Part 43 (1/2)

Once free, Harry hesitated, then followed in Lucinda's wake. His declaration that he was finished with her rang mockingly in his ears; he shut off the sound. After trying a number of tacks, he finally located her, at the centre of her inevitable court. Ruthven was there, as were Amberly and Satterly.

Harry's eyes narrowed.

Amberly was at Lucinda's side, chatting with his usual facility; he gestured hugely and everyone laughed, Lucinda included. Then it was Satterly's turn; Hugo leaned forward and smiled, clearly retelling some on dit or recounting some incident. Ruthven, on Lucinda's AN

UNWILLING CONQUEST.

other side, glanced down at her. He was watching her face closely.

Harry's lips compressed.

Concealed by the crowd, he focused on Lucinda. She smiled at Satteriy's tale yet the gesture lacked the warmth Harry knew it could hold. The conversation became general; she laughed and returned some comment but without the a.s.sured gaiety she normally displayed. The dangerous tension that had gripped him eased.

She was subdued--very possibly unhappy beneath her calm veneer.

Guilt welled; ruthlessly, Harry stifled it. Serve the d.a.m.ned woman right--he'd offered; she'd refused.

He'descaped a dangerous situation. Logic suggested he remove himself from further temptation. Harry hesitated, and saw Ruthyen offer Lucinda his arm.

”Might. I suggest a short stroll about the terrace, m'dear?” Concerned by the wan, haunted look in Lucin~'da's eyes, Ruthven could think of nothing else that might bring her some ease. Her gaze, dark and shadowed, constantly roamed the crowd.

”Some fresh air will help you forget this stuffy ballroom.” Lucinda smiled, aware her brightness had dimmed.

”Indeed,” she said, glancing around.

”The atmosphere is too close for my comfort, but She hesitated, then glanced up at his lords.h.i.+p.

”I'm really not sure...” She let the words trail away, unable to put her uncertainty into words.

”Oh--don't worry about that.” Mr Amberly waved expansively.

”Tell you what--we'll all go.” He smiled en ouragingly at Lucinda.

”Nothing anyone could make of that, what?”

Lucinda blinked--and glanced at Lord Ruthven and Mr Satterly.

”Capital notion, Amberly.” His lords.h.i.+p again offered her his arm, this time with a gallant flourish.

”Just the ticket.” Mr Satterly nodded and stepped back, waving her on.

Lucinda blinked again. Then, realising they were all watching her, waiting, genuine thoughtfulness their only motivation, she smiled gratefully, and even more gratefully relaxed.

”Thank you, gentlemen, that would indeed be most kind of you.”

”Only too happy,” came from Mr Satterly. ”A pleasure, m'dear,” from Mr Amberly.

Lucinda glanced up and found Lord Ruthven's eyes ruefully twinkling.

His lips twisted in a wry smile.

”Nothing too good for a friend, you know.” More rea.s.sured than she had been all evening, Lucinda smiled back. '~ From the depths of the crowd, Harry watched the little cavalcade head off, Ruthyen steering Lucinda in Satterly and Amberly's wake. As the realisation that Ruthven's goal was one of the long windows opening onto the terrace crystallised in his brain, tension gripped Harry anew. He took a step forward--then stopped short.