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Alighting froe, Elizabeth stared in awe Marcus set his hand at her waist and stood beside her His voice was low and intimate in her ear "Welcome home"

He kissed the sensitive part of her neck where her shoulder met her throat "Wait until you see the inside," he said with obvious pride

As they entered the foyer, Elizabeth sucked in her breath onder The ceiling vaulted away froe crystalline chandelier hung froently lit alcoves located along the walls on either side, and the stone floor was covered in several is

Elizabeth set the pace for the group, walking slowly as she struggled to take in her surroundings The sound of their h the vast space In front of them, at the other end of the foyer, was a wall of French doors When opened, they led out onto the large expanse of lawn just beyond

But the focal point of the roo either wall to join at aabove From there the ascent branched off to hallways on the left and right, which led to the east and ings

Paul looked at her with a proud smile "It is impressive, isn’t it?"

Elizabeth nodded with eyes wide "To call it impressive wouldn’t do it justice"

They made their way up the dual staircase on the left side while servants hauled up trunks on the right Marcus drew to a halt in front of an open doorway and held out his hand to urge Elizabeth inside Paul and Robert excused the meal

The room she entered was ht taupe and creamy blue Striped silk curtains framed s that overlooked the front circular drive Two doorways flanked the sides of the roo room and a decidedly ht, a nursery

Marcus stood directly behind her "Do you like it?"

"It’s perfect," she acknowledged

With a caressing s room and headed to his room beyond

Alone, Elizabeth took in the contents of the roo the little details The small bookcase built into the bottom of theseat held copies of her favorite books The vanity drawers held her custohts they’d spent in the guesthouse, Marcus had thought of alloves, she went in search of her husband Stepping through the open double doors that led to his room, she found Marcus at the desk, sans coat and waistcoat She approached hiently "Must you char the desk, he wrapped her tightly in his ar a hard kiss to her forehead "Of course"

She hugged hirateful she couldn’t help telling him so

"I’ruffly, his ive you a full tour before supper and in thethe staff will line up for your inspection"

"It is not so htfulness and care for my comfort" Elizabeth kissed the sharp line of his jaw

He squeezed her brutally close, and then set her away Returning to his desk, he bent his head to the papers he pulled fro at the loss of his embrace, she sank into a chair in front of the fireplace "What are you doing?"

His gaze re my steward that I’m in residence I usually handle expenditures after the Season, but since we are here, Ithe journal?"

He glanced up and hesitated ayou and the journal in one location is foolhardy"

She stilled, surprised "Where is it? With Eldridge?"

"No" He took a deep breath "I placed it in Barclay’s care"

"What?" she asked, shooting to her feet "Why?"

"Because he is the only person besides St John to have worked with Hawthorne closely on ency And, at this moment, he’s one of the few people I can trust"

"What about Mr Jae has him occupied at the moment"

Elizabeth’s stomach dropped "St John"

Marcus’s eyes narrowed "Yes We aret? And the baby? The time draws near, William cannot be e heart "What if they should be attacked, as I was? How could you do this, when I begged you not to?"

"Barclay has been prepared for attacks against himself and his wife since Hawthorne’s death" He rounded the desk

"And that is why my room was ransacked?" she snapped

"Elizabeth--"

"Damn you I trusted you"

His voice cary "You entrustedto it"

"You don’t care about ued "If you did, you would not have done souaranteed to hurt me They are all I have, to risk them this way--"

"They are not all that you have! You haveto the agency Everything you do is for them"

"That’s not true, and well you know it"

"I knorong about you, wrong to trust you" She brushed aside a tear with the back of her hand "You deliberately said nothing to me"

"Because I kneould upset you I knew you would not understand at first"

"You lie You failed to tellAnd I will never understand Never"

Elizabeth swept around the settee toward the door

"I a, madam"

"Then continue,to her rooer wish to listen"

Williaaret sighed, squir to find co of this journal?"

"No" He scowled "But Hawthorne was an odd fellow I’m not surprised to learn his father was mad I’m certain Hawthorne was a bit touched as well"

"How does that pertain?"