THE DEVILS HEIRESS

JO BEVERLEY
SIGNET
Copyright Jo Beverley Publications, Inc., 2001
All rights reserved
IB! 0"#$1"202$#"%
PUBLISHERS NOTE
&his is a 'or( o) )iction. !a*es, characters, places, and incidents either are the product o) the
author+s i*agination or are used )ictitiously, and any rese*blance to actual persons, living or
dead, business establish*ents, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I had visited Brighton in the past, but I 'anted up"to"date in)or*ation about particular streets.
,n the -eb I )ound .ail and Pete /obertson+s -riters In)or*ation /egistry at
http011'''.paci)iccoast.net12gprobert1registry.ht*l and put in a re3uest )or Brighton. .ary
Cruci)i4 replied 'ith so*e help and his )ather too( photographs and sent the* to *e over the
!et. Isn+t technology 'onder)ul5 &han(s to all.
Chapter One
June 1816, Sussex
6o*e. It had been a 'ord 'ithout *uch *eaning, but today, 'ith his village en fete )or his
)riend+s 'edding, the contact, the bone"deep belonging, 'as li(e a cannonball )or 7a8or .eorge
6a'(inville9one sla**ing into earth )ar too close and (noc(ing the 'ind out o) hi*.
:ollo'ing ;an and 7aria out o) the church into the *idst o) the bouncing, cheering cro'd, he
)elt al*ost da<ed by the )a*iliar9the ancient green ringed by buildings ne' and old, the ro' o)
ra*shac(le cottages do'n by the river, the 'alled and thatched house at the end o) the ro'=
6a'(inville 7anor, his personal hell, but no', it 'ould see*, his essential heaven.
>-elco*e ho*e, sir5?
6e pulled hi*sel) together and shoo( hands 'ith bea*ing Aaron 6oo(er. And 'ith the ne4t
*an, and the ne4t. oon 'o*en 'ere (issing hi*, not all decorously. 6a'( grinned and
accepted the (isses.
&his 'as ;an+s 'edding, but Con 'as introducing his bride, usan, here, too. Clearly the
villagers 'ere *a(ing it into a return )estivity )or all three o) the*.
&he .eorges.
&he plaguey i*ps.
&he gallant soldiers.
&he heroes.
It 'asn+t the ti*e to be 'ry about that, so he (issed and shoo( hands and accepted bac(slaps
)ro* *en used to slapping o4en. In the end, he caught up to the blushing ne' bride and the very
recent bride, and clai*ed (isses o) his o'n.
>6a'(,? said usan A*leigh, Con+s 'i)e, her eyes brilliant, >have I told you ho' *uch I love
6a'( in the ;ale@?
>,nce or t'ice, I thin(.?
he 8ust laughed at his dry tone. >6o' luc(y you all are to have gro'n up here. I don+t (no'
ho' you could bear to leave it.?
Because a tubful of sweet posset could be soured by a spoonful of gall, but 6a'( didn+t let his
s*ile t'ist. 6e+d been desperate to leave here at si4teen, and didn+t regret it no', but he did
regret dragging ;an and Con along. !ot that he+d have been able to stop the* i) their )a*ilies
couldn+t. &he .eorges had al'ays done nearly everything together.
-hat 'as done 'as done9'isdo*, o) a trite sort9 and they+d all survived. !o', in part
because o) these 'onder)ul 'o*en, Con and ;an 'ere even happy.
6appy. 6e rolled that in his *ind li(e a )oreign )ood, uncertain 'hether it 'as palatable or not.
-hichever it 'as, it 'asn+t on his plate. 6e 'as hardly the type )or s'eethearts and orange
blosso*s, and he 'ould bring no one he cared )or to share 6a'(inville 7anor 'ith hi*sel) and
his )ather. 6e had only returned there because the s3uire 'as crippled by a sei<ure.
I) only he+d died o) it.
6e put that aside and let a bu4o* 'o*an drag hi* into a country dance. Astonishing to reali<e
that it 'as shy Alsie Bads'ell, Alsie 7an(telo' no', 'ith three children, a boy and t'o girls,
and no trace o) shyness that he could see. he 'as also clearly 'ell on the 'ay to a ne' baby.
o*e'hat alar*ed, he as(ed i) she should be dancing so vigorously, but she laughed, lin(ed
ar*s, and nearly s'ung hi* o)) his )eet. 6e laughed too and ricocheted do'n the line o)) strong,
'or(ing"'o*en+s ar*s.
6is people. 6is to ta(e care o), even i) he had to )ight his )ather to do it. o*e o) the cottages
needed repairs and the riverban( needed 'or(, but pri<ing *oney out o) the s3uire+s hands these
days 'as li(e getting a corpse to release a s'ord.
A blushing girl *issing t'o )ront teeth as(ed hi* to dance ne4t, so he did, glad to escape
*undane concerns. 6e+d dealt 'ith *ass ar*y *ove*ents over *ountainous terrain, through
(illing stor*s. urely the s3uire and 6a'( in the ;ale couldn+t de)eat hi*. 6e )lirted 'ith the
girl, disconcerted to discover that she 'as -ill Ashbee+s daughter. -ill 'as only a year older
than he 'as.
-ill had spent his li)e here, gro'ing children and 'or(ing through the cycles o) the seasons.
6a'( had lived in the death cycle o) 'ar. 7arching, 'aiting, s3uabbling, )ighting, then dealing
'ith the bro(en and burying the dead.
6o' *any *en had he (no'n 'ho 'ere no' dead@ It 'as not a tally he 'anted to *a(e. .od
had been good, and he, ;an, and Con 'ere all ho*e.
Home.
&he )iddles and 'histles ca*e to the end o) their piece, and he passed his partner to a red")aced
lad not *uch older than she 'as.
Cove. :or so*e it see*ed as natural as the birds in spring. Perhaps so*e birds never 3uite got
the hang o) it, either.
6e sa' that a cric(et *atch had started on the 3uiet side o) the green. &hat 'as *uch less li(ely
to stir *audlin thoughts, so he strolled over to 'atch and applaud.
&he batter said, >-ant a go, 7a8or@?
6a'( 'as about to say no, but then he sa' the glo' in *any eyes. Ba*nable as it 'as, he 'as a
hero to *ost o) these people. 6e and ;an and Con 'ere all heroes. &hey 'ere all veterans, but
*ost i*portant, they had all been at the great battle o) -aterloo a year ago.
o he shrugged out o) his 8ac(et and gave it to Bill Ashbee9-ill+s )ather9to hold, then 'ent to
ta(e the ho*e"carved bat. It 'as part o) his role here to ta(e part. As son o) the s3uire and the
)uture s3uire hi*sel), he 'as an i*portant part o) village li)e.
6e 'ished he 'eren+t their hero, ho'ever. &'o years a)ter ta(ing up a cornetcy in the cavalry,
he+d been seconded to the Duarter*aster .eneral+s Bepart*ent, and thus *ost o) his 'ar had
been spent out o) active )ighting. &he heroes 'ere the *en li(e Con and ;an, 'ho+d breathed the
ene*y+s breath and 'aded through blood. ,r even Cord Barius Bebenha*, Con+s )riend and an
enthusiastic volunteer at -aterloo 'ho+d died there.
But he 'as the *a8or, 'hile Con and ;an had *ade only captain, and he (ne' the Bu(e o)
-ellington. /ather better than he+d 'anted to at ti*es. 6e too( the bat and )aced the bo'ler,
'ho loo(ed to be about )ourteen and ad*irably deter*ined to bo'l hi* out i) he could. 6a'(
hoped he could.
&he )irst bo'l 'ent 'ide, but 6a'( leaned )or'ard and stopped it so it bu*ped across the rough
grass into a )ielder+s hands. 6e+d played plenty o) cric(et during the la<y ti*es in the ar*y.
urely he could *anage this so as to please everyone.
6e hit another ball a bit harder to *a(e one run, leaving the other batter up. &he bo'ler bo'led
that *an out. Bisconcerting not to be able to put a na*e to hi*. A)ter a little 'hile, 6a'( 'as
)acing the deter*ined bo'ler again, and this ti*e the ball hurtled straight )or the 'ic(et. A slight
t'ist o) the bat allo'ed the ball to (noc( the bails )lying, raising a great cheer )ro* the
onloo(ers and a *ighty 'hoop o) triu*ph )ro* the young bo'ler.
6a'( grinned and 'ent over to slap hi* on the bac(, then retrieved his coat.
Ashbee helped hi* on 'ith it, but then stepped bac( 'ith hi* out o) the group around the ga*e.
>6o'+s the s3uire today, sir@?
>I*proving. 6e+s out 'atching the )estivities )ro* a chair near the *anor.?
itting in state, *ore li(ely, but 6a'( (ept his tone bland. &he villagers didn+t need to )eel a spill
o) bile )ro* the 6a'(inville )a*ily+s a))airs.
>.ood health to hi*, sir,? said Ashbee, in the sa*e tone. :olly to thin( that the villagers didn+t
(no' ho' things 'ere, 'ith the servants in the *anor all village people e4cept the s3uire+s valet.
And a)ter all, *en li(e Bill Ashbee could re*e*ber 'hen handso*e Captain John .aspard
arrived in the village to 'oo 7iss ophronia 6a'(inville, the old s3uire+s only child, and 'ed
her, agreeing to ta(e the )a*ily na*e. &hey 'ould also re*e*ber the lady+s bitter disillusion
'hen her )ather+s death turned suitor into indi))erent husband. A)ter all, 6a'(+s *other had not
su))ered in silence. But she+d su))ered. -hat choice did she have@
And no' she 'as dead, dead *ore than a year ago o) the in)luen<a that had s'ept through this
area. 6a'( hoped she had )ound peace else'here, and he regretted that he could not truly grieve.
he had been the 'ronged party, but she had also been so absorbed in her o'n ill"usage that
she+d had no ti*e )or her one child e4cept to occasionally )ight his )ather over hi*.
6e reali<ed that Ashbee 'as hovering because he 'anted to say so*ething.
Ashbee cleared his throat. >I 'as 'ondering i) you+d heard anything about changes do'n along
the river, sir.?
>Eou *ean repairs.? Ba*n the s3uire. >I (no' there+s 'or( needs doing9?
>!o, sir, not that. But there 'as so*e *en po(ing around the other day. -hen .ranny
7uggridge as(ed their business, they didn+t see* to 'ant to say, but she heard the* *ention
)oundations and 'ater levels.?
6a'( *anaged not to s'ear. -hat the devil 'as the s3uire up to no'@ 6e clai*ed there 'as no
*oney to spare, 'hich 6a'( couldn+t understand, and no' he 'as planning so*e i*prove*ent
to the *anor@
>I don+t (no', Ashbee. I+ll as( *y )ather.?
>&han( you, sir,? the *an said, but he did not loo( *ar(edly satis)ied. >&hing is, sir, later on
Jac( *ithers )ro* the Peregrine said he sa' the* tal(ing to that lade. &he *en had stabled
horses at the Peregrine, you see, and lade 'al(ed the* )ro* his house to the inn.?
lade. Josiah lade 'as a Bir*ingha* iron )ounder 'ho+d *ade a )ortune casting cannons )or
the 'ar. :or so*e devil"inspired reason he+d retired here in 6a'( in the ;ale a year ago and
beco*e a crony o) the s3uire+s. 6o', 6a'( couldn+t i*agine. &he s3uire ca*e )ro* an
aristocratic )a*ily and despised trade.
But so*eho' lade had persuaded the s3uire to per*it hi* to build a stuccoed *onstrosity o) a
house on the 'est side o) the green. It 'ould not have been so out o) place on the 7arine Parade
in Brighton, but in 6a'( in the ;ale it 'as li(e a to*bstone in a garden. &he s3uire had brushed
o)) 3uestions rather shi)tily.
All 'as not right in 6a'( in the ;ale. 6a'( had co*e ho*e hoping never to have to dig in the
dirt again, but it see*ed it 'asn+t to be so easy.
>I+ll loo( into it,? he said, adding, >&han( you.?
Ashbee nodded, *ission co*plete.
6a'( headed bac( into the cro'd, loo(ing )or lade. &he trouble here 'as that he 'as da*nably
i*potent. In the ar*y he+d had ran(, authority, and the bac(ing o) his depart*ent. 6ere, he could
do nothing 'ithout his )ather+s consent.
By his parents+ *arriage contract, his )ather had co*plete control over the 6a'(inville estate )or
li)e. 6e+d heard that his *other had been *ad to have dashing Captain .aspard, and had been
the indulged apple o) her )ather+s eye, but he 'ished they+d )ought )or better ter*s.
It 'as all a pointed lesson in the )olly that could co*e )ro* i*agining onesel) in love.
6e sa' ;an and 7aria dancing together, loo(ing as i) stars shone in each other+s eyes. Perhaps
so*eti*es, )or so*e people, love 'as real. 6e s*iled at Con and usan too, but caught Con in a
conte*plative *ood, a so*berness *ar(ing hi* that 'ould have been alien a year ago, be)ore
-aterloo.
!o, he+d been changed be)ore -aterloo, changed by *onths at ho*e, out o) the ar*y, thin(ing
peace had co*e. &hat change, that gentling, 'as 'hy the battle had hit hi* so hard. &hat and
Cord Barius+s death. A*id so *any deaths one *ore or less shouldn+t *atter, but it didn+t 'or(
li(e that. 6e could re*e*ber 'eeping on and o)) )or days over the loss o) one )riend at Bada8o<.
6e 'ished he could have )ound Bare+s body )or Con. 6e+d done his da*nedest.
6e sa' usan touch Con+s ar*, and could tell that the dar( *ood )led. Con 'ould be all right.
6e spotted lade over by a beer barrel, holding court. &here 'ere al'ays so*e 'illing to toady
to a *an o) 'ealth, though 6a'( 'as pleased to see that not *any o) the villagers )ell into that
category. Colonel !apier 'as there, and the ne' doctor, cott. ,utsiders.
6a'( had to ad*it that lade 'as a tri* *an )or his age, but he )it into the village as poorly as
his house did. 6is clothes 'ere per)ect country clothes9today, a bro'n 8ac(et, bu)) breeches,
and glea*ing top boots. &he trouble 'as that they 'ere too per)ect, too ne'9as real as a
*as3uerade shepherdess.
6a'( had heard Jac( *ithers co**enting on the horse)lesh lade (ept stabled at the
Peregrine. &op"class horses, but the *an 'as a)raid o) the* and 'hen he 'ent out riding he sat
li(e a sac( o) potatoes. lade clearly 'anted to e4change his *oney )or the li)e o) a country
gentle*an, but 'hy, in the na*e o) heaven, here@
And 'hat ne' *onstrosity did he have planned@
/eplace the old hu*pbac(ed bridge over the river 'ith a copy in *iniature o) the -est*inster
one@
6e strolled over and accepted a tan(ard, and a (iss, )ro* Bill Ashbee+s 'i)e.
>A grand a))air, 7a8or,? declared lade, s*iling, though 6a'( had noted be)ore that the *an+s
s*iles to hi* 'ere )alse. 6e had no idea 'hy. ;an and Con had both co*plained o) the 'ay
lade bea*ed at the*, obviously trying to insinuate hi*sel) 'ith the t'o local peers. A *ere
6a'(inville 'asn+t 'orth toadying to@
>Perhaps 'e should have *ore such )etes,? 6a'( said, si*ply to *a(e conversation.
>&hat 'ill be )or the s3uire to say, 'ill it not, sir@?
6a'( ran that through his *ind, 'ondering 'hat it *eant. It clearly *eant so*ething *ore than
the obvious.
>I doubt *y )ather 'ill ob8ect as long as he doesn+t have to )oot the bill.?
>But he 'on+t be s3uire )orever,? said lade.
6a'( too( a drin( o) ale, pu<<led. And alert. 6e (ne' 'hen people 'ere running a subte4t )or
their o'n a*use*ent. >I 'on+t ob8ect either, lade, on the sa*e ter*s.?
>I) that should arise, 7a8or, you *ust apply to *e )or a loan. I assure you, I 'ill al'ays be happy
to support the innocent celebrations o) *y rustic neighbors.?
6a'( glanced at the >rustic neighbors? nearby, and sa' so*e rolled eyes and t'itching lips.
lade 'as a )igure o) )un here, but 6a'(+s deep, dar(, 'ell"tuned instincts 'ere registering a
very di))erent *essage.
6e toasted lade 'ith his tan(ard. >-e rustic neighbors 'ill al'ays be suitably appreciative,
sir5? 6e drained the ale, hearing a )e' suppressed chuc(les and seeing lade+s s*ile beco*e
)i4ed.
But not truly di**ed. !o, the *an still thought he had a 'inning hand. -hat the devil 'as the
ga*e, though@
6a'( turned to 'or( his 'ay through the cro'd to 'here his )ather sat near the *anor+s gates,
his valet hovering. A )e' other people had brought out chairs to (eep hi* co*pany9ne'er
village residents 'ho doubtless sa' the*selves as too good to ro*p 'ith their >rustic
neighbors,? even )or a lord+s 'edding.
6a'( put that thought out o) *ind. &hey 'ere har*less people. &he spinsterish 7isses
-eatherby, 'hose only 'eapon 'as gossiping tongues. &he vicar and his 'i)e, 'ho probably
'ould pre)er to be in the *erri*ent but perhaps )elt obliged by charity to sit 'ith the invalid.
&hat 7rs. /o'land, 'ho clai*ed her husband 'as a distant relative o) the s3uire+s. he 'as a
sallo', dis*al 'o*an 'ho dressed in drooping blac(, but he shouldn+t be uncharitable. 6er
husband still su))ered )ro* a -aterloo in8ury and she 'as in desperate need o) charity.
&he s3uire had given her )ree tenancy o) so*e roo*s at the bac( part o) the corn )actor+s, and
)reedo* o) produce )ro* the ho*e )ar*. In return, the 'o*an 'as a )re3uent visitor, and she did
see* to raise his )ather+s spirits, heaven (no's 'hy. Perhaps they tal(ed o) past .aspard glory.
6a'( re*e*bered that he+d *eant to loo( in on Cieutenant /o'land to see i) anything could be
done )or his health. !o one in the village had so *uch as seen hi*. Another duty on a long list.
At the *o*ent he 'as *ore interested in lade. &here 'as so*ething a*iss there.
o badly a*iss that 6a'( changed his *ind and turned bac( to the celebration. 6e didn+t 'ant
to con)ront his )ather in public, but con)ront hi* he 'ould, and s3uee<e the truth out o) hi* i)
necessary. -hatever lade 'as up to could be bloc(ed. All the land in the village 'as o'ned by
the *anor.
6e+d learned to put aside pending proble*s and grasp 'hatever pleasure the *o*ent held, so he
8oined a laughing group o) young *en, 'ho had once been lads o) his o'n age to play 'ith or
)ight 'ith.
6e (ept an eye on the s3uire, ho'ever, and 'hen his )ather 'as )inally carried bac( into
6a'(inville 7anor, 6a'( eased a'ay )ro* the revels and )ollo'ed. 6e crossed the green and
the road that circled it, and 'ent through the tall gates that al'ays stood open these days. ,nce
those gates and the high encircling 'all had been practical de)enses. A tall stone to'er still stood
at one corner o) the house, re*nant o) an even"sterner *edieval ho*e o) the 6a'(invilles. 6e
'as a'are o) a strange instinct to close the gates and *an the 'alls.
Against lade@
&he door opened and 7rs. /o'land ca*e out, a bas(et on her ar*. >.ood evening, 7a8or
6a'(inville,? she said, as i) good 'as an e))ort o) opti*is*. he 'as a Belgian and spo(e 'ith
an accent. >A pleasant 'edding, 'as it not@?
>Belight)ul. 6o' is your husband, 7rs. /o'land@?
he sighed. >Perhaps he gro's a little stronger.?
>I *ust co*e and visit hi* soon.?
>6o' very (ind. 6e has so*e days better than others. I hope it 'ill be possible.? he curtsied
and le)t 'ith a nunli(e step that *ade hi* 'onder ho' she+d produced t'o children.
A very strange 'o*an.
6e shoo( his head and crossed the courtyard, evening")ull o) rose per)u*e and bird t'itter. &he
hounds greeted hi* at the door, still not entirely used to hi*. ,nly old .alahad dated )ro* his
boyhood. 6a'( had na*ed hi*, in )act, to his )ather+s disgust at the ro*antical na*e.
&he s3uire called hi* .aily.
Perhaps it 'as a *iracle that his )ather+s dogs didn+t bite hi* on sight.
-hen he 'al(ed in through the oa( door his boots rapped on the )lagstoned corridor. trange the
things that a person re*e*bers. -hen he+d returned here t'o 'ee(s ago, that sound9his boots
on the )loor along 'ith the slight 8ingle o) his spurs9had been a trigger )or e4plosive *e*ories,
both good and bad.
&here 'ere other triggers. &he s*ell o) 'a4 polish, 'hich this close to the door blended 'ith the
roses in the courtyard. &here had al'ays been, as no', roses in the pottery bo'l on the table near
the door. In the 'inter, it 'as rose potpourri.
6a'(inville+s roses had perhaps been his *other+s savior. ,ver the years she had abandoned
everything to her husband e4cept her rose garden. -ryly, he could re*e*ber being 8ealous o)
roses.
-hen he 'as young. -hen he 'as very, very young.
6e had al'ays been practical, and had soon learned to do 'ithout )a*ily )ondness. Any'ay, he+d
had the )a*ilies o) his )riends to )ill any void.
It 'ould be di))erent no'. Perhaps that 'as 'hat had tinged the day 'ith slight *elancholy. By
so*e *iracle, the close )riendship o) the .eorges see*ed to have survived, but it could never be
the sa*e, not no' that ;an and Con had another special person in their lives. oon, no doubt,
there 'ould be children.
But it 'as still there, the rare and precious )riendship. As close as brothers. As close as triplets,
perhaps.
Perhaps that 'as the tug o) 6a'( in the ;ale. It 'as the ho*e o) his closest )riends. But here, in
the entrance hall o) the house in 'hich he had been born, he (ne' it 'as *ore than that.
&he 6a'(invilles had been here )ar longer than the house, but even so his )a*ily had 'orn
trac(s in these )lagstones )or )our hundred years, and doubtless cursed the da*p that rose )ro*
the* 'hen heavy rain soa(ed the earth beneath.
Perhaps his older ancestors hadn+t needed to duc( beneath so*e o) the dar( oa( lintels, though at
least one had held the nic(na*e Congshan(s. 6a'(invilles had *ade *ar(s in the paneling and
'ood'or(, so*eti*es by accident and so*eti*es on purpose. &here 'as a pistol ball e*bedded
in the parlor 'ainscoting )ro* an un)ortunate disagree*ent bet'een brothers during the Civil
-ar.
6e+d thought he didn+t care. ,ver the years in the ar*y, he could not re*e*ber e4periencing
ho*esic(ness. A )ierce desire at ti*es to be a'ay )ro* 'ar, a longing )or peace and Angland, but
not ho*esic(ness )or this place.
It 'as a shoc(, there)ore, to be )alling in love li(e this. !o, not )alling. It 'as as i) an
unrecogni<ed love had leaped )ro* the shado's and sun( in )angs.
6a'( in the ;ale. 6a'(inville 7anor. 6e reached out to lay his hand on the oa( door8a*b
around the )ront parlor door. &he 'ood )elt 'ar*, al*ost alive, beneath his hand.
7y .od, he could be happy here.
I) not )or his )ather.
6e pulled his hand a'ay. Bad luc( to 'ish )or a death, and he didn+t actively do so. But he
couldn+t escape the )act that his drea*s depended on stepping into a dead *an+s shoes. &here+d
be no happiness )or hi* here as long as the s3uire lived.
6e 'ent up the stairs9too narro' )or a gentle*an, his )ather had al'ays gru*bled9and rapped
on his )ather+s door.
&he valet, :ello's, opened it. >&he s3uire is preparing )or bed, sir.?
>!evertheless, I *ust have a 'ord 'ith hi*.?
-ith a long"su))ering loo(, :ello's let hi* in. .od (no's 'hat the s3uire told his *an, but
:ello's had no high opinion o) hi*.
>-hat no'@? the s3uire de*anded, his slightly t'isted *outh still *a(ing the 'ords clearly
enough. Perhaps it 'as the da*aged *outh that *ade hi* see* to sneer. But no, he+d sneered at
6a'( all his li)e.
&he sei<ure had a))ected his right ar* and leg, too, and he still had little strength in either, but at
a glance he did not appear *uch touched. 6e 'as still a handso*e *an in his late )i)ties, 'ith
blond hair touched 'ith silver and the )ine"boned )eatures he+d given to 6a'(. 6e (ept to the old
style, and 'ore his hair tied bac( in a 3ueue. ,n )or*al occasions he even po'dered it. 6e 'as
sitting in a chair in his shirtsleeves no', ho'ever, his )eet in slippers. !ot particularly elegant.
6a'( 'as blunt. >Is lade planning *ore building here@?
6is )ather t'itched, then loo(ed a'ay. >-hy@?
.uilt, )or sure.
But then the s3uire loo(ed bac(, arrogance in place. >-hat business is it o) yours@ I still rule
here, boy.?
Aleven years in the ar*y teaches sel)"control. A nu*ber o) those years spent 'or(ing close to the
Bu(e o) -ellington per)ects it. >It is *y inheritance, sir,? 6a'( said, >and thus *y business.
-hat is lade planning, and 'hy are you per*itting it@?
>6o' should I (no' 'hat that *an intends@?
> F&hat *an+@ Eou had hi* to dinner t'o nights ago.?
>A politeness to a neighbor.? 6e didn+t loo( a'ay again, but 6a'( had 3uestioned *ore s(ill)ul
deceivers than his )ather, and he could see the lie behind it.
>I 'as told that there 'ere *en here 'ho sounded li(e surveyors studying the area along the
river and that they later spo(e to lade. -hat interest could lade have do'n here@ &here is no
available land.?
6is )ather glared at hi*, then snapped, >Brandy5?
:ello's rushed to obey, protesting all the 'hile that brandy 'as not allo'ed. &he s3uire too( a
*outh)ul and said, >;ery 'ell. Eou *ight as 'ell (no'. lade+s planning to tear do'n this place,
and the cottages too, and build hi*sel) a grand riverside villa.?
6a'( al*ost laughed. >&hat+s absurd.?
Into the silence, he added, >6e does not have the po'er to do that.?
Boubt and )ear stirred. 6is )ather, )or all his )aults, 'as not a )ool, nor had his illness turned hi*
*ad. >-hat have you done@?
&he s3uire too( a sip o) brandy, *anaging to loo( do'n his long, straight nose, even in the chair.
It 'as posing, though. 6a'( could see that. >I have gained a peerage )or us.?
>:ro* Slade@? 6a'( couldn+t re*e*ber ever )eeling so at a loss.
>,) course not. Eou are supposed to be clever, .eorge. Gse your 'its5 It is a title )ro* *y o'n
)a*ily. ;iscount Beveril.? 6e rolled it o)) his tongue. >It 'as thought to be e4tinct 'hen the late
Cord Beveril died last year, but I proved *y descent )ro* the original viscount.?
>7y congratulations,? 6a'( said 'ith co*plete indi))erence, but then his notoriously in)allible
*e*ory thre' up )acts. >Beveril5 By .od, :ather, the na*e+s a by'ord )or all that is evil. -hy
the devil 'ould you 'ant a title li(e that@?
&he s3uire reddened. >It+s a viscountcy, you dolt. I+ll ta(e *y place in Parlia*ent5 Attend court.?
>&here is no court any*ore. &he (ing is *ad.?
Ci(e his )ather@
&he s3uire shrugged. >I a* reverting to *y right)ul )a*ily na*e as 'ell, o) course. I a* no'
John .aspard, soon to be ;iscount Beveril.?
>Are you also leaving here@? 6a'( as(ed. 6e (ept his tone )lat, but it 'as hard. Gnli(ely
sunshine 'as brea(ing in. 7y .od, 'as all he 'anted about to drop into his hands@
But then he re*e*bered lade.
>-hat has lade to do 'ith this@ Eou can+t9? -ords actually )ailed hi* )or a *o*ent. >Eou
aren+t allo'ed to sell the estate, :ather.?
>,) course I have not sold it,? his )ather declared haughtily. A)ter a *o*ent, ho'ever, he added,
>It is *erely pledged.?
6a'( put out a hand to the bac( o) a nearby chair to steady hi*sel). 6e (ne' every 'ord o) the
besotted *arriage settle*ent that had given his )ather po'er here. 6is )ather could use the estate
to raise *oney.
It 'asn+t an outrageous provision, since the ad*inistrator o) an estate *ight have need to raise
*oney )or i*prove*ents or to cover a disastrous season. 6is grand)ather had been sensible
enough to have it 'orded so that 6a'(inville could not be sta(ed in ga*bling, or used to pay o))
ga*ing debts. !ot that that had ever been an issue. 6is )ather+s )la's did not include ga*bling.
>Pledged against loans@? he as(ed.
>Precisely.?
>I *ust ad*it, sir, that I a* at a loss as to ho' you have sun( into debt. &he estate is not rich, but
it has al'ays provided )or the )a*ily ade3uately.?
>It is 3uite si*ple, *y boy,? said his )ather al*ost 8ovially. It 'as a *as(. >I needed *oney to
gain the title5 /esearch. Ca'yers. Eou (no' ho' it is.?
>Ees, I (no' ho' it is. o you borro'ed )ro* lade. But surely i) you have the title, you have
property that co*es 'ith it to pay hi* o)).?
>&hat 'as *y plan.? &he s3uire+s )ace pinched. >Beveril9rot his blac( heart9'illed *ost o)
his 'orth a'ay.?
>It 'asn+t entailed@?
>,nly the estate.?
>-ell9?
>-hich see*s unproductive.?
6a'( too( a breath. >Cet *e get this clear. Eou have *ortgaged this estate to Josiah lade to get
*oney to clai* one that is valueless.?
>It+s a title5 7y )a*ily+s title. I 'ould have paid *ore.?
>Borro'ed *ore, you *ean. 6o' *uch@?
,ver the )irst shoc( no', 6a'( 'as beginning to arrange )acts and *a(e calculations. 6e had
so*e *oney o) his o'n. 6e could borro' else'here to pay o)) lade.
>&'enty thousand pounds.?
It 'as li(e being hit by a pistol ball. >wenty t!ousand pounds@ !o one could possibly spend that
*uch to clai* a title.?
&he 6a'(inville estate brought in only a )e' thousand a year.
>I have been pursuing Beveril+s *oney as 'ell, o) course.?
>Aven so. Eour la'yers 'ould have to have been eating gold 3uills )or brea()ast.?
>Invest*ents,? the s3uire *uttered.
>Invest*ents@ In 'hat@?
>All (inds o) things. lade does 'ell o)) the*. &here 'as a )oreigner here a 'hile bac(9
Celestin. 6e+d *ade a )ortune at it. &hen lade turned up 'ith so*e good ideas=?
7aria+s dead husband, 'ho had led ;an+s )ather to ruin this 'ay. But lade9lade 'as the
active villain here.
>o lade lent you *oney and then lent you *ore to invest to earn it bac(@?
&'enty thousand pounds.
An i*possible su*, and throttling lade 'ould not )i4 the disaster.
6a'( )orced his *ind to loo( )or any possibility.
>6o' *uch did Beveril leave that 'as 'illed else'here@?
>Close to a hundred thousand. Eou see 'hy I had to have it5?
>I see 'hy 'e have to have it no'. -hat reason do you have )or thin(ing you can overturn the
'ill@?
>Because it gave everything to a sche*ing chit he planned to *arry, by a hand'ritten 'ill that
'as certainly )alse.?
>&hen 'hy don+t you have the *oney@?
&he s3uire (noc(ed bac( his brandy and held the glass out to be re)illed. >Because the po4y chit
has all the Beveril *oney to pay )or la'yers, that+s 'hy5 And so*e plaguey high")lying
supporters. 6er guardian+s the Bu(e o) Belcraven, no less. &he 7archioness o) Arden, 'i)e to
the du(e+s heir, stands her )riend. I 'ouldn+t be surprised i) the little 'hore has the da*ned
/egent in her poc(et.?
>It 'ould have to be a very large poc(et,? 6a'( re*ar(ed, his *ind 'hirling on *any levels.
&'enty thousand pounds. It couldn+t be borro'ed, even )ro* )riends. Aspecially )ro* )riends.
Aven i) they could raise it, it 'ould ta(e 6a'(inville a generation to pay it o)), and only by
s3uee<ing the tenants hard.
6is )ather laughed at his co**ent. >I have to say, you+re ta(ing this better than I e4pected,
.eorge.?
6a'( loo(ed at his )ather. >I a* ta(ing this e4tre*ely badly, sir. I despise you )or your )olly and
sel)"indulgence. Bid you ever give a thought to the 'el)are o) your people here@?
>&hey are not my people5?
>Eou+ve been pleased enough to call the* such )or over a 3uarter century. :a*ilies have lived in
those cottages )or centuries, :ather. And do you care nothing )or this house@?
>Cess than nothing5 It+s a plaguey )ar*house, )or all you li(e to call it a *anor.?
6a'( 'ished his )ather 'as 'ell. Perhaps then he *ight )eel 8usti)ied in hitting hi*. >And lade
'ill be s3uire here, since the title goes 'ith the property. Eou are selling everyone here )or your
o'n petty ends.?
6is )ather reddened, but raised his chin. >I do not care5 -hat is this place to *e@?
>o 'hat is@ &he Beveril estate@ It+s going to be a da*n chilly co*)ort 'ith no *oney to go 'ith
it, isn+t it@?
6is )ather glared, but said, >Eou have a point. &hat is 'hy I have co*e up 'ith a solution. Eou
are not a bad"loo(ing *an, and you have a certain address. 7arry the heiress.?
6a'( laughed. >7arry a Fpo4y chit+ to rescue you@ I thin( not.?
>&o rescue 6a'( in the ;ale, .eorge.?
It hit ho*e, and his )ather (ne' it.
All the sa*e, every instinct revolted. 6e had *ade one vo', *any years ago9that he 'ould not
repeat his parents+ *ista(e. 6e 'ould not *arry unless he 'as sure o) har*ony. 6e+d accepted
that it *eant that he 'ould li(ely never *arry, but that 'ould be better )or everyone than *ore
bitterness and bile.
>I have a better idea,? he said. >Bo you have any cogent reasons to believe the 'ill is )alse@
-hat argu*ents have your la'yers *ade in court@?
6is )ather glo'ered, but he said, >It 'as hand'ritten, and it le)t all his *oney to this girl, to
co*e under her co*plete control at t'enty"one.?
>Absurd.?
>Duite. And the heiress is one Clarissa .reystone. Eou *ay not have heard o) the .reystones.
Brun(ards and ga*blers, every one.?
>And yet you )ailed to brea( it. -hy, apart )ro* better la'yers and in)luence in high places@ ,ur
courts are not so corrupt, I hope, that they 'ould overrule reason.?
>Because the 'ill 'as in Beveril+s hand and )ound in his loc(ed des( 'ith no sign o) a brea("in.?
