Part 29 (1/2)

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 astonis.h.i.+ng 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 fas.h.i.+on.”

”In your own fas.h.i.+on?” 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 s.h.i.+fted 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.”