Lidian shook her head. "I believe they"re still on sh.o.r.e, in the midst of that large group conducting a political discussion."
Dollie made a scoffing sound. "Eric once told me that when men are pretending to have political discussions, they are usually talking about women."
Lidian smiled. "I wouldn"t be surprised." She caught sight of an archery range beyond the tents, and watched as some of the women expertly shot arrows into the hay-stuffed targets.
"Would you like to try?" Dollie asked, noticing her interest. "It isn"t as difficult as it appears."
For the next half hour or so, Dollie tried to teach Lidian the skill of archery while both of them couldn"t help laughing at her wildly flying arrows. After missing the target as many times as she had hit it, Lidian handed the bow to Dollie with a wry smile. "I"d better stop now, before I accidentally skewer someone." She lifted a hand to the painted tin whistle she had decided to wear around her neck that day. "I wore this for luck, but I"m afraid it hasn"t worked very well. Thank heaven archery isn"t a skill one needs in everyday life."
"It"s fun, though." Dollie fitted an arrow to the bow and took careful aim. Just then a handsome young gentleman approached her, and Dollie saw him from the corner of her eye. She let the arrow fly, deliberately sending it wide of the target. "Lord Bolton," she said shyly, "perhaps you would care to help with my aim? I can"t seem to get the knack of this."
Lidian wanted to laugh. Dollie was extremely proficient at archery and could hit the center of the target whenever she chose. "I believe I"ll go keep company with my mother," Lidian said, smiling as she left.
Crossing behind a tent, she enjoyed the cool breeze that blew on her face and throat. She was dressed in a blue wool gown and a light cape, her dark hair twisted and pinned to the nape of her neck.
"Lidian."
She turned at the sound of a man"s voice. To her astonishment, she saw Chance Spencer standing there. He was dressed in dark clothes and a black silk cravat with an ornate gold and diamond pin. His pantaloons were tailored much too tightly, displaying the mound of his manhood just like a male peac.o.c.k showing its plumage.
Lidian"s brows drew together. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you," he said easily.
A scornful smile touched her lips, and she started to walk past him without a word. He caught her wrist in a tight grip. "You can"t really mean to walk away from me," he said. "Not when every woman in London wants me."
She shook her head in amazement at his conceit and pulled at her wrist.
He refused to release her. "That"s quite an accomplishment," he remarked, "landing a De Gray. All the wealth and social standing a woman could desire. Does he know you were mine first, darling?"
I was never yours."
"That can be remedied," he replied. Before she could react, he clamped his hand over her mouth and locked an arm around her waist. He jerked her forward with astonishing swiftness while she fought to free herself. Chance pulled her past a line of trees, out of view of the boating party. There was a hackney carriage waiting on the road nearby. Dimly Lidian thought she might have heard Dollie calling her name, but it might have only been the echo of her wildly thundering heart.
Without ceremony Chance shoved her into the hackney and signaled to the driver. The vehicle started with a lurch and moved swiftly along the street, taking her away from her family and friends. Collapsing on the seat opposite Chance, Lidian gasped with outrage and fear. "Why are you doing Chance was maddeningly smug. "Simple, darling," he replied calmly. "I want a duel with De Gray."
She stared at him in bewilderment. "Wh-why?"
"You must have heard of the name I"m making for myself in London. Everyone of importance has heard of me, but I still don"t receive the respect I deserve. Men like De Gray look down their noses at me and sneer that I"m not fit company for them. Well, I"ve come up with a plan to remedy that."
"By abducting me?"
"Exactly. When it becomes generally known that I"ve dishonored you, De Gray will challenge me to a duel. I"ve become quite accomplished with the sword, you know. I"ve studied under the greatest fencing masters on the Continent. I"ve already killed one man in a duel this year, a petty little squire who felt moved to defend his wife"s honor." A boastful smile crossed his face. "When I best someone as wealthy and respected as De Gray, everyone will fear and admire me-and I"ll be one of the most acclaimed men in London."