>-itnesses@?
>&'o *en in his e*ploy, but they 'ent *issing a)ter his *urder.?
>7urder@? 6a'( repeated. >6o' did he die@?
>tabbed in a bac( slu* in Condon. 6is body 'asn+t )ound )or so*e days.?
>.ood .od. o he 'as *urdered and this .reystone chit has all his *oney and no one has been
able to prove she did it@? 6e laughed. >And you thin( I 'ill *arry a 'o*an li(e that@?
>&hat, or lose 6a'(inville, dear boy.?
6a'( gripped the bac( o) the chair tightly. >Eou+re )inding a (ind o) satis)action in this, aren+t
you@ Boes it give you so *uch pleasure to see *e 'riggling on this hoo(@?
&he t'isted s*ile 'as de)initely a sneer no'. >It gives *e pleasure to see you ta(en do'n a peg
or t'o. o superior you+ve been, especially since returning ho*e. Eou+ve al'ays despised *e )or
*arrying )or *oney, haven+t you@ -ell, 'hat are you going to do no' the shoe+s on your )oot,
eh@?
>-hat a* I going to do@? S!ort of t!rottle you@ >I+* going to prove that da*n 'ill )alse, and i)
possible see the .reystone creature hang )or *urder. And then, I hope, I+ll see you out o) here,
and begin to repair the li)eti*e+s da*age that you+ve done.?
&he sneer beca*e so*e'hat )i4ed, but his )ather disdained to ans'er.
>-hen does the loan co*e due@? 6a'( as(ed. 6is )ather laughed. >&he )irst o) August.?
>&'o *onths5? "ontrol. "ontrol. 6a'( care)ully let go o) the chair. >&hen I had best get on 'ith
it, hadn+t I@?
It 'as only as he le)t the stu))y roo* that another disastrous aspect hit hi*. &itles 'ere
hereditary. ,ne day he 'ould have to be Cord Beveril.
:or the )irst ti*e he sincerely 'ished his )ather a long, long li)e.
But a'ay )ro* here. At his precious Beveril estates. Instinctively he sought his *other+s rose
garden, even though this *ess 'as her )ault. 6e+d heard that there had been solid, reliable local
*en courting her.
6e shoo( his head. &hat 'as all past history. :or the present and the )uture, the 6a'( had one
*ore hunt to )ly, and as re'ard, a golden )uture tantali<ed.
I) he could prove the 'ill a )orgery and get the *oney )or his )ather, the ne' Cord Beveril 'ould
*ove a'ay )ro* here. A)ter paying o)) lade, o) course.
&'enty thousand pounds. It 'as a su* that staggered hi*, but he put it aside. :ive ti*es that
*uch 'aited i) he did his 8ob right.
&hen he 'ould have 6a'(inville. 6is )ather called it a )ar*house, and he 'as right. It 'as t'o
stories and contained only )our bedcha*bers. &he ceilings 'ere lo', the )i4tures practical, the
>grounds? *erely the courtyard and a garden at the bac(.
But it 'as his piece o) heaven. 6e 'ould not let it be torn do'n, nor 'ould he let lade rip the
heart out o) 6a'( in the ;ale village.
6e 'al(ed bac( out onto the green. A )e' people called to hi*, 'aving, 'ith no idea that their
'orld 'as threatened. 6e 'aved bac( but turned to loo( at the *anor house and the line o)
cottages.
7ost o) the )ront doors 'ere open, 'ith children running in and out. ,ld people, 'ho had lived
in their cottage )or *ost or all o) their lives, sat hunched on chairs, 'atching their generations
en8oy the*selves. 7others, babies on hip or even at the breast, chatted together as they (ept an
eye on their )a*ilies.
!one o) the cottages had a straight line, and *ost o) the thatch needed 'or(, but that 'as all the
responsibility o) the *anor, not the tenants. !o roses bloo*ed at the )ront because the cottages
opened right onto the road around the green and )aced north, but he (ne' that in the long
gardens running do'n to the river roses bloo*ed a*ong the 'ell"tended vegetables that )ed
these )a*ilies. 6e 'atched lade strolling around, bea*ing, clearly9 in his o'n *ind at least9
already the *aster here. Perhaps he 'as envisioning a tidy clearing, a *odern i*prove*ent.
A pure and si*ple urge to *urder held 6a'( rigid )or a *o*ent. But no. &hat 'ould not serve.
-hat i) he couldn+t prove the 'ill )alse@ &hen he 'ould prove the .reystone chit a *urderess.
&hat 'ould 'or( 8ust as 'ell to thro' doubt on the 'ill. It probably 'ouldn+t even be hard )or a
*an li(e hi*. 6is 'or( in the 'ar had included investigations, and he+d been very good at it.
6e+d hoped never to unleash the 6a'( again. &hose investigations had le)t unpleasant *e*ories,
and so*eti*es pushed the borders o) his honor.
But this, again, 'as 'ar. 6e *ade a silent vo' that greed and )olly 'ould not destroy 6a'( in
the ;ale.
Chapter T!
June 18, 1816, "!elten!am, #loucesters!ire
Clarissa .reystone stared at 7iss 7allory in shoc(. >Eou are saying I have to leave@?
7iss 7allory, neat and round, too( her hand to pat it. >!o', no', dear. I a* not thro'ing you
out into the street. Eou have been 'elco*e here )or the past year, but that year is nearly over.
And this is a school, not a ho*e )or stray ladies. I have been in co**unication 'ith the du(e,
and 'ith Beth Arden, and both agree that you *ust begin to ta(e your place in the 'orld.?
&hey 'ere in 7iss 7allory+s private parlor in the school, a co<y roo* 'ar* 'ith potpourri and
lavender linen that had al'ays held pleasant *e*ories )or Clarissa. 7iss 7allory had an o))ice,
and that 'as 'here a girl 'ent to be scolded )or *isbehavior. &he parlor 'as )or special teas and
treats.
>But 'here a* I to go@ &he school has been as good as a ho*e to *e since I 'as ten.?
>&hat is 'hat you *ust thin( about, dear. I+* sure Beth 'ould be glad o) your co*pany in
ti*e.?
In ti*e, because Beth Arden 'as e4pecting her )irst child soon. But even in ti*e, Clarissa didn+t
'ant to live 'ith the Ardens. he 'as )ond o) Beth, 'ho had been her )avorite teacher here, and
'ho had helped her last year in Condon, but she disli(ed Cord Arden. 6e 'as a terri)ying brute.
>,r the du(e has o))ered you a ho*e at Belcraven Par(.?
Clarissa al*ost shuddered. he+d visited there once to *eet the *an 'ho had ta(en over her
guardianship )ro* her )ather. &he du(e and duchess9especially the duchess9had been very
(ind, but they 'ere strangers, and Belcraven 'as a place o) such *assive *agni)icence she
could never i*agine living there.
>I thin( I 'ould pre)er a s*all house 'ith a co*panion. Perhaps here in Cheltenha*.?
>!o.? 7iss 7allory+s voice 'as the one that all girls in the school learned to heed. >!ot here in
Cheltenha*. Eou *ust start a)resh. But a house and a suitable co*panion is a possibility. In
Condon, perhaps. Eou should re8oin society, *y dear.?
>/e8oin society5? Clarissa heard her voice cli*b too high. >7iss 7allory, I 'as never part o) it. I
'as a .reystone, and Cord Beveril+s betrothed. Believe *e, )e' doors 'ere open. !o, I 'ill live
3uietly. Perhaps in Bath.?
It 'as a dis*al prospect. he+d spent *ost o) her school holidays 'ith her grand*other in Bath.
Cady 7olson 'as dead no', but the place 'as doubtless as stu))y as ever.
But sa)e. Perhaps.
>,r in a little village,? she added. &hat 'as better. &here she+d be less li(ely to be recogni<ed as
'hat society called the Bevil+s 6eiress.
A shudder passed through her at the *e*ories the na*e brought bac(. he rose. >I 'ill thin(
about it, 7iss 7allory. -hen *ust I leave@?
7iss 7allory rose too, and gave her a hug. >,h, *y dear, there is no great hurry. -e si*ply
'ant you to begin to thin( on it. But I advise you not to try to hide. Eou have your li)e be)ore
you, and your )ortune can *a(e it a good one. !ot *any young 'o*en have the choices you
have. It 'ould be a sin to 'aste the*.?
7iss 7allory 'as a )ollo'er o) 7ary -ollstonecra)t, author o) !e $ig!ts of %oman, and she
8udiciously shared those belie)s 'ith the pupils in her school, so Clarissa (ne' 'hat she *eant.
Beth Arden 'as also an adherent, and had discussed these *atters in *ore detail last year. A)ter
Beveril+s death.
he should be delighted to be )ree.
It 'as all very 'ell in theory to rage against the shac(les o) *asculine oppression, but as Clarissa
le)t the parlor she couldn+t help thin(ing that it *ight be nice to be ta(en care o) no' and then.
:irst a )ather, and then a husband9i) one had a good )ather, not one li(e ir Peter .reystone.
As )or a husband, she sighed. he had little )aith in the notion o) a good husband. A 'o*an put
her )ate so co*pletely in his hands, and he could be a tyrant.
Ci(e Cord Arden.
Clarissa 'ould never )orget the a')ul argu*ent she had overheard, and running into the roo* to
)ind Beth on the )loor, clearly having been driven there by Cord Arden+s blo'. &he ne4t day Beth
had had an a')ul bruise.
he+d said it 'as over, 'as a proble* that had been dealt 'ith, but it had been a lesson to
Clarissa. 6andso*e *en could be 'hited sepulchers. ,n her t'enty")irst birthday she 'ould
have a hundred thousand pounds or *ore. :olly indeed to put it into the hands o) a *an, and
hersel) totally in his po'er.
Gp the stairs and along the )a*iliar corridor, every corner o) the school 'as )a*iliar. he
'ouldn+t e4actly say precious. Cast year she+d been desperate to leave here and ta(e up her li)e.
Aven though she+d (no'n her parents didn+t care )or her, she+d leaped at the chance to go to
Condon. &o have a season. &o attend balls, routs, parties.
he+d (no'n she 'as no beauty, and 'ould have no do'ry to spea( o), but she+d drea*ed o)
suitors, o) handso*e *en courting her, )lirting 'ith her, (issing her, and eventually, even going
on their (nees, begging )or her hand.
Instead, there+d been Cord Beveril.
he stopped and thrust hi* into the dar(est depths o) her *ind. Coathso*e Cord Beveril, his )oul
(iss, and his bloody death. At least he didn+t 'ait )or her out in the )rightening 'orld.
he (ne' everyone 'as right. he couldn+t stay here )orever.
he glanced do'n at her clothes, the beige"and"bro'n uni)or* all the girls 'ore here. he had
nothing else to 'ear other than the Condon go'ns that lay in trun(s in the attic. he 'ould never
'ear the* again5
But she could hardly go on li(e this. he bit her lip on a laugh at the thought o) hersel)9plu*p
and )i)ty9 trotting around Cheltenha* in bro'n and beige, that eccentric 7iss .reystone, 'ith
a )ortune in hand and no'here else to go.
But she had no'here else to go. he 'ould certainly never again live 'ith her )a*ily.
he needed so*eone to tal( to and (noc(ed on the door o) her )riend Althea &rist. Althea 'as the
8unior *istress 'ho had co*e last epte*ber to ta(e Beth Arden+s position.
&he door opened. Clarissa said, >I+* going to have to9?
But then she stopped. >&hea, 'hat+s the *atter@?
6er )riend had clearly been crying.
Althea pressed a soggy hand(erchie) to her eyes and tried )or a s*ile. >It+s nothing. Bid you
'ant so*ething@?
Clarissa pushed her into a chair and sat nearby. >Bon+t be silly. -hat is it@ Is there bad ne's
)ro* ho*e@?
>!o.? Althea gri*aced, then said, >It+s 8ust the day. June eighteenth. &he anniversary. -aterloo.?
/eali<ation da'ned. >,h, &hea5 Eou *ust )eel the pain all over again.? Althea+s beloved
betrothed, Cieutenant .areth -aterstone, had died at the battle o) -aterloo.
>It+s )oolish,? Althea said. >-hy today rather than any other day@ I do grieve every day. But
today=? he shoo( her head and s'allo'ed.
Clarissa s3uee<ed her hands. >,) course. -hat can I do@ -ould you li(e so*e tea@?
Althea s*iled, and this ti*e it see*ed steadier. >!o, I+* all right. In )act, I a* to ta(e the girls
out soon.?
>I) you+re sure.? But then it da'ned on Clarissa. >&hea, you can+t. Eou can+t go to the parade5
7iss 7allory 'ould never have as(ed you i) she+d thought.?
>he didn+t. 7iss /isleigh 'as to do it, but she 'ished to attend a party. he is senior to *e.?
>6o' callous5 I 'ill go and spea( to 7iss 7allory i**ediately.?
he 'as already up and out o) the door as Althea 'as crying, >Clarissa5 top5?
he hurtled do'n the )a*iliar stairs, bac( to the parlor to (noc( upon the door. &he parade 'as
in honor and *e*ory o) the great victory at -aterloo. Althea could not possibly be e4pected to
go there and cheer.
&he (noc( received no response, ho'ever. he *ade so bold as to peep in and )ound the roo*
deserted. he ran o)) to the (itchen, but there )ound that 7iss 7allory had gone out )or the
a)ternoon. &here 'ere a great *any parties ta(ing place, and the better )ol( o) Cheltenha* had
been invited to choice spots )ro* 'hich to 'atch the parade.
-hat no'@
&he school 'as closed )or the su**er, and only )ive girls lingered, a'aiting their escorts ho*e.
&here 'ere only three teachers97iss 7allory, Althea, and the odious 7iss /isleigh.
-hat could be done@
&he girls could do 'ithout their trip to the parade, but Clarissa (ne' that duti)ul Althea 'ould
never per*it that. &here 'as only one solution. he ran bac( upstairs to her roo*, put on the
bro'n school cloa( and the *atching bonnet, and returned to Althea+s roo*.
Althea 'as already dressed to go out.
>&a(e that o)),? Clarissa said. >I a* going to ta(e the girls.?
Althea stared. >Clarissa, you can+t. Eou+re not a teacher5 In )act, you+re a paying guest.?
>I 'as a senior girl until last year. -e o)ten helped out.?
>!ot as escort on a trip li(e this.?
>But,? said Clarissa, >I+* not a senior girl any*ore. I+* only a )e' *onths younger than you
are.? A loc( o) hair tu*bled do'n, and she 'ent to Althea+s *irror to tuc( it bac( in. I) she 'as
going to do this she had better try to loo( *ature and stern. ,r at least sensible.
he pushed so*e *ore hair in and tried to straighten the bonnet.
>It is *y responsibility,? Althea protested, appearing behind her in the *irror.
Clarissa couldn+t help 'ishing she hadn+t done that. Althea 'as a rare and stunning beauty, 'ith
glossy dar( hair, a rose"petal co*ple4ion, and every )eature neatly arranged to please.
he, on the other hand, had unalterably sallo' s(in and )eatures that 'hile tolerable in
the*selves 'ere not 3uite arranged to please. 6er straight nose 'as too long, her )ull lips too
un)or*ed, and even her e4cellent teeth 'ere a little crossed at the )ront. 6er eyes 'ere the
dullest blue, her hair the dullest bro'n.
It shouldn+t *atter 'hen she had a hundred thousand pounds and no need o) a husband, but
vanity does not )ollo' the path o) logic.
he put that aside and turned to put an ar* around her )riend. >&here are only )ive girls le)t,
&hea. 6ardly a dire tas(. And you cannot possibly attend the -aterloo Bay parade and cheer. I)
7iss 7allory (ne', she 'ould say the sa*e. !o', go and lie do'n and don+t 'orry. All 'ill be
)ine.?
he rushed out be)ore Althea could protest any*ore, but only ten *inutes later, she could have
laughed aloud at that prediction.
&ne, two, t!ree, four9she an4iously counted the plain bro'n bonnets around her9five. :ive@
he 'hirled around. >Cucilla, (eep up5?
&he drea*y ten"year"old turned )ro* peering at a gravestone in aint 7ary+s churchyard and
a*bled over.
Gna'are, she caused one hurrying 'o*an to stu*ble bac( to avoid running into her.
Clarissa rolled her eyes but re*inded hersel) that a noble deed lost its luster i) *oaned over.
>6urry along,? she said cheer)ully. >-e+re al*ost there5?
At least the youngest girl 'as attached to her hand li(e a li*pet. It 'ould be nice, ho'ever, i)
Cady /icarda 'eren+t already sniveling that she 'as scared o) the graves, she 'as going to be
sic(, and she 'anted to go bac( to the school, now.
>-e can+t possibly go bac( no',? Clarissa said, to'ing the girl out into the street. >Cisten9you
can hear the band.? he glanced bac(. >6oratia, do stop ogling every *an 'ho 'al(s by5?
6oratia Peel 'as )i)teen and could be e4pected to be so*e help, but she 'as *ore interested in
casting out lures. he+d pushed her bonnet bac( on her head to reveal *ore o) her vivid blond
curls and had surely )ound so*e 'ay to redden her lips.
At Clarissa+s co**and, she turned sul(ily )ro* si*pering at a bunch o) aspiring dandies. he
'as not a hard"hearted girl, ho'ever, and too( Cucilla+s hand to *a(e sure she didn+t 'ander o))
again.
Clarissa+s other t'o charges, .eorgina and Jane, 'ere devoted eleven"year"old )riends, ar* in
ar* and in deep conversation. &hey 'ere no trouble e4cept )or their slo' pace.
A)raid to speed ahead in case so*eone disappeared, Clarissa gathered her )loc( in )ront and
nudged the* )or'ard li(e an inept sheepdog. It 'ould be 'onder)ul to be able to nip at so*e
da'dling heels5
-hat 'ould the 'orld thin( i) it could see her no'@ &he in)a*ous Bevil+s 6eiress, 'ith a
dubious past and a )ortune, dressed in drab and in charge o) a bunch o) 'ay'ard sheep.
>-al( a little )aster, girls. -e+re going to *iss the soldiers. 6oratia, (eep going5 !o, /icarda,
you are not going to be crushed. Cucilla, loo( ahead. Eou can see the regi*ental )lag.?
he ble' a cor(scre' curl out o) her eyes, re*inding hersel) that this 'as a good deed. It 'ould
be horrible )or Althea to have to be here. :or her part, she didn+t *ind so*e cheering and
celebration. It 'as e4actly one year ago today that loathso*e Cord Beveril had died. ,ne year
since she+d been saved. Bring on the )lags and dru*s5
he counted heads again. >!ot long no'. -e+ll )ind a good spot to 'atch our brave soldiers
*arch by.?
6er )orced good cheer dried up 'hen they popped out o) the lane and into Clarence treet.
People *ust have co*e in )ro* the surrounding countryside )or the )estivities. &he place 'as
pac(ed 'ith a 8ostling, craning, chattering, pungent *ob and all the ha'(ers and trouble*a(ers
that such a throng attracted.
A bu*p )ro* an i*patient couple behind the* *oved her on into the thic( o) the cro'd 'ith
everyone around pushing )or a good spot.
&ne, two, t!ree, four, five.
>Cet+s go to'ard the Pro*enade, girls. &he cro'd *ay be thinner there.?
>I 'ant to go !ome5?
>/icarda, you can+t. 6old tight to *y hand.?
6a'( had a )loc( o) schoolgirls in his sights.
A)ter intensive investigations in Condon, he had co*e to Cheltenha* in search o) the heiress
hersel). he 'as clearly (ey, and she 'as being (ept out o) sight. 6e+d discovered that she
'asn+t living 'ith her )a*ily, or 'ith her guardian, the du(e.
6e had eventually learned that she 'as supposed to have spent the past year bac( at her very
proper Cheltenha* school. 6e had trouble i*agining the Bevil+s 6eiress at 7iss 7allory+s
chool )or Cadies at any age9 though he gathered her education there had been the 'or( o) her
grand*other9but certainly not at nearly t'enty. urely it 'as a blind )or so*e other, *ore
lively, lodging, but it 'as 'here he had to start.
6e had spent the day hovering, 'atching )or so*eone 'illing to gossip about school *atters.
6e+d had no luc(, since the school 'as o))icially closed )or the su**er, though he had learned
)ro* a butcher+s boy that there 'ere so*e sta)) and a )e' girls still there.
!o', at last, he had possibilities. &he pupils all 'ore a (ind o) uni)or* o) beige dress, bro'n
cloa(, and plain bro'n bonnet, but t'o o) the )loc( 'ere 'ithin )lirting age9a lively blonde and
the plain young 'o*an 'ho see*ed to be in charge.
6e )ocused on the plain one. Plain ones 'ere *ore susceptible. As he )ollo'ed the* into a
churchyard, ho'ever, he began to thin( that the blonde 'ould )all *ore ripely into his hand. ,n
leaving the school, she+d begun to push her bonnet bac( on her head, gradually revealing *ore
and *ore curls. Aven 'ith a plu*p child by the hand, she 'as lingering behind 'ith the clear
intent o) )lirting 'ith any *an 'ho sho'ed interest.
Could this actually be 7iss .reystone@ 6e+d not e4pected to )ind her in the school at all, never
*ind in schoolgirl clothes, but she see*ed the type. Pretty, and a co*plete *in4. he didn+t loo(
nineteen, but such things 'ere o)ten deceptive. !or did she loo( evil, but in his e4perience, that
*eant nothing. 6e could certainly i*agine Beveril drooling over such a tender *orsel.
&he girl slo'ed even *ore to di*ple at a group o) young 'ould"be gallants.
6a'( *oved in.
6e 'as 'ithin )ive )eet 'hen the plain one turned. >6oratia, do stop ogling every *an 'ho
'al(s by5?
>I 'asn+t ogling, Clarissa. Eou+re so *ean5? But the *in4 did re8oin the others.
6a'( )ell bac( to regroup. &he plain one 'as Clarissa .reystone@ 6e+d had a clear loo( at her
)ace 'hen she turned, and she 'as de)initely nothing special to loo( at.
As he discreetly )ollo'ed, he reali<ed that it had been an error to assu*e beauty. >Cord Bevil?
'ouldn+t have had *uch choice in brides. :e' upper"class )a*ilies 'ould consider such a )ate
)or a daughter. &he .reystones 'ere 8ust the type that 'ould.
&hey all ga*ed, and )ather and sons 'ere drun(s as 'ell. Cady .reystone 'as a 'anton. he
'as gro'ing virtuous 'ith age, but only because her raddled loo(s 'ere ceasing to attract. -hen
he+d struc( up a conversation 'ith her in the course o) his investigations, the da*n 'o*an had
propositioned hi*5
6e+d assu*ed Clarissa .reystone 'ould be li(e the rest o) her )a*ily, but she see*ed to be a
cuc(oo in that nest.
,r, *ore li(ely, she 'as brilliantly disguising her true nature.
&hat e4plained it, and it pointed right at guilt. 7ost people 'ho stole gave the*selves a'ay by
i**ediately en8oying their spoils. !ot clever 7iss .reystone. Perhaps she 'as even pretending
to be in *ourning.
&he old e4cite*ent stirred. &he e4cite*ent o) challenge, o) a 'orthy opponent. It 'as
co*)orting, too. -ith a clever ene*y, there 'as no need to )eel s3uea*ish about tactics.
Clever, but guilty as the devil. A 'ee( in Condon si)ting )act )ro* )allacy had proved his )ather
right. &hat 'ill9in )act, everything surrounding Beveril+s death9 stan( to high heaven. trings
*ust have been pulled )or it not to have been investigated *ore closely.
Cord Bevil had not been accepted in society until nearly t'o years ago 'hen he+d suddenly
ac3uired a )ortune. !o one (ne' the source o) it, but everyone assu*ed it 'as dirty *oney.
6e+d been partner in a popular bordello run by a 'o*an called &herese Bellaire, 'hich 'as an
interesting tangent. 6a'( happened to (no' that &herese Bellaire had been part o) !apoleon+s
inner circle9*ainly pandering )or his inti*ates and senior o))icials. he had been in Angland in
1H1# as a :rench spy, 'or(ing )or the reinstate*ent o) her *aster.
7ada*e Bellaire had )led be)ore she could be arrested, presu*ably leaving the bordello to her
partner, but its sale 'ould not have produced a )ortune. Beveril had been involved in other
things, ho'ever. .a*ing hells. ,piu* dens. -hite slavery.
/egardless o) 'here the *oney had co*e )ro*, it had gained hi* an entree 'ith the less
discri*inating *e*bers o) )ashionable society. 6e+d leased a handso*e house in the best part o)
to'n, and not long a)ter'ard, his betrothal to 7iss .reystone had been announced.
oon a)ter that, he+d been *urdered.
It had all the *ar(s o) a cunning and cleverly e4ecuted plot, and )ar beyond the talents o) the
.reystones. 6e didn+t yet (no' 'ho 'as behind it, but he 'ould.
In a *ere 'ee( he had so*e threads in his )ingers. &he )orger 'as probably too clever to reveal
hi*sel), but 6a'( had )ound the na*es o) the t'o *issing 'itnesses on the records o) a ship
bound )or Bra<il. trange destination )or a couple o) Condon roughs, but they+d presu*ably been
paid o)) and told to *a(e the*selves scarce. It 'ould be interesting to )ollo' up on it, but he
didn+t have ti*e no'.
6e+d dug up another o) Beveril+s hench*en. &hey could hardly be called servants. A)ter a 8ug o)
gin, the gap"toothed *an had re*e*bered so*e pri*e 'hores Beveril had sent to the house
'hile he+d been on duty there.
>!ight o) the big celebration, it 'as,? the *an had re*e*bered. >-hen 'e heard about -aterloo
and the 'hole o) Condon set to celebrating. -e 'ere stuc( there, and these pri*e titties ca*e
(noc(ing, but then their *en ca*e and dragged Fe* a'ay. ,ne o) +e* (noc(ed &o* Cross out
'ith a s(illet, she did5 6e called her Pepper, and she certainly *ade hi* snee<e.?
Ca<ily, 6a'( had as(ed, >-hy did she do that, do you thin(@?
>6e paddled her )or being saucy. I bet her pi*p paddled her harder. ee*s as i) they 'ere o))
trying to do a bit o) business o) their o'n. ha*e, though,? he said, sagging lo'er over his drin(.
>!ever so *uch as got a )eel, I didn+t.?
>Eou didn+t loo( the* up later@?
>!o na*es. Any'ay, the ne4t day they )ound bloody Beveril+s body and that 'ere the end o)
that. Buchess,? he said. >6er sister called her Buchess because o) her airs and graces. -anted to
drin( out o) a glass, she did.?
:or a 'ild *o*ent, 6a'( had thought o) the Buchess o) Belcraven, but she 'as an e43uisite
*iddle"aged :rench'o*an. 6e still 'ondered about the role o) the Bu(e and Buchess o)
Belcraven in the Beveril a))air. &he du(e 'as 'idely (no'n as a *an o) dignity and principle.
Pieces that didn+t )it al'ays told a story, ho'ever, and that one 'ould too, in ti*e.
&i*e 'as so da*nably short.
&hose 'hores had been a distraction )or the planting o) the 'ill, ho'ever. 6e 'as sure o) it. And
it see*ed li(ely that Clarissa .reystone had been one o) the*.
&he one called Pepper and Buchess, 'ho+d (noc(ed a *an out )or daring to span( her )or being
saucy@ It had )it.
Gntil no'.
6e conte*plated the harried )igure ahead o) hi*, dragging one 'hining child along the cro'ded
street, chivying the others in )ront o) her li(e a de*ented sheepdog, rattails o) hair escaping )ro*
her bonnet.
Could there be *ore than one Clarissa in 7iss 7allory+s chool@
>I can+t see5? /icarda screeched, still clinging.
&hey 'ere in the Pro*enade, a *uch 'ider street, but could still see only a solid line o) bac(s.
Clarissa 'as ready to ad*it de)eat, but then the adults in )ront *ade 'ay and a s*iling
country'o*an said, >Co*e on )or'ard, luvs. -e can see over your s'eet heads.?
-ith the *usic co*ing closer and the dru*s sha(ing the air, /icarda trans)erred her clutch to
Cucilla+s hand and slipped )or'ard. .eorgina and Jane 'ent too. &hen the adult ran(s closed
bet'een Clarissa and *ost o) her charges.
,h, no5
he 'ent on tiptoe to 'atch the )our girls. &hey 'ere standing still 'ith other children at the
)ront, but Cucilla 'as capable o) 'andering o)) in any direction, and no' she 'ould probably
ta(e /icarda 'ith her.
Constantly chec(ing the )our bro'n bonnets, Clarissa 'as a'are o) the parade only as
approaching dru*s. he glanced once and sa' the lord *ayor still so*e distance a'ay,
*arching along in his robes and chain o) o))ice acco*panied by his *ace"bearer. Beyond, she
sa' the alder*en, a cart or t'o, and the *agni)icent scarlet o) the local regi*ent.
&he sight o) the redcoats did catch her )or a *o*ent. o *any brave *en, and so *any others,
li(e Althea+s .areth, lost in the 'ars against the Corsican 7onster. 7ore than ten thousand dead
at -aterloo alone.
6o' did one i*agine ten thousand dead, all in one place@
he pulled her *ind bac( to si*ple things, to counting her charges. &ne, two, t!ree, four'five
6oratia. -here 'as 6oratia@
-ith a pu)) o) relie), she sa' her right beside her. 6oratia couldn+t have *uch o) a vie'9she
'as shorter than Clarissa9but o) course the *in4 'as not interested in the *ayor, or even the
soldiers. he 'as di*pling at the handso*e *an by her side.
A handso*e, dangerous *an. 6oratia 'as trying out her )lirtatious techni3ues on a ra(e o) the
)irst stare. Clarissa 'as )ro<en, not (no'ing 'hat to do.
&hen the *an glanced over 6oratia+s bonnet to *eet Clarissa+s eyes, his o'n shado'ed by the
tilted bri* o) his )ashionable beaver hat. 6is slight s*ile deepened. It 'as an insolent, blatant
challenge to her ability to protect her charges.
he sei<ed 6oratia+s 'rist and dragged her side'ays, ta(ing her place and then pointedly
ignoring the scoundrel.
&o 6oratia she hissed, >Ad*ire the soldiers. &hey+re doubtless sa)er.?
7uch sa)er5
he 'ould have li(ed to clai* i**unity to handso*e ra(es, but her nerves 'ere 8angling li(e a
t'anged harp. -ho 'as he@ Certainly no provincial dandy. Beauti)ully cut olive coat. Co*ple4,
sno'y cravat. An inde)inable but unignorable air. 6er brie) stay in Condon had taught her
so*ething about 8udging *en o) the ton and he 'as top o) the trees.
Another 3uic( glance con)ir*ed her assess*ent. All the gloss and arrogance o) a Condon beau,
and a handso*e )ace as 'ell.
6e suddenly loo(ed side'ays, catching her, and that a*used challenge returned to his eyes.
he 8er(ed her eyes a'ay, a'ay to'ard the approaching parade, grate)ul )or once )or the close
bonnet that 'ould hide her blushes. he re*e*bered to go on tiptoe and chec(. &ne, two, t!ree,
four.
6oratia by her side, an older couple beyond her.
a)e )or the *o*ent.
All sa)e.
Apart )ro* the somet!ing )ro* the *an on her other side. he+d *et handso*e beau4 and
'ic(ed ra(es in Condon and been able to laugh at the )olly o) other )e*ales. &hat 'as
re*ar(ably easy 'hen neither beau4 nor ra(es paid her any attention.
&his ra(ish beau should be the sa*e, and yet she )elt a pric(ling a'areness9as i) he 'as
studying !er.
he 'ould not loo( to see.
&hen the s'ay o) the cro'd suddenly pushed her against hi*, and he put his hand on her ar* to
steady her. he )elt it. he )elt his hand, )elt his 'hole body9 ar*, hip, and leg9against her )or
a shoc(ing *o*ent be)ore she pulled a'ay.
he suddenly )elt li(e /icarda, panic(ed and longing )or the sa)ety o) the school.
-hich she had to leave soon.
;ery 'ell. he 'ould soon have to leave the school, have to venture into a 'orld )ull o)
handso*e *en. he *ust learn to cope. A)ter all, she had a )ortune. &here 'ould be )ortune
hunters.
he s'allo'ed and )ocused on the passing parade, on a cart carrying a portly *an dressed as
!apoleon, loo(ing beaten and do'ncast. ,n another containing *en dressed as the Bu(e o)
-ellington, !elson, ir John 7oore, and other heroic leaders.
A aint .eorge passed in )ront o) her in /o*an ar*or, spear in hand, )oot on the nec( o) a
van3uished dragon that 'ore the :rench tricolor. he rather thought aint .eorge 'as 7r.
Pin(ney, 'ho ran a s*all circulating library and 'as the least *artial *an i*aginable.
>!o stop,? said the *an, 'ho 'as still pressed by circu*stances too closely beside her.
he had to turn her head. >I beg your pardon, sir@?
>6is spear is a thro'ing spear, not a dragon"(illing one. It has no crossbar. A co**on *ista(e in
art. I) he *anaged to i*pale a dragon, the beast 'ould run up it and eat hi*. ,) course, the
*aiden *ight applaud.?
>-hat@? Clarissa 'as beginning to )ear that the *an 'as *ad as 'ell as bad. But, Cord, he 'as
handso*e, especially 'ith that t'in(le in his eye5
6e glanced at the 'hite"robed 'o*an at aint .eorge+s side, presu*ably the rescued *aiden,
but also *anaging to loo( li(e Britannia. >I) her rescuer died in the atte*pt, she 'ould be )ree
'ithout having to be the victor+s pri<e.?
&he *aiden 'as the *ayor+s pretty daughter, and she certainly 'ouldn+t 'ant to have to be too
grate)ul to 7r. Pin(ney. Clarissa 'as un'illingly beguiled by the *an+s nonsense9and by the
e))ect o) teasing hu*or on already )ine )eatures9but she )ir*ly turned her attention bac( to the
parade.
All around her the cro'd 'as booing !apoleon and applauding the heroes. &hen it burst into
hu<<ahs )or the real heroes, the veterans o) the great battle 'ho *arched to cheer)ul )i)e and the
de*anding, tu**y"3uivering thu*p o) the dru*s.
he 8oined in, 'aving her plain hand(erchie).
>Clarissa5 Clarissa5 Bid you see that@ 6e ble' *e a (iss5 6e did5 ,h, 'asn+t he the *ost
handso*e *an you have ever seen@?
6oratia 'as literally bouncing up and do'n, her curls dancing and her chee(s bright red.
Clarissa s*othered a laugh. &he o))icer in 3uestion 'as 3uite ordinary, and *uch older than
6oratia+s usual practice ground, but he 'as in a *o*ent o) glory and he had noticed her, and so
he 'as an Adonis.
But then a sudden s3ueal sent panic shooting through her. /icarda5 he stretched on tiptoe again,
but the girl see*ed all right. &he screa* had probably been caused by a horse dropping a
stea*ing *ound on the road in )ront o) her.
