A Shadow's Bliss by Patricia Veryan

repay gallantry in so shabby a way!”
    â€œGallantry, is it?” Green picked up the knapsack and the broken length of leather. “Lunacy, more like. No man in his right mind would have entrusted our lives to this makeshift rope. Lucky it lasted till the mare was dragging us on the turf, else I might have been killed!”
    Jennifer assisted Jack to a group of boulders and said over her shoulder, “I take it you’d have preferred that he let you fall.”
    She expected an impassioned response, but Green was silent, frowning down at the knapsack. “Sit here, Jack,” she said kindly. “You must be quite exhausted, poor soul. And only look at your hands! Much thanks you got for your bravery!”
    Lord Green wound the leather around the knapsack and said, “Don’t set all those scrapes to my account, Miss Jennifer. He was well marked before he climbed down. Likely got into a brawl with some public spirited Roselley folk.” He strolled closer. “Tell the lady the truth, fellow. That’s it, ain’t it?”
    Breathing hard, and clutching his left arm, to which feeling was returning with a vengeance, Jonathan muttered, “No.”
    â€œLeave him alone, for mercy’s sake,” exclaimed Jennifer.
    â€œWhy, so I will. When he answers me politely. Explain why you look as if you’d swum through a bramble bush, looby, or my lady will be blaming me! And address me properly, unless you enjoy the feel of this whip.”
    Jonathan said wearily, “I had climbed … up the cliff. My lord.”
    Jennifer gave a start and stared at him, her eyes wide.
    Green’s jaw fell. “You—had—climbed up—the cliff?” He threw back his head and bellowed with laughter. “What a rasper! Oho, but you’ve chose a fine liar to pity, Miss Jennifer! Climbed up the cliff, indeed! No one could make that climb—save maybe a monkey!” Laughing still, he marched to the bay horse, which grazed nearby, and mounted up. “I offer you my escort, ma’am.”
    â€œAnd I decline it,” she said disdainfully.
    To her surprise, he voiced no argument, but turned his mount and rode away. Watching that erratic departure, she said through her teeth, “Horrid, horrid creature!”
    She was very sure of the tale that would be poured into her brother’s ears. For her own protection she should go home at once, and yet … She glanced at the man who sat on the boulder, head downbent and eyes closed. The boorish baron had taunted her with having “taken a fancy” to him. How typical of Green to have uttered such a vulgarity. She was interested in Jack because … because he was a puzzle. And because she had never been able to see anyone suffer and not want to help.
    She touched his shoulder, and said gently, “I am truly sorry that Lord Green treated you so badly. You were magnificent, and I shall see to it that you are rewarded for…” She faltered to a halt as she felt him stiffen.
    Not looking up, he said, “Thank you. You had best go, ma’am.”
    She had offended and had been politely set down. Torn between astonishment and vexation, she said, “Yes,” and took a step towards Chanteuse, who was cropping the turf contentedly. But she could not bring herself to leave him in such a way. She thought, ‘I suppose I was clumsy, and should have known the poor man still has some pride.’ She turned back. “Are you all right?”
    â€œPerfectly. I thank you.”
    But his voice was less sure and he hadn’t once looked at her. She crossed to take his chin in her hand and tilt his head up.
    My lord’s whip had left a long crimson welt from his left temple to the corner of his mouth, and another blow had reopened the cut on his brow. “Oh, my!” she gasped, and in an attempt to hide her rage and the sense of being partly responsible because one of her