Lidian stared at him as if he had gone insane. "You would ruin me, and either wound or kill the man I love, simply to enhance your reputation? My G.o.d, this isn"t a game, Chance!"
"All of life is a game," he said lightly.
"You"re not a man at all," Lidian said through her teeth. "You"re nothing but a cowardly peac.o.c.k. Attacking a woman you once claimed to love is the lowest, most base-"
"I did love you." He chuckled and shook his head, as if she were a child. "Lidian, don"t you understand anything about the nature of men? I meant everything I said to you."
"Then why did you make promises you never kept? Why claim you wanted me and then never come back for me?"
Chance shrugged. "Time pa.s.sed...and I forgot what an enchanting creature you are. But I did care for you, in my own fashion."
"In your own fashion?" Lidian repeated blankly. A brittle laugh erupted from her throat. "G.o.d, I was such a fool!" She stared at him with such cold fury that Chance"s smile faded, and he shifted uncomfortably. "Take me back," she said.
"I"m afraid I can"t do that."
Lidian"a voice was very soft. "If you harm Lord De Gray in any way, I"ll make certain you pay for it. And if you do provoke him to duel, and he doesn"t kill you...I will. I swear it on my own life."
Chance stared at her in amazement, and he then laughed. "What a bloodthirsty little wench! I never suspected there was such pa.s.sion in you. This promises to be quite an enjoyable interlude indeed."
Lidian settled back in her seat, praying silently that Dollie might have caught a glimpse of Chance forcing her into the carriage.
6.
Talking with a circle of friends, Elizabeth was surprised when Dollie De Gray approached her with a pale, tense face and drew her aside. "Aunt Elizabeth," she murmured urgently, "something"s wrong. It"s Lidian...I think she is in trouble."
Elizabeth went cold, wrenched with sudden concern. "What is it? Tell me quickly, Dollie!"
"A minute ago I saw her leaving the boating party with someone."
"With whom? Your brother?"
The girl shook her head, looking troubled. "A dark-haired man. I think it may have been Lord Spencer. He rushed her into his hackney carriage, and they ignored me as I called out to them."
"Dear G.o.d," Elizabeth said, turning white. It was clear that Spencer would place Lidian in some compromising situation. The matter must be handled quickly and discreetly. "Dollie, you must find your brother for me and tell him immediately."
"Yes, Aunt Elizabeth." Dollie sped away.
Elizabeth stood as still as a statue, frozen with fear for her daughter, unable to believe that such a disaster had taken place. After a minute or two had pa.s.sed, she was aware of a man approaching her. She glanced upward and made an inarticulate sound as she saw Garrett De Gray"s unreadable face. "Lord Spencer has taken Lidian," she began in a faltering voice, and he took her hand in a hard, rea.s.suring grip.
"I was with Eric when Dollie told him," he said quietly. They walked to a small grove of trees, where they could talk without being easily observed. "Everything will be all right, Lizzie. Eric has gone after them, and he"ll take care of her."
"If Chance Spencer has ruined my daughter, I"ll...I"ll shoot him," she whispered.
"I"ll shoot him for you," Garrett said without amus.e.m.e.nt.
He was so strong, so capable and concerned, that Elizabeth nearly lost the tight hold on her emotions. "I thought Lord Spencer was finally out of our lives."
Garrett frowned. "I never would have expected Lidian to have the bad judgment to go off with a man like Spencer."
"She"s a good girl!" Elizabeth said in a burst of defensive anger. "I brought her up with the highest morals, and she has always behaved with honesty and unselfishness." Tears slipped down her cheeks. "And if you don"t believe that, then you and your entire family be d.a.m.ned."
Garrett pulled her into his arms, holding her against his broad chest. "I believe you," he said, in a soft voice he might have used to comfort a frightened child. "Hush, Lizzie. You did a splendid job with her-she"s nearly as perfect as you are. Hush, don"t cry."