>&hey are all 3uite sa)e,? said the ra(e. >I can see the* easily and 'ill tell you i) anything
unto'ard occurs.?
It 'as *ost i*proper )or t'o strangers to be tal(ing li(e this, and yet the situation *ade it
i*possible to ob8ect. he turned to hi* again. >&han( you, sir.?
&he angle o) his head *oved the shado' o) his bri* and she 'as caught by startlingly blue eyes.
Corn)lo'er blue *ade brighter by s(in that 'as bro'ner than )ash ion approved. &hat, a silly
detail li(e that, 'as probably 'hat *ade hi* see* *ore dangerous than the general Condon
beau.
,r perhaps not.
he see*ed trapped, and then those intent eyes crin(led slightly 'ith hu*or that she 'as invited
to share.
he hastily turned her o'n boring gray"blue eyes )or'ard, but she suddenly )elt co*pletely
unli(e hersel).
As i) she *ight do so*ething outrageous.
-ith hi*.
By ge*ini5 -as he flirting 'ith her@
But *en didn+t. Aven during her horrible ti*e in Condon, *en hadn+t )lirted 'ith her.
o 'hat 'as the ra(e up to@
Ah. &rying to get around her to 6oratia, o) course !ot 'hile she had blood in her body.
6oratia, ho'ever, craned past Clarissa. >Eou+re very (ind, sir5 Cittle Cucilla, the plu*p one,
daydrea*s so. she too( it into her head to 'ander in )ront o) the horse she+d do it.?
>!o, she 'ouldn+t,? Clarissa said. >/icarda 'ould screa* the heavens do'n.?
>/icarda is scared o) horses, sir,? said irrepressible 6oratia, innocently s*iling in a 'ay
designed to invite *an to her bed.
>-atch the parade, 6oratia,? Clarissa co**anded >It+s nearly over.?
6oratia pulled a )ace, but obeyed.
A)ter a )e' *o*ents Clarissa ris(ed a glance at the ra(e. 6e 'as loo(ing ahead, not at her.
;ictory5 6e (ne' his evil plans 'ere th'arted.
he s*iled to hersel) at sounding li(e a character in an overly dra*atic play, but she 'as )eeling
victorious. ee, it 'asn+t so very di))icult to deal 'ith i*portunate *en.
,ne s(ir*ish 'on 'as enough )or the day, ho'ever. &han( heavens this 'ould soon be over and
she could herd her )loc( bac( to the school.
As soon as the last *archers passed and the cro'd began to brea( up, she pulled the )our
younger girls into a bunch around her, *a(ing sure that 6oratia stayed close too. &he ra(e
*oved on 'ithout a bac('ard loo(.
:olly to )eel disappoint*ent at that.
>Co*e along,? she said bris(ly. >It+s all over no'.?
An4ious to be done 'ith this, she nudged her group into the thinning cro'd. It 'asn+t as easy
going as she+d e4pected. &he cro'd had not truly thinned out. Instead, it s'irled chaotically.
-hen they+d hurried here everyone had been strea*ing in one direction, but no' people 'ent all
'ays at once. It 'as *ar(et day and *any 'ere heading there, but others 'anted to get to the
taverns, to ho*es, or to the )airground that had been set up on the outs(irts o) to'n.
&he *ob pushed and pulled, li(e a *onster 'ith a hundred hands snagging at one child or
another. /icarda began to cry again. he let go o) Cucilla and clutched Clarissa+s s(irts. Clarissa
reached out to (eep Jane and .eorgina close.
&hen a *ighty voice rang out. &he to'n crier. >&ye() &ye(5 7r. 6u4table, landlord o) the Bu(e
o) -ellington, is rolling out three cas(s o) )ree ale so all can toast our noble heroes5?
&!, no5 As the cro'd+s *ood changed, Clarissa 'as already gathering her )loc( close. Cucilla,
her butter)ly attention caught by so*ething, s'irled o)) bet'een an enor*ous *an and t'o
elbo'ing lads. Clarissa 8ust *an"aged to sei<e the bac( o) the girl+s cloa( and haul he close9at
so*e ris( to the poor child+s nec(5
he shed her o'n cloa(, letting it )all to be tra*pled >6old tight to *y s(irt5? she co**anded.
>Jane, .eorgina, do the sa*e. 6oratia, help *e (eep everyone together. -e+ll stay still )or a
*o*ent to let the cro'd pass.?
he put every scrap o) cal* and con)idence that she could *uster into her 'ords, and the girls
did press close but staying still 'as easier said than done. 7ost o) the cro'd see*ed hell"bent on
the )ree ale, and the rest 'ere struggling to get )ree.
/oc(ed and bu))eted, she 'as sei<ed by blan( panic.
Cries and screa*s all around )lung her bac( to other screa*s, and blood.
&o the thunder o) a pistol.
hattering glass.
Blood, so *uch blood=
And a 'o*an 3uoting Cady 7acbeth. >%!o would !ave t!oug!t t!e old man to !ave !ad so
muc! blood in !im@F
Bar(ness crept in at the edge o) her vision.
*o. Stay in t!e present. !e girls need you. +ou will not fall apart again in a crisis)
he pinched her le)t hand hard to get her 'its bac( then clutched terri)ied /icarda close. he
began to ease her little group side'ays to a nearby bric( 'all 'hen perhaps the *ob 'ould )lo'
past the*.
>tay close5? she yelled. >6old on5? 6er voice see*ed s'allo'ed by the cacophony around, but
the girls 'ere all 'ith her, clinging, dragging on her ar*s and go'n.
&he press o) s3uir*ing, elbo'ing bodies had he s'eating 'ith heat and terror, but she 'ould not
'ea(en Cose their )ooting here and they could be tra*pled. &he stench turned her sto*ach. 6er
)oot slid on so*ething s3uishy, al*ost *a(ing her )all. he prayed it 'as a0 innocent as a piece
o) dropped )ruit.
&ne, two, t!ree, four, five.
6oratia9good girl9had 'rapped an ar* around her 'aist so they 'ere loc(ed into a huddled
unit.
&hen her bonnet 'as (noc(ed )or'ard over her right eye, so she couldn+t see )ro* that side at
all. he didn+t dare raise her hand to straighten it )or )ear o) losing one o) the children. &he crush
'as so tight, she+d never get her ar* do'n again.
All the younger girls 'ere 'ailing no', and she 'anted to 'ail hersel). But she 'as the protector
here. >It+s all right,? she said *eaninglessly. >6old tight. It 'ill be all right.?
-hen so*eone crushed into the* )ro* behind, she didn+t hesitate to 8ab bac( 'ith her elbo'.
&here 'as an >&oof),- then a strong ar* ca*e around the* and a voice said, >6old bac(, hold
bac(, *a(e 'ay, *a(e 'ay there.? 6e didn+t shout9in the tu*ult there 'ould be no point9but
so*eho' his co**anding tone see*ed to cut through and create a *o*ent+s pause so they
could slide side'ays.
&he cro'd sealed tight behind the*, but his voice opened the 'ay until they landed entangled
against the 'all.
&here 'as no indent here, ho'ever, no door'ay to press bac( into. !o barrier e4cept a si*ple
iron la*ppost. 6ad they )allen out o) the pot into the )ire@ &hey could be crushed. &erri)ied
screa*s said that *ight be happening else'here in the *addened cro'd.
But the *an grasped the la*ppost and *ade hi*sel) a barrier that the cro'd *ust )lo' around,
creating a tiny poc(et o) sanity.
Clarissa held her crying charges closer, tre*bling. >It+s all right, dears,? she said again. >Bon+t
be a)raid. &his (ind *an is *a(ing sure 'e don+t get hurt.?
It 'as, o) course, the 'ic(ed ra(e, to 'ho* she+d been so cold. 6oratia had better instincts. 6e
'as a true hero. 6e had rescued the* and 'as no' their protector.
Chapter Three
Clarissa could see only the *an+s bac(, )or he 'as )acing the throng. he could see the )aces o)
the passing cro'd, ho'ever9young, old, angry, )ear)ul, e4cited, greedy, i*patient. he 'atched
the* see hi*, see hi* as a barrier to the direction they 'anted to ta(e, then shi)t a'ay as i) he
'ore spi(es.
he 'ondered 'hat e4pression he 'as using to 'arn the* o)), but she could only be grate)ul.
!o' that she had a *easure o) sa)ety her (nees )elt li(e li*p lettuce. I) not )or the girls she
*ight have sagged to the ground and given in to tears hersel).
But she+d done it5 he+d been terri)ied, the *e*ories had tried to over'hel* her, but she hadn+t
collapsed. Instead, she+d surely helped save the* all. &hough still sha(ing and close to tears, she
)elt as i) great 'eights had )allen a'ay, leaving her light enough to )ly.
he could )ace )ear and survive.
A 'o*an 'as suddenly pushed beside the*. A desperate young country'o*an in coarse,
disheveled clothes 'ith a screa*ing baby in her ar*s. he did collapse, her legs giving 'ay so
that she san( do'n, bac( against the 'all. Aven /icarda stopped 'ailing to stare at her.
Clarissa couldn+t help thin(ing about )leas, but the *other needed help as *uch as she and the
girls did. As the 'o*an lo'ered her dirty shi)t and put the )rantic baby to her big breast, Clarissa
loo(ed a'ay, loo(ed again at their savior and guardian.
he didn+t generally allo' hersel) to study *en, but since his bac( 'as to her, she could indulge.
6e 'as tall9her head barely ca*e up to his shoulders. 6is olive coat lay s*ooth across broad
shoulders and do'n his bac(, suggesting a lean, strong body. 6e stood 'ith strong legs braced
apart.
he ripped her ga<e a'ay. tudying a *an li(e that 'as not only i**odest, it 'as dangerous.
Coo(s said nothing about a *an+s true 3ualities, but they could 'ea(en a 'o*an+s *ind.
Eet she couldn+t resist snea(ing another loo(. 6e+d lost his hat in the riot, revealing disordered
honey"bro'n hair.
he re*e*bered earlier assessing hi* as a Condon beau. he+d sensed that danger, but never
i*agined hi* the stu)) o) 'hich e))ective heroes are *ade. Another lesson about 8udging by
appearances.
he suddenly reali<ed that the nature o) the cro'd had shi)ted li(e a change in the air, danger
)ading, shoc( lingering. Pressure eased as people began to *ill around, *any pale and da<ed
'hile others sharpened to bring order and assistance. &hrough 'ails, and the cries o) parents
trying to locate their children, she heard the beat o) a dru*, doubtless calling the soldiers to riot
control.
he 3uic(ly counted, even though she (ne' they 'ere all sa)e. &ne, two, t!ree, four, five. he
)ound a s*ile )or 6oratia, 'hose bonnet 'as do'n her bac(, revealing all her lovely curls, but
'ho clearly 'as not thin(ing o) that at all. >&han( you. Eou 'ere *agni)icent.?
&he girl s*iled bac(, proud but a bit 'obbly.
6oratia, too, had probably learned in a test o) )ire that she 'as braver than she+d thought.
>Duite an adventure, girls,? Clarissa said in as light a tone as she could *anage. >Cet go o) *e
no' and help one another to straighten bonnets and bodices.?
&hey did so, and 'ith 6oratia+s encourage*ent, even began to giggle a bit as they repaired one
another+s appearance. Clarissa *ade sure her o'n go'n 'as straight, 'ondering 'hat had
happened to her cloa(. he too( o)) her croo(ed bonnet, using it to )an hersel) )or a *o*ent
be)ore putting it bac( on.
&he *an turned.
he 'as caught hatless and staring, because there 'as nothing gri* and indo*itable about hi*.
Instead, he 'as all ra(e again, 'ith a 'ic(ed glint in those blue eyes and a slight s*ile on his
'ell"shaped lips.
And a 'avery, 'ar* )eeling s(i**ed over her.
!one o) that5 !o a*ount o) 'illpo'er, ho'ever, could halt her blush, so she turned a'ay as she
settled her bonnet bac( )ir*ly on her head.
!o a*ount o) 'illpo'er could stop her )ro* 'ishing she loo(ed her inade3uate best. he tried
to at least tuc( her hair a'ay neatly, (no'ing it 'as a )orlorn gesture. It 'as unruly by nature,
and it had 8ust been given an e4cellent opportunity to riot.
he )ir*ly tied the ribbons, then loo(ed at hi*. >I don+t (no' ho' to than( you, sir. -e *ight
have been in terrible trouble 'ithout your assistance.?
>I 'as pleased to be able to help.?
he 'as braced to resist )lirtation, but he hun(ered do'n in )ront o) the country'o*an. >Are you
all right, *a+a*@?
-ell, o) course.
7en didn+t )lirt 'ith her.
All the sa*e, a )oolish part o) her envied the *other, 'ho 'as bloo*ing under his attention.
>,h, yes, sir,? she said in a country accent. >o (ind, sir5 I thought )or sure I 'as to be crushed
to death, or have poor Joanie here torn )ro* *y ar*s.?
But then her eyes 'idened and she paled as she tried to push hersel) up one"handed.
6e helped her, not see*ing conscious o) her hal)"e4posed breast or the attached suc(ling in)ant.
>7y littl+uns5? she gasped, her hand going up to push straggling bro'n hair o)) her )ace.
>&hey+re out there so*e'here. I *ust go9?
>!o, no,? he said cal*ly. >&ell *e 'hat they loo( li(e and I+ll )ind the* )or you. -hat o) your
*an@?
>6e+s bac( tending the co's )or 3uire Be'sley, sir. &here be three o) Fe*, sir. &hree boys, and
they do stay together i) they can. :our, seven, and ten. All bro'n hair.?
Clarissa 'ondered ho' anyone could )ind three urchins on that description, but the *an didn+t
see* daunted.
>!a*es@? he as(ed, as Clarissa loo(ed out at the street, hoping three young bro'n"haired lads
'ere in sight.
>7att, 7ar(, and Cu(ey,? the 'o*an said, and even produced a s*ile 'hen she added, >Cittle
Joanie 'as going to be John.?
&he *an grinned. >tay here, and I+ll return soon to report. 6ope)ully 'ith your little evangelists
in to'.?
6is grin, Clarissa discovered, could shatter a lady+s co**on sense. 6o' )ortunate that 6oratia
'asn+t loo(ing. he+d be in a s'oon.
6e turned to leave, but suddenly Clarissa couldn+t bear )or this strange encounter to end li(e that.
>ir, could I (no' the na*e o) our rescuer@?
6e turned bac( and bo'ed. >7a8or 6a'(inville, *a+a*.? 6e raised his hand to his hat, then
said, >&he deuce. I 'onder 'here it is.?
>-herever, I )ear it 'ill be sadly )lattened.?
&hen she )ound hersel) sharing a s*ile that le)t her )eeling positively light"headed.
>Better a hat than people,? he said, those richly blue eyes on hers, *a(ing her heart race.
6o' rash she had been to co*e to na*es 'ith a *an she (ne' nothing about. Aspecially 'ith
one 'ho see*ed able to spin her out o) co**on sense 'ith a loo(.
It 'as done no', ho'ever, so she curtsied and gave hi* her na*e in return. uddenly at a loss to
describe her status, she added, >,) 7iss 7allory+s chool here.?
6e turned to the 'ide"eyed girls. >As are you all, I suppose. All right@?
>Ees, sir,? the girls chorused adoringly.
,h, no. 6oratia 'as ga<ing at hi* as i) he 'ere a god, and no' the *an could probably clai* to
have been introduced. Clarissa reali<ed that she+d rashly created a very i*proper situation, and
she 'inced at 'hat 7iss 7allory 'ould thin( o) this 'hole a))air.
>-ere you at -aterloo, 7a8or 6a'(inville@? 6oratia as(ed breathlessly.
>Ees, I 'as.?
>In the cavalry@? as(ed Jane.
>!o.?
Be)ore anyone else could as( a 3uestion, ho'ever, he bo'ed )are'ell. >But no', ladies, I *ust
be o)) to other battles.?
And thus he 'as gone, striding a'ay through the da<ed stragglers, loo(ing, to Clarissa+s da<<led
eyes, li(e a hero a*ong lesser *en. :inding three young strangers in the chaos see*ed
i*possible, but i) anyone could do it, 7a8or 6a'(inville could.
Be)initely a hero, but 8udging by his s'i)t departure, one 'ho sought no glory in 'ar.
!ot cavalry, so in)antry. 6e had sho'n great steadiness in the )ace o) the cro'd. he could
i*agine hi* leading his *en to assault the 'alls o) an i*penetrable )ortress, or (eeping the*
steady in the )ace o) a :rench cavalry charge.
>-asn+t he handso*e, Clarissa@? Jane sighed. >And one o) our noble soldiers5?
>A 'arrior angel,? .eorgina said. >I shall dra' a picture o) hi* as aint .eorge 'hen 'e get
bac(.?
Clarissa didn+t point out that aint .eorge 'as not one o) the angels. &his 'asn+t the right ti*e
)or a lesson, and she 'asn+t a teacher, than( heavens.
>A *a8or,? sighed 6oratia. >7entioned in dispatches a do<en ti*es. 6e *ust have *et the Bu(e
o) -ellington.?
>Boubtless.? But Clarissa 'as shoc(ed that her thoughts had been so li(e those o) the younger
girls. >Co*e,? she said crisply. >-e *ust return to school. I) ne's o) this crush has reached
the*, they+ll be 'orried.?
A)ter their )right, the girls *ade no trouble on the return 8ourney. Clarissa chose a roundabout
route that should avoid any proble*s and deter*ined to put any thought o) handso*e 7a8or
6a'(inville out o) her *ind.
&hat 'as hard to do 'hen the others 'ere deter*ined to chatter about hi*. &here 'as a great
deal o) ro*antic babble, despite their youth. 6oratia 'as silent, probably dri)ting in a true hero"
'orshiping ecstasy.
Clarissa supposed that 'ouldn+t hurt. he+d certainly done the sa*e at ti*es.
:lorence Babbington+s handso*e brother had rendered hal) the school breathless 'hen he+d
co*e to ta(e his sister out to tea. Clarissa re*e*bered 'riting a poe* in his honor, and she+d
only been t'elve at the ti*e.
& noble man, tall, c!aste, and bold. So li.e a gallant .nig!t of old, urn on me once, lest /
expire, !ose obsidian orbs full of manly fire.
6er lips t'itched at the *e*ory. -hat nonsense people could create in the throes o) ro*antic
)ervor.
&hen there+d been the groo* at Bro'nbutton+s livery.
&he stables 'ere behind the school, separated by a high 'all. :ro* the attic 'indo's, ho'ever,
a person could see over the 'all, and it 'as a 'ic(ed a*use*ent )or the senior girls. A stal'art
young groo* had been a special treat t'o years ago. 6e+d generally 'or(ed 'ithout his 8ac(et,
and 'ith his sleeves rolled up, revealing 'onder)ully strong bro'n )orear*s.
,ne deliciously naughty day 7aria :)oul(s had caught hi* 'or(ing 'ithout his shirt. he+d run
to gather as *any o) the senior girls as she could, and they+d pressed to every available 'indo'
)or about ten *inutes until he+d gone into the stables and e*erged covered again.
&hat hadn+t been in)atuation, ho'ever. It had been *ore li(e 'orship )ro* a)ar. -orship o) the
*ale o) the species, and o) the *ysterious, )orbidden )eelings he stirred in the* all.
&hat sort o) thing 'as probably 'hy she+d been such a ninny as to hope 'hen her parents had
)inally su**oned her )or a Condon season.
A ninny. he+d been in danger o) being ninny over 7a8or 6a'(inville, too. >Co*e along, girls,?
she said bris(ly. >Coo( 'as *a(ing ally Cunns 'hen 'e le)t.? 7ention o) ca(es re*oved any
tendency to da'dle.
6a'( *oved s'i)tly do'n the Pro*enade, )ollo'ing the )lotsa* o) the cro'd to'ard the
-ellington Inn. &he inn(eeper deserved to be )logged )or causing this *ayhe*.
6e guessed the three boys 'ould have gone along 'ith the cro'd, and as long as they (ept their
)eet 'ould have co*e out o) it all right. 6e passed so*e people being attended to, but none o)
the in8uries see*ed serious. &he only boy he sa' a*ong the* 'as clearly being attended to by
his *other.
A bunch o) lads ran by, but they all see*ed happy and purpose)ul, and none particularly )it the
description o) the evangelists. A 'ail caught his attention and he turned to loo(, but then a *an
scooped up the crying child and carried her a'ay.
&here 'ere people scattered around, *any o) the* disheveled or da<ed, so*e on the ground.
ince they 'ere all being cared )or, he )ollo'ed the trail again, part o) his *ind scanning )or the
boys, part assessing the pu<<le that 'as Clarissa .reystone.
A thie) and a *urderer@
!ot a 'hore called Pepper, that 'as )or sure, not even by deception.
&he i*age o) her )ace rose up, blushing, )rec(led, )ran(ly than(ing hi* )or his help. !o, she
'asn+t a beauty, but astonishingly, his heart had *issed a beat there. ,ne o) these 3uir(s that
co*es a)ter battle, and she had been re*ar(ably gallant.
Ba*nation, he *ust not let her under his guard5 -hat 'as to say she hadn+t played the 'hore,
and 'asn+t playing a part no'@
Because no one played a part in battle. In battle, the truth about a person spilled along 'ith the
blood and guts, and that riot had been a *inor battle.
6e paused to 3uestion t'o bro'n"haired lads hun(ered do'n to play 'ith ants in the road, but
they said they lived in a nearby house. A blond urchin 'andered by eating a plu*, not see*ing to
be in distress other than the 8uice all over her hands and dress. 6ands on hips, he loo(ed over the
untidy groups o) people but didn+t see any children 'ho see*ed li(ely.
6e spotted a young bro'n"haired boy standing tear)ully alone and 'ent over to hi*. >-hat+s
your na*e, lad@?
&he boy loo(ed up, (nuc(ling his eyes. >a*, sir.?
6a'( suppressed a sigh. >-ho 'ere you 'ith, a*@?
>7e dad, sir. I lost Fi*, sir. 6e+ll be cross.?
&his 'asn+t one o) his targets, but he couldn+t leave hi* here. 6a'( held out a hand. >-hy not
co*e along 'ith *e@ I+* going to chec( out the -ellington. Perhaps your )ather+s having a
drin( there.?
A da*p, stic(y hand 'rapped trustingly around his, and they progressed do'n the street. oon
he gathered t'o )rightened sisters, and another lad 'ho 'as older but see*ed slo'"'itted. &hen
stray children began to attach the*selves li(e burrs collected during a *arch through rough
country, and he eventually )ound the evangelists.
>Eour *other+s 'orried about you,? he told the*.
>-e couldn+t help it, sir,? the 'ild"eyed eldest said. >And 'e stuc( together.?
6a'( ru))led his hair and loo(ed around at his collection, all putting their absolute trust in hi*.
Clarissa .reystone 'ould probably trust hi* too9i) she 'as as honest as she see*ed to be. &he
encounter had tangled all his threads, but she 'as still his only lead to the heart o) the conspiracy,
and he had to pursue her.
,nce he dealt 'ith his present duties.
6e and his burrs turned a corner and )aced the Bu(e o) -ellington Inn. &he .reat 7an 'ould
not be a*used.
&he place 'as 8a*"pac(ed, 'ith )ree"ale patrons spilling out into the street in all directions,
*any o) the* already drun(. 6e spotted the to'n crier leaning boo<ily against a horse trough,
and guided his s3uadron there.
6e pulled out a noteboo( and began to ta(e do'n na*es.
-hen he had the* all, he ripped out the page and co**anded the to'n crier+s attention. >&hese
children are lost. Eou are to go around to'n announcing their na*es, and that they are to be
)ound here.?
6e used his *ilitary voice, and the rotund *an stood straight. >Ees, sir.?
>.ood. tart 'ith the Cord -ellington.?
In *o*ents, the *an+s *ighty bello' 'as brea(ing through the din. 6a'( turned to the
children. >tay here. Eour parents 'ill )ind you.? 6e put the oldest boy in charge o) *a(ing sure
the little ones didn+t 'ander, then too( 7att, 7ar(, and Cu(ey bac( to their *other.
6e 'as not surprised to )ind that the heiress and her charges had le)t. &hat 'as no proble*. 6e
no' had an e4cellent e4cuse to call on the school.
Chapter "!#r
Clarissa settled the girls at their tea under the eye o) the coo(, then carried a tea tray upstairs. he
hoped Althea 'as recovered enough to tal(.
As she put do'n the tray on the s*all spindle"legged table by the 'indo', she thought o) ho'
*uch she 'ould *iss this roo*. he+d once itched to be out o) school and in the 'orld. !o' it
and the 'alled garden 'ere her co*)ort and sa)ety.
But then she reali<ed that the 'all 'as the one around Bro'nbutton+s livery stable. :ro* this
lo' level, ho'ever, she couldn+t see into the yard. 7uscular *en could be 'andering around
there star( na(ed and she 'ouldn+t (no'.
a)er so.
a)e. But she 'as going to be )orced to leave.
o*eone (noc(ed at the door, and Clarissa opened it. >Co*e in, &hea. I 'as 8ust going to invite
you )or tea.? But then she reali<ed that there 'as so*ething di))erent about her )riend. >Eou+ve
put o)) your *ourning.?
Althea 'as in a pretty go'n o) crea* sprigged 'ith pale blue )lo'ers, and she loo(ed lovely.
Aven *ore lovely. uave 7a8or 6a'(inville 'ould probably trip over his )eet i) he set eyes on
Althea loo(ing li(e this.
Clarissa didn+t li(e to e4a*ine 'hy that depressed her.
It 'as over. &hey 'ould never *eet again.
>It+s been a year,? Althea said, s*oothing the so)t )abric. >.areth 'ould not have 'anted *e to
'ear dull colors )orever. 6e= he li(ed this dress.? he pulled out a hand(erchie) and pressed it
to her eyes, then ble' her nose. >It 'ill get easier.?
>Ees, I+* sure,? said Clarissa helplessly. >Co*e and have so*e tea.?
Althea sat and Clarissa poured. >&oday *ust be di))icult )or you.? he o))ered the ca(e.
Althea too( a piece, her eyes still glossed 'ith tears. >:or you, too.?
,h, lord.
Clarissa had let Althea thin( they shared a bond o) *ourning. It had 8ust happened, and then she
hadn+t (no'n ho' to set things right. It had been i*pressed upon her that no one *ust (no' the
truth about Cord Beveril+s death, and that it 'ould be better i) she didn+t sho' her relie) over it.
!o', suddenly, ho'ever, it 'as intolerable to be lying to Althea, and a)ter all, 'ho could thin(
that she didn+t loathe Cord Bevil@
>An anniversary,? she said, >but not a sad one.?
Althea stared.
>I+* sorry )or letting you thin( other'ise. I9 I never 'anted to *arry Cord Beveril. 6e 'as *y
parents+ choice. I have never grieved )or hi*.?
>!ever@? Althea as(ed, eyes 'idening. >!ot at all@?
>!ever.? Clarissa thought )or a *o*ent and then ad*itted a little *ore. >In )act, I 'as glad 'hen
he died. 7ore than glad. ,ver the *oon.?
Althea 8ust loo(ed at her, and it 'as clear that her Christian soul 'as shoc(ed.
>Cord Beveril 'as *y )ather+s age,? Clarissa hurried on, beginning to 'onder i) she should have
(ept silent a)ter all. >But age 'asn+t the proble*. 6e 'as ugly. But that 'asn+t it either.? he *et
her )riend+s eyes. >Put si*ply, &hea, he 'as evil. Bespite his 'ealth and title, he 'as accepted
hardly any'here. !obody spo(e to *e o) such *atters, but I couldn+t help reali<ing that he
indulged in all (inds o) depravity.?
he started at the touch o) Althea+s hand. >I+* sorry. I 'ish you+d told *e sooner, but I+* glad
you+ve told *e no'. It e4plains so *uch. -hy you+re here. &he 'ay you thin( about *en.> A)ter
a *o*ent, she added, ?!ot all *en are li(e that.>
Clarissa laughed, her vision blurring a little. >It 'ould be an i*possible 'orld i) they 'ere.
&ruly, &hea, I doubt you+ve ever *et anyone as )oul. &he *ere thought o) hi* *a(es *e )eel
sic(.?
Althea re)illed Clarissa+s teacup and put it into her hand. >Brin( up. It+ll steady you. -hy did
your parents per*it such a *atch@?
Clarissa al*ost cho(ed on a *outh)ul o) tea. >Per*it@ &hey arranged it and )orced *e to agree.
&hey sold *e to hi*,? she 'ent on, hearing the acid bitterness in her voice, but unable to stop it.
>&'o thousand upon *y betrothal in the papers, and t'o upon *y 'edding. &hen )ive hundred a
year as long as I lived 'ith Beveril as a duti)ul 'i)e.?
>%!at@ But that+s atrocious5 It *ust be illegal.?
>It+s illegal, I thin(, to )orce so*eone into *arriage, but it+s not illegal )or parents to beat a
daughter, nor )or the* to *istreat one in all (inds o) 'ays.?
Instead o) distress, Althea+s eyes lit 'ith outrage. >&hough it *ay not be entirely in (eeping 'ith
the .ospels, Clarissa, I, too, a* delighted that Cord Beveril died.?
Clarissa laughed 'ith relie). >o a* I. .lad he died, and glad I told you. It+s been a burden to lie
to you.?
Althea coc(ed her head. >o 'hy did you tell *e no'@?
Clarissa put do'n her cup. >I disli(e dishonesty.? he sighed. >7iss 7allory says I *ust leave,
and *y guardian agrees.?
>-hat 'ill you do@?
>&hat+s the pu<<le.?
>-hat do you 'ant to do@?
Clarissa rubbed her te*ples. >I+ve never 3uite thought o) it li(e that. Cast year I 'anted balls,
parties, and handso*e gallants.?
>&here+s nothing 'rong 'ith that.?
>But no' I+* a 'al(ing scandal. &he Bevil+s 6eiress. And a .reystone to boot. I don+t thin( I+*
going to receive *any invitations. And o) course, any gallants I do attract 'ill be a)ter *y
*oney.?
>!ot all o) the*, I+* sure,? Althea said 'ith a s*ile.
>&hea, please, be honest. !o *an has ever sho'n interest in *y char*s.? &hen she 'inced at
Althea+s distress. >I+* sorry. It+s all right. I truly don+t 'ant to *arry, and 'ith *oney I don+t
need to.?
>But you 'ant the balls and parties.?
>!ot any*ore,? Clarissa said, a'are that it 'as a lie. I) it could be done 'ithout scandal, she still
'anted 'hat *ost young ladies 'anted9a brie) ti*e o) social )rivolity.
Althea )iddled 'ith her sprigged *uslin s(irts. >I *ight be leaving 7iss 7allory+s, too.?
>But you+ve been here less than a year.?
Belicate color enhanced Althea+s beauty. >A gentle*an )ro* ho*e has approached *y )ather. A
7r. ;errall.?
&hough Clarissa had 8ust tal(ed about leaving, this )elt li(e abandon*ent. >Approached your
)ather@ Isn+t that a little cold"blooded@?
>Buc(lestead t. tephens is seventy *iles )ro* here, and 7r. ;errall has )our children to care
)or.?
-orse and 'orse. >A 'ido'er@ 6o' old@?
>Around )orty, I suppose. 6is oldest daughter is )i)teen. 6is 'i)e died three years ago. 6e+s a
pleasant gentle*an. 6onorable and (ind.?
Clarissa (ne' it 'as a reasonable arrange*ent. Althea 'ould live near her beloved )a*ily, and
this 7r. ;errall 'ould doubtless be a good husband. As Althea+s )ather 'as a parson 'ith a large
)a*ily, she 'ouldn+t have *any desirable suitors. All the sa*e, 7r. ;errall sounded li(e dry
cru*bs to her.
>Bon+t you thin( perhaps you should loo( around *ore be)ore co**itting yoursel) to this *an@
Eou attract all the *en.?
Althea shoo( her head. >I 'ill not love again.?
>Eou should give yoursel) the chance, 8ust in case.?
Althea+s eyes t'in(led. >By all *eans. -ith 'ho*@ 7r. Bills, the cloc( *ender@ Colonel Bunn,
'ho al'ays raises his hat i) 'e pass in the street@ /everend -hipple9but then, he has a 'i)e.?
Clarissa pulled a )ace. >It+s true, isn+t it@ -e don+t *eet *any eligible *en. At this ti*e o) year,
there aren+t even any handso*e brothers passing through.?
>And handso*e brothers are usually dependent on their )athers, 'ho 'ould turn up starchy at the
thought o) *arriage to a penniless schoolteacher.?
>urely not 3uite penniless,? Clarissa protested.
>-hen it co*es to eligible gentle*en, I a*. 7y portion is less than )ive hundred pounds.?
It 'as virtually nothing. Clarissa too( another bite out o) her bun and che'ed it thought)ully. I)
only she could give Althea so*e o) her *oney9but her trustees 'ere stic(lers )or not letting her
be i*posed upon. And it didn+t sound as i) Althea 'ould 'ait until Clarissa 'as t'enty"one.
>Beth Ar*itage *arried the heir to a du(edo*,? she pointed out, >and though I ad*ire her a
great deal, she has not a tenth o) your beauty.?
Althea laughed gently. >&he sort o) story to *a(e idiots o) us all. uch things cannot be relied
on.?
>&rue,? said Clarissa, re*e*bering the dar( side o) the )airy tale.
Althea 'as right. he had nothing but her beauty and good nature to reco**end her. &he 'orld
'ould say she should be grate)ul )or any suitable o))er, even that o) an elderly 'ido'er 'ith a
daughter not *any years her 8unior.
>I ca*e to than( you again )or ta(ing the girls,? Althea said, clearly changing the sub8ect. >I+*
so sorry you ended up in such trouble.?
>It 'asn+t too bad.?
>&he girls see* to see it as a 'onder)ully perilous adventure, including rescue by aint .eorge,
co*plete 'ith halo.?
Clarissa laughed. >6ardly, but 7a8or 6a'(inville did help us, yes.? he gave her account o) the
event. >I 'onder i) he )ound the 'o*an+s lost evangelists. 6e see*ed capable o) it.?
Althea coc(ed her head. >6eaven, purgatory, or hell@?
>I+* a nonbeliever, re*e*ber@ !o *arriage )or *e.?
>!onsense. I+* sure Cord Beveril 'as as hellish as you say, but 'hen you *eet heaven you+ll
change your *ind.?
>I 'on+t trust heaven.? 7a8or 6a'(inville so*eho' *erged in her *ind 'ith handso*e Cord
Arden, a)ire 'ith rage. >Any *an, i) angered enough, can turn into hell.?
>!ot .areth,? Althea said )ir*ly.
Clarissa couldn+t hurt her by arguing. >Perhaps not, but ho' are 'e to (no'@?
>A decent period o) courtship. .areth and I had (no'n each other )or years, and been courting
)or t'o.?
