry, a head-on attack was the best tactic. He threw caution to the winds. “We are both in search of a spouse.”
    “You surprise me, Lord Aldborough. I would have expected you to be more romantic in your approach.” Anne tried to keep her tone light, but she was irritated all over again. She certainly had no romantic illusions about what she was doing, but she appreciated the tact and sensitivity of Lord Windham and Lord Leighton, and she had to admit she felt insulted that the so-called Jack of Hearts was not even going to try to add her to his roster of romantic conquests.
    “Sometimes a direct attack…er…approach is best, Miss Heriot. And from what I have seen and heard, you are a very practical woman. You know something of my predicament?”
    “I know that you’ve inherited a bankrupt estate and the care of an aunt and two cousins, my lord,” Anne admitted stiffly.
    “I need a wife with money, Miss Heriot, and I understand that you are looking for a husband with a title.”
    “You’re correct, my lord. But you’re by no means the only man in London with a title and no money!”
    “Oh, I know that all too well, Miss Heriot,” Jack replied with a grin. “I realized I’d better let you know that I am as interested in the position as Windham and Leighton are.”
    “Position! You speak as if I were looking for a servant.”
    “Well, it is you doing the ‘hiring,’ as it were, Miss Heriot.”
    “I am doing nowt in London this fall but becoming acquainted with the ton and any, er, possibilities that may present themselves, Lord Aldborough,” said Anne, stung into a Yorkshirism.
    “An admirable strategy, Miss Heriot, to survey the ground before moving in.”
    It was what she was doing, and a sensible thing too. Surely there was nothing wrong in making a considered choice in something that would determine the rest of her life! Yet he was making it sound as though she was unwomanly.
    “Since it will be a lifetime bond, I think choosing a husband an important enough