But Elizabeth made no effort to stop her tears. For the first time in the many years since her husband died, she was letting a man hold her, soothe her...and it felt strangely right. "You"re trying to make a fool of me," she said miserably. "You certainly don"t think I"m perfect."
He brushed his knuckle over her wet cheek, catching a tear or two. "Later I"ll tell you exactly what I think, Lizzie. After your daughter is safely returned, you and I have a long discussion ahead of us."
"Concerning what?"
"This, among other things."
Before Elizabeth could react, Garrett bent and possessed her mouth with a devastating kiss. When he lifted his head, she was so astonished she could hardly speak.
"Y-you," she stuttered, "are the most insulting, sh-shameless man I"ve ever...to bring this up at such a time..."
"Yes, I know." He reached in his coat for a handkerchief. "Take this and blow your nose."
She obeyed, staring at him with eyes as round as b.u.t.tons. "You"re disgraceful, Garrett," she said, her voice m.u.f.fled through the square of linen. "My daughter was right-you want reforming badly."
"Only from you," he said, and held her close. "Don"t worry," he murmured, "Eric will reach her in time."
"Get away from the window," Chance said as Lidian stared outside. "There"s nothing to see...and no one will help you."
Lidian ignored him, leaning out the window of the enclosed carriage and gazing at the traffic behind them. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a horse and rider approaching them at a headlong gallop, the distance closing rapidly between them. It had to be Eric, she thought, and cried out, waving her arm frantically to attract his attention. Suddenly she felt Chance"s grip on her arm, yanking her back inside the hackney. Lidian tumbled to her seat and stared at him with satisfaction. "You"re wrong," she said breathlessly. "He"s coming for me-and he"ll make you pay."
Realizing that he was going to be deprived of the opportunity to force himself on her, Chance pounded angrily on the roof to alert the driver. "Don"t stop the carriage for any reason," he shouted.
But in less than a minute, there was the sound of shouting outside, and the thunder of the horses" hooves and carriage wheels began to slow. Lidian tried to look through the window once more, but Chance shoved her back to her seat. "Don"t move!" he snapped.
The hackney stopped and swayed, and soon the carriage door was wrenched open violently. Lidian scrambled to leave, launching herself at the man who reached inside for her. She gasped with relief as she felt Eric"s hard grip at her waist, swinging her down to the road.
"Thank G.o.d," she said tearfully, throwing her arms around him. He held her in a brief, crushing grip, and released her, his gaze raking over her. "I"m all right," she said, smiling up at him. She lifted her hand to his face, trying to a.s.sure herself that he was real. It was Eric...but he wore an expression she had never seen before, so cold and murderous that she flinched. His green-gray eyes were as hard as ice as he watched Chance descend from the carriage.
Lidian"s smile vanished, and she broke the silence in a faltering voice. "He...wants to duel with you."
Chance tried to summon a c.o.c.ky smile. "I"d say there was sufficient provocation for that, wouldn"t you, De Gray?"
"No duel," Eric said softly. "Although I"d take pleasure in slicing you to ribbons, I won"t have her name ruined."
"Then how shall this be settled-"
Before the sentence was finished, Eric reached Chance in one swift stride. His fists landed in a hard, pummeling rhythm while Chance howled in protest and tried to defend himself. The two of them locked in combat and fell to the side of the street, swearing and brawling. Eric slammed Chance"s head to the ground and continued to hit him mercilessly, not pausing even when Chance began to lose consciousness.
Lidian rushed to him, urgently calling his name. "Eric, please...you must stop!"
Eric paused, breathing heavily as he stared down at Chance"s battered face. "Don"t ever come near her again," he said thickly, "or I"ll finish what I started tonight."
"Never," Chance croaked, his eyes slitting open.
Eric wiped his blood-smeared fists on Chance"s coat and stood up. Slowly Chance eased to a sitting position, groaning as he gingerly touched his face.