Clarissa pounced. >o you shouldn+t consider *arrying this 'ido'er 'ithout a decent period o)
courtship.?
>But I+ve (no'n 7r. ;errall )or years too, and I li(e hi*.?
Bal(ed, Clarissa still protested, >Eou need to *eet so*e other *en )irst.?
>Perhaps it+s a sha*e I didn+t ta(e the girls to the parade and )all into an adventure 'ith the
handso*e *a8or.?
Clarissa chuc(led, but a plan stirred. Althea needed to *eet eligible *en, and, as she+d said, that
'as unli(ely here in the school. ,nce the last girls 'ent ho*e, Althea 'ould return to
Buc(lestead t. tephens and *arry her doddering 'ido'er.
-hat 'as needed 'as 'hat the ar*y called a pree*ptive stri(e.
>I 'onder 'here I should go@? she *used. > F&he 'orld+s *ine oyster=+ ?
> F-hich I 'ith s'ord 'ill open+@? Althea co*pleted.
>-ith *oney, perhaps. It )rightens *e, Althea. 7iss 7allory says I should not stay in the
)a*iliarity o) Cheltenha*, and Bath is so dreary.?
>Condon, then.?
>!o.? It ca*e out rather abruptly, but then Althea 'ould guess that Condon had bad *e*ories
)or her. >Any'ay, it+s the end o) the eason there. &he place 'ill soon be e*pty.?
Clarissa still hadn+t 'or(ed around to her true purpose9persuading Althea to acco*pany her )or
a )e' 'ee(s and *eet a suitable husband. >-here 'ould you go i) you 'ere *e@? she as(ed.
But Althea shoo( her head. >I+* a country *ouse. I li(e li)e in a village.?
>I thin( I *ight, too,? Clarissa said, >though I+ve never tried it. 7y )ather sold his estate 'hen I
'as in the cradle to pay debts and buy a Condon house.?
A village, ho'ever, 'ould be an unli(ely place in 'hich to )ind Althea a pri*e husband.
6er )rustrated thoughts 'ere interrupted by a (noc( on the door. Clarissa ans'ered it and the
school+s upstairs *aid said, >&here+s a gentle*an in3uiring )or you, 7iss .reystone.? 6er
e4pression 'as a co*bination o) disapproval and interest. >7iss 7allory isn+t ho*e yet=?
>A gentle*an@?
>A 7a8or 6a'(inville, he says.? 7ary added 'ith disapproval, >But he+s not 'earing a hat.?
Clarissa actually s3uea(ed 'ith surprise, but *anaged to co*pose hersel). &he *a8or. 6ere5
&hen she sa' Althea+s s*iling interest and reali<ed that this 'as a chance to introduce her to at
least one eligible *an. 6e *ust be eligible, *ustn+t he, and Althea clearly )avored a *ilitary
*an.
>7a8or 6a'(inville lost his hat saving *e and the girls, 7ary. -e cannot turn hi* a'ay. 7iss
&rist and I 'ill be do'n in a *o*ent.?
As soon as the *aid le)t, Clarissa 'hirled to the *irror. he could hear one o) 7iss 7allory+s
)avorite ad*onish*ents0 &nly #od can give beauty, girls, but anyone can be neat. It had usually
been acco*panied by a pained loo( at Clarissa. .od had neglected to give her tidiness, too.
he began pulling the pins out o) her hair.
Althea ca*e over and pushed her hands a'ay. A)ter a )e' *o*ents 'ith the brush and a )e'
*ore 'ith the pins, Clarissa+s hair 'as pinned in an orderly, and even slightly beco*ing, (not.
>I don+t (no' ho' you do it,? she said so*e'hat gru*pily.
Althea 8ust laughed again. >Bon+t you have any ribbons@?
>!o, and they+d loo( silly 'ith this plain go'n.? Clarissa )elt that she+d e4posed enough )olly
)or no'. >&han( you )or tidying *e. !o' let+s go and than( the hero o) the day.?
>Bon+t you have any other clothes@? Althea as(ed, )ro'ning at the beige dress.
Clarissa ignored the trun(s in the attic. >!o. Co*e along, Althea. It hardly *atters 'hat I loo(
li(e.?
>!o@? Althea teased.
"ertainly not as long as /0m wit! you, Clarissa thought 'ithout acri*ony, leading the 'ay
do'nstairs. Bespite that, her heart 'as racing on nervous little )eet, and she tried to co**and
her senses. &he *a8or 'as here out o) courtesy. Bespite his earlier behavior, there 'as no chance
that he had been slain by her 'ondrous char*s.
And, o) course, she did not desire any *an+s serious interest.
6e 'as 8ust the sort o) *an, ho'ever, li(ely to shoc( Althea+s heart out o) the past and into
thin(ing beyond the hoary ancient a'aiting her bac( ho*e.
&hey arrived in the neat )ront hall, and a)ter a steadying breath, she led the 'ay into the parents+
parlor9so called because it 'as 'here parents 'ere ta(en 'hen they visited.
,h, *y. pea(ing o) 'ondrous char*s=
&he i*age in her *ind had not been )anci)ul.
Aven 'ithout a hat, he 'as stri(ingly elegant, not 8ust in the 3uality o) his clothes but in the 'ay
he 'ore the*, and the 'ay he *oved. &here 'as all the straight"shouldered authority o) the
*ilitary, but surprising grace as 'ell.
6e bo'ed9per)ectly. >7iss .reystone. A4cuse *y intrusion, but I 'ished to be sure that you
and the girls 'ere not har*ed in any 'ay.?
Clarissa dropped a curtsy, co**anding her heart to settle so that she could thin( clearly. 6er
heart, ho'ever, 'as a rebel, as 'as her a'estruc( *ind. >o (ind, sir. -e are all sa)e.? he
introduced Althea and then too( a seat on the so)a, inviting hi* to ta(e a chair.
&hey tal(ed o) the riot and the conse3uences9apparently t'o people 'ere seriously in8ured, but
*ost had *erely been )rightened. All the ti*e, Clarissa 'as )ighting her tendency to be da<<led,
and observing Althea to see ho' she 'as reacting to this ge*.
Althea 'as spar(ling, 'hich 'as a truly re*ar(able sight. Clarissa thought she 'as seeing the
Althea that .areth -aterstone had loved, and she 'as a*a<ed that the *a8or *anaged to pay
hersel) any courteous interest at all.
Eet he did. 6e see*ed to share his attention bet'een the*, and 'hen he loo(ed at her9 Clarissa
)ought )or reason, but his attentive eyes, his 3uic( s*iles see*ed *eant )or her.
he didn+t need a *an.
he didn+t 'ant a *an. And she *ust be *ista(en. uch *en 'ere never interested in her.
But she 'ouldn+t *ind the co*pany o) one i), a*a<ingly, he did )ind so*ething about her to
ad*ire.
Perhaps it 'as her behavior during the riot. he had done 'ell. -as it possible that he admired
her@
6er heart scurried again. >Bo you live in Cheltenha*, 7a8or@? she as(ed.
&hose eyes. &hose eyes that see*ed to li(e loo(ing at !er. >!o, 7iss .reystone. I a* passing
through on *y 'ay to visit a )a*ily property. 7y ho*e is in usse4, not )ar )ro* Brighton.?
>6ave you seen the Pavilion@? Althea as(ed 'ith interest, dra'ing his attention.
>A nu*ber o) ti*es, 7iss &rist, as a youth. I have been out o) the country 'ith the ar*y )or
*any years, ho'ever.?
Clarissa sa' thoughts o) the ar*y, and o) .areth, *ute her )riend+s spirits, and spo(e 3uic(ly,
>Brighton is the *ost )ashionable place to be in the su**er, isn+t it, 7a8or@?
>Indeed it is, 7iss .reystone. I reco**end it to you.?
he stared at hi*. >&o *e@?
>&o anyone 'ho 'ould li(e a pleasant place in 'hich to pass so*e su**er *onths,? he
responded s*oothly, but she didn+t thin( that 'as 3uite 'hat he had *eant.
-as he a *ind reader@ 6ere she 'as, in her 'ell"'orn schoolgirl clothes, and he 'as suggesting
a *ove to the *ost )ashionable, and e4pensive, resort in Angland.
o*e o) the glo' disappeared )ro* the roo*.
>Cheltenha* is delight)ul,? he 'ent on, >but it does not have the sea, never *ind the Prince o)
-ales and *ost o) the !aut ton.?
>6o' true.? he *et his s*iling eyes, sorting through her tu*bling thoughts.
Althea bro(e in. >7iss .reystone is to leave here soon, 7a8or, and enter )ashionable li)e.?
Clarissa )elt hersel) color, and (ne' it did nothing to i*prove her loo(s. Althea *eant 'ell, but
Clarissa 'ished she hadn+t said that.
&he *a8or s*iled as i) he+d received good ne's. >&hen perhaps you and your )a*ily 'ill visit
Brighton, 7iss .reystone.?
6er )a*ily. 7ustn+t such a *an"about"to'n (no' the .reystones@ And (no' about the Bevil+s
6eiress.
6iding )oolish hurt, Clarissa retreated behind a )or*al s*ile and a slightly cool *anner. >I doubt
it is possible to *ove there this late in the year, 7a8or 6a'(inville. Perhaps ne4t year9?
he rose to hint that the visit 'as at an end.
6e rose too, 'ith ad*irable s*oothness. >Eou are thin(ing o) the di))iculty o) )inding good
houses to rent, 7iss .reystone@? 6e too( out a card and pencil and 'rote so*ething on the
bac(. >I) you should thin( o) visiting Brighton, apply to 7r. cotburn and *ention *y na*e. I)
there is a house to be had, he 'ill doubtless )ind it )or you.?
Clarissa too( the card, though she )elt it 'ould be sa)er to ta(e nothing tangible )ro* this
encounter. 6o' could she re)use, ho'ever, short o) pure incivility@
&hen he 'as gone, and that should have been the end o) it, e4cept that she had his card, and his
even, )lo'ing hand'riting. he turned it and con)ir*ed 'hat she suspected.
he also had his address.
7a8or .eorge 6a'(inville, 6a'(inville 7anor, usse4.
7a8or .eorge 6a'(inville, 'ho al*ost certainly 'as a )ortune hunter 'ho (ne' e4actly 'ho
she 'as and 'hat she 'as 'orth. -hose ad*iration had been stirred by her *oney, not her
char*s.
But, she thought, loo(ing at the card again, that ad*iration had been deliriously en8oyable. -hy
should a lady not play ga*es too, and en8oy such co*pany, especially i) she 'as a'a(e to all his
tric(s@
6a'( le)t the school and didn+t allo' hi*sel) a pause to savor success. People leaving 'ere
o)ten 'atched.
6is 3uarry had cooled )or so*e reason, but he didn+t thin( she 'as beyond reach. In )act, he+d be
'illing to bet that she 'as already thin(ing o) a *ove to Brighton. I) not, he could co*e up 'ith
so*e other 'ays to persuade her. It 'as the obvious resort )or a 'ealthy young lady in search o)
social adventure in the su**er, and he 'as sure that 7iss .reystone 'as in search o) social
adventure.
In )act, she 'as ripe )or trouble, and his pressing instinct 'as to protect her5 Ba*nation, 'hy
couldn+t she be the harpy he+d i*agined@
6e 'asted a )e' *o*ents see(ing other 'ays to the Beveril *oney, but (ne' he+d 'orn that
path bare. 6e si*ply didn+t 'ant to be doing 'hat he 'as doing, playing on an innocent young
'o*an+s vulnerability.
6a'(inville, he re*inded hi*sel).
And no *atter ho' innocent she 'as, that *oney 'as not hers by right.
6e decided, ho'ever, to *ove on i**ediately to inspect .aspard 6all. 6e (ne' ho' use)ul a
strategic absence could be. Be)ore seeing his )ather+s ne' property he loathed it, but i) there 'as
so*ething to be *ade o) it, perhaps they could survive so*eho' 'ithout the Beveril *oney.
&'enty thousand pounds@
And, da*nation, that 'ill 'as a )orgery. It galled hi* to thin( o) anyone, even that lively young
'o*an, bene)iting )ro* it5
:or the )irst ti*e in his li)e he 'as being de)lected )ro* battle by a pretty )ace. !ot even pretty,
but 'ith po'er all the sa*e.
6a'(inville, he re*inded hi*sel).
But even )or 6a'(inville, 'as he really 'illing to see Clarissa .reystone hang@
Clarissa retreated bac( to her roo*, card in hand. >Brighton,? she announced.
>Clarissa5 Eou can+t. Eou hardly (no' the *an.?
Clarissa laughed. >I+* not going to marry hi*, &hea, but it is the obvious place to go. &hin( o)
it. I+* the Bevil+s 6eiress and no *atter 'here I go, sooner or later people 'ill learn o) it. I
*ight as 'ell be bra<en and en8oy *ysel) in a )ashionable spot.?
>But that doesn+t *ean the *a8or9?
>,) course not. 6e *erely put the idea into *y *ind. 6o'ever,? she added, t'irling the card, >i)
'e happen to *eet it 'ill not be unpleasant.?
>-hat i) he+s a )ortune hunter@?
Aven though it put Clarissa+s o'n thoughts into 'ords, it stung. >,h, he probably is,? she said
lightly. >As I said, I have no intention o) *arrying hi*. I) he 'ants to play escort and char*ing
co*panion, 'ell, 'hy not@?
>I) he is a )ortune hunter, I 'ish nothing *ore to do 'ith hi*.?
Althea had 'hat Clarissa thought o) as her Aarly Christian 7artyr )ace on. Clarissa 'as trying to
'or( around to the topic o) Althea+s acco*panying her, and this 'as not the right direction.
Gnless she gave it a t'ist.
>I do have to leave and 8oin the 'orld, &hea,? she said *ee(ly, >but it 'ill be hard. I did nothing
'rong, but I a* a .reystone, and I 'as engaged to *arry Cord Beveril, and he did *eet 'ith a
very un)ortunate death9>
>6e did@? Althea as(ed, disapproval tha'ing to curiosity.
>tabbed in a very poor area o) to'n.?
>tabbed5? Althea gasped.
Clarissa tried to stay )ocused on the part she 'as playing, and not let *e*ories o) the truth
invade to overset her.
>Boubtless so*ething to do 'ith the co*pany he (ept,? she said, >and 'ell deserved. &he point
is, &hea, that I+* a little 'orried about being accepted by society.?
Althea too( her hand. >!one o) it 'as your )ault.?
>&hat is not ho' people 'ill see it. -hat I a* thin(ing,? Clarissa plunged on, >is that I 'ould
)eel easier 'ith a co*panion. A )riend.? he loo(ed at Althea, reali<ing that her 'ords 'ere true.
>-ith you. I) I go to Brighton, &hea, I as( *ost sincerely that you acco*pany *e )or a little
'hile.?
>7e@? Althea gasped, eyes 'ide. >Clarissa, I couldn+t5 I (no' nothing o) )ashionable circles.?
Clarissa gripped her hand. >Eour birth is respectable, and you have e4cellent *anners, and
un3uestioned beauty.?
Althea bro(e their handclasp. >I+* only t'enty. I+* not old enough to be your chaperone in a
place li(e Brighton.?
>But I don+t 'ant you to be that. I 'ant you to co*e as a )riend, to en8oy Brighton 'ith *e. Bo
say you 'ill.?
Althea blushed and covered her chee(s 'ith her hands. >It+s still i*possible, Clarissa. I don+t
have the sort o) clothes that are needed in a place li(e Brighton, and I certainly can+t a))ord to
buy the*.?
Clarissa absorbed the truth o) that. he (ne' her trustees 'ould not allo' her to buy Althea ne'
clothes. he considered sharing, )or she 'ould have to buy a ne', )ashionable 'ardrobe hersel).
But she and Althea did not suit the sa*e colors, and her )riend 'as a good )e' inches shorter.
An idea burst upon her. he sei<ed Althea+s hand and dragged her out o) the roo*.
>-here are 'e going@?
>&o the attic5?
>-hy@?
>&o loo( at *y Condon clothes5?
&hey clattered up the narro' stairs into the storage roo*s. In the dusty gloo*, Clarissa eyed the
t'o hardly used trun(s. he didn+t 'ant to open the* and stir revolting *e*ories, but she+d do
it. :or Althea.
At the very least Althea deserved a )e' 'ee(s o) pleasure in Brighton. At the best, 'ith her
beauty, virtue, and s'eet nature, she *ight attract a 'onder)ul husband.
A lord. A du(e, even5
o she li)ted one heavy lid and pushed bac( plain *uslin to reveal a )roth o) pale blue tri**ed
'ith 'hite lace.
>I) you+re going into society, you+ll need these clothes,? Althea protested.
Clarissa pulled out the blue and passed it over. >I+ll never 'ear these again.? he tossed aside
that layer o) *uslin and un)urled the second. &he pin(.
he shuddered. he+d been 'earing that 'hen Beveril had (issed her. 6er *other had screeched
about the trouble o) getting the vo*it stains out o) it, but it see*ed so*eone had *anaged it.
>&hese 'ere all chosen by Cord Beveril and paid )or by hi*,? she said, tossing the ruched and
beribboned go'n to Althea. >Anything connected to that *an revolts *e, and they don+t even
suit *e. I*agine *e in that shade o) pin(5 I) you don+t ta(e the*, I+* giving the* to the *aids
)or 'hatever they can get )or the*.?
Althea put do'n the blue and studied the pin(. >&he color 'ould suit *e, but it+s a bit=?
>,verdone@ In bad taste@ ,h, de)initely.? ,verco*ing her distaste, Clarissa held the dress in
)ront o) her )riend. >&he shade is lovely on you, though.?
>-on+t it bother you to see *e in these dresses@?
:oul *e*ories 'ere s'irling 'ith the attic dust, but Clarissa pushed the* a'ay. >Averything
'ill have to be altered. Eou+re sli**er and shorter. -e can strip o)) the tri**ing at the sa*e
ti*e.? he gave Althea the dress. >A 'ardrobe is here )or you, i) you+re brave enoughs to co*e
adventuring 'ith *e.?
>Adventuring@? echoed Althea, but her eyes 'ere bright and her color high.
6eartbrea(ing that her .areth 'asn+t here to en8oy the &hea he+d (no'n and loved, but Clarissa
resolved that she 'ould )ind her )riend so*eone al*ost as good. !ot 8ust an ade3uate husband,
but another chance at heaven.
>-ell@? Clarissa as(ed. >-ill you do it@?
Althea stared into a distance, and perhaps )or a *o*ent she thought o) .areth, )or she sobered.
But then again, perhaps he spo(e to her, )or she s*iled in a steadier, no less glorious 'ay. >Ees.
I+ll do it.?
&he ne4t day 6a'( rode slo'ly do'n a drive'ay clu*ped 'ith )oot"high 'eeds, ta(ing in his
)ather+s hard"'on inheritance. ,ne chi*ney o) .aspard 6all had crashed do'n onto the roo),
partly accounting )or the bro(en and *issing tiles. A substantial crac( ran up one 'all,
suggesting that the )oundations had given 'ay, and the 'ood around the bro(en 'indo's )la(ed
'ith rot.
6e directed Centaur care)ully around the side o) the house, (eeping to the grass rather than the
drive. Cess danger o) potholes or )alling debris.
A couple o) years ago, 'ith )ar*ing prices high and industry pro)itable, this place *ight have
been 'orth so*ething )or the land alone. &he end o) the 'ar had brought hard ti*es, ho'ever.
&rading routes 'ere open to co*petition, and prices had )allen, so*eti*es to disastrous levels.
In various parts o) the country )ar*s 'ere even being abandoned.
.aspard 6all in its present state 'as nothing but an e4tra burden. &here *ust be tenants here
still, and others dependent on the place, all hoping that the ne' Cord Beveril 'ould help the*.
At the bac( o) the house he )ound the deserted stableyard. 6e s'ung o)) the horse and led it to a
trough and pu*p. As e4pected, the pu*p 'as bro(en.
>orry, old boy,? he said, patting Centaur+s nec(. >I+ll )ind you 'ater as soon as possible.?
6e loo(ed around and called out, >6alloo5?
o*e birds )le' out o) nearby eaves, but there 'as no other response.
A 3uic( chec( o) the stable buildings )ound only ancient, *oldy stra' and rat"che'ed 'ood.
:ro* here, the bac( o) the house 'as in as bad a state as the )ront.
It o))ended his orderly heart to see a place in such condition, but it 'ould ta(e a )ortune to
restore it. 6e 'ondered 'hy the late Cord Beveril hadn+t spent so*e o) his *oney here. 6e
assu*ed he si*ply hadn+t cared.
6a'( could easily go bac( in his *ind )i)ty years or so, ho'ever, and see a pleasant house in
attractive gardens and set a*id e4cellent )ar*land. A )a*ily had lived here and loved this place
as he loved 6a'(inville 7anor. &hat raised the strange notion o) there once being a pleasant,
'holeso*e Cord Beveril. Cord Bevil had li(ely been born here )i)ty years ago or so. 6ad he
been a nor*al child@ -hat had his parents been li(e@ 6is grandparents@
6e put aside idle speculation. &he plain )act 'as that .aspard 6all o))ered nothing. !o *oney to
pay o)) even part o) the debt. !o ho*e )or the s3uire 'ithout a )ortune being poured into it. 6e
'as bac( to the duty he 'as trying to escape.
6e led Centaur bac( the 'ay they+d co*e. &here+d be an inn in the nearby village 'here he
could stay the night. &o*orro'=
&o*orro' he should return to Cheltenha* and seduce the secrets out o) Clarissa .reystone. But
he turned and ran )ro* that. 6e+d return to 6a'( in the ;ale and hope that she ca*e to Brighton.
It *ight be easier to hunt and destroy her a*id that tinsel arti)iciality.
Chapter "$%e
July, Brig!ton, Sussex
Clarissa and Althea arrived in Brighton in a grand carriage 'ith outriders. 6er guardian, the
Bu(e o) Belcraven, had sent his o'n traveling coach and servants to ensure her co*)ort and
sa)ety. 6er trustees, 7essrs. Auston, Cayton, and Ieele, 'ho* she called the ACI, had arranged
every other detail in *agni)icent style.
&his 'as all rather un)ortunate 'hen she still didn+t have any stylish clothing, and Althea did. At
every stop, inn(eepers and servants had groveled be)ore Althea and assu*ed that Clarissa 'as
the *aid. he+d )ound it )unny, and at one place had even slipped o)) to hobnob 'ith the servants
in the (itchen. Poor Althea, ho'ever, had been *orti)ied.
&he proble* should be )i4ed soon. A stylish Brighton *antua"*a(er had all her *easure*ents
and should have a co*plete 'ardrobe, chosen by Clarissa hersel), ready e4cept )or the )inal
ad8ust*ents.
Bespite a nu*ber o) )ears, she could hardly 'ait )or any o) this adventure. !o', loo(ing out at
the lively, )ashionable co*pany strolling along the 7arine Parade in the July sun, she )elt li(e a
bird ta(ing its )irst terri)ied but e4hilarating )light.
,r perhaps li(e a bird being pushed out o) the nest and desperately )lapping its 'ings5
:ro* the )irst, i*pulsive decision, everything had been snatched )ro* her control. 7iss 7allory
had co*pletely approved. Althea had bubbled 'ith e4cite*ent. &he du(e and the ACI had
i**ediately put the idea into operation. All that had been le)t )or her to do 'as consult )ashion
*aga<ines and sa*ples o) )abric and choose her ne' clothes.
7a8or 6a'(inville+s reco**endation had not been necessary. &he ACI had assured her that
there 'ere al'ays houses available )or people 'illing to pay handso*ely )or the*, and they had
engaged !u*ber H Broad treet, 'hich boasted a dining roo*, t'o parlors, and three best
bedroo*s.
It see*ed a lavish a*ount o) space )or t'o people9 but then there 'as also the lady hired to be
chaperone and guide to society, a 7iss 6urst*an. Clarissa had been so*e'hat surprised that the
lady 'as a spinster rather than a 'ido', but she had no doubt that the ACI 'ould have chosen
the very best. &he lady had been described as >thoroughly cogni<ant o) the 'ays o) polite society
and connected to all the best )a*ilies.?
&he ACI had also arranged )or a lady+s *aid and a )oot*an in addition to the sta)) that ca*e
'ith the house. Clarissa had chuc(led over this entourage, but in truth it *ade her nervous. In her
parents+ penny"pinched household, one over'or(ed upstairs *aid had had to attend to the house
and play lady+s *aid as 'ell.
In )act, she 'as still rather unco*)ortable 'ith all the lavish spending, especially 'hen she didn+t
really )eel she deserved Beveril+s *oney. he+d loathed the *an, and it 'as only a 3uir( in the
'ording o) his 'ill that had led to her inheriting it. At least there 'as no one else entitled. -hen
she+d e4pressed her doubts, she+d been told that he+d died 'ithout an heir. -ithout the 'ill, the
*oney 'ould all have gone to the Cro'n.
&o provide *ore gilded onion do*es, perhaps, she thought, catching a gli*pse o) the Prince
/egent+s astonishing Pavilion. he couldn+t 'ait to visit it, but she couldn+t regret not having
)unded it.
he couldn+t regret any o) this, and in part that 'as because o) the secret anticipation o) *eeting
7a8or 6a'(inville again. he+d discouraged Althea )ro* tal(ing about hi*, pretending that he
'as o) little interest, but no', as the carriage rolled along the 7arine Parade, the sea on one side
and tall stuccoed buildings on the other, she surreptitiously )ingered the oblong card that she+d
tuc(ed into the poc(et o) her si*ple traveling dress.
6a'( in the ;ale, usse4. he+d loo(ed it up in a ga<etteer. It lay about si4 *iles out o) the
to'n. !ot )ar, but perhaps he didn+t visit here very o)ten.
,r perhaps he did.
Perhaps they 'ouldn+t *eet. Perhaps 'hen they did she 'ould )ind hi* less )ascinating, or he
'ould not be interested in her.
,r perhaps not.
A)ter all, i) he 'as a )ortune hunter he 'ould )ind her and pay her assiduous attentions.
he did hope so5
&he ga<etteer had *entioned his ho*e, 6a'(inville 7anor, an ancient 'alled house 'ith the
re*ains o) an earlier *edieval de)ense. Pictures3ue, the author had sni))ed, but o) no particular
architectural elegance.
-ould she see it one day@
&hen she noticed the attention they 'ere attracting. A nu*ber o) tonnish people 'ere turning to
'atch the grand coach and outriders pass along the sea)ront, ladies and gentle*an raising
3ui<<ing glasses to study it. 7ischievously, Clarissa 'aved, and Althea pulled her bac(,
laughing.
>Behave yoursel)5?
>,h, very 'ell. Bid you see the bathing *achines dra'n into the 'ater@ I intend to sea"bathe.?
>It loo(s horribly cold to *e, and they say *en 'atch, 'ith telescopes.?
>Bo they@ But then, *en bathe too, don+t they@ I 'onder 'here one buys a telescope.?
Althea+s eyes 'ent 'ide 'ith genuine shoc(. >Clarissa5?
Clarissa suppressed a grin. he loved Althea li(e the sister she had never had, but li(e sisters,
they 'ere di))erent. Althea 'ould never )eel the 'ild curiosity and i*patience that itched in
Clarissa. he didn+t understand.
But Clarissa (ne' she had to control that part o) her. It 'ould be hard enough to be accepted by
society. :or Althea+s sa(e, there *ust be no hint o) scandal.
&he coach began to turn, and she loo(ed up to see the 'ords >Broad treet? painted on the 'all.
>At last. -e+re here.?
>,h, good. It+s been a long 8ourney, though it see*s ungrate)ul to co*plain o) such lu4ury.?
>And not a high'ay*an to be seen.?
>Praise heaven5? Althea e4clai*ed, and Clarissa hid her s*ile.
Bespite its na*e, the street 'as not very 'ide, and the *assive coach too( up a great deal o) it.
&he terraced houses on either side 'ere three stories high, and 'ith bay 'indo's all the 'ay up.
All that stood bet'een the house and the road, ho'ever, 'as a short )light o) stairs and a railed
enclosure around steps do'n to the base*ent servants+ area.
Clarissa had gli*psed even narro'er streets nearby, ho'ever, and (ne' this 'as indeed grand by
Brighton standards.
&he coach roc(ed to a stop outside nu*ber H, an ACIishly per)ect house, 'ith spar(ling
'indo's, lace curtains, and bright yello' paint on the 'ood'or(. &he door opened to reveal an
ACIish house(eeper, too. Plu*p and cherry"chee(ed.
,ne o) the outriders opened the door and let do'n the steps, then assisted the* )ro* the coach.
Clarissa 'ent to'ard the house )eeling rather li(e a lost princess )inally )inding her palace.
>.ood a)ternoon, ladies,? said the house(eeper, curtsying. >-elco*e to Brighton5 I+* 7rs.
&addy, and I hope you 'ill )eel per)ectly at ho*e here.?
6o*e.
Clarissa 'al(ed into a narro' but 'elco*ing hall 'ith a tile )loor, 'hite"painted 'ood'or(, and
a bo'l o) )resh )lo'ers on a table. 6o*e 'as a singularly elusive concept, but this 'ould do )or
a 'hileJ indeed it 'ould.
>&his is lovely,? she said to the 'o*an, but then )ound that 7rs. &addy 'as loo(ing at Althea,
also assu*ing that she 'as the heiress. -hat a po'er)ul i*pression clothes *ade.
>I+* 7iss .reystone,? she said 'ith a s*ile, as i) *erely introducing hersel), >and this is *y
)riend, 7iss &rist.?
he covered the house(eeper+s )luster 'ith so*e idle co**ents about Brighton+s beauty,
'ondering 'here their chaperone 'as.
>Ah, you+ve arrived,? a brus3ue voice bar(ed. >Co*e into the )ront parlor. -e+ll have tea.?
Clarissa turned to the 'o*an standing in a door'ay. It couldn+t be5
he 'as *iddle"aged, 'ith a 'eather"beaten )ace and sharp, dar( eyes. 6er graying hair 'as
scraped bac( into a bun unso)tened by a cap, and her go'n 'as even plainer than Clarissa+s
si*ple blue ca*bric.
>Bon+t ga'(5 I+* Arabella 6urst*an, your guide to depravity.?
&he ACI *ust have run de*ented. &his 'o*an could never gain the* entree to )ashionable
Brighton5
>I+ll bring tea, *a+a*,? said 7rs. &addy to no one in particular and hurried a'ay. Clarissa )elt
te*pted to go 'ith her, but 7iss 6urst*an co**anded the* into the roo*.
It 'as s*all but pretty, 'ith pale 'alls and a )lo'ered carpet, and 7iss 6urst*an loo(ed
co*pletely out o) place. &his 'as ridiculous. &here *ust have been a *ista(e.
&he 'o*an turned and loo(ed the* over. >7iss .reystone and 7iss &rist, I assu*e. &hough I
can+t tell 'hich is 'hich. Eou?9she pointed a bony )inger at Althea9>loo( li(e the heiress. But
you?9she pointed at Clarissa9>loo( li(e the si**ering pot.?
>I beg your pardon@?
>Bon+t starch up. Eou+ll get used to *e. I gave up trying to act pretty and pleasing thirty years
ago. o*eone described 7iss .reystone as a si**ering pot, and I see 'hat he *eant.?
>-ho@?
>Boes it *atter@ it. -e have to plan your husband hunt.?
Clarissa and Althea obeyed da<edly.
>I gather you+re a protegee o) the 7archioness o) Arden,? 7iss 6urst*an said.
Clarissa didn+t (no' 'hat to do 'ith that state*ent.
>Cady Arden 'as a teacher at 7iss 7allory+s chool,? Althea said, )illing the silence. >he 'as
(ind to Clarissa last year in Condon.?
Clarissa supposed that su**ed up a very co*ple4 situation.
>&hat e4plains Belcraven, then,? said 7iss 6urst*an. >6e *ust be than(ing heaven to see his
heir *arried to a 'o*an o) sense.?
7rs. &addy hurried in then 'ith a laden tea tray and put it in )ront o) 7iss 6urst*an.
>Condon,? continued the lady, pouring. he handed Clarissa a cup. >Casted all o) t'o 'ee(s
there, and got yoursel) engaged to *arry Cord Beveril. At least you ended up 'ith his *oney,
'hich sho's so*e 'it.?
>6e 'as hardly *y choice,? Clarissa stated, 'ondering 'hat 'ould happen i) she ordered the
'o*an out o) the house. he had a burning 3uestion )irst. >-hy 'ould anyone describe *e as a
si**ering pot@?
A touch o) hu*or )lashed in the dar( eyes. >Because a si**ering pot needs to be 'atched, gel,
in case it bubbles over. FBubble, bubble, toil and trouble+@ ,h, I e4pect trouble )ro* you t'o.?
7iss 6urst*an s'itched her gi*let ga<e to Althea, 'ho al*ost cho(ed on a ca(e cru*b.
>Eou+re a beauty. 6ere to catch a husband@?
>,h, no9?
>!othing 'rong 'ith that, i) it+s 'hat you 'ant. I) you don+t li(e your choices, I can )ind you a
position. ,ne 'here you 'on+t be abused. Bear that in *ind. &here are 'orse things than being a
spinster.?
>&han( you,? said Althea )aintly.
>-hat about you@? 7iss 6urst*an de*anded o) Clarissa. >Eou 'ant a husband too@?
>!o.?
>-hy not@?
>-hy should I@ I+* rich.?
>e4ual passion,? said 7iss 6urst*an, causing Clarissa and Althea to gape. >Bon+t loo( li(e
stu))ed trout. &he hu*an race is driven by it, generally into disaster. I) you 'ait long enough, it
cools, but in youth, it si**ers.?
Clarissa )elt her )ace )la*e. urely 'hoever had said she 'as a si**ering pot could never have
*eant t!at.
-ho could it be@ &he du(e@ 6ardly. Cord Arden@ he didn+t thin( so.
7a8or 6a'(inville@
&hat thought proved her *ind 'as spinning beyond reason.
>&here+s all the ro*antic t'addle as 'ell,? the astonishing 'o*an continued. >&hat alone can
tur) *an or 'o*an into an un'ise *arriage.?
he surveyed the plate and chose a piece o) seedy ca(e. >I 'as young once, and reasonably
pretty, though I doubt you believe it, and I re*e*ber. I decided early not to *arry, but I 'as still
te*pted a ti*e or t'o. And I 'asn+t )ool enough to visit Brighton in the su**er, 'here ro*antic
)olly is carried on the bree<e. -hat+s 'orse,? she added 'ith a loo( at Clarissa, >you+re an
heiress. Eou+ll have to )ight Fe* o)).?
Clarissa eyed the 'o*an coldly. >Isn+t that your 8ob@?
7iss 6urst*an gave a (ind o) snort. >I) you really 'ant *e to. Eou probably 'on+t. Eou+ll
probably scra*ble a)ter the *ost rascally ones around. Eoung )ools al'ays do. I+ll have no
scandal, though. !o being caught hal) na(ed in an anteroo*. !o *ad dashes to .retna .reen.
