Read Online The Baron's Betrayal by Callie Hutton - Free Book Online Page B

and more instructions from Ellis, he released another arrow and, to Marion’s amazement, hit the target directly in the center.
    “Well done, my lord,” Ellis said.
    Tristan stepped back and moved his arm down so the bow rested alongside his body. “What do you think of that, Marion?”
    She jumped, startled that Tristan addressed her. How did he know she was behind him?
    “I am truly amazed.”
    He turned and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm. The grin on his face was worth more to her than anything on earth she could ever possess. Pride, happiness, and a certain smugness made her want to throw her arms around him in glee.
    “How did you know I was here?”
    “Your footsteps as you moved through the grass. I know Ellis’s footsteps, yours were much lighter.”
    “I could have been one of the maids.”
    Tristan handed the bow to Ellis and rested his gloved hands on his hips. “I would know you anywhere, Marion. I could never mistake anyone else for you.”
    Ellis cleared his throat and gathered up the equipment lying about their feet. “I will collect the rest of the arrows, my lord.”
    “Thank you. Perhaps Lady Tunstall would be so kind as to escort me back to the house.”
    Flustered from Tristan’s comments about knowing her anywhere, she quickly stepped up and took his arm. “Of course. I would be happy to stroll with you back to the house.”
    Tristan flashed a devilish smile. “Ah, well done, my dear.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “You refrained from stating that you were escorting me back to the house, rather that we would be taking a stroll.”
    Still off balance, and not sure if he was annoyed with her or not, Marion merely moved forward, with Tristan’s confident steps joining hers.
    “How was your visit into town?”
    “Quite useful. I borrowed a few books from the circulating library. I thought perhaps I could read to you in the evenings.”
    “I would like that. What books did you acquire?”
    “I wasn’t quite sure what you would enjoy, so I picked up a few different types of books. Last year I read Pride and Prejudice , and if you weren’t familiar with it, I thought that one might be of interest. Although it probably appeals more to the ladies.”
    “Actually, I tried to encourage Mrs. Gibbons to read some of Miss Austen’s work, but she didn’t get too far with Pride and Prejudice . She became extremely annoyed with Mr. Darcy and, after a few chapters, claimed to have lost the book.”
    Marion laughed. “Ah, but Mr. Darcy does redeem himself.”
    “We shall see.” Obviously familiar with the pathway to the house, he turned them both toward the front door.
    “I also arranged to have the newspaper delivered once again. I like keeping up with the news, and I’ll be happy to read that to you each morning, as well.”
    He didn’t answer, but a slight smile teased his lips.
    …
    How torn he was with her walking beside him, the warmth of her body igniting a need in him he’d long ago squelched. The familiarity of her voice, the perfume that was only her, her very presence, drew him like a starving man to a feast. And that is precisely what he was — a starving man, and she the desirable banquet.
    But his resolve reared its ugly head, reminding him that this was fake. He and Marion could never go back to their prior relationship. He was blind, could never take care of her as a husband should. And if God was amused enough to bless them with a babe, how could he ever teach the child the important things in life as a father needs do?
    No. It was best he allow her to spend whatever time she needed here to make her understand the way of things. Divorce would not be impossible, although he’d not really looked into it. If it were not possible, then a separation where she could have a full life without him was best.
    How he expected her to have a full life with no husband, home, or family was not a point he wished to dwell upon. Truth be known, he was still reeling from the fact