"I knew you"d come for me," Lidian said with a wavering smile. Eric glanced at her with no expression and led her to the hackney. She obeyed his prompting to enter the carriage, and wondered why he looked so grim.
"I"m not returning to the boating party," he said. "You"ll have to go back alone."
"Wh-what?" Lidian was utterly confused. "You...you seem angry with me. Eric, you don"t think this is my fault, do you? You can"t possibly believe that I went with him willingly!"
"I don"t know what to believe," he said coolly.
"I love you, not Chance!"
"Not long ago you would have given anything to be with him."
"But everything"s different now. I thought you understood." She clambered out of the hackney as he strode toward the chestnut gelding he had ridden. "Where are you going?"
"I don"t know," he said over his shoulder. "At the moment I don"t care."
Hurt, afraid, anxious, Lidian tried to think of how to convince him to stay with her. He must be made to understand how much she loved him, wanted him, enough that she would never have gone anywhere willingly with Chance Spencer. "You must listen to me-"
"I"m in no mood to talk now."
She watched in disbelief as he took the gelding"s reins in hand and swung easily onto the horse.
"Eric!" she called, but he didn"t seem to hear. All at once she remembered the whistle around her neck. He had once promised to come to her whenever she used it. She fumbled with the small object and managed to bring it to her lips. Using all her strength, she blew until it produced a shrill, piercing blast.
Eric stopped at the sound. Slowly he turned his head, and their gazes locked. Lidian didn"t dare breathe as he approached her. Eric stared at her with frustration, anger, and an odd flicker of amus.e.m.e.nt. "What the h.e.l.l do you want?"
"To be alone with you."
Tension built in the silence that followed. "Later," Eric finally said.
"Now," she insisted softly.
He contemplated her for a moment. Finally he reached a hand down, and she grasped his taut wrist. His fingers closed around her arm, and he pulled her up to the saddle in front of him.
Lidian was filled with relief as she felt his arm close around her, holding her steady as he signaled the horse with the pressure of his thighs. They did not speak for the next few minutes, each of them lost in private thoughts and questions. At the end of the short journey, Eric reined in the horse in front of an elegant town house with an ivory Palladian-fronted facade.
"Is this yours?" Lidian asked.
He nodded, dismounting the gelding and helping her down. A servant appeared to take the horse while Eric escorted Lidian inside with a firm hand on her elbow. The interior of the house was cool and refreshing, the walls tinted cream and pale yellow, with French furniture and hangings of burgundy and gold. Lidian had a brief impression of an imperturbable butler and a pair of servants who politely went about their work and hid any trace of surprise that their master had brought an un-chaperoned girl there.
Eric took her to his private suite, a receiving room decorated in cream and slate blue, with a bedchamber visible through the doorway.
"Well?" He slanted her a questioning glance, arching one brow as he waited for her to speak. But his expectant, slightly mocking expression was wiped clean as Lidian removed her cloak and unfastened the top b.u.t.ton of her bodice. Nervousness made her fingers slightly clumsy, but she progressed to the second b.u.t.ton and then the next. She paused to see if he was watching her and discovered that she had gained his complete attention.
"Chance forced me to go with him," she said, unfastening yet another b.u.t.ton. "It happened so quickly that I had no opportunity to alert anyone. I had no choice in the matter." The bodice of her gown began to sag from her white shoulders. Carefully she removed the blue ribbon from her neck, and dropped the whistle to the floor. "Chance is a vain, cruel, shallow man, and I was a fool for ever thinking I loved him. You"re the only one I want...the only man I trust and love and desire." She eased her arms from the bodice, her upper body clad only in a thin chemise that revealed the shadow of her cleavage and the pointed tips of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Eric"s gaze was riveted on her.
Noticing that he seemed to be having difficulty breathing, Lidian was encouraged enough to pull the pins from her hair. It fell in a black silken river over her shoulders, rippling down to her waist. "I want to show you exactly how I feel about you," she said. "After today there will be no more doubts."