Gnderstand@ !o', you t'o go o)) and settle yourselves in. &here+s nothing 'e can do today.?
Clarissa )ound hersel) on her )eet, but regrouped. >7iss 6urst*an, *y trustees employed
so*eone?9she e*phasi<ed the 'ord9>to gain us entree to the highest circles. I appreciate9?
>Eou thin( I can+t@ Bon+t 8udge by appearances. I) there+s a *e*ber o) the ton here I+* not
related to, they probably have shady antecedents. And though I don+t spend *uch ti*e in their
silly circles, I (no' *ost o) Fe*, too. I) you 'ant to 'alt< 'ith the /egent at the Pavilion, I can
arrange it. &hough 'hy you+d 'ant to is another *atter.?
>Aven though I+* the Bevil+s 6eiress@? Clarissa challenged.
>tupid na*e. Concentrate on the heiress part. &hat+ll open every door. A hundred thousand, I
understand.?
Clarissa heard Althea gasp. >7ore. It+s been 'ell invested, and I+ve been living si*ply.?
>,bviously.? 7iss 6urst*an loo(ed her over. >-ith a )ortune to hand, 'hy are you dressed li(e
that@?
>Eou are,? Clarissa pointed out s'eetly.
>I+* )i)ty")ive. I) you 'ant to be a nun, enter a convent. I) you 'ant *e to introduce you to
Brighton society, dress appropriately.?
Clarissa desperately 'anted to state that she+d 'ear plain go'ns )orever, than( you, but she
could see a pointless rebellion 'hen it 'as about to cut o)) her nose. he ad*itted to the clothes
'aiting )or her at 7rs. 6o'ell+s.
7iss 6urst*an nodded. >.ood. -e+ll go there )irst thing to*orro' and hope no one o)
i*portance sees you be)ore you+re properly dressed. Eou should have borro'ed so*ething )ro*
7iss &rist. ,)) you go.?
Clarissa longed to sit do'n again and re)use to be re*oved, but that 'as pointless too. As she
'ent upstairs 'ith Althea she *uttered, >Intolerable5?
>Perhaps she+s able to do 'hat she+s supposed to do,? Althea suggested.
>I) so, she can stay. ,ther'ise, out she goes.?
>Eou can+t5?
Clarissa 'asn+t sure she could either. 7oving 7iss Arabella 6urst*an *ight re3uire the entire
British ar*y and the Bu(e o) -ellington to lead it. But could she endure *uch *ore o) 7iss
6urst*an@ &he 'o*an 'as going to turn this delight)ul adventure into *isery.
he 'ent into the )ront bedroo* that 7rs. &addy indicated, )inding their luggage already there
and a sober")aced *aid beginning to unpac(.
>-ho are you@? Clarissa de*anded.
&he 'o*an dropped an alar*ed curtsy. >Alsie John, *a+a*. 6ired to be *aid to 7iss .reystone
and 7iss &rist.? he, too, 'as clearly having trouble deciding 'ho 'as 'ho.
>I+* 7iss .reystone,? said Clarissa, beginning to lose patience 'ith this )arce. >&hat is 7iss
&rist.?
&he *aid rolled her eyes and turned bac( to her 'or(. Clarissa suc(ed in a deep, steadying
breath. he had )ailed to stand up to 7iss 6urst*an, so she 'as ta(ing out her anger on the
innocents.
&hen Althea said, >-ould you *ind i) I lie do'n, Clarissa@ I have a headache.?
>!o, o) course not. It+s probably because o) that dread)ul 'o*an.?
Clarissa (ne', ho'ever, that it 'as as *uch her )ault as 7iss 6urst*an+s. he reined in her
te*per, and even )ound a s*ile )or the *aid. >Alsie, you *ay go )or no'.?
he helped Althea out o) her go'n and settled her in the bed 'ith the curtains dra'n, but then
didn+t (no' 'here to go. he couldn+t stay here and be 3uiet. he didn+t )eel at all 3uiet. he
needed to pace and rant.
he le)t the roo*, closing the door 3uietly. &here 'ere supposed to be three bedroo*s, and there
'ere three doors. -hat i) the third 'as the house(eeper+s@ he crept do'nstairs, but she
suspected the only roo*s belo' 'ere the )ront parlor and the dining roo*. he headed )or the
dining roo*.
>Ah, good5?
Clarissa 8u*ped.
7iss 6urst*an had e*erged )ro* the parlor li(e a spider )ro* a hole. >Co*e bac( in here.?
>-hy@?
>-e have things to discuss. Believe it or not, I+* your ally, not your ene*y.?
Clarissa )ound hersel) too )ascinated to resist.
>Eou+re strong,? 7iss 6urst*an said, as Clarissa reentered the roo*. >A bit o) bri*stone, too.
&hat+s good. Eou+ll need it.?
>-hy@?
>Eou+re the Bevil+s 6eiress. And you+re a .reystone. Aven under *y aegis, you+ll receive so*e
snubs.?
>I don+t care, e4cept i) it hurts Althea.?
>It+ll hurt her i) people are cruel to you. he can+t ta(e any )ire at all, can she@?
>he doesn+t li(e discord, but she can be strong in )ighting )or right and 8ustice.?
>Pity 'e don+t have lions to thro' her to. he *ight en8oy that.?
Anough 'as enough. >7iss 6urst*an, I+* not at all sure you 'ill suit, but i) you are to be
caustic about 7iss &rist, you certainly 'on+t.?
&he 'o*an+s lips t'itched. >&hin( o) *e as your personal lion. !o' sit do'n. Cet+s tal( 'ithout
a delicate audience.
>I li(e you,? 7iss 6urst*an said as she returned to her straight"bac(ed posture in her chair.
>Bon+t (no' 'hat )ires you+ve been through, but it+s )orged so*e steel. Gnusual in a gel your
age. Eour Althea is doubtless a lovely young 'o*an, but tender la*bs li(e that give *e a
headache. &hey can al'ays be depended on to say the right thing and to su))er )or the stupidity o)
others.?
>It 'asn+t stupidity that (illed her )iance.?
>6o' do you (no'@ -ar is stupid, any'ay. Bo you (no' 'e lost ten ti*es as *any *en to
disease as 'ounds@ &en ti*es, and a regi*ent o) 'o*en 'ith sense could have saved *ost o)
Fe*. Anough o) that. I 'ant to have things clear. -e+re to )ind her a good husband, are 'e@?
Clarissa i*agined that -ellington+s troops *ust have )elt li(e this be)ore battle, and yet there
'as a starchy co*)ort in it. 7iss 6urst*an, despite her unli(ely appearance, radiated
co*petence and con)idence.
>Ees.?
>Any do'ry at all@?
>A very s*all a*ount.?
7iss 6urst*an !ump!ed. >&he right *an 'ill )ind that ro*antic. -hat+s her )a*ily@?
>6er )ather is the vicar o) aint tephen+s in Buc(lestead t. tephens. 6e+s brother to ir
Clarence &rist there. 6er *other is )ro* a good )a*ily, too. But there+s no *oney and seven
other children.?
>-here did the )ine clothes co*e )ro*, then@?
>I gave the* to her.?
>-hy@?
Clarissa considered her ans'er. >Bo you (no' 7essrs. Auston, Cayton, and Ieele, *a+a*@?
>,nly by repute and a letter.?
>&horough,? said Clarissa. >Conscientious. Beter*ined to pass over *y )ortune 'hen I+*
t'enty"one 'ith scarcely a nibble out o) it.?
>;ery right and proper.?
>Carried to ridiculous lengths. I can buy 'hat I 'ant and they 'ill pay the bills, but they allo'
*e virtually no *oney to spend on *y o'n. &hey 'ould never have let *e hire Althea to be *y
co*panion9and you have to ad*it that having her here 'ill be *uch *ore pleasant than being
here alone.?
>Eou have *e,? said 7iss 6urst*an 'ith a 'ic(ed s*ir(.
Clarissa s'allo'ed a laugh, and suspected it sho'ed.
&he truth 'as that she 'as beginning to li(e 7iss 6urst*an. &here 'as no need to pretend 'ith
her. -ith Althea, dear though she 'as, Clarissa al'ays )elt she had to 'atch hersel) so as not to
bruise her )riend+s tender )eelings. -ith 7iss 6urst*an, she could probably da*n the (ing, pic(
a )ight, or use scandalous language and stir no *ore than a blin(.
>Clothes,? 7iss 6urst*an pro*pted.
>,h, yes. &he ACI didn+t ob8ect to *y bringing Althea as a )riend, but she needed )ashionable
clothing. &hey+d not pay )or that, but they+d pay )or ne' clothes )or *e.?
>hady dealings, gel.? 7iss 6urst*an 'aggled her )inger, but the t'in(le *ight be ad*iration.
Clarissa 'as surprised to )eel that 7iss 6urst*an+s ad*iration *ight be 'orth so*ething. >It
'asn+t a noble sacri)ice. I 'ould never have 'orn those go'ns again. &hey 'ere bought )or *e
to parade be)ore Cord Beveril.?
>Ah. And that shade o) blue 'ouldn+t have suited you any better than the one you+re 'earing
no'. 6ope you chose better this ti*e.?
Clarissa loo(ed do'n at the tiny sprigged pattern that had been the best *aterial 7iss 7allory+s
sea*stress had to hand. >o do I. I chose rather bold colors.?
>Bold see*s suitable,? said 7iss 6urst*an dryly. >I) they don+t suit, 'e+ll choose again. -on+t
*a(e a dent in your )ortune. o, 7iss &rist needs to *arry *oney. And generous *oney, at that.?
>-hat she needs is a *an 'ho loves her.?
7iss 6urst*an+s bro's rose. >-hen she can+t love hi* bac(@ he+d go into a decline under the
guilt o) it. And i) she doesn+t *arry *oney, she+ll )eel she+s let do'n her )a*ily.?
Clarissa 'anted to ob8ect, but the blasted 'o*an had clearly ta(en Althea+s *easure to the inch.
he needed to be o) service to all.
>I 'ant her to be happy.?
7iss 6urst*an nodded. >he+ll be content 'ith a good *an and children, and plenty o)
'orth'hile 'or( to do. Eou, on the other hand, need a *an 'ho loves you.?
7a8or 6a'(inville, Clarissa thought, and reacted by stating, >I don+t need a *an at all. I+* rich.?
>Eou+re obsessed by your *oney. .uineas are unco*)ortable bed)ello's.?
>&hey can buy co*)ort.?
7iss 6urst*an+s bro's shot up. >Planning to buy yoursel) a lover@?
>,) course not5? Clarissa (ne' she 'as red. >Eou, *a+a*, are obsessed 'ith= 'ith bed5 7y
trustees cannot have (no'n your true colors.?
Bespite that, she could see the 'ic(ed t'in(le in 7iss 6urst*an+s eyes, and )elt its re)lection in
hersel). he+d never (no'n anyone so 'illing to say outrageous things.
>-hy are you *y chaperone@? she de*anded. >Eou are clearly a *ost unusual choice, even i)
you are 'ell connected.?
>!epotis*,? said 7iss 6urst*an, but that t'in(le told Clarissa that there 'as *ore to the 'ord
than there see*ed to be. >And you co*e into your *oney at t'enty"one,? 7iss 6urst*an carried
on. >Gnusual situation all around. Gnusual that Beveril leave you anything. Aven *ore unusual
that he arrange )or you to be )ree o) control at such a tender age.?
>I (no', and so*eti*es I 'ish he hadn+t.? A)ter a *o*ent, Clarissa ad*itted so*ething she+d
never told anyone be)ore. >It )rightens *e. I+ve tried to learn so*ething about *anage*ent, but I
don+t )eel able to deal 'ith such 'ealth.?
7iss 6urst*an nodded. >Eou can hire Auston, Cayton, and Ieele to *anage your a))airs, but it
'ill still be a tric(y road. It+s not 8ust a *atter o) *anage*ent. A 'o*an is not supposed to live
'ithout *ale supervision, especially a young un*arried lady o) )ortune. &he 'orld 'ill 'atch
every *ove you *a(e, and scoundrels 'ill hover 'ith a thousand clever 'ays to )ilch your
*oney )ro* you.?
7a8or 6a'(inville, she thought, though she couldn+t see hi* as a scoundrel. >:ortune hunters. I
(no'.?
>At the end o) a )e' 'ee(s 'ith *e,? 7iss 6urst*an stated, >you+ll be *ore ready, and in 'ays
other than ad*inistrative. But don+t put the thought o) a husband out o) your *ind entirely. &here
are good *en in the 'orld, and one o) the* 'ould *a(e your li)e a great deal easier. I don+t see
you as content 'ith celibate living.?
Put li(e that, Clarissa 'asn+t sure she 'ould be content, either, and she (ne' part o) that )eeling
'as because o) the heroic *a8or, even though he hadn+t touched her in any *eaning)ul 'ay. he
'asn+t ready to e4pose such sensitive uncertainties to 7iss 6urst*an+s astringent eye, ho'ever.
6er co*panion rose in a sharp, s*ooth *otion. >&here+s a lot about you that I don+t understand.
I 'on+t pry. As long as it doesn+t a))ect 'hat 'e+re doing here, it+s no business o) *ine. But I+ll
listen i) you 'ant to tal(, and I can (eep secrets. Eou probably 'on+t believe it, but I can be
trusted, too.?
Clarissa did believe it. he 'as te*pted to lay all her burdens on the older 'o*an+s shoulders9
Cord Beveril and his deathJ Cord Arden+s cruelty to BethJ even the Co*pany o) /ogues, Cord
Arden+s )riends, 'ho had helped her, 'hose burden o) secrets she carried, 'ho )rightened her in
vague, elusive 'ays.
&hat the idea te*pted her 'as alar*ing in itsel).
Chapter S$&
6a'( rode into Brighton at hal) past eight, be)ore the )ashionable part o) to'n 'as stirring. 6e
turned into the /ed Cion Inn and arranged to stable Centaur there. 6e had a standing invitation to
stay 'ith ;an and his 'i)e, 'ho+d ta(en a house on the 7arine Parade, but he 'ouldn+t disturb
the* at this hour.
6e 'asn+t sure 'hy he 'as here so uselessly early e4cept that he+d 'anted to get on 'ith his
pursuit o) 7iss .reystone. &i*e 'as shortening be)ore lade+s deadline, but *ore than that, li(e
a novice be)ore battle, he )eared losing his nerve.
7iss .reystone *ight see* innocent, but he couldn+t i*agine ho' she could not have been
involved in Beveril+s death and that )orged 'ill. he 'as, as )ar as he could see, the sole
bene)iciary. Anything he discovered 'as li(ely to lead to her destruction, and 3uite si*ply, he
bal(ed at that. 6e+d spent the past 'ee(s see(ing so*e other 'ay o) clai*ing the Beveril *oney.
6e+d )ailed.
I) he+d )ailed, he doubted it 'as possible. 6e+d used every angle and connection to try to )ind the
)orger, or a hint o) the (iller. !othing, 'hich *eant he 'as up against a clever *ind and that line
o) in3uiry 'as dead, especially given his shortage o) ti*e. ,ne day, ho'ever, he hoped to (no'
'ho had constructed the deceit, and ho'.
And 'hy. &hat in particular pu<<led hi*. &he heiress had the *oney. -hy had a clever *ind
gone to such illegal lengths )or no obvious pro)it@
A lover@ 6e didn+t 'ant to thin( he+d been as deeply )ooled by her as that.
:ro* servants and gossips, he+d co*piled a list o) people Clarissa had been seen 'ith during her
ti*e in Condon, but it 'as short and unhelp)ul. &he .reystones and Beveril had only been
tolerated, so her social circle had not been 'ide. &he highest"born connection 'as Cady .orgros,
a vastly stupid 'o*an 'ho couldn+t be the genius behind anything.
;iscount tar(e had hung around Beveril, but he+d sha(e hands 'ith anyone )or another bottle o)
brandy, and his hands perpetually shoo( on their o'n, any'ay. &here+d been others o) his sort,
and a couple o) upstart )a*ilies 'ho had 'ined and dined the .reystones under the illusion that
it 'as a step to'ard the !aut ton.
A)ter Beveril+s death, ho'ever, she+d been ta(en up by the 7archioness o) Arden. &hat had
struc( hi* as strange enough to be interesting until he+d discovered that Cady Arden had been a
teacher at 7iss 7allory+s chool. ,bviously, in ti*e o) need Clarissa had turned to her. 6a'(
'ould have spo(en to the *archioness to see i) she had anything to tell, but the lady 'as living
in the country, e4pecting to be con)ined 'ith her )irst child at any *o*ent.
It 'as perhaps as 'ell. Po(ing in such high")lo'ing 'aters 'as li(ely to be dangerous. &hat
e4plained, ho'ever, 'hy the heiress+s guardian 'as the Bu(e o) Belcraven, Arden+s )ather. 6er
o'n )ather had been persuaded to sign a'ay all his rights )or )ive thousand pounds. -ith the
.reystones, it 'ould appear, everything 'as )or sale.
o, a)ter 'ee(s o) 'or(, he had )acts but no clue about Clarissa .reystone+s *ysterious partner
in cri*e. &hus his only (ey 'as Clarissa hersel). Perhaps her honesty and innocence 'ere a deep
disguise, and she 'as a thorough villain. Perhaps she 'as the puppet o) so*e undiscovered
*anipulator.
-hatever the truth, 6a'( 'as going to uncover it, and he 'ould do 'hatever it too(.
As soon as the post o))ice opened he 'ent to spea( to his obliging in)or*ant there. ince 6a'(
'as )ro* a 'ell"(no'n local )a*ily, 7r. Cra')ord had *ade no di))iculty over accepting a
cro'n to send 'ord 'hen 7iss Clarissa .reystone arrived in to'n.
>Ca*e to register 'ith *e yesterday, 7a8or 6a'(inville,? the rotund *an said 'ith a 'in(.
>7iss .reystone, a pretty )riend, and their chaperone.?
>Any other notable arrivals@? 6a'( as(ed, atte*pting to *as( his interest a little.
Cra')ord consulted his boo(. >&he Aarl and Countess o) .resha*, sir. 7rs. and 7iss !ut'orth"
6ul*e=?
-hen the *an had run do'n the list, 6a'( than(ed hi* again and le)t, pausing to allo' a
couple to enter the roo*. An arresting couple.
&he 'o*an 'as a silver"haired beauty in pure 'hite, )ro* the plu*es on her bonnet to her (id
slippers. o*eho' she t'ea(ed at his *e*ory, though he didn+t (no' her. Certainly no *an
'ould )orget her. 6er co*panion 'as a tall, dar(ly handso*e *an 'ith an e*pty sleeve tuc(ed
bet'een the buttons o) his 8ac(et. 7ilitary, 6a'( guessed, but again, no one he (ne'.
>7rs. 6ardcastle5? 7r. Cra')ord e4clai*ed, co*ing around his counter to bo' to the lady.
Ah, he re*e*bered her no'. he 'as the actress they called the -hite Bove o) Brury Cane.
he+d been playing &itania 'hen he+d trac(ed ;an do'n in the theater a 'hile ago. 6is *ind had
been entirely on ;an+s danger, but even so, her grace and char* had *ade an i*pression.
he 'as irrelevant to his current concerns, ho'ever.
As he continued on his 'ay he heard Cra')ord greet the *an as 7a8or Beau*ont, con)ir*ing
that he 'as *ilitary and a stranger. All the sa*e, that irrelevant na*e 'ould no' have slotted
into his *ind.
6e )ound it tireso*e to have nearly every detail stic(, even so*ething li(e a chance"*et actress
and her escort, but he+d learned to live 'ith it, and it 'as the basis o) his s(ill. 6e still had ti*e
to (ill, so he 'al(ed over to the sea)ront, hoping the bris( bree<e 'ould clear his *ind.
6e 'asn+t used to having a tangled *ind, but Clarissa .reystone had achieved it. Coo(ed at )ro*
the angle o) the evidence, she could not be an innocent. 6ell, she 'as a #reystone, and even i)
she had spent *ost o) the recent years at 7iss 7allory+s chool, that had to carry a taint.
As 'ell, he (ne' better than *ost that appearances could be co*pletely deceptive. 6e
re*e*bered a 'ide"eyed child in Cisbon 'ho had *utilated the soldiers he had *urdered and
robbed.
&he ethereal -hite Bove 'as probably a )oul*outhed 'anton, and 'holeso*e Clarissa
.reystone 'as nec("deep in sli*e. 6e need have no 3ual*s about pleasing her and 'ooing her
until she let so*ething slip that 'ould open the pu<<le"bo4 o) Beveril+s a))airs.
I) only he )elt that 'ay.
6e 'atched the dippers lead their horses do'n to the beach and harness the* to the bathing
*achines, getting ready )or the )irst bathers o) the day. Business *ight be light, given the clouds
graying the s(y. Aven so, perhaps he should sea"bathe despite the 'eather, and try to be 'ashed
clean o) the stin( he )elt creeping over hi*.
7audlin thought, but he+d never used love*a(ing as a 'eapon be)ore.
6e suddenly re*e*bered recruiting so*eone to do 8ust that, ho'ever9i) coupling 'ith a
notorious 'hore could be called love*a(ing. It had been t'o years ago, 8ust a)ter the ta(ing o)
Paris. !apoleon had abdicated, and /ichard Anstable, an ino))ensive British diplo*at, had been
)ound stabbed to death.
&he *an 'ho+d )ound hi* had been !icholas Belaney, and 6a'( had recogni<ed the na*e.
Belaney had been the creator and leader o) the Co*pany o) /ogues, Con+s group o) )riends at
6arro' chool.
6a'(, curious about a person he+d heard so *uch about, had i**ediately 'ondered 'hat
Belaney 'as doing at the liberation o) Paris. 6e+d sought Belaney out, and there+d been an
instant li(ing, though 6a'( had instinctively bloc(ed the *an+s charis*a.
&hat charis*a, ho'ever, had landed Belaney 'ith the very devil o) a 8ob, and because o) their
ac3uaintance, 6a'( had been given the tas( o) putting it to hi*.
&he :oreign ,))ice, the 6orse .uards, and the *ilitary co**and all had )iles on a 'o*an called
&herese Bellaire. A daughter o) the *inor nobility, she had risen in 'ealth and po'er as *istress
and procuress to !apoleon+s *ost i*portant *en. In 1H1#, 'ith !apoleon abdicating, she had
turned to Colonel Coldstrop o) the .uards, and begged his help in )leeing to Angland. !o one
thought her purpose innocent.
It had been decided to support her plan so as to )ind out 'hat she 'as up to and 'ho* she
contacted. &he )iles sho'ed that a )e' years be)ore, Belaney had been her resident lover )or
*onths. &he )iles also said that he+d le)t her, not the other 'ay around, and that she still cared.
6a'(+s orders had been blunt. >he+s up to so*ething,? .eneral :eatheringha* had said, >and
'e need to (no' 'hat. ,nly idiots thin( Boney+s going to sit on Alba gro'ing violets, and there
are Bonapartist sy*pathi<ers every'here, including Britain. &ell Belaney to get bac( into the
'o*an+s good graces and rut the truth out o) her.?
6a'( had put it *ore politely, but !icholas Belaney+s eyes had turned steady and cool. All he+d
said, ho'ever, 'as, >And to thin( I )elt guilty about not )ighting in the Peninsula.?
6a'( had tried to sugar the pill. >I hear she+s a very beauti)ul 'o*an, and s(illed at the erotic
arts.?
Belaney had stood up at that. >&hen you do it,? he+d said, and le)t.
It hadn+t been a re8ection. 6a'( had (no'n that, and 'ithin days he+d heard that Belaney 'as
part o) a 'ild circle including &herese Bellaire. oon a)ter that, he+d le)t )or Angland 'ith the
'o*an, presu*ably doing his noble service.
6a'( had heard no *ore o) it, and hadn+t cared to, but 'hen !apoleon, as predicted, had
returned to :rance and po'er, the Bellaire 'o*an had reappeared in the inner circle. he+d
disappeared around the ti*e o) -aterloo, and no', surely, her goose *ust be coo(ed.
It had all co*e bac( to hi* because he+d *et Belaney again recently9in Bevon, at Con+s place
there. Belaney+s country estate lay not )ar a'ay, and he+d co*e to loo( over the strange
collection le)t by Con+s predecessor and to help Con 'ith a dile**a to do 'ith usan.
Belaney and 6a'( had both pretended not to have *et be)ore, and it hadn+t see*ed that Belaney
held a grudge. All the sa*e, 6a'( 'ondered ho' *any thorns )ro* his past 'ould turn up to
8ab hi*.
&horns )ro* his present, as 'ell.
6e returned to the /ed Cion and ate a *ediocre brea()ast, 'aiting )or )ashionable Brighton to
e*erge. -aiting )or Clarissa .reystone to beco*e vulnerable to his 6a'(+s eye and talons.
&he )ashionable throng (ept earlier hours at Brighton, so by eleven he could go out to stroll
a*ong the*. 6e circled the open grassy area called the teyne, chatting to the occasional
ac3uaintance, *any o) the* *ilitary, casually (eeping an eye out )or his 3uarry.
6e recogni<ed 7iss &rist )irst. ,r rather, he 'as alerted by a s'irl o) attention around a lovely
lady in a 'hite dress tri**ed 'ith peri'in(le blue, and then sa' 'ho it 'as. It too( hi* a
*o*ent to recogni<e the lively creature beside her as Clarissa .reystone.
!o sign o) the unsophisticated schoolgirl no'. -hat an e4cellent actress she 'as.
he 'asn+t 'earing a bonnet. Instead, a daringly elegant hat 'ith a s*all curved bri* revealed
all o) her )ace and 3uite a lot o) her stylishly dressed curls. It didn+t *a(e her a beauty, but it
gave a vibrancy to her )eatures. &o protect her co*ple4ion, she carried the latest thing, a pagoda"
style parasol. ,r, to be precise, she t'irled it. Aven at a distance she loo(ed con)ident, )ull o) the
<est o) li)e9and dangerous.
6er go'n 'as an o))"'hite color strongly tri**ed 'ith rust"colored braid and edged around the
he* 'ith a deep )ringe. As she 'al(ed, that )ringe s'ung, giving tantali<ing gli*pses o) shapely
an(les e*phasi<ed by crea*"and"rust"striped stoc(ings.
Avery *an on the teyne 'as doubtless loo(ing at those an(les.
6e 8er(ed his o'n eyes up, steadied hi*sel), and planned his intercept. 6e sa' others *a(ing a
direct line, including a nu*ber o) *ilitary *en. &he last thing he 'anted 'as the heiress in the
protection o) another *an. Bisguising his urgency, he *oved in s'i)tly )or the (ill.
>I say, Aunt Arabella, )ancy seeing you here5 And in such char*ing co*pany5?
Clarissa started. he+d been so intent on loo(ing care)ree and con)ident despite )eeling sic( 'ith
nerves that she hadn+t noticed the dar("haired, dar("eyed young o))icer until he 'as upon the*.
7iss 6urst*an stopped and loo(ed hi* up and do'n. >A)raid the *old+ll rub o)) on the*,
&revor@ Eou 'ere a big"eared ga'( 'hen I sa' you last. 6eard you did 'ell at -aterloo,
though. .ood boy. Eou don+t 'ant to chatter to *e, I+* sure. I (no' 'hat you 'ant. 7iss &rist
and 7iss .reystone. Consider yoursel) introduced. Cieutenant Cord &revor :)y)e. 6e+ll be a sa)e
)lirt )or you because he (no's I+ll cut his nose o)) i) he ain+t.?
&he young *an laughed. >/e*ar(able 'o*an, *y aunt. Are you ne' to Brighton, ladies@ Eou
*ust be. I couldn+t possibly have *issed t'o such beauties=?
A)ter a )e' *o*ents o) his )lattering, chattering co*pany, Clarissa+s nerves began to settle, and
tentative 8oy crept in. -as it really going to 'or(@ -as 7iss 6urst*an going to per)or* the
*iracle and gain her entrance to society@ &his 'as 'hat she+d drea*ed o)9beco*ing clothes, a
)ashionable throng, and a gallant, even titled, )lirt.
he and Althea had lived in seclusion )or t'o days 'hile 7rs. 6o'ell and her assistants rushed
bac('ard and )or'ard doing )inal )ittings on the go'ns. &hey hadn+t been bored, because there
had been the hairdresser, the dancing *aster, and 7iss 6urst*an+s o'n drill in per)ect, con)ident
behavior.
>!ever )luster5? she co**anded Clarissa. >Althea can be as de*ure and uncertain as she
pleases, but i) you are, they+ll eat you alive. Coo( the* in the eye, re*e*ber your )ortune, and
dare the* to turn their bac(s.?
!o' she 'as being hatched, and in very )ine )eathers. he loved the bold colors o) this one, and
the deep, daring )ringe. Perhaps in )ine )eathers she beca*e a little bit o) a )ine bird@
he (ept her chin up, her s*ile in place, and prepared to loo( anyone and everyone in the eye.
>Bo say that you+ll give *e a dance at the asse*bly on :riday, 7iss .reystone.?
Clarissa )ocused on handso*e Cord &revor, and her s*ile beca*e genuine. >I+d be delighted to,
*y lord.?
>I consider *ysel) the *ost )ortunate o) *en, 7iss .reystone5? 6e 'as atte*pting to sound
sincere, but she could tell that his da<ed attention 'as *ore on Althea than hersel). he didn+t
*ind. &hat 'as the true purpose o) this adventure.
7ore or less.
he couldn+t resist glancing around in search o) 7a8or 6a'(inville. &here 'as no reason under
the sun )or hi* to be here today, but she couldn+t help but loo(.
I*agine being able to tal( 'ith hi* at leisure.
I*agine hi* as(ing her to reserve a dance.
But then, perhaps the da<<ling appeal had been a )ig*ent o) the *o*ent and here, a*ong so
*any )ine *ilitary *en, he 'ould be ordinary.
&here 'as only one 'ay to )ind out.
Another survey sho'ed no sign o) hi*. Patience, she told hersel), and concentrated on the
increasing nu*ber o) )ine *ilitary *en. It 'as as i) Cord &revor had breached the 'alls9they
'ere surrounded by uni)or*s, all see(ing introductions.
,nly one said to Clarissa, >,h, I say, aren+t you9@? and then shut up, turning red.
>Bunce,? said Cord &revor 'ith a reassuring s*ile at Clarissa.
But her nerves started to churn again. he 'as still the Bevil+s 6eiress. It 'as all very 'ell to be
s'ar*ed by young o))icers. -ould other parts o) society accept her@
&he o))icers all had e4cellent *anners, at least, and shared their attention bet'een Althea and
hersel). ince all she 'anted )ro* the* 'as the lightest )lirtation, it 'as heavenly.
But 'hat about the *a8or@ he glanced around again, searching the clusters o) people dotting the
)ashionable gathering place. he 'as sure that i) he 'as here he 'ould stand out )or her=
And he did5
A)ter 8ust one gli*pse, her heart started a nervous patter.
he instantly turned bac( to the group, s*iling brightly at a lieutenant 'hose na*e had )lo'n
right out o) her head, chattering to hi* in 'hat 'as probably a strea* o) nonsense.
$emember, !e is a fortune !unter. !is is only for amusement, not for life.
>7iss .reystone. 7iss &rist. 6o' delight)ul to see you here.?
Clarissa turned, putting on 'hat she hoped 'as a *erely 'ar* s*ile. >7a8or 6a'(inville. -hat
a lovely surprise.?
6is s*iling eyes held a distinct hint o) 'ic(edness. >!ot entirely a surprise, 7iss .reystone. -e
did spea( o) it.?
A little shoc(ed by that betrayal, Clarissa 'as still see(ing the right response 'hen a po(e in her
side alerted her to 7iss 6urst*an, e4pecting to be introduced. he grasped the escape, and her
chaperone as(ed a )e' pointed 3uestions be)ore giving hi* the nod. Clarissa 'as surprised to
detect so*ething negative in her dragon. -ariness@ Concern@ -as there so*ething 'rong 'ith
his )a*ily@ 6is reputation@
But then she had it. Probably 7iss 6urst*an (ne' hi* to be a *an in need o) *arrying a
)ortune. ad to have that con)ir*ed, but not a shoc(. he could still en8oy hi*. In )act, it could
be seen as educational. ,nce 'ord escaped, she 'as bound to be s'ar*ed by )ortune hunters.
he 'ould learn )ro* the *a8or 'hat to e4pect, and ho' to handle it.
>7a8or 6a'(inville5? Cord &revor said. >I say, sir, ho' good to see you again. And no' you
*eet *y redoubtable Aunt Arabella.?
7iss 6urst*an+s eyes narro'ed. >Been gossiping about *e in the *ess, &revor@?
Cord &revor 'ent red and sta**ered a denial.
>6e 'as singing your praises,? said the *a8or, >about so*e 'or( you did helping young
'or(house girls.?
7iss 6urst*an loo(ed bet'een the*. >trange topic )or o))icers.?
>-e try to be eclectic. Aducate the subalterns, you (no'.? 6a'( turned to Clarissa. >Are you
en8oying Brighton, 7iss .reystone@?
>Per)ectly,? she said, adding a silent now.
he+d 'ondered 'hether he 'ould see* as special a'ay )ro* riot and adventure, but i)
anything, he 'as *ore so, even 'hen surrounded by other eligible *en. 6e 'as re*ar(ably
elegant, 'ithout being )oppish. he 'asn+t sure ho' that ca*e about, but she 'ould be happy to
study the 3uestion.
-hat 'as her )ortune hunter going to do ne4t@
6e chatted to the other *en )or a *o*ent or t'o, then he held out his ar* to her. Concealing a
s*ile, she put her hand on it, and let hi* cut her out o) the group to stroll about the teyne.
A si*ple and direct )irst step. he approved.
6o' 'ould he open his 'ooing@
>Eou+ve ac3uired a )or*idable dragon, 7iss .reystone.?
he loo(ed at hi* in surprise. >7iss 6urst*an@ he 'as hired by *y trustees, 7a8or.?
>:)y)e+s aunt@?
>Is that so e4traordinary@?
>:)y)e+s aunt, I believe, is actually cousin to his )ather, the 7ar3uess o) 7ayne, rather than sister.
6o'ever, she+s sister to one viscount, aunt to another, and granddaughter o) a du(e. 6ardly the
type to hire hersel) out )or the season.?
>Eou+re surprisingly 'ell in)or*ed, 7a8or.? he supposed a )ortune hunter needed to gather
in)or*ation about his 3uarry, but such blatant evidence o) it dis*ayed her. And 'here 'as the
a*using )lattery and char* she had anticipated@
But then he s*iled rather 'ryly. >I+* blessed9or cursed9'ith a retentive *e*ory, 7iss
.reystone. :acts stic(. Eou *ay 'ish to be a little on your guard.?
>Against your retentive *e*ory@?
It ca*e out rather snappishly, and he loo(ed startled. >Against :)y)e+s aunt.? But then he added,
>Ignore *e, please. o*eone 'ho+s been in battle o)ten 8u*ps at loud noises. 7y active service
had *ore to do 'ith pu<<les than cannon )ire, but I+* le)t 'ith a sharp reaction to things and
people that see* a*iss.?
