Read The Baron's Betrayal for Free Online Page B

I will fight you on this.”
    “My lady?” Marion started at Jane’s greeting from the other side of the door.
    She rose and headed to her room. “I must go, but please be assured I will be joining you for dinner.”
    …
    Two days later, determined to free his mind from the constant thoughts of Marion, Tristan was helped into his tailcoat by his valet, Ellis, then he headed downstairs and out the back door to enjoy a morning stroll in the garden.
    He breathed deeply of the cool, crisp air. Times like this he could be at peace with himself. Perhaps not reconciled, but at least accepting of his blindness. That is, until Marion had invaded his home and took over his life. Now all the initial panic, frustration, and anger that had accompanied his early recovery had resurfaced.
    How he wished to throw caution to the wind and take his wife to bed. Even if he were to do something so foolish, the possible result of their joining had him breaking into a sweat. By what means could he ever protect those he loved? Initially, a baby needed love and devotion from his parents, but as he grew, security was paramount. A child would never feel secure with a father who couldn’t see.
    The strong scent of apples reached him, alerting him that he neared the orchard. He waved his cane to find the turn in the path that would direct him to the pond at the rear of his property. As he continued on, he tilted his head, raising his face to enjoy the warmth from the early autumn sun.
    He smiled at how his instructions to prepare for a journey to his London house had been blithely ignored once Marion had wrestled command from Mrs. Gibbons. He wondered briefly what Lorelei would make of that. Although she had started them down this path with her interference, hadn’t she?
    Within minutes he discerned the lap of water and the smell of mud and fresh grass that grew around the pond. He frowned when the scent of rosemary and chamomile infused itself. “Marion?”
    “Yes, Tristan. I am here by the water’s edge.”
    “I thought you and Mrs. Downs were busy with household matters.”
    “We finished. I thought to take a stroll before luncheon since the weather is nice and clear.”
    He moved closer to her. “Tell me what you see. I bought this property only recently. However, I thought it was far away in the country, not in Donridge Heath.”
    She slipped her arm through his. “The area is quite lovely. The pond is about the size of the one at the Manor that you and I used to swim in. Do you remember that?”
    He nodded, the warmth of those memories rushing through him. Pictures flashed of a young Marion looking at him with adoration as he held her firmly in the water, encouraging her to float. Pushing them aside, he asked, “Is there a folly?”
    “Yes, there is a lovely one. It’s quite large, actually. We would have to proceed around the pond to go there. Did you want to walk that way?”
    “Not today. Tell me about the trees. Are the leaves beginning to change their color? Are there many surrounding the pond?”
    For the next few minutes, Marion described what he could only hear and smell. She laughed when she detailed squirrels hurrying past them, up into hiding places in the trees to stash their winter stores.
    The sound of her voice and the sweet laughter should have put him off. After all, she was here against his wishes. But instead, he found himself grinning as she related such a complete description that he could see the entire area in his mind, as if an artist’s brush had created it for him alone.
    He picked up the aroma of nearby smoke. His initial jolt of panic at the scent receded when Marion mentioned his gardener was burning leaves on the other side of the apple orchard. Had she mentioned that because of his anxiety? Not only was he blind, but after his family’s death and his experience on the ship, his fear of fire crippled him.
    “My dear, I believe we should return to the house for luncheon. Cook is put out if her