Falling in Love Again by Cathy Maxwell Page B

“ Now , we’ve moved on to crimes such as evading the law, breaking and entering, assaulting a Runner, and stealing horses!”
    â€œMallory,” John said in a low voice, “you are getting worked up over very little—”
    â€œVery little? Do you gentlemen still believe you are on the battlefield? That you can just take command of whatever you wish? This is London, sir, not some remote village in Portugal!”
    Major Peterson took a step back. “I thought it was an emergency, Lady—”
    She whirled to face John. “And you should turn yourself over to the Magistrate. Now, before any more crimes are added to the list.”
    His eyebrows shot up. “Have you gone mad?”
    â€œI believe I’m close to it,” Mallory said with perfect frankness. “Please, we can’t spend the rest of our lives running all over England. Go to the Magistrate, explain that you will need some time to sort out your affairs…and that we didn’t mean to take the undertaker’s rig and horses.”
    â€œHe’ll order me slapped in irons before I get the first sentence out of my mouth. Mallory, in the eyes of the law, my uncle’s actions were as good as my own. He had a legal right to act as my agent, and I’m responsible, even if the man stoleall my money. Based upon what you’ve said about the accounts at Craige Castle, I believe the man has been stealing from me for years, starting from the day I entered the army.”
    Mallory felt a rush of relief. “This is even better! The Magistrate will have your uncle arrested—”
    â€œNo. If anyone finds Louis, it’s going to be me, and it will be me he answers to.”
    â€œ You ?” Mallory echoed. “You don’t even know where he is!”
    John’s mouth flattened and his eyes glittered. “I’ll find him.”
    She turned on her heel, needing to put space between them, and found herself face to face with Major Peterson, who dropped his gaze as if suddenly very interested in the toe of his boot. All of a sudden she realized how shrewish she must sound to him.
    She whirled around on one heel and started walking away from the two men.
    â€œMallory.” John was following her.
    â€œGo away! Please.”
    â€œNo.” He caught up with her, took hold of her arm and pulled her around to face him.
    She refused to look at him. A terrible sadness suddenly weighed her down. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her wedding ring. She held it out to him, the sapphire black in the moonlight, the diamonds twinkling like stars. “Here.” Her voice sounded dry, hoarse. “Take this and apply it to your debt.”
    â€œMallory—”
    â€œThis marriage is not going to work, John. We are too different.”
    John ignored her outstretched hand. “Mallory, believe in me; I will get Craige Castle back for you.”
    â€œIt’s not the castle!” She turned away from him. “The castle is gone.”
    â€œThen what is it, Mallory?”
    â€œI said take the ring.”
    â€œThe ring is yours. I gave it to you.”
    â€œI don’t.” want it. Can’t you understand—?”
    â€œNo! I don’t.” He stepped in front of her, forcing her to look at him, and it proved her undoing.
    Tears burned in her eyes. She fought to hold them back. “I’m not the person you married.” Her voice was hoarse with pent-up emotion. “Not anymore.”
    â€œNeither of us is.”
    â€œTake it, John.” She pushed the ring toward him.
    â€œMallory, it is not over between us—”
    â€œJohn, it never started—”
    â€œYou’re all I have left. You and the title.”
    â€œI am not a possession, John. I’m a person. A person you don’t even know.”
    â€œI’ll learn to know you,” he said with confidence.
    Mallory frowned at him. He truly believed what he said, that