>Eou see 7iss 6urst*an as a*iss@? Clarissa as(ed, beginning to be intrigued by the pu<<le. >I+d
thin( her e*inent bac(ground 'ould put her beyond reproach.?
>6igh ran( doesn+t al'ays go hand in hand 'ith virtue, 7iss .reystone. I 'ould thin( you
'ould (no' that.?
>I@? she as(ed, a nervous tre*or starting. -as he re)erring to her )a*ily@
>I could not help but be curious about you, 7iss .reystone, and I learned that you 'ere
betrothed to Cord Beveril.?
Bespite the sun, Clarissa )elt as i) a chill 'ind ble' around her. o*ething *ust have sho'n on
her )ace, )or he said, >6ave I o))ended you by *entioning it@?
he loo(ed at hi*. 6e did not see* repentant. ,nly 'atch)ul. -as this really ho' )ortune
hunters behaved@ And, she suddenly thought, i) he 'as honest about his curiosity, had he not
(no'n in Cheltenha* that she 'as rich@
>It is co**on (no'ledge, 7a8or.?
>As 'as Cord Beveril+s vice. I con)ess to being curious as to ho' you ca*e to be co**itted to
hi*. It cannot have been by choice.?
he silently than(ed hi* )or that, but could not, 'ould not, tal( about it. It *ade her al*ost
physically sic(.
>7y parents co*pelled *e, 7a8or. But it is a *atter I pre)er not to discuss. I *ust than( you )or
the na*e you gave *e, though it 'as not re3uired. 7y trustees have )ound *e a pleasant house
in Broad treet.?
>A good address. Close enough to the teyne )or convenience, but not so close as to be a))ected
by ro'diness. -hat 'ith bands, parades, and don(ey races, this is o)ten not a rest)ul place.?
he glanced at hi*. >But do I 'ant to rest@?
6e returned her loo(, and it 'as suddenly li(e the ti*e 'hen they had been 'atching the parade,
'hen he+d silently challenged her. 6ad he not (no'n then 'ho she 'as@ It see*ed crucial, but
she had no 'ay to be sure.
>I see,? he said. >Eou en8oy riot and *ayhe*@?
he t'irled her parasol, sending the )ringe dancing at the edge o) her vision. >!ot precisely that,
but so*e little adventures=?
>Eou could creep out o) your house tonight to e4plore Brighton 'ith *e in the dar(.?
>7a8or5?
But he 'as teasing, and she loved it.
6is s*ile crin(led his eyes and dug deep brac(ets beside his *outh. >&oo e4tre*e@ ,r si*ply
too early@? Be)ore she could )ind a reply, he added, >-e *ust establish boundaries, 7iss
.reystone. Could I te*pt you to stroll beyond this treeless space and )ind *ore privacy@?
>&o do 'hat@? she as(ed, glancing a'ay, but as i) she *ight consider so*ething so outrageous.
>Part o) the adventure, 7iss .reystone, is the *ystery involved.?
he loo(ed bac(. >But a *ystery, 7a8or, *ight prove to be pleasant, or very unpleasant.?
>&here 'ould be no e4cite*ent other'ise, 'ould there@?
he *et his eyes. >!o danger, you *ean.?
6is only response 'as a slight deepening o) his tantali<ing s*ile.
uddenly she 'anted to say yes. &o go o)) 'ith hi* and discover 8ust ho' dangerous he could
be. I) this 'as a )ortune hunter+s tric(, then she could begin to understand 'hy so*e ladies )ell
victi* to the*5
&i*e to be 'ise. he loo(ed bac( to'ard 7iss 6urst*an, Althea, and the group o) red coats
around the*. >I thin( 'e had best return, 7a8or. I cannot a))ord to endanger *y reputation, )or
Althea+s sa(e. I hope she 'ill *a(e a good connection here.?
6e turned bac( 'ithout co*plaint. >Eou do not see( a husband yoursel)@?
It pleased her to be able to say, >!o.? 6o' 'ould he deal 'ith that@
>&hat is unusual in a young 'o*an, 7iss .reystone.?
>I a* an unusual 'o*an, 7a8or 6a'(inville.?
he *eant *erely that she 'as9or soon 'ould be9 independently 'ealthy, but 'hen he said,
>Ees, you are,? it see*ed to *ean a great deal *ore.
Bespite reason, 'ar*th stirred 'ithin her, and it 'as caused by the ad*iration in his eyes. he
tried to dis*iss it as a )ortune hunter+s tric(, but she could not.
>Eour good sense and courage during the riot *ade a strong i*pression upon *e, 7iss
.reystone. It also cannot have been easy to be put into such a situation 'ith Cord Beveril, and
yet you have survived unscathed.?
he 'ished he 'ould stop re)erring to that, but said, >&han( you.?
>Eou are )ree o) your parents+ cruelty no', I hope@?
>I a* under the guardianship o) the Bu(e o) Belcraven.? &hen she re*e*bered his curiosity, and
her 'its sharpened. >Eou did not )ind that out, 7a8or@?
A 3uir( o) his lips see*ed to be ac(no'ledg*ent o) a hit. >Ees, but not 'hy. ,r ho'.?
>&hen that pu<<le can lend e4cite*ent to your li)e, 7a8or.?
6is bro's rose. >I a* ne'ly bac( )ro* 'ar, 7iss .reystone. I a* in no need o) e4cite*ent.?
he stopped to )ace hi*. >&hat 'as an un)air blo', sir5?
>Are 'e duelists, then@ I thought us conspirators against your dull 'orld.?
>7y 'orld is not at all dull.? 1specially not wit! you in it5
>Ah, o) course. Eou are ne' to Brighton. Perhaps I should return in a 'ee( or t'o 'hen the
novelty has 'orn o)).?
A second too late she (ne' she had let her dis*ay at that sho'. he had )orgotten that he didn+t
live here. -hen 'ould she see hi* again, en8oy his sparring again@
:ro* inside a posy o) scarlet coats, Althea )lashed Clarissa a speculative loo(. Clarissa reali<ed
that she and the *a8or 'ere standing )ace"to")ace in a 'ay that *ust loo( particular. -hat no'@
he didn+t (no' ho' to do this any *ore than she (ne' ho' to s'i*. -as she being 'ooed, or
si*ply toyed 'ith@ 6o' should she react@ 6o' )ar could she go 'ithout endangering her
liberty@
he )ell bac( on )ran(ness. >-hen you do return, 7a8or, I hope you+ll call. Broad treet.
!u*ber eight.?
6e bo'ed, and by accord they *oved on to 8oin her party. >-hen in Brighton, I a* based at
nu*ber t'enty"t'o, 7arine Parade. It has been ta(en by *y )riend Cord ;andei*en and his
bride.? 6e glanced past her. >Ah, and here they are, lured by curiosity. ,r,? he added so)tly,
>your delectable )ringe"veiled an(les.?
tupidly, she loo(ed do'n at her )ringe as i) she 'asn+t a'are that it e))ectively *ade her s(irt
three inches shorter. By the ti*e she loo(ed up again to greet his )riends, she 'as thoroughly o))"
balance.
Belectable@ 6e thought her an(les delectable@
Chapter Se%en
7a8or 6a'(inville+s )riends 'ere an elegant couple, though Cord ;andei*en+s s(in 'as dar(er
than 6a'(+s, and a 8agged scar *arred his right chee(. Another o))icer, she 'as sure. Cady
;andei*en+s co*ple4ion 'as per)ect, her eyes heavy"lidded and )ine, and her s*ile 'ar*.
Clarissa thought that the lady *ust be older than her husband, but little s*iles see*ed to spea(
o) the 'ar*est )eelings.
>7aria5? 7iss 6urst*an *arched over. >.ood to see you. &his *ust be the sca*p you 8ust
*arried.? he gave Cord ;andei*en a s'i)t perusal. >.ood )or you.?
>Jealous@? *ur*ured Cady ;andei*en, brea(ing a laugh )ro* her husband, 'ho captured 7iss
6urst*an+s hand and (issed it.
>&he redoubtable 7iss 6urst*an. 6onored, *a+a*.?
Astonishingly, 7iss 6urst*an *ight be blushing. >ca*p,? she repeated. >But t'enty years ago
you *ight have deprived *e o) *y 'its, too. At least you+re sa)ely chained and one less rascal I
have to guard these )lighty creatures )ro*.?
he see*ed to e*phasi<e that 'ith a sharp glance at 7a8or 6a'(inville. A)ter a little *ore chat,
7iss 6urst*an turned to Clarissa. >-e+d best be o)). -e have things to do.?
%e do@ 'ondered Clarissa, but 7iss 6urst*an 'as in co**and o) this e4pedition, so she said
)are'ells attended by pro*ises o) *eeting at the asse*bly. It 'as )rustratingly unclear 'hether
they included the *a8or or not.
As she, Althea, and 7iss 6urst*an headed out o) the teyne, the younger o))icers trailed along.
>!ot good enough,? co*plained Cord &revor to Clarissa. >Cetting yoursel) get stolen by a sta))
o))icer, 7iss .reystone. -hat are 'e poor )ello's to do about that@?
>:ight@? Clarissa teased.
>6a'( 6a'(inville@ I thin( not.?
Haw. Haw.inville. +es, it suits !im.
>6e has a )or*idable reputation@? he (ne' she 'as sho'ing her interest, but 'as unable to
resist. :olly blo'ing on the 'ind in Brighton, 7iss 6urst*an had said. It 'as *ore as i) it shone
do'n 'ith the e*erging sun, *elting 'ill and 'its to a soggy *ess.
>/ight"hand *an to Colonel Be Cancey, -ellington+s 3uarter*aster general. Crucial 'or(. But
he en8oyed so*e action too. aved one battalion at t. Pierre single"handed, they say, 'hen all
the o))icers 'ere (illed.?
>/eally@? pro*pted Clarissa. ,) course, a *ilitary hero could still be a scoundrel in other areas.
A )ortune hunter. Insidiously, it 'as ceasing to be so appalling a notion.
>I heard his *ain 'or( 'as in investigations, 7iss .reystone.?
>,) cri*es@?
>Ees, but also proble*s. -hen 'e 'ere sent cartloads o) shoes 'hen 'e needed *eat, or *eat
'hen the horses needed hay. -hen boots turned out to have paper soles, and ri)les 'ere o)). !o
shi)ty supplier 'anted to co*e under the 6a'(+s scrutiny, I assure you. It+s said that he rarely
*isses or )orgets a detail.?
o )inding out about her engage*ent to Cord Beveril and her guardian 'ould have been child+s
play. -ith sudden unease, Clarissa 'ondered 'hat 6a'( 6a'(inville *ight )ind out i) he began
to loo( *ore closely. 6e had no reason to loo( into the details o) Cord Beveril+s death, but it
see*ed as i) danger brushed against her.
>6e did i**ediately (no' all 7iss 6urst*an+s connections,? she said.
>Bid he@? 7iss 6urst*an+s 3uestion 'as rather sharp. >-as he right, though@?
>I con)ess, I+ve )orgotten e4actly 'hat he said, *a+a*. I thin( that Cord &revor is the son o) your
cousin rather than being a nephe', and that you are the granddaughter o) a du(e.?
-as she silly to thin( that 7iss 6urst*an also loo(ed 'orried@ Bid she have so*ething to hide,
too@ -hy was she e*ployed as a chaperone@
But 7iss 6urst*an only said, >6a5 !ot in)allible, then. I+* the great"granddaughter o) a du(e.
&revor, ta(e yoursel) and your )riends o)). Eou+ll have another chance to*orro'.?
7iss 6urst*an s'ept Althea and Clarissa a'ay 'ith suspicious urgency. >Eou 'ant to 'atch a
*an 'ith a na*e li(e 6a'( 6a'(inville.?
>-hy@? Birty laundry in 7iss 6urst*an+s cupboard@ ,ut o) sheer, *ischievous curiosity,
Clarissa 'anted to (no' 'hat it 'as.
>A ha'(+s eye )or detail and a close"to"in)allible *e*ory@ A 'o*an 'ould never be able to
'ear the sa*e go'n t'ice.?
>As i) I cared. And you certainly don+t.?
7iss 6urst*an didn+t respond directly. >Eou+d be 'iser to avoid hi*. Co*e along.?
&hey 'ere already out o) the teyne and heading bac( to Broad treet. 7iss 6urst*an 'as
upset, and Clarissa )ound hersel) )eeling *ore protective than curious. he understood 'hat it
'as not to 'ant a ha'(ish eye on one+s past.
But 7iss 6urst*an@ 6er overactive i*agination began to play. A scandalous a))air 'hen young@
Cheating at 'hist@ &i*e in the :leet )or debt@ All see*ed highly unli(ely.
But then her o'n involve*ent in violence probably see*ed that 'ay too9a thought that 'iped
all 'hi*sy and hu*or )ro* her *ind. 7a8or 6a'(inville 'as, in e))ect, a pro)essional hunter o)
cri*inals. 6e 'as the last person she should encourage to ta(e an interest in her a))airs.
&he i**ediate resistance she )elt to the idea o) giving hi* up 'as 'arning that her )eelings 'ere
stronger than she thought. :or the )irst ti*e she let hersel) seriously conte*plate being caught by
her )ortune hunter. 7erely needing to *arry *oney did not *a(e a person a villain. Althea
needed to *arry a *an 'ith at least a co*)ortable inco*e.
But Clarissa (ne' she shouldn+t indulge in this particular predator.
he arrived ho*e 3ueasy 'ith 'orry. 7r. Belaney, leader o) the Co*pany o) /ogues, had
stressed that she *ustn+t let out a hint about Beveril+s death, or those 'ho had helped her could
hang. he *ight hang )or her involve*ent.
Beth Arden, 'ho had been so (ind, 'ould be involved too, 8ust 'hen she 'as e4pecting her
child. And Blanche 6ardcastle.
he needed a 3uiet place to thin(, but 7iss 6urst*an ordered her and Althea into the parlor.
,nce there, she )i4ed Clarissa 'ith her gi*let ga<e. >6o' do you (no' 6a'(inville@?
Clarissa had not e4pected this attac(. he (ne' her color 'as )laring, though she had nothing
really to be asha*ed o).
>-e *et in Cheltenha*. 6e rescued *e and so*e o) the schoolgirls )ro* a riot.?
>Cheltenha*@? &he 'o*an+s eyes narro'ed. >-hat 'as he doing in Cheltenha*@?
>-hy shouldn+t he be in Cheltenha*@?
>6is ho*e lies near here, unless I+* *ista(en. o 'hy Cheltenha*@?
>6e 'as en route to so*e property his )ather had recently ac3uired.?
>Ah.? 7iss 6urst*an suddenly see*ed thought)ul.
>Ah@? Clarissa echoed. >-hat does that *ean@ 7iss 6urst*an, i) you (no' so*ething to the
*a8or+s detri*ent, I 'ish to (no' it too.?
,) course 7iss 6urst*an (ne' he 'as a )ortune hunter. Clarissa 'anted that *inor proble* out
in the open and dealt 'ith.
But 7iss 6urst*an said, >&o his detri*ent@ !o. According to &revor, a )ine o))icer. ,ne o) the
oldest )a*ilies, too. &hey go bac( to the Con3uest.? he 'aved a bony hand. >,)) you go and do
so*ething.?
Clarissa stayed put. >-hy 'ere you sounding so suspicious@?
>-hy@ I 'as told that you+d lived in al*ost nunli(e seclusion, and then a buc( o) the )irst stare
'ith no connection to Cheltenha* clai*s ac3uaintance. ,) course I 'onder. And )ro* the 'ay
the t'o o) you 'ere loo(ing into one another+s eyes, you 'ere up to *ore than you+re telling
*e5?
Clarissa (ne' she+d turned red, but she said, >It 'as e4actly as I have told you.? he couldn+t
help but add, >o you don+t (no' anything sha*e)ul about hi*@?
>!o.?
But Clarissa heard a )rustrating shado' o) doubt. he changed tac(. >Bo you (no' anything
about Cord and Cady ;andei*en@?
>Another gallant rescue in Cheltenha*@? 7iss 6urst*an as(ed caustically. >I) so, he+s escaped
your net. 7arried a )e' 'ee(s bac(. he 'as 7rs. Celestin, 'ealthy 'ido' o) a )oreigner. he+s
older than he, o) course, but there+s nothing 'rong 'ith that, and she+s o) the best blood. A
Bunpott":)y)e. -e+re cousins o) the *ore distant sort. 6is )a*ily+s 3uite ne' here. Butch
originally, but his *other 'as a .renville. -hy are you so curious@?
Clarissa )elt as i) she+d turned on a tap and been drenched in in)or*ation, all o) it irrelevant.
>7a8or 6a'(inville gave *e their direction as a place to contact hi*.?
>And 'hy, pray, 'ould you be contacting hi*@?
An e4cellent 3uestion. Clarissa had )elt that she+d dealt 'ith the *a8or+s ris3ue behavior 'ell,
but he had still pushed her into i*propriety. >I don+t (no' 'hy. I did say he 'ould be 'elco*e
to call here.?
>!othing 'rong 'ith that. But neither o) you 'ill receive a gentle*an here alone, do you
understand@?
>,) course,? said Clarissa )or both o) the*. Althea loo(ed as i) another headache 'as co*ing on.
>!o clandestine *eetings, and no clandestine *arriages. And i) either o) you ends up e4pecting a
bastard child, I+ll be disgusted at your )olly.?
Althea s3uea(ed and stuttered so*ething about never and s!oc..
Clarissa, ho'ever, dropped a *ee(, schoolgirl curtsy. >Ees, 7iss 6urst*an.?
&he 'o*an+s snort o) a*use*ent said she+d de)lected suspicion, but inside she 'as a churning
*ass o) con)usion and an4iety. 6a'( 6a'(inville 'as a danger to both her virtue and her
secrets, but the only sa)ety lay in cutting hersel) o)) )ro* hi* entirely.
he 'asn+t sure she 'as strong enough to do that.
-hen the young 'o*en had le)t, Arabella 6urst*an stood )ro'ning in thought. &hen she
'al(ed to the s*all des(, sat, and pulled out a sheet o) 'riting paper. In dar(, neat script, she told
the *an 'ho+d sent her here 'hat 'as happening.
+ou warned of possible danger from t!e new 2ord 3everil, and !ere is Jo!n #aspard0s son, as
wic.edly !andsome as !is fat!er, dancing attendance and clearly !aving already made inroads.
%!at0s more, 4a5or Haw.inville is not a man to be ta.en lig!tly. / sense a great deal more going
on t!an / was led to expect. / re6uire full and complete details immediately. 7referably in person.
8nd bring my goddaug!ter wit! you. /t0s too long since / saw !er.
he )olded it, sealed it, and addressed it to &he 6onorable !icholas Belaney, /ed ,a(s, !ear
Eeovil, o*erset.
In the sanctuary o) their roo*, Althea pressed her hands to her chee(s. >&hat 'o*an says the
*ost outrageous things5?
>he does, doesn+t she@ I rather li(e it.?
>Eou 'ould.? Althea ble' out a breath and began to re*ove her elaborate bonnet. >o, are you
still pleased 'ith the *a8or@?
Clarissa suppressed a sigh. till no peace. he 'as going to have to discuss beau4.
>6e 'ill serve to pass the ti*e,? she said lightly, dropping her hat on a chair.
>Is that )air@?
>I doubt that his heart is engaged, &hea. o, are you s*itten by Cord &revor@?
Althea gave her a loo(. >6e+s )ar too young. top trying to change the sub8ect.? he put her
bonnet care)ully into its bo4. >Eou *ust not beco*e a )lirt, Clarissa.?
>But I 'ant to )lirt5 And as I don+t intend to *arry, that is all it can be. I have 'arned the *a8or
o) that.?
Althea+s eyes 'idened. >-hat did he say@?
Clarissa grinned. >I thin( he too( it as a challenge.? 6er hu*or )aded. It 'ould be per)ectly
delight)ul i) he hadn+t turned out to be a 6a'(.
>-hat is it, Clarissa@?
he couldn+t e4plain, because that 'ould involve e4plaining about Beveril+s death. >&his is all
very ne' to *e. I 'ant to en8oy it, but 'ithout creating a scandal.?
>i*ply behave properly.?
>But that 'ould be so boring5? Irresistibly, Clarissa thought o) slipping out at night to e4plore
Brighton.
I*possible, o) course, but oh, so te*pting.
At school she had o)ten slipped out into the garden at night. A *inor 'ic(edness, but she+d loved
it. I) she had not discovered that 7a8or 6a'(inville 'as so dangerous, she *ight perhaps have
been te*pted eventually into that adventure.
Althea 'as sha(ing her head. >I heard that you 'ere not the best"behaved girl at 7iss 7allory+s,
and no' I+* co*ing to believe it.?
Clarissa had to chuc(le. >.uilty, I+* a)raid. But I never created a scandal, and I 'on+t no',
&hea. o don+t 'orry.?
&hen, to Clarissa+s relie), Althea sat do'n to 'rite her daily letter to her )a*ily. he pretended to
read a boo( so as to have ti*e to thin(.
&he only sensible course 'as to rebu)) 7a8or 6a'(inville and get hi* out o) her li)e. But 'ould
it do any good@ I) he 'anted her )ortune, he 'ould pursue, and besides that, his interest in Cord
Beveril+s death *ight already have been stirred.
Perhaps it 'ould be better to continue the ac3uaintance and 'atch 'hat he 'as doing. &hat 'as
pure sophistry, o) course, )or i) he 'as investigating her past, 'hat could she do about it@
Iill hi*@
he+d intended the thought to be hu*orous, but it spar(ed a ne' )ear.
&he /ogues had been (ind to her, but she didn+t underesti*ate their ruthlessness. -hat *ight
they do 'hen it ca*e to de)ending those they loved@
he suddenly )elt as i) she 'ere a Jonah, bringing ruin to 'hoever she touched9Beth, the
/ogues, even Cord Beveril. And no' innocent 7a8or 6a'(inville. Perhaps she should loc(
hersel) a'ay in a convent to (eep the 'orld sa)e5
6a'( returned 'ith the ;andei*ens to their house, though he+d decided not to stay the night.
6is encounter 'ith Clarissa .reystone had le)t hi* da*nably unbalanced. -as she innocent or
'ic(ed, honest or )alse@ 6e needed ti*e and distance to regroup.
Avery instinct reported that she 'as the sa*e gallant, unsophisticated young 'o*an he had *et
in Cheltenha*. Avery )act pointed to the opposite.
-hat 'as she@ 6e had no idea e4cept that she 'as surprisingly dangerous to hi* on a personal
level. 6e en8oyed bandying 'ords 'ith her. 6e 'as )eeling peculiarly protective. 6e 'as even
beginning to )ind her pretty in the 'ay the :rench re)erred to as une 5olie laide, a 'o*an 'ho is
not beauti)ul but al*ost beco*es so through vitality.
>Bo you li(e this design o) porte cochere, 6a'(@?
7aria+s voice snapped hi* out o) his thoughts, and he loo(ed at the dra'ing spread on the parlor
table. 7aria and ;an9*ostly 7aria9'ere engaged in re)urbishing ;an+s neglected ho*e. &hat
'as 'hy they 'ere in Brighton )or the su**er. &o be a'ay )ro* dust and noise but close
enough to supervise.
>It 'ould serve the purpose.? 6e glanced at ;an. >Eou+re adding a porte cochere@?
;an shrugged. >7aria 'ants one.?
>,) course I do5 -hat i) 'e return ho*e one night in the pouring rain@?
>G*brellas@? ;an suggested.
7aria si*ply gave hi* a loo(, but it si<<led.
6a'( sighed. !e'ly'eds. Another reason not to stay. 6e )elt intrusive, and also a touch envious.
And 'here had that co*e )ro*@ 6e stood, putting do'n his hal)"drun( cup o) tea. >I should set
o)) bac( to 6a'(inville.?
7aria rose, too. >-ait 8ust a *o*ent, 6a'(. I have so*ething )or you to ta(e, i) you 'ould be
so (ind. pecial nails.? he hurried out o) the roo*.
>/ushing a'ay@? ;an said. >Eou 'ould be 'elco*e to stay. I sa' you ga<ing soul)ully into 7iss
.reystone+s eyes.?
6a'( thre' hi* a scathing loo(, though he+d created that *o*ent o) contact )or precisely that
e))ect. &o alert others, especially other *en. &o put his *ar( on her.
>Perhaps I+* )leeing soul)ulness,? he said.
>he see*s char*ing.?
>he+s a *in4.?
>A char*ing *in4, then. &here+s nothing 'rong 'ith *arriage, 6a'(. I reco**end it. And 7iss
.reystone 'ould be an e4cellent choice. I hear she+s 3uite an heiress.?
>Eou thin( I need to *arry )or *oney, too@?
&he >too? *ade it a 8ab at his )riend, 'ho had *arried a very rich 'o*an. It 'as deliberate.
6a'( didn+t 'ant ;an digging into these *atters.
;an leaned against the table, co*pletely unru))led. >/unning scared@?
>/unning cautiously. I hardly (no' the chit, so 'hy the tal( o) *arriage@?
>I+* li(e a convert. Ardent to recruit ne' disciples.?
6a'( laughed. >I+* delighted to see you happy, ;an, but it isn+t *y path at the *o*ent. Can
you i*agine *e bringing a bride ho*e to 6a'(inville 7anor, to live a*ong the incessant
s(ir*ishing bet'een *e and *y )ather@?
>&ric(y, I grant you.?
>And I *ust stay there until the s3uire recovers strength enough to run the estate.?
6e hadn+t told anyone about the s3uire+s title, or about the threat to 6a'( in the ;ale. &he title
'as an absurdity, and he hoped to bloc( the threat. At the bac( o) his *ind 'as the thought that
i) desperate he could apply to ;an and 7aria )or a loan to pay o)) lade.
&'enty thousand pounds@
-hen on earth could he repay a su* li(e that@ And he doubted 7aria no' had *uch *oney to
spare.
6a'( (ne' that she+d been returning *oney to people her )irst husband had cheated, and giving
generously to charities )or veterans because 7aurice Celestin had *ade pro)its )ro* shoddy
*ilitary supplies. -ith the e4tensive renovations to teynings, cash 'as probably in short
supply.
7ore than that, ho'ever, he didn+t 'ant to ad*it 'hat he 'as doing to try to get the Beveril
*oney. &hough he could 8usti)y it, he didn+t 'ant anyone to (no' 'hat he 'as up to 'ith the
heiress.
>I hope you can ta(e ti*e )or )re3uent visits here, at least,? ;an said e3uably. >Con and usan
are spea(ing o) 8oining us )or a )e' days.?
>,) course.?
6a'( 'as spared *ore conversation 'hen 7aria ca*e in 'ith a satchel over one shoulder and a
leather bag in her ar*s. >&he nails are rather heavy, I+* a)raid.?
6e too( the bag, pretending that his (nees buc(led under the 'eight. >Centaur 'ill never *a(e it
ho*e.?
he chuc(led. >I) I can i*portune, the carpenter is 'aiting )or the*. &he decorative heads are
part o) the design.?
>I+ll get the* there this evening.?
>And you+ll be bac( soon, I hope,? she said 'ith a 'ide, )riendly s*ile. /e*ar(able, 'hen he+d
done his best at one point to turn ;an a'ay )ro* her.
>In pursuit o) 7iss .reystone, perhaps@? she teased.
>A)ter a )ashion,? said 6a'(, and escaped.
Chapter E$'ht
7iss 6urst*an 'as everything she clai*ed. Bespite her un)ashionable appearance and brus3ue
*anner, she led Clarissa and Althea neatly into the very heart o) Brighton+s )ashionable 'orld.
Clarissa 'ent 'ith delight, savoring her drea*ed")or season li(e a )ine 'ine. he 'ould have
been in heaven i) not )or her secrets and the 'orry about 7a8or 6a'(inville. 6e had returned to
his ho*e, but he had pro*ised to as( )or a dance at the ne4t asse*bly at the ,ld hip.
he (ne' she should hope never to see hi* again, but the thought o) another encounter 'as li(e
the last crea* ca(e on the plate.
he couldn+t resist.
6e couldn+t really be a danger, she rationali<ed. 6e 'anted her )ortune. -hy 'ould he spend
ti*e po(ing around in stale *atters o) a year ago@
And, she reali<ed, i) he 'anted her )ortune, he 'ould do nothing to upset the situation. !icholas
Belaney had also said that the truth about Beveril+s death could *a(e her ineligible to inherit.
/elieved, she )lung hersel) into every day, her circle o) ac3uaintance constantly gro'ing. -ord
'as out that she 'as the Bevil+s 6eiress, but this did not see* to have reduced her appeal.
Instead she )ound hersel) so*ething o) a curiosity, and a lodestone )or nearly every un*arried
*an, along 'ith his *other and sisters.
As co**on 'isdo* said, 7oney 'ill al'ays buy )riends.
&here 'ere also true )riends, ho'ever. Althea, o) course, but also 7iria* 7osely, and :lorence
Babbington o) the )a*ous brother. Gn)ortunately he 'as no' *arried and )i4ed in 6ert)ordshire,
so she couldn+t )ind out 'hether his *anly orbs still stirred her to poetry.
Aven Cord and Cady ;andei*en 'ere )riends o) a sort, )or they al'ays ca*e over to spea( to
her, and Clarissa and her party had been invited to ta(e tea 'ith Cady ;andei*en one day.
Clarissa understood that this 'as probably because their )riend 'ould li(e to *arry her *oney,
but she didn+t *ind.
!o', ho'ever, 'ith the night o) the asse*bly here at last, she teetered on the brin( o) so*ething
thrilling. As Alsie assisted her 'ith her lovely eau de nil sil( evening dress, Clarissa tried to
disguise the shivers o) e4cite*ent and nerves that see*ed to be s(ittering over her s(in.
It 'as very strange. Perhaps she 'as addicted to 7a8or 6a'(inville as people 'ere said to
beco*e addicted to opiu*. 7iss 7allory had arranged lectures )or the girls )ro* Boctor Carlisle
on the dangers o) the overuse o) laudanu*. 6e had described in a')ul detail the progression o)
the dependency, so that in the end the addict could not resist the drug, even (no'ing that it held
destruction, in part because o) the terrible physical su))ering o) 'ithdra'al.
But a)ter t'o9no, three9*eetings@
&he addict also, according to Boctor Carlisle, lost interest in all other aspects o) li)e. A *other
'ould neglect her child. A )ather 'ould neglect his 'or(. Aven nourishing )ood and drin( 'ere
uni*portant to the person ruled by opiu*.
Clarissa bit her lip on a laugh. he 'asn+t so )ar gone as that. he had ta(en a second helping o)
7rs. &addy+s 8a* pudding this evening, and she 'as en8oying all aspects o) this stay in Brighton.
6er unsteadiness no' 'as si*ply that this 'ould be her )irst grand a))air here, her )irst trial
be)ore society en *asse.
Condon didn+t count. In Condon, Cord Beveril had not 'anted her to go to any event unless he
'as 'ith her.
6er dress, at least, 'as per)ect. &he subtly colored sil( s(i**ed her curves and e4posed 8ust
enough o) her boso* to be interesting. &he delicate gold"thread e*broidery shi**ered in the
evening light. It 'ould be *agical under candles. 6er hair loo(ed as pretty as possible, and the
bandeau o) gold and pearls set it o)) very 'ell.
&han( heavens )or 7iss 6urst*an.
&here had been no 8e'elry in Cord Beveril+s possession, and Clarissa o'ned only a )e'
valueless pieces. It 'as not a *atter she had thought o). 7iss 6urst*an had, ho'ever, and had
sent an urgent *essage to the Bu(e o) Belcraven. A *essenger had soon arrived 'ith a selection
o) ite*s.
!one o) the* 'ere precious, 'hich 'as a great relie). Clarissa 'ould have hated to ris( losing
an heirloo*. &hey 'ere all lovely, ho'ever. &he gold )iligree set 'ith seed pearls 'ent per)ectly
'ith her go'n. he+d o))ered Althea her pic(, but Althea had insisted on 'earing only her o'n
very si*ple pearl pendant and earrings.
Clarissa loo(ed at her )riend and sighed 'ith satis)action. In a pure 'hite dress, stripped do'n to
si*ple lines, and adorned only by her beauty, Althea 'ould outshine every other 'o*an present
tonight and have every available *an on his (nees by to*orro'. he 'as sure o) it.
he held out her gloved hand to her )riend. >,n'ard to our adventure5?
&heir hac(ney coach rolled up to the ,ld hip Inn, 'hich stretched along the sea)ront, every
'indo' illu*inated to 'elco*e the guests. &he strea* o) people 'as continuous, the *en in
dar( evening 'ear or uni)or*s, the ladies a rainbo' o) sil(, lace, and 8e'els. All o) )ashionable
Brighton 'ould be here, and e4cite*ent danced in the air on a dri)ting *elange o) per)u*e.
Clarissa pulled up the hood o) her cloa( to protect her coi))ure )ro* the bris( 'ind and stepped
do'n )ro* the coach. he 'or(ed hard to (eep her s*ile at a suitably subdued level, but
e4cite*ent 'as bubbling up in her li(e 'ater in a hot pot. 6er )irst true ball, and already she had
pro*ised dances to )ive *en5 Althea 'ould never sit one out unless )ro* e4haustion. It 'ould be
a splendid evening.
he caught 7iss 6urst*an+s eye on her and tried to rein in her s*ile even *ore, but her dragon
said, >An8oy yoursel). &hough everyone puts on an air o) boredo*, it+s a pleasure to be 'ith
people prepared to ad*it to a little e4cite*ent.?
Clarissa set her s*ile )ree, this ti*e at 7iss 6urst*an. 6er li(ing and ad*iration )or the 'o*an
gre' day by day. It 'as so typical that her dress )or this grand event 'as only slightly *ore
)estive than her day'ear9a *aroon go'n and a very plain *atching turban. Clarissa 'as
reveling in )ine clothes, but she relished the )act that 7iss 6urst*an did not care, and did not
care 'hat anyone else thought about that.
Duite possibly, she thought, as she entered the brilliantly lit hotel, she 'ould be li(e 7iss
6urst*an one day. A crusty spinster 'ho did and said e4actly as she 'ished. But not yet, not yet.
&onight 'as )or youth, and e4cite*ent, and even, perhaps, a little 8udicious )olly.
7a8or 6a'(inville had as(ed her to go apart 'ith hi* on the teyne. -hat 'ould she do i) he
*ade the sa*e invitation tonight, at the asse*bly@
I) he 'as here.
6e+d said he 'ould be, but until she sa' hi*=
he tried not to sho' it, but as she loo(ed around, en8oying the co*pany and ac(no'ledging
ac3uaintances, she 'as loo(ing, loo(ing, loo(ing )or 7a8or 6a'(inville.
&hen she sa' hi* enter, s*iling at so*ething said by one o) his co*panions9the ;andei*ens
and another couple. 6e 'ore per)ect dar( evening clothes, but a blue cravat the color o) his eyes
'as a play)ul touch that *ade her 'ant to run over to hi* to tease. &hen he laughed and raised
the second 'o*an+s hand to his lips )or a hotly )lirtatious (iss.
