HisLadysKeeperfinal.wps (31 page)

Gemma twined her arms around his neck. She had found her own heaven on

Earth, and he owned her heart.

Hart was her anchor in life, and he would be until the end of her days—and

beyond.

HIS LADY’S KEEPER Marly Mathews 149

Lady Maud St. Martin walked along the beach, luxuriating in the glorious feelings of the water crashing over her bare feet. If Mallory knew she was this far away from the house, he would go berserk. Fortunately, they’d be returning to Skylark Castle soon to visit Gemma and Hart.

A moan carried on the wind made her heart quicken. She looked down the beach at what looked like debris that had washed up on one of the tides. Quickening her step, she transitioned from a quick walk into an all out run. Something red caught her eye.

She skidded to a halt, slipped in the wet sand and fell to her knees. The wind hadn’t moaned, a person had, and by the looks of it, that person was a man. He was lying facedown in the sand. Rolling him over, she gasped at the sight of his bright red hair.

He groaned again, finally opening his eyes. A moment or two passed where they just regarded each other.

When his hand reached up and grasped her wrist tightly, she screamed. He pulled her down to him.

“Are you English?”

“Yes,” she murmured.

“Thank God. My name is Joseph, and I need your help.”

The End