A surge o) pure )ury hit Clarissa, but then the 'o*an laughed too, rapping his ar* hard 'ith her
)an, and it 'as clear that she 'as 'ith the other *an and no threat.
Clarissa reali<ed that she+d been staring and loo(ed hastily a'ay, praying that no one had
noticed. But, oh, she hoped he 'ould (iss her hand that 'ay.
he couldn+t help it. he had to glance bac(. 6e and his party 'ere approaching5
&hey 'ere all still in the spacious entry area, )or 7iss 6urst*an had paused to spea( to
so*eone, but all around, guests 'ere )lo'ing to'ard the ballroo*. &he *a8or and his )riends had
to navigate the strea*.
It 'as only 'hen they arrived that Clarissa reali<ed that she had 'atched hi* all the 'ay.
I**ediately she decided she didn+t care. he didn+t (no' ho' to play sophisticated ga*es, and
she didn+t en8oy the*, so she 'ouldn+t.
6a'( approached Clarissa .reystone 'ith increasing concern. It 'as no good. &i*e a'ay had
not altered anything. 6e could not see her as a disguised villainess.
Coo( at her no'5 Beneath the hip+s chandeliers, she spar(led and shone, but it 'asn+t light on
gold and e*broidery, it 'as unabashed e4cite*ent. he 'as innocently, honestly delighted to be
here and anticipated a *agical evening.
&hat, surely, couldn+t be )a(ed.
As he crossed the lobby s*iling, he 'as rapidly rearranging the pieces in his *ind.
he 'as so*eone+s innocent dupe, and that so*eone 'ould plan to get the *oney bac(
so*eho'.
6o'@
By *arriage, or by inheritance.
&he)t 'as a possibility, but as dangerous as the original cri*es. .a*ing 'as another, but not
until she le)t her *inority and 'as in independent control o) her *oney.
6e al*ost paused in his step. &hat 'ould e4plain that strange provision o) the 'ill that put a
)ortune in her hands at t'enty"one. An unpredictable device, ho'ever. -ho 'as to say she
'ould beco*e a rash ga*bler@ And 'ho could say that she 'ouldn+t *arry be)ore she reached
t'enty"one and have a husband to control her@ In )act, it 'as highly li(ely.
7arriage@ Illogical to put the *oney in her hands, then plan to *arry it, especially as no one
see*ed to have *ade any atte*pt to secure her a))ections during the past year.
Inheritance, then. But Beveril+s 'ill stated that i) Clarissa died be)ore her *a8ority her )a*ily
should have no right to the *oney and it should go to the 7iddlese4 Eule Club.
&hat 'as an absurdity, out o) (eeping 'ith 'hat he+d learned o) Beveril, unless it 'as a cover )or
so*e depraved enterprise. In his 'ee( in Condon, he+d )ailed to )ind any trace o) such an
organi<ation.
6is *ain e*otion, ho'ever, 'as a chill )ear.
Inheritance necessitated death.
It 'as only as he introduced Con and his 'i)e to Clarissa+s party that he re*e*bered there 'as
another 'ay to get the *oney )ro* her9by proving the 'ill )alse and being Beveril+s de)ault
heir.
&he course he 'as pursuing.
It didn+t threaten her li)e, but seeing her here, shining 'ith the pleasure o) this 'ealthy,
privileged li)e, he suspected that it 'as close.
Haw. in t!e 9ale, he re*inded hi*sel). All the people o) 6a'( in the ;ale, not to *ention his
o'n drea*s, hinged upon this. 6e 'ould ta(e care o) her, though. he 'ould not be abandoned
to the cruelty o) the 'orld, or o) her )a*ily.
As they *oved to )ollo' the cro'd to'ard the ballroo*, he o))ered an ar* to Clarissa and 7iss
6urst*an.
&he latter i**ediately said, >Eou spend *uch ti*e in Brighton, 7a8or@?
6e recogni<ed an attac(, though he had no idea 'hy she 'as hostile. >-hen the co*pany
pleases *e, 7iss 6urst*an.?
At her narro' loo(, he 'ent on. >7y )riends the ;andei*ens are )i4ed here at the *o*ent, and
the A*leighs have 8oined the* )or a 'ee( or so.?
>&hought he+d inherited the earldo* o) -yvern,? 7iss 6urst*an said, as i) Con+s title 'as
suspicious too.
>It+s under dispute, so he has reverted to the viscountcy. 6e+ll be happy to have it stay that 'ay.?
>&he old earl 'as certainly a dirty dish. Bad blood.? But it 'as said 'ith an eye on hi*. 6e
ca*e to the alert. -hat did she (no'@ It 'ould be disastrous i) Clarissa discovered his
connection to Beveril.
>&here+s bad blood in every )a*ily, 7iss 6urst*an,? 6a'( replied, *eeting that loo(. >-asn+t it
your paternal grand)ather 'ho tried to sta(e his daughter in a ga*e o) ha<ard@?
Clarissa 'as astonished and alar*ed to see 7iss 6urst*an silenced, and she leaped into the
conversation. >o are you )i4ed here )or a )e' days, 7a8or@?
6e turned to her, his e4pression 'ar*ing. >I a*, 7iss .reystone. I anticipate a great deal o)
pleasure )ro* it.?
Clarissa didn+t thin( she *istoo( his *eaning, and she turned a'ay to hide a s*ile. 6e 'as here
to hunt her. he still 'asn+t sure i) she should let hersel) be caught, but the pursuit pro*ised
e4traordinary pleasure.
he had pro*ised the )irst dance to dashing Captain /alstone, and )orbade hersel) to regret it.
he couldn+t dance every dance 'ith the *a8or. he had to con)ess to being relieved, ho'ever,
'hen he led out Cord A*leigh+s 'i)e rather than so*e other un*arried 'o*an.
Jealousy@ &hat 'as ridiculous.
he *ade hersel) pay )ull attention to Captain /alstone during their dance, but this had the
un)ortunate e))ect o) increasing his con)idence. By the end o) the set, his co**ents 'ere
beco*ing a little 'ar*, and his *anner al*ost proprietary. he 'as delighted in *ore 'ays than
one to *ove o)) 'ith 7a8or 6a'(inville in preparation )or the ne4t set.
>/alstone is a ga<etted )ortune hunter, you (no',? he said, as they strolled around the roo*.
>And you are not@? It popped out, and she i**ediately 'ished it bac(.
6is bro's rose, but he didn+t i**ediately ans'er. Aventually he said, >7y )ather o'ns a *odest
property, and I a* his only son.?
he (ne' she 'as red. >I do beg your pardon, 7a8or. I had decided to put o)) a))ectation and
behave naturally, but I see no' 'hy it is un'ise.>
he 'as re'arded 'ith his s*ile. >!ot at all. I 'ould be delighted i) you 'ould be natural 'ith
*e, 7iss .reystone. A)ter all, as 'e see, it dispels *isunderstandings be)ore they can root.?
>Ees,? she said, but she didn+t thin( his tal( o) natural behavior related entirely to dispelling
*isunderstandings.
6e covered her gloved hand on his ar*. >Perhaps 'e can begin by using )irst na*es 'ith each
other, 8ust bet'een ourselves.?
he glanced do'n at their hands )or a *o*ent. 6e 'ore a signet ring 'ith a carved blac( stone,
and his )ingers 'ere long, 'ith neatly oblong nails.
he s*iled up at hi*. >I 'ould li(e that. 7y na*e is Clarissa.?
>I (no'. And *ine is .eorge, but no one uses it. Eou *ay i) you 'ish, or you *ay call *e
6a'(, as *ost do.?
>6a'(@ A so*e'hat )rightening na*e.?
>Is it@ Eou are no pigeon to be a)raid o) a ha'(.?
>But I a* told that you investigate everything, and )orget nothing.?
6e laughed. >&hat sounds tireso*e rather than )rightening.?
>&hen 'hat about the )ortune hunting@ Are you hunting *e, 6a'(@? he longed to have
everything honest bet'een the*.
6e touched her nec(lace 'here it lay against her throat, sliding a )inger slo'ly beneath it. >-hat
do you thin(@?
Clarissa 'asn+t sure 'hether to s'oon or be outraged.
>And be assured,? he *ur*ured, lo'ering his hand, >i) I capture you, *y little pigeon, you 'ill
en8oy it.?
he escaped by loo(ing around at the co*pany and )anning hersel). >It is not pleasant, you
(no', to be prey, no *atter ho' benign the hunter.?
>Bravo,? he said so)tly. >-ell, then, you 'ill have to be a predator, too. I thin( I 'ill call you
:alcon.?
he loo(ed bac( at hi*. >Ah, I li(e that.?
>I thought you *ight.?
But then she reali<ed that he had brought the* to a halt and 'as ga<ing into her eyes. :ortune
hunting, she reali<ed, could ta(e *any subtle )or*s. 6e 'as trying to *ar( her as his. he
probably should not allo' it, but it 'as too e4citing to decline.
>Alectricity,? she said.
>Be)initely. Eou have e4perienced that *ysterious )orce@?
>At school. -e had a de*onstration.?
>Aducation is 'onder)ul, is it not@?
It 'as perhaps as 'ell that the 'arning chords sounded then )or the ne4t dance, )or Clarissa
'asn+t sure 'hat she *ight have done. &he si*plest )ortune"hunting techni3ue, she reali<ed,
'ould be to co*pro*ise her.
he *ust certainly guard against that, but she could certainly en8oy this.
It 'as only a dance.
Clarissa tried to re*ind hersel) o) that, but she had danced 'ith a *an so rarely. &he dancing
*aster at the school hardly counted. Cast year in Condon, she had attended t'o balls, but on both
occasions she had been on Cord Beveril+s ar* and had danced only 'ith hi*. he 'asn+t sure i)
her lac( o) partners had been because o) her o'n lac( o) char*s or because o) Beveril.
And here she 'as, dancing 'ith a *an 'ho see*ed able to generate electricity 'ithout any
*achine at all5
It 'as a lively country dance that gave little opportunity )or tal(, but that didn+t *atter. It 'ould
be an e))ort to be coherent. &he *ove*ents allo'ed her to loo( at hi*, to s*ile at hi*, and to
receive loo(s and s*iles in return. &hey held hands, lin(ed ar*s, and even ca*e closer in so*e
o) the *oves. he began to )eel that she 'as losing contact 'ith the 'ooden )loor entirely=
-hen it ca*e to an end, she )anned hersel), trying to thin( o) so*ething lightly coherent to say.
uddenly she )ound hersel) in a cooler spot, and reali<ed that he had *oved the* into the
corridor outside the ballroo*.
he hal) opened her *outh to ob8ect, to say that she 'ould be loo(ed )or by other partners, or by
7iss 6urst*an, )or that *atter, but then she closed it again.
-hat ne4t@
he couldn+t 'ait to )ind out.
&he corridor9alas@9'as not co*pletely deserted, but as they strolled along it he captured her
)an, sliding the ribbon o)) her 'rist, and began to ply it )or her. &he cool bree<e 'as not ade3uate
co*petition )or the additional heat s'irling inside her.
>-hat are you doing, 6a'(@?
6is lips t'itched. >6unting@?
>Pray, )or politeness+ sa(e, call it courting, sir.?
>Courting@ I have *uch practice at the hunt, but little at courtship. 6o' should 'e go on@?
he put on a *oc( )lirtatious air. >Poetry 'ould be 'elco*e, sir. &o *y eyes. &o *y lips=?
>Ah.? 6e ceased )anning, but only to capture her gloved hand and raise it to his lips. >Sweet
maid, your lips / long to .iss : o seal to mine in endless bliss : 2et but your eyes send welcome
!ere : 8nd /, your swain, will soon be near.?
6is lips pressed, and she resented her sil( gloves, 'hich *uted the e))ect. >A s'eet rhy*e, but it
co*es rather easily to you, sir.?
6is eyes lit 'ith laughter. >Alas, it is co**only used. -ritten on a scrap o) paper and slipped to
a lady.?
>!ot al'ays 'ith proper intentions@ &ut, tut5 Cet *e thin( 'hat I can contribute.?
6er hand still in his, she recited, >& noble man, tall, c!aste, and bold : So li.e a gallant .nig!t of
old : urn on me once, lest / expire : !ose sapp!ire orbs filled wit! manly fire.?
6e laughed, covering his )ace )or a *o*ent 'ith his )ree hand. >7anly )ire@?
>And sapphire orbs,? she agreed. >&hough I )eel obliged to con)ess that the original 'as
obsidian.?
>Ah. &hat probably e4plains the Fchaste+ too.?
Clarissa blushed, though heaven (no's she+d not e4pected hi* to be ine4perienced. >6e 'as
one o) *y )riend+s brothers, and I 'as t'elve. It+s a very ro*antic age, t'elve.?
>And you+re so old and shriveled no'.?
he loo(ed into his teasing eyes and 3uic(ly, be)ore she lost courage, dre' his hand to her lips
)or a (iss. -ar* s(in, )ir* )lesh and bone. A hint o) cologne and= hi*.
/e*e*bering that they 'ere not alone, she hastily dropped his hand, grabbed her )an, and
)anned hersel) )rantically.
>It is hot, isn+t it@? 6e put a hand at her elbo' and *oved her side'ays.
Into a roo*.
he stopped )anning, though she 'as certainly no cooler. It 'as a s*all 'ithdra'ing roo* set
'ith ar*chairs, and 'ith copies o) *aga<ines and ne'spapers available. At the *o*ent it 'as
deserted.
6e *ade no atte*pt to shut the door. I) he had, she thought she 'ould have ob8ected despite her
riveted )ascination.
o be compromised would be disastrous, she tried to re*ind hersel), but a part o) her si*ply
didn+t care.
&hat part see*ed to be the one in control. And the door, a)ter all, 'as 'ide open.
>7a8or@? she said as a light 3uery.
>6a'(,? he re*inded her.
>6a'(.? But she blushed. &he 'ord see*ed 'ic(ed, here, alone.
6e touched her lips. >Eou only have to )ly a'ay, *y dear.?
he *et his eyes, her heart thundering. >I (no'.?
6e too( her hand and dre' her across the roo*. -hen he stopped, she reali<ed that they 'ere no
longer visible to anyone in the corridor.
But the door 'as still open=
&hen he raised her chin 'ith his (nuc(les, and (issed her.
It 'as a light (iss9a *ere pressure o) his lips against hers9and yet it sent a shiver o) delight
through her.
6er )irst (iss5
But then she sti))ened. !ot her )irst. Beveril had been her )irst. A *e*ory o) vo*it *ade her pull
bac(.
6e stood absolutely still. >Eou do not li(e to be (issed@? &hen, perceptively, he added,
>Beveril@?
6er silence 'as all the ans'er he needed. >-hat a sha*e he is already dead.?
>Eou 'ould have (illed hi* )or *e@?
>-ith pleasure.?
6e 'as serious. And he 'as a soldier. &he idea o) having a cha*pion, a *an ready to de)end her
'ith his li)e, 'as even *ore seductive than (isses. It 'as too soon, ridiculously too soon, but she
'anted this *an.
>Cord Beveril 'as *urdered, I understand,? he said. >I don+t suppose it 'as you, 'as it@?
&he seductive *ist )ro<e into horror. >!o5?
6e caught her ar* be)ore she could run a'ay. >It 'as a 8o(e, :alcon, but I see it+s no *atter )or
hu*or.? &he touch turned into a caress. >Eou *ust )orgive a soldier still rough )ro* the 'ar.?
he 'as struc( du*b by )ear o) saying the 'rong thing, and by the tender pleasure o) his hand
against her ar*, her shoulder, her nec(=
>I) I 'ere persuaded into *arriage 'ith a person I disli(ed,? he said, >and had unpleasant (isses
)orced upon *e, I 'ould do a'ay 'ith the o))ender.?
>But you+re a *an.?
>-o*en are capable o) violence too, you (no'.?
Culled, rela4ed, she said, >Ees. Ees, they are.?
As soon as the 'ords escaped, she (ne' she had )inally said too *uch. It shouldn+t *atter. It 'as
o) no signi)icance to hi*. But she had said too *uch.
7a(ing hersel) be cal*, she *oved a'ay )ro* his touch, 'ondering 'hether to spill *ore 'ords
to cover 'hat she+d said. !o. >-e *ust return to the dance. As I said, 7a8or, I do not plan to
create a scandal.?
Aven to her o'n ears it sounded brittle.
6e *erely said, >,) course.? But as they *oved to'ard the door, he put his hand on the s*all o)
her bac(. he )elt it there through sil(9possession and pro*ise.
he had overreacted. 6e+d been 8o(ing, teasing.
And, as she+d decided be)ore, her )uture husband 'ould not 'ant the truth about Beveril+s death
to co*e out. Perhaps it 'as her sacred duty to *arry hi*5
As they *oved into the corridor, he lin(ed their ar*s again. >Eou *ustn+t let one *an have such
a victory over you, :alcon. Eou are entitled to en8oy (isses, and (isses are not so very 'ic(ed.?
6e 'aited until she loo(ed at hi*, then added, >I hope you 'ill soon let *e sho' you ho'
pleasant they can be.?
he 'as te*pted to *ove bac( out o) sight )or an i**ediate de*onstration, but she *ade
hersel) be sensible and return to the ballroo*. :or one thing, she had another partner 'aiting. :or
another, she needed ti*e and peace to thin( this all through.
A hollo'ness ached in her, ho'ever. 6ar*less as it had been, she should not have said that about
a 'o*an and violence. !or should she have panic(ed at a 8o(e about her (illing Beveril.
Could she not engage in si*ple conversation 'ithout perilous shards o) truth slipping out@
he danced one later set 'ith the *a8or, and it 'as the supper dance, but she *ade sure that
a)ter'ard they stayed 'ith a group. 6e didn+t see* to *ind. 6e 'as, she 'as sure, a very patient
hunter, and i) he )elt con)ident, it 'as hardly surprising.
As they returned ho*e, 7iss 6urst*an said, >I 'arned you, Clarissa, about slipping o)) into
anteroo*s.?
:oolish to hope that the dragon had not noticed. >It 'as hot in the ballroo*.?
>&hat is the usual e4cuse. I) you+d been gone any longer I 'ould have )ound you.?
Clarissa sighed. >I+* sorry, 7iss 6urst*an, but 7a8or 6a'(inville 'as a per)ect gentle*an.?
It 'asn+t really a lie.
>o I 'ould hope, but have a care. I have no doubt he has an eye on your )ortune.?
>!or do I.? &he coach dre' up in Broad treet and they cli*bed do'n. >But tell *e, 7iss
6urst*an, 'hich o) *y partners tonight did not@?
Althea e4clai*ed, >Clarissa5? but 7iss 6urst*an, consistently honest, *ade no rebuttal.
Althea 'ould have li(ed to chatter about the evening, but )or once Clarissa clai*ed a headache
and even accepted a little laudanu* in the hope that it 'ould still the 'hirling doubts and
3uestions in her head.
It 'or(ed, but in the *orning all the doubts and 3uestions 'ere still there, along 'ith the
acceptance o) a si*ple )act. 6a'( 6a'(inville 'as 'inning. he 'as beginning to )all in love
'ith hi*.
Chapter N$ne
As they sat at a late brea()ast the ne4t *orning, a note ca*e )ro* Cady ;andei*en inviting
Clarissa and Althea to 'al( 'ith her. 7iss 6urst*an *ade no ob8ection and re*ar(ed that 7aria
;andei*en 'ould be a strict chaperone. >he 'as spun o)) her )eet by a handso*e opportunist
once.?
>A )ortune hunter@? Clarissa as(ed.
>&here are di))erent types o) )ortunes.?
>-hat 'as hers@?
>6er blood. Celestin had *oney and 'anted the entree. But it 'asn+t her, you see. It could have
been anyone o) high enough birth.?
Clarissa nodded, understanding the 'arning. >Ees, I see.?
As e4pected, 'hen Cady ;andei*en arrived, she 'as acco*panied by her husband, the
A*leighs, and 7a8or 6a'(inville.
6a'(.
And the 3uestion 'as, Bid he si*ply 'ant *oney, or 'as there so*ething o) her about it@
Clarissa 'as not at all surprised 'hen Althea ended up 'al(ing 'ith the A*leighs, leaving her to
6a'(+s escort. !or could she regret it. ,ne thing 'as certain9 she could not *a(e any (ind o)
decision 'ithout learning *ore about 6a'( 6a'(inville, and the lessons 'ere per)ectly
delight)ul.
It 'as not a delight)ul day, being overcast and so*e'hat chilly. But as Cady ;andei*en had
re*ar(ed 'hen she+d arrived, in this unsettled su**er, overcast 'as a pleasant alternative to
rain. &he 'eather had given Clarissa the opportunity to 'ear a very stylish Prussian blue spencer
'ith bron<e braid and )rogs, so that 'as a silver lining.
As they paused to loo( at the unused bathing *achines, ho'ever, she said, >I 'ish the 'eather
'ould turn 'ar*er. I *ight brave the 'ater.?
>Bo you s'i*@?
he loo(ed at hi*. >!ot at all. But the dippers ta(e care o) the bathers, don+t they@?
>And (eep to the shallo's.?
6e turned to lean bac( against the 'ooden railing. A deliberate ploy, surely, to *a(e her
breathless at the long, lean length o) hi*, and the strength that 'as clear, even 'hen he 'as at
rest.
A ploy did not *ean that any o) it 'as )alse. he+d *et any nu*ber o) *en in the past days,
*any o) the* handso*e, but none had the po'er over her that this *an see*ed to have.
>-e have a river bac( ho*e,? he said. >&he Aden. Perhaps I 'ill ta(e you there to s'i* one
day.?
>Perhaps.? he tried )or the sa*e light *anner but )eared her )eelings *ust sho'. >But can I
trust you not to lead *e into deep 'ater@?
6is slight s*ile ac(no'ledged the double entendre. >Eou can+t really s'i* in the shallo's.?
>I can+t really s'i* at all.?
>I could teach you.?
>,r dro'n *e.?
6is bro's rose. >, ye o) little )aith.?
>, *e o) great caution, 7a8or.? Cord above, but this verbal play alone could seduce her into
)olly, never *ind all his other char*s.
>6a'(,? he re*inded her.
>;ery 'ell, 6a'(. I 'onder 'here the others are,? she as(ed, loo(ing bac(.
>!ervous@? he *ur*ured.
>,) course not.? Eet the *ere suggestion had stirred nerves 'ithin her. &he others 'ere only a
)e' yards a'ay, spea(ing to another party. &here 'ere people all around. &here 'as nothing to
)ear, e4cept the reactions inside hersel), 'hich see*ed to be rapidly spinning out o) control.
>Perhaps you should be nervous.?
he s'iveled bac( to )ace hi*. >-hy@?
>Because 'e are already in deep 'ater. Can+t you tell@?
&!, yes. >-e are in public on the 7arine Parade in Brighton.?
>Aven so=?
&he others 8oined the* then, and Clarissa could only be glad. he 'asn+t sure she had a coherent
response to *a(e.
>&he Pytchleys 'ere 8ust spea(ing o) the )air,? 7aria ;andei*en said. >&hey say it is very
a*using. Cord ;andei*en and I are thin(ing o) driving out there this a)ternoon. Perhaps you
'ould care to co*e i) you are )ree, 7iss .reystone, 7iss &rist.?
>&he )air@? Clarissa as(ed, trying to sur)ace )ro* deep 'aters.
>,ut on the Bo'ns,? Cord ;andei*en said. >A little 'ild, but per)ectly sa)e 'ith good escorts.?
he couldn+t help but loo( at 6a'(.
-hat i) the escorts 'ere a little 'ild@
>I 'ill have to as( 7iss 6urst*an,? she said.
-hen as(ed, 7iss 6urst*an again *ade no ob8ection, though to Clarissa she did not see*
entirely happy.
>Be sure to stay 'ith your party,? she said to both o) the*, though it see*ed to be directed
particularly at Clarissa.
&he sun bro(e through the clouds as the t'o open carriages rolled up to the spra'ling )airground
set up on the Bo'ns. Clarissa loo(ed bac( to'ard the to'n spread out be)ore the*, 'ith the
silvery sea beyond, then turned to the gaudy, hurly"burly 8u*ble o) the )air.
>Eour eyes are spar(ling, 7iss .reystone,? said 6a'( )ro* his seat opposite her.
>I+ve never been to a )air be)ore.?
6e s*iled. >&hen I+* particularly glad 7aria had this )ancy.?
&hey 'ere sharing the vehicle 'ith Cord and Cady ;andei*en, 'hile Althea ca*e behind 'ith
the A*leighs and Cord A*leigh+s secretary, 7r. de ;ere. Clarissa hoped he 'ouldn+t catch
Althea+s )ancy. 6e could hardly have a )ortune, and see*ed *ischievous.
&hey descended )ro* the carriages and headed )or the )irst tents, but they had to pic( their 'ay,
)or the ground 'as so)t a)ter the 'et 'eather and *uch tra*pled. &his *eant that Clarissa *ust
(eep a )ir* hold on 6a'(+s ar*, 'hich did not displease her at all.
>-hat )airground pleasure *ost appeals@? he as(ed her.
>I don+t (no'. Averything5?
6e laughed, and they paused at a *iniature *odel o) Paris, co*plete 'ith a glassy /iver eine.
>Is it true to li)e@? Clarissa as(ed.
>Ees, it see*s to be,? he said, dropping a coin in the bo4 there, >e4cept that ;ersailles is not so
close.?
he loo(ed at hi*. >Eou *ust have seen *any countries.?
>!ot so *any. 7y service 'as con)ined to Aurope.?
he loo(ed at another *odel, 'hich clai*ed to be /o*e. >I 'ould li(e to travel. I 'ould li(e to
see pain, and Italy, and the ruins o) .reece.?
>-hen you have your )ortune and your independence, there 'ill be nothing to stop you.?
>&rue.? But she (ne' she 'as not brave enough to 'ander the 'orld alone. A 'ea(ness, but it
*ust be )aced. Co*ing to Brighton 'as enough o) an adventure )or her so )ar.
&here 'as a *ore popular display, but their party 'andered past it 'ithout a close loo(. Clarissa
peered and sa' that it 'as a representation o) the Battle o) -aterloo.
!o 'onder. But it a*a<ed her to thin( that their urbane escorts had, not long ago, been part o)
that dire and desperate a))air.
6ad (illed.
he glanced at Cord ;andei*en o) the s*ooth and sil(y blond hair9though there 'as that scar.
Cord A*leigh 'as *ore saturnine, but 'hen he s*iled, di*ples sho'ed.
!o one 'ould thin( that s*iling de ;ere had been to 'ar. As )or 6a'(, he loo(ed as i) he 'ould
hate to have his clothes disarranged, and yet he had been a hero at least once, according to Cord
&revor. And even i) he hadn+t raised a s'ord at -aterloo, he+d been there, a*ong the carnage.
he reali<ed ho' little she really (ne' o) hi*. he *ust be care)ul.
:or the *o*ent, ho'ever, she 'as reveling in innocent )un. &hey all progressed *errily )ro*
sidesho's to trials o) s(ill to pri<e'inning ani*als. &he *en teasingly encouraged the ladies to
try their hands at everything, applauding successes and co**iserating 'ith )ailures. Cady
A*leigh proved to have a very good thro'ing ar* at the coconut shy, and Cady ;andei*en 'as
s(illed at archery. Clarissa had no such s(ills, but she *anaged a luc(y roll at dice, 'hich
doubled her si4pence to a shilling, and Althea hoo(ed a cor( )ish 'ith a little )ishing pole to 'in
a carved )an.
&hey paused outside a blac( tent spangled 'ith golden stars. >7ada*e 7ysti3ue,? said Cord
;andei*en. >he+s the latest sensation here in Brighton. -ould any o) you ladies li(e to have
your )ortune told@?
Althea said an e*phatic no, and the other ladies both *ade a laughing co**ent about already
having their e4cellent )ortune. Clarissa 'as te*pted, but she didn+t 'ant to be the only one, so
she said no as 'ell, and they *oved on to the ne4t stall, 'here stic(y buns 'ere )or sale. &he
*en hailed this as i) they 'ere starving, and soon they all had a bun in their hands, though the
ladies had to re*ove their gloves )irst.
>&his )eels 'onder)ully 'ic(ed,? Clarissa declared, lic(ing s'eetness )ro* around her lips.
>-ic(ed@? 6a'( as(ed.
>tanding in a public place eating, and eating so *essily5 7iss 7allory 'ould de)initely not
approve.?
6e s*iled. >-e can be a great deal *ore 'ic(ed than this, I assure you, :alcon. But perhaps 8ust
as s'eetly.?
&he others 'ere laughing together and trying to clean stic(y )ingers. Clarissa savored her last
*outh)ul, loo(ing at hi*, thin(ing about the tantali<ingly light (iss they+d en8oyed.
>Perhaps you are a devil that te*pts rather than a ha'( that hunts.?
>Any good hunter (no's to lure his prey. And the devil hunts souls, that+s )or sure.?
>&o their destruction.?
>&rue.?
&hen he grasped her 'rist and inspected her hand. :or a heart"stopping *o*ent, she thought he
'ould start to lic( her )ingers clean, but instead he dre' her to'ard so*e enterprising children
'ho 'ere o))ering a hand'ashing service ne4t to the bun stall.
he staggered. 6is 'ar*, )ir* )ingers 'ere light against her s(in, but they 'ere there, sending
her nerves 8u*ping.
6e let her go, and Clarissa )ound hersel) clasping the 'rist his )ingers had circled, a'are o) her
o'n )rantically pounding pulse.
,ne s*iling girl too( his penny, and a second poured cool 'ater over Clarissa+s hands into a
bo'l. A third o))ered soap, and Clarissa rubbed a'ay the stic(iness, but 'as care)ul not to 'ash
her 'rist. he 'anted the *e*ory o) his touch.
A )ourth child, a pretty red"haired urchin, o))ered a to'el, and Clarissa dried her hands 'hile
'atching the other *e*bers o) the party )ollo'. &his 'as all innocent )un, but so*ething
stronger beat beneath it. he (ne' it, and (ne' it to be dangerous, but she couldn+t resist.
&hen she 'as snapped out o) her drea*y thoughts by a spot o) rain.
he reali<ed that the sun had disappeared again, and a heavier layer o) dar( clouds 'as sliding
in. &he rain 'as only a hint on the air at the *o*ent, but Cord ;andei*en said, >Bac( to the
carriages, I thin(.?
!o one protested, though Clarissa 'anted to. -hat 'ould have happened ne4t@
Cady A*leigh said, >I do 'ish that volcano had (ept its head5?
&o 'hich her husband responded, >Perhaps it 'as in love.?
&he loo( in his eye and the lady+s blush said it had special *eaning )or the*. Clarissa 'ondered
'hat it 'ould be li(e to have that sort o) private connection, that sort o) love.
It 'as beginning to see* a pri<e 'orth *ore than a *ere )ortune.
A nu*ber o) people had the sa*e idea o) leaving the )air, but then, as the rain held o)), so*e
turned bac(. uddenly there 'as a s'irling cro'd that re*inded her o) the riot in Cheltenha*.
6a'( put his ar* around her and held her close. >Bon+t 'orry. &here+s li*itless space here, so it
can+t beco*e a deadly crush.?
All the sa*e, they 'ere 8ostled a little, and he eased the* bet'een t'o stalls and into *ore open
space. Clarissa couldn+t help noticing that the other couples had gone in another direction.
Accident, or design@
he glanced at hi*, not at all nervous. 6e+d *entioned her going apart 'ith hi*. he 'as ready
to )ind out 'hat it involved. he glanced at the dar(ening s(y, praying that the stor* 'ould hold
o)) )or a 'hile.
&hen the 'ind s3ualled, al*ost )linging her s(irts up. he )ought to hold the* do'n. >I thin( the
stor*+s about to hit5? she called, in case his 'ic(ed purposes had blinded hi* to nature.
>I (no'.? 6e glanced around, then said, >Co*e on5? 6is ar* around her, he ran to'ard a large
tent. &he rain hit li(e a gray sheet 8ust as they *ade it to sa)ety.
It 'as a rough stable 'ith lines o) tethered horses, *any o) the* *oving restively 'ith the
stor*. &hey beca*e even *ore agitated as people rushed and staggered in in various states o)
'etness.
A couple o) groo*s tried to stop the invasion, but it 'as no good. &he rain 'as co*ing do'n in
torrents, driven hard by the 'ind, and the ground outside 'as already a s'a*p.
&hey ended up 'ith only about t'enty people in the tent, but 'ith everyone s3uee<ing a'ay
)ro* the nervous horses, it 'as a crush. &he stin( o) dung, horse, 'et clothing, and un'ashed
bodies *ade Clarissa al*ost 'ish that she 'as out in the torrent.
6a'( eased the* into a corner, but said, >I apologi<e.?
>It+s not your )ault, but I do 'ish there 'as so*e )resh air.?
uddenly he had a (ni)e in his hand, a slender (ni)e that, all the sa*e, cut a slit in the canvas
'all as i) it 'ere *uslin. -hen it 'as clear that the rain 'as co*ing )ro* the other direction, he
*ade the cut into a rectangular )lap.
>Bo you have a pin@? he as(ed.
>-hat lady 'ould be 'ithout one@? Clarissa said, shoc(ed by that e))icient blade. he had never
i*agined a gentle*an carrying such a thing and had no idea 'hat to do 'ith the in)or*ation.
he gave hi* a pin. >Eou are very resource)ul, 6a'(. And very 'ell e3uipped.?
6e 'as pinning up the )lap. &he (ni)e had so*eho' disappeared. 6e loo(ed at her )or a *o*ent,
then held out his hand. Pushing bac( his cu)), he slid the dagger out again.
>An interesting )ashion accessory,? she said.
>7ore o) a bad habit.?
>I thought soldiers 'ent *ore nor*ally ar*ed.?
>-ise soldiers go ar*ed in any 'ay that 'ill (eep the* alive. I+ve been in places 'here a secret
'eapon 'as al*ost e4pected, ho'ever.? 6is lips 3uir(ed. >Bon+t thin( *e a hero. It 'as
generally a *atter o) dealing 'ith shady *erchants, thieves, and even pirates. And there being
little di))erence bet'een the three.?
he s*iled, content no' that she had )resh air to breathe. &hey 'ere hardly alone, but the people
all around see*ed to be country )ol( or )air 'or(ers. !o one to care 'hat she and 6a'( did or
said.
>Eou have to (no' that I )ind that e4citing,? she re*ar(ed.
6a'( al*ost had her 'here he 'anted her, 'here he had to 'ant her, but as usual her disar*ing
)ran(ness 'as li(e a shield, turning a'ay all 'eapons.
6e *ade hi*sel) s*ile teasingly. >Is it@ 7ost ladies )ind (illing (nives )rightening.?
he tried. he tried very hard. But he sa' the )lic(er o) *uscles that registered a hit.
>Iilling@? she said, in the 'ay o) a person 'ho (no's they have to say it.
6e handled his stiletto, care)ully out o) the 'ay o) nearby people. >A (ni)e li(e this is not )or
*ending pens, :alcon. &hough it does that 8ob very 'ell.? 6e turned the handle to'ard her.
>6ere.?
he stared at it, all guard shattered. >-hat@ I don+t 'ant it5?
>Eou said it e4cited you.?
>!o, I didn+t5? he 'as )i4ed on the (ni)e li(e a rabbit on the sna(e that 'ill (ill it. 6e sa' her
s'allo'. It 'as li(e a (ni)e in his o'n gut. A (ni)e he had to push in deeper rather than dra' out.
>-hat did you *ean, then@?
he loo(ed up. &ried to step bac(, but a tent support bloc(ed her )ro* behind. he 'as pale, her
eyes star(, but she *anaged a (ind o) lightness. >I *eant pirates and such. /o*antic things.?
>I) you thin( pirates ro*antic, I should de)initely e3uip you 'ith a (ni)e, and teach you ho' to
use it.?
>!o, than( you.?
>!o@? 6e *oved the (ni)e again. 3id you .ill 3everil; /f not, w!o used a .nife on !im@ >I call
this *y talon. A :alcon should have a talon, too.? -hen she didn+t respond, he pushed. >-hy
does it bother you@ o*ething else to do 'ith Cord Beveril@?
:or a *o*ent she loo(ed shoc(ingly li(e a *an 'ho reali<es that his guts are hanging out, that
he+s dying. >!o5?
People nearby turned to loo(. Ba*n. 6e slipped the (ni)e bac( in its sheath and too( her gloved
hands. >6ave I upset you@ I+* sorry.?
he stayed silent, though her chest 'as rising and )alling.
>It+s Beveril+s death, isn+t it@? he said so)tly, sy*pathetically. >&hese things heal 'hen they+re
spo(en o).?
It 'as usually a surprisingly success)ul ploy. 6e+d had *en tal(ing their 'ay to the gallo's this
'ay. !o 'ords spilled, so he as(ed a si*ple, )actual 3uestion. ,)ten once people started to tal(,
they couldn+t stop.
>-hen did he die@?
he blin(ed at hi*. >June the eighteenth. -hen so *any others 'ere dying=?
Against reason, he pulled her into his ar*s. >6ush, I don+t *ean to upset you. Bon+t tal( about it
i) you don+t 'ant to.?
But the 'ords he+d 'anted 'ere li(e lead in his heart.
June 1H. &he day o) -aterloo, 'hen, indeed, so *any others had been dying. But Beveril+s body
hadn+t been )ound until the t'entieth, and the date o) his death had never been certain.
&o be so sure, Clarissa had to (no' all about the *urder, and he (ne' no' that he+d been
stupidly hoping that she didn+t, that she 'as the innocent she see*ed.
6o' had it been@ 6ad she (illed Beveril to stop hi* )ro* raping her@ And 'as he going to send
her to the gallo's )or it@
&hat or 6a'(inville, he re*inded hi*sel).
6e (ne', abruptly and 'ith astonishing relie), that he could not do it. !ot even 6a'(inville 'as
'orth that.
Perhaps his )ather had had the right idea a)ter all. Persuade her to *arry hi*. 6e 'ould not be
li(e his )ather, a)ter all, courting callously )or gain. 6e truly ad*ired his gallant :alcon. 6e
'ould protect her, cherish her. A picture began to un)old o) the* together at 6a'(inville.
Children=
But then a dar( curtain )ell. 6e 'asn+t si*ply 6a'( 6a'(inville, )ortune hunter. 6e 'as heir to
Cord Beveril5
It 'as hard not to burst out laughing at the )arce o) it. -hen did he tell her she 'as going to have
to live her li)e 'ith the na*e she loathed@ !ot be)ore the 'edding, )or sure. he 'ould run a'ay.
/ight a)ter the cere*ony@ !o, he+d better *a(e sure o) her and 'ait until it 'as consu**ated.
Ba*nable.
And ho' did he e4pect to *arry her@ I) she+d (illed Beveril, she hadn+t done it alone. And there
'as that )orged 'ill, and so*eone a)ter her *oney. Announce their betrothal and the other
parties 'ould have to act.
Alope, then. But the other ob8ection still stood. Could he really persuade a 'o*an into a
clandestine *arriage (no'ing she 'ould loathe hi* once she (ne' the truth@
:or once, he 'as totally adri)t.
6e gently eased her a'ay. >It+s stopped raining. It+s a sea o) *ud out there, but 'e should try to
)ind the others.?
he loo(ed up, a little pale but *uch restored, perhaps even 'ith a hint o) stars in her eyes. tars
he+d been 'or(ing so hard to put there. Pointed stars, that could do nothing but hurt her, one 'ay
or another.
People 'ere *oving out o) the tent, but slo'ly. uddenly needing to be )ree o) the place, he
pulled out his (ni)e and e4tended the hole, stepped through, then helped her out. &hey e*erged
into a )ield, so they escaped the trodden *ud, but she still had to teeter over a deep puddle. &hat
see*ed to drive the clouds a'ay entirely. he laughed, loo(ing up at hi*, clinging to his hand.
6e put his hands at her 'aist and s'ept her over the puddle, 'ishing he could s'eep her a'ay
entirely. -ishing he 'ere so*eone other than the 6a'(, and heir to John .aspard, ;iscount
Beveril.
&hey pic(ed their 'ay do'n the bac( o) the tents to'ard the carriages as the )air slo'ly ca*e
bac( to li)e around the*.
>6o' opti*istic people are,? she said, loo(ing at the s(y.
>Another torrent on the 'ay,? he agreed. >But opti*is* is good. "arpe diem.?
he glanced at hi*, see*ing al*ost co*pletely restored no'. >Is that opti*is*@ urely
opti*is* should say that to*orro' 'ill be as pleasant as today@?
>-hereas 6orace advised us to put no trust in to*orro'.?
&hey 'ere apart )ro* the cro'ds, but he 'asn+t sure he cared about proprieties any'ay. 6e )elt
as i) this *ight be his last *o*ent. 6e dre' her into his ar*s, and she ca*e 'illingly, a trusting
pigeon.
>&his is *ost i*proper,? he *ur*ured against her lips.
>I*proper, yes. But *ost@?
It bro(e a )ull s*ile )ro* hi*, 'hich he gave her in the (iss, then lost as he tasted her )ully )or
the )irst ti*e. o)t, s'eet. -ith 'ondrous a*use*ent he )ound he could actually taste her
delighted curiosity as he teased her *outh open to hi*.
6er hands clutched, holding hi* tighter. 6e could )eel all the pro*ising, )ir* curves o) her body
and a )aint tre*or that *ight even be partly his o'n.
-hen had he last (issed )or the (iss alone@ -hen had he last lost hi*sel) in a (iss so that 'hen
their *ouths slid )ree he )elt da<ed, as i) )ro* too *uch hot sun9 'hich there certainly 'asn+t
today on the rainy do'ns.
6er eyes 'ere 'ide, but not 'ith horror. A)ter a *o*ent she said, >I don+t thin( I need to 'orry
about the *e*ory o) Beveril+s (iss any*ore.?
6e pulled her close and held her. >&hen I+* glad o) that.? Bid it *ean Beveril 'as no longer
such a po'er in her *ind@ I) he told her the truth no', 'ould she shrug it o))@
I) she didn+t, he 'ould have burned every conceivable bridge.
he pushed slightly )ree. >Eou are not glad o) other things@?
-hat could he say@ 6ardly surprising that she e4pected *ore a)ter a (iss li(e that. 6ardly
surprising i) she e4pected a proposal.
>I a* glad that the rain has stopped, and )or the tip o) your nose.? 6e (issed it.
he chuc(led, blushing.
>I+* glad to be out o) the tent, and )or your elegant an(les.?
6er eyes shone.
>I+* glad that I *ight, one day, discover other elegant parts=?
6e 'as saved )ro* pursuing that insane course 'hen so*ething hurtled through the air and hit
her.
Clarissa screa*ed, but he grabbed the thing and discovered that it 'as a *uddy, raggedy cat,
hissing, s3uir*ing, and doing its da*n best to sin( in its cla's.
>Bon+t5? Clarissa screa*ed.
>I+* not going to brea( its nec(.? 6e usually had a 'ay 'ith ani*als. 6e held it close to his
body and started *ur*uring to it. In *o*ents it cal*ed.
he staggered closer. >Is it all right@ -here did it co*e )ro*@?
>6ush.? 6e 'or(ed at shrugging out o) his coat one sleeve at a ti*e 'ithout letting the cat )ree,
*ur*uring to (eep it cal* as he gradually s'athed it. &hen a purr started and 3uic(ly gre' in
volu*e.
Chapter Ten
Clarissa 'atched hi* 'ith astonish*ent. he never 'ould have thought that her ha'( o) elegant
plu*age 'ould go to such trouble )or a scra'ny cat.
!o' that the cat see*ed cal*, she loo(ed around. A *an ca*e out o) the bac( o) a nearby tent
and chuc(ed a hand)ul o) dead rats into a sac(, then duc(ed inside again. he heard s3ueals,
yo'ls, and shouting )ro* inside.
he *arched over to yan( bac( the canvas curtain. As she thought, it 'as a ratter+s tent, 'here
cats and dogs 'ere set to (ill rats. People 'ere pac(ed onto ran(s o) rough benches cheering on
the hunters and calling out bets. Assaulted by noise, stin(, and pure violence, she staggered bac(.
&hen a burly *an bloc(ed her vie'. >I) yer 'ant to co*e in, go round the )ront and pay.?
Clarissa re*e*bered her purpose. >-ho thre'? that cat@>
>-hat )rigging business is it o) yours@?
>It hit *e5 -hat+s *ore, it+s 'ounded and needs care.?
>I didn+t 'ring its nec(. -hat *ore does it need@ Gseless piece o) scrag.?
>Eou *ay not have heard,? said a cal* voice behind her. >&he cat hit the lady.?
&he ratter 'hipped o)) his hat. >6it the lady, sir@ -ell, I never5 Are you all right, *iss@?
6o' in)uriating not to be ta(en seriously 'ithout a *an at her bac(5 &his 'as an active lesson
on the points 7ary -ollstonecra)t had been *a(ing in her 'ritings.
>-hat about the cat@? she de*anded, though she 'as beginning to reali<e that the last thing the
poor creature needed 'as to be returned to the ratters. People nearby 'ere turning to loo(, too,
their avid )aces suggesting that they e4pected another 8uicy battle.
&he ratter put on an apologetic e4pression. >Bidn+t turn out to be *uch o) a ratter, you see, *iss.
I) you+d li(e the dear creature, please, ta(e her.?
&he purring vibrated the air by her side. Clarissa glanced once at 6a'(, al*ost distracted by the
)act that he 'as in shirtsleeves, but hoping he 'ould ta(e over. 6e had his ar*s )ull o) purring
cat, ho'ever, and his loo( see*ed to say, &his is your ga*e. Eou play it.
>;ery 'ell. I 'ill ta(e her. Boes she have a na*e@?
>:anny Caycoc(,? said the *an 'ith a very )alse s*ile.
o*eone nearby sniggered.
>&a(e her,? 6a'( said.
Clarissa )ound hersel) 'ith her ar*s )ull o) coat and cat. &he purring stopped, and a slight
shivering began. he tried *ur*uring to it, and it cal*ed a little. 6er attention 'as all on 6a'(,
ho'ever, as he 'al(ed to'ard the ratter. &he *an+s eyes suddenly 'idened. -hatever it 'as
6a'( did to i*press people, he 'as doing it again.
>Eou can+t go around thro'ing cats,? he said, al*ost la<ily. >I+* sure that 'hen *y co*panion
gets into clear light, she 'ill )ind that her go'n is snagged and stained 'ith blood. I doubt you
can a))ord the cost o) a replace*ent, but a guinea 'ill serve as penance.?
>A guinea95?
6e stopped and s'allo'ed. lo'ly, he dug into a poc(et, but Clarissa caught a *ove*ent and
sa' the t'o other *en *oving closer. &hey 'ere all so big5
>6a'(5? she said sharply in 'arning, 8ust as the )irst *an ran )or hi*.
>Eou really shouldn+t,? 6a'( said. But his )ist had already shot out, hurtling the )irst *an bac(
into the stands, causing a yelling co**otion a*ong the people sitting there. 6e+d so*eho'
avoided the other t'o.
But then *en leaped out o) the stands and )ists )le'. /ats escaped and 'ere darting under)oot,
pursued by )erocious dogs and cats. -o*en screa*ed and 'ood shattered.
It 'as the riot all over again5
&rying to protect the )rantic cat, Clarissa 'as )orced bac(, right out o) the riotous tent into a
gathering cro'd.
-hat 'as happening@
6a'(5
-hat i) he 'as dead@
he tried to soothe the poor cat, tried to soothe hersel), but tears tric(led do'n her )ace. Another
disaster, and entirely her )ault. he truly 'as a Jonah=
But then she heard chattering and reali<ed the tu*ult had cal*ed. &he )lap opened, and 6a'(
appeared in the *idst o) a group o) cheer)ul, ad*iring *en.
6ard to i*agine hi* so disordered and *uddy, but he see*ed unhar*ed. A giggle escaped. 6e+d
lost his hat again5 &hen so*eone hurried a)ter and gave it to hi*.
6e than(ed all the *en, 'ho presu*ably had been on his side, then loo(ed around )or her. >Are
you all right@?
>Ees, but 'hat o) you@?
>!othing serious.? 6e brushed a tear o)) her chee(. >I+* sorry i) you 'ere )rightened.?
>It 'asn+t your )ault.?
>It+s an escort+s duty to protect against all a))ront. I clearly need practice.? 6e too( the cat, and
the ungrate)ul beast i**ediately started purring again. >Cet+s )ind the others be)ore they call out
the ar*y.?
As they 'al(ed a'ay, navigating to avoid puddles, she glanced bac(. >-hat o) the ratters@?
>&hey decided not to be any *ore trouble. ,h, that re*inds *e,? he said, stopping. >,ne o) the*
relieved his *aster o) a guinea )or you. It+s in *y right poc(et.?
he glanced at his tight")itting breeches. >I+* sure you can give it to *e later.?
>Are you encouraging *e to be in debt@?
he *et his eyes and hid a s*ile. >I a* rich enough to ignore a guinea. Please, consider it
yours.?
>:alcon, I+* disappointed in you. &hin( o) it as stor*ing a spi(ed 'all under ene*y )ire.?
:resh )ro* violence, it *ade her shiver. >6ave you done that@?
>Ees.?
Bespite 'hat he said about his *ilitary li)e, he *ust have ris(ed death so *any ti*es. >&hen I
can hardly retreat, can I@?
>I didn+t thin( so.? It 'as al*ost a purr o) his o'n.
he 'anted to laugh, but )ound a )ro'n instead. >I+* per)ectly a'are o) 'hat you+re doing. Eou
thin( I can+t resist a challenge.?
>I see* to be right. Perhaps you need lessons. o*eti*es it is 'ise to retreat.?
>In this case@?
>Probably.?
>It+s only a poc(et,? she said.
he glanced around. &hey 'ere still o)) to one side o) the )air, 'ith no one else nearby. &hey
'ere in sight o) the do<ens o) 'aiting carriages, but she couldn+t *a(e out the rest o) their party,
so she doubted they could see her.
&ruth to tell, she didn+t care. he 'anted this e4cuse to touch hi*. Perhaps it 'as so*ething to
do 'ith the violence, the danger, the thought o) his perilous past=
he *oved behind hi* and slid her hand into his poc(et.
,) course it *eant standing close. It *eant sliding her hand against his hip as i) there 'as
scarcely anything bet'een her and his na(ed body. -ell, there was scarcely anything bet'een
her and his na(ed body, his 'ar* na(ed body, but she 'ould do it any'ay.
In )act, since it 'as a challenge, she 'ould raise the sta(es. he pulled her hand out and stripped
o)) her glove, then slid her hand in again.
he heard a cho(ed laugh, and grinned. >:eeling )or a s*all coin 'ith gloves on 'ould be so
a'('ard,? she said, spreading her )ingers and e4ploring 'ith the*, hoping it tic(led. -hat she
discovered through t'o layers o) cotton 'as strong, hard bone and 'ar* *uscle.
And pleasure in the )ir*ness o) it beneath her hand.
6e 'as still, but she could )eel tension. 6e+d invited this, ho'ever, challenged her to it. I) it
e*barrassed hi*, it 'as his )ault. he supposed she should be e*barrassed, but she 'asn+t.
&ruly, she )elt as i) she 'as blosso*ing into so*eone very unli(e Clarissa .reystone5
he *oved slightly closer, curling her le)t ar* around his torso, and pressing her chee( against
his hot bac(. 6o' )ir* he 'as. 7uscle every'here. Gsed to being close only 'ith )e*ale
bodies, she )ound this to be a *agic all its o'n.
An i*age )lashed into her *ind9the groo*+s na(ed chest, rippling 'ith 'ell"de)ined *uscles.
&he *a8or 'asn+t as big a *an, but 'ould his na(ed chest loo( li(e that@
-ould she ever )ind out@
uddenly, so closely and hotly ent'ined, it see*ed a *o*ent )or bald truth. >Eou+re a )ortune
hunter, aren+t you, 6a'(@?
he )elt his instant tension.
>-hy else 'ere you in Cheltenha*@ Eou (ne' about *e and ca*e to steal a *arch on the
others. Eou te*pted *e into co*ing to Brighton, and you+ve been stal(ing *e ever since. I+d
rather there 'ere truth bet'een us.?
he )elt hi* breathe, three steady breaths. >And i) I a*@?
>I don+t *ind.? &hen she )elt that 'ent too )ar too soon. >But I *a(e no pro*ises, either.?
>I see. But you 'on+t bla*e a *an )or trying@?
>!o,? she said, s*iling against his bac(. >I 'on+t bla*e a *an )or trying.?
8nd trut! is, / can0t wait until !e wins.
*iling at her golden )uture, she angled her hand do'n and )or'ard, )ollo'ing the deep poc(et
o) the *an 'ho 'ould one day be her husband. -hose body 'ould be inti*ate 'ith hers. he
suc(ed in a deep, steadying breath and 'riggled her )ingers in search o) the coin. he )elt hi*
suddenly sti))en.
>A* I tic(ling you@? she said unrepentantly.
>A)ter a )ashion.?
6er )ingers touched a bone, but then she reali<ed there couldn+t be a bone in the *iddle o) his
belly. 6er little )inger caught the edge o) the coin as her *ind grasped 'hat she had to be
touching.
A girls+ school is not a haven o) innocence. &here had been *any discussions, *uch sharing o)
(no'ledge, and not a )e' boo(s stolen )ro* )athers and brothers and s*uggled into school.
According to a sli*, alliterative volu*e called !e 8nnals of 8p!rodite, she 'as brushing
against the /od o) /apture. But didn+t *en only 7ount to 7agni)icence 8ust prior to Carnal
Con3uest@
he sei<ed her coin, pulled her hand out, and retreated a )e' steps, pulling on the ar*or o) her
sensible glove.
6e turned, not changed in any drastic 'ay. A 3uic( glance, ho'ever, sho'ed that he 'as still
7ounted to 7agni)icence. he (ne' her )ace had to be bright red.
>o,? he said, >the ra' recruit has scaled the 'alls but is de)eated by the sight o) )ire 'ithin.?
>!ot de)eated. Just not 'illing to be burned.?
>Aven i) duty calls@?
>Buty, I thin(, calls in another direction entirely.? he set o)) bris(ly )or the carriages.
6e soon caught up. >I+* not planning a rape.?
>.ood. I don+t 'ant to tal( about it.?
>6o' disappointing.?
he )ired a *oc( glare at hi*. >!o, you are not going to challenge *e into it.? But she 'as
loving, loving, loving this. &o be able to tal( this 'ay 'ith a *an5
6e laughed. >Another ti*e, then.?
But then 6a'( sic(eningly re*e*bered that there 'ere not going to be other ti*es. !o' that he
'as certain his :alcon had been involved 'ith Beveril+s death, he had hard choices to *a(e9
and he could see none that 'ould lead to a happy ending.
:or hi* or )or her.
-hen they arrived bac( at the carriages, ;an gave hi* a rather steely loo(. ince 7aria 'as the
chaperone )or this e4cursion, ;an 'ould )eel responsible, and he 'asn+t li(ing 'hat he sa'.
6a'( 'ondered e4actly 'hat he sa'.
&he short version o) their story satis)ied 7aria, but 6a'( thought ;an 'as still 'atch)ul. !ot
surprising. Bespite long periods o) separation, they (ne' each other very 'ell.
>But 'hat are 'e to do 'ith the cat@? 7aria as(ed, clearly not ta(en 'ith the creature.
6a'( loo(ed at the sleepy ani*al, 'hich 'as )ilthy, scra'ny, and *issing part o) an ear. >I+ll
(eep it.?
>Eour )ather+s dogs 'ill eat it,? ;an predicted.
>I shall have to stand protector.? 6a'( cli*bed into the carriage, cat still bundled in his coat,
)eeling a *audlin need to protect so*ething.
Clarissa needed advice, and Althea did not see* li(ely to help 'ith this. Instead, once she+d
changed )ro* her soiled dress, she sought out her chaperone. 7iss 6urst*an, as usual, 'as in
the )ront parlor reading 'hat loo(ed li(e a very scholarly boo(.
>7iss 6urst*an, *ay I tal( to you@ About 7a8or 6a'(inville.?
&he 'o*an+s bro's rose, but she put her boo( aside. >-hat has he done@?
>!othing5? Clarissa roa*ed the s*all roo*. >-ell, he+s 'ooing *e. 6e+s a )ortune hunter, I+*
sure, even though he says he 'ill inherit his )ather+s estate. 6e ad*itted that it isn+t very large,
and he+s as good as ad*itted that he does 'ant to *arry *e. :or *y *oney9? he stopped )or a
breath.
7iss 6urst*an studied her. >I assu*e there is no need )or this panic@?
Clarissa, suddenly bere)t o) 'ords, shoo( her head.
>&hen 'hat has caused it@?
&he 'o*an+s cal* 'as in)ectious. Clarissa sat do'n. >I didn+t plan to *arry. I sa' no need to.
But no', it is beginning to be appealing. Eou did 'arn *e. I don+t (no' i) this all sho's a
)le4ible *ind, or a 'ea( one.?
7iss 6urst*an+s lips t'itched. >Clever girl. &he di))erence bet'een the t'o can be hard to
8udge. &he *ain 3uestion9the only 3uestion, really9is, -ill he *a(e you a good husband )or
the ne4t t'enty, )orty, si4ty years@?
Clarissa could )eel her eyes 'iden at the idea. >I don+t (no'.?
>Precisely. 6e is a handso*e *an, and I assu*e he (no's ho' to please and interest a 'o*an.
6is )ather certainly did.?
>6is )ather@?
>I (ne' hi* 'hen I 'as young. A dashing *ilitary *an 'ith an eye to bettering hi*sel).?
A )ortune hunter. Ci(e )ather, li(e son@ And yet the )ather had clearly settled )or his *odest
estate.
7iss 6urst*an 'as loo(ing at her as i) she could read every thought. >Eou cannot (no' enough
about 7a8or 6a'(inville yet to *a(e a rational decision, Clarissa. &i*e 'ill solve that. &a(e
your ti*e.?
>I (no', but=? Clarissa loo(ed at the older 'o*an. >Eou spea( o) 'hen you 'ere young. Bon+t
you re*e*ber@ Just no', reason has nothing to do 'ith it5?
7iss 6urst*an+s eyes t'in(led. >&hat, *y dear, is 'hy young 'o*en have chaperones. Bid
Cady ;andei*en not play her part@?
Clarissa bit her lip, then said, >-e 'ere separated )or a little 'hile by a s3uall o) bad 'eather.?
>:or a su))iciently little 'hile, I hope@?
>,h, yes. !othing= nothing truly happened.?
7iss 6urst*an gave one o) her snorts, 'hether o) disapproval or a*use*ent 'as hard to tell. >I
do en8oy an enterprising scoundrel.? A*use*ent, then. >Panic over@? she as(ed.
urprisingly, it 'as. Perhaps it 'as si*ply being a'ay )ro* 6a'(, or perhaps it 'as 7iss
6urst*an+s dry practicality, but Clarissa didn+t )eel so caught in s'irling *adness any*ore.
&i*e. &hat 'as the ans'er to her dile**a over 6a'( 6a'(inville, and she had no shortage o) it
other than that created by i*patience. he 'ould *a(e hersel) 'ait a 'ee( or t'o 'ithout
co**it*ent. And 'ithout being co*pro*ised.
he did not )ool hersel) that it 'ould be easy.
he 'ished she could discuss her other proble* 'ith 7iss 6urst*an9the *atter o) Beveril+s
death, the 'ay she (ept spea(ing o) it, the disastrous e))ects she see*ed to have on other
people+s lives9but her trust did not go so deep as that.
Chapter E(e%en
6a'( entered the 7arine Parade house 'ith his )riends, but he 'ent straight up to his roo* 'ith
the cat. 6e hoped to avoid ;an, but 'asn+t surprised 'hen he 'al(ed in not long a)ter.
6a'( had ta(en the cat out o) his 8ac(et and 'as gently chec(ing it )or serious in8uries.
>-hat are you going to do 'ith it@? ;an as(ed.
&hey *ight as 'ell get to the topic at once. >I suspect 7iss .reystone 'ill 'ish *e to care )or
it.?
>And 'hat 7iss .reystone 'ishes is o) i*portance to you@?
>Ees.? &he da*nable thing 'as that he didn+t 'ant to lie to his )riend, not even by i*plication,
but he couldn+t tell the truth. Above all, he needed ti*e to thin(.
urely there had to be so*e 'ay to save 6a'(inville )ro* lade, and Clarissa )ro* the gallo's.
&he cat s3ua'(ed as he touched a sore spot, but it 'as a polite co*plaint 'ithout cla's attached.
>Duite the lady, aren+t you@? he *ur*ured.
;an ca*e over. >Is it@ :e*ale, I *ean.?
>Ees, and not in bad shape, considering.? 6e )inished his e4a*ination and put the cat do'n on
the carpet. A)ter a body"sha(ing shudder, it pic(ed its 'ay around the roo* li(e a tattered lady
bounti)ul inspecting a lo'ly cottage.
>!o proble* 'ith *ove*ent at all,? 6a'( said. >In )act, 3uite a dainty piece. &olerable 3uarters
)or you, your ladyship@?
&he cat gave hi* an inscrutable loo(.
6a'( pic(ed up his 8ac(et and conte*plated its sorry state. 6e hadn+t bothered to hire a valet
since returning ho*e, but he needed one no'.
;an too( it and 'ent to the door. >!oons5? he shouted, and in *o*ents his valet appeared,
co*plained about the 8ac(et, and 'ent o)) to put it right.
&he cat had sat to clean itsel) 'ith dogged persistence.
>&idiness above all. &hat+s the spirit,? 6a'( said, scooping it up and carrying it to his 'ashstand.
&here 'as a slight chance that i) he 'as busy enough ;an 'ould put o)) the tal( to another ti*e.
>-hat you are about to get,? he told the cat as he gingerly sat it in the 'ide china bo'l, >is so*e
assistance in the cleaning depart*ent. Bo not be so rude as to scratch *e.?
6e heard ;an laugh and 'ondered i) he 'as going to get a'ay 'ith it.
&he cat had sti))ened, but it 'asn+t )rightened.
>Bear up li(e a good soldier,? he said soothingly, and poured a little 'ar* 'ater over the side
'here blood 'as thic( and stic(y. &he ani*al gave a yo'l o) co*plaint, but turned its head to
lic(. >!o, no,? he said bloc(ing its head. >Cet *e. Eou can clean up the re*ains later.?
6e gently rubbed the blood till it so)tened, then 'ashed it a'ay under a ne' dribble o) 'ater. 6e
'as care)ul o) the gash above it, and to soothe the cat, he (ept tal(ing.
>!ot all o) this blood is yours, is it@ Eou *ust have done a )air bit o) da*age. It+s *y guess you
could ta(e on any rat you 'anted. Beneath your dignity, 'as it, duchess@ /is(ed having your
nec( bro(en over it, though, didn+t you@?
As he started on a patch on one shoulder, ;an interrupted his *onologue. >-hat e4actly are your
plans in regard to 7iss .reystone@?
6a'( hadn+t really e4pected to get a'ay 'ith it.
>/n loco parentis are you@?
>A)ter a )ashion, yes.?
6a'( tried a *ild de)lection. >7arriage is *a(ing you da*n dull.?
-atching, 6a'( could see ;an control his te*per. Ba*n. -hen they 'ere boys a co**ent li(e
that 'ould have led either to a )ight or to ;an sla**ing out to 'or( his te*per o)) else'here.
Aither 'ould have cut short the discussion.
&hey 'eren+t boys any*ore.
&he cat lic(ed his hand. It 'as probably a co**and )or *ore 'ater, so he supplied it, 'or(ing
on another spot.
>7aria thin(s she is assisting a courtship,? ;an said. >A courtship very *uch to your advantage.
.enerous o) her, 'ouldn+t you say@?
6a'( 'inced at that one. >I do not necessarily need assistance.?
>Eou are li(ely to get it any'ay, 'o*en being 'o*en. &he 3uestion is, Bo you deserve it@?
6a'( li)ted the cat )ro* the *uddy, bloody 'ater and 'rapped it in a to'el )or a 3uic( dry.
&hough not scratching, it 'asn+t purring either.
6e had to say so*ething. >I+* not sure 'hat you *ean by that, ;an.?
;an rubbed a hand over his )ace. >I+* not either. Ba*n it all, 6a'(, 7aria li(es 7iss .reystone.
he+s playing at *atch*a(ing. I don+t 'ant her hurt.?
Ah, that 6a'( could understand.
6e put the cat do'n, and it stal(ed to a corner and began )uriously cleaning itsel).
>I don+t 'ant anyone hurt, ;an. !ot even a da*n cat. A )ine state o) a))airs )or a veteran, isn+t
it@?
>A pretty natural state, I+d say. -hat+s going on@?
6a'( reali<ed that it 'as no good. ;an 'ouldn+t be de)lected, or satis)ied 'ith a denial, and a
good part o) it 'as probably concern )or hi*. &he past 'as a strange beast. It lay dor*ant,
appearing to be har*less, but it had cla's and )angs and leaped up to ta(e another bite at
une4pected *o*ents.
A poor analogy. 6e 'ould e*brace the past and the )uture it pro*ised, i) he could.
6e 'ould have to tell ;an part o) it, at least.
6e e*ptied the dirty 'ater into the slop buc(et and 'ashed his hands in )resh. >7y )ather has
*ortgaged 6a'(inville to Josiah lade.?
>&hat da*ned iron*onger@ -hy@? A)ter a *o*ent, ;an as(ed, >6o' *uch@?
6a'( turned to hi*, drying his hands. >7ore than you can a))ord.?
;an s*iled. >Co*e on. I+* not asha*ed to use *y 'i)e+s *oney in a good cause.?
>6o' *uch o) it is le)t@ 7aria returned the *oney that her husband cheated your )a*ily out o).
he+s been doing that else'here, too, hasn+t she@ he has her dependents to ta(e care o) and
teynings to restore.?
>Eou thin( patching the plaster at teynings is *ore i*portant than (eeping lade out o)
6a'(inville@ Perdition, he+d be s3uire too, 'ouldn+t he@ Intolerable5 6o' *uch@?
>&'enty thousand.?
;an stared, struc( silent.
>Aven i) you could lend *e that *uch, 'hen could I pay it bac(@ Aven s3uee<ing the tenants )or
every penny, it 'ould ta(e decades.?
>But 'hat option do you have@? ;an as(ed. >Eou can+t let lade=? But then he ans'ered
hi*sel). >Ah. 7iss .reystone.?
Cying by i*plication, 6a'( said, >Ah, indeed. 7iss .reystone.?
;an 'as )ro'ning over it. >Bo you love her@?
>6o' does one (no' love@?
>Believe *e, 6a'(, you (no'. Bo you at least care )or her@?
>Ees, o) course. But 'ill she *arry *e 'ithout protestations o) love@?
%ill s!e elope wit! you, you mean.
;an gri*aced. >Probably not.?
>-ith *y )ather+s e4a*ple be)ore *e, I a* naturally reluctant to 'oo an heiress under )alse
pretenses.?
But 'asn+t that e4actly 'hat he 'as doing@
&he cat ca*e to rub against his leg, *iao'ing. 6e scooped it up.
>&he ratter told Clarissa the cat 'as called :anny Caycoc(.?
>I see 'hy you had to thrash hi*.?
It 'as cant )or a lo' 'hore.
>But I+d better )ind another na*e be)ore she re*e*bers it.? 6e loo(ed into the cat+s slitted green
eyes. >Care to give *e a hint@ !o, I don+t thin( FEour 6ighness+ acceptable. I 'ill call you Jetta.
Eou are 8et blac(, and you 'ere 5eter0d, as the :rench 'ould say. #etare in Italian, but I+* a)raid
in panish it 'ould *erely *ean +snout.F?
6e loo(ed at ;an, 'ho 'as grinning at this byplay. At least he+d *anaged to change the sub8ect.
>I+d better go do'n to the (itchen and beg so*e scraps )or her. I never thought to as( i) you
*inded a cat in the house.?
>!o, o) course not. But your )ather+s dogs are going to eat her 'hen you ta(e her ho*e.?
6a'( loo(ed at the cat again. >o*eho' I doubt it.?
6e didn+t escape scot")ree. ;an le)t the roo* 'ith hi* and said 3uietly, >I need your 'ord,
6a'(, that you 'on+t go beyond the line 'ith 7iss .reystone.?
6a'( bit bac( anger. 6e had no right to it any'ay.
>Eou have it, o) course,? he said and le)t, 'ondering i) his )riendships, too, 'ere going to die in
this bloody *ess.
6e got *il( and bits o) chic(en )or Jetta, then since the coo( didn+t see* to *ind the intruder, he
escaped out through the (itchen door. &here 'as no thin(ing roo* there, ho'ever, so he 'ent
round to the street, to the sea)ront.
6e 'as coatless and hatless, but he didn+t care. &he rough 'eather had driven nearly everyone
o)) the sea)ront any'ay, even though it 'asn+t raining at this *o*ent. &he 'ind still 'hipped,
carrying da*p air and even spray o)) the churning 'aves. 6e sa' the pac(et )ro* :rance
buc(ing its 'ay in and could i*agine the state o) the poor passengers.
It 'as good 'eather )or hard thin(ing, though. /ough and clean.
Bid he love Clarissa@ 6e had no e4perience o) love, so ho' could he (no'@ But ;an said he+d
(no', so it couldn+t be love. ,r not that (ind o) love. 6is )eelings 'ere close to those that he had
)or ;an and Con, and that he+d had )or so*e other )riends in the ar*y.
:riends, then. 6e and Clarissa 'ere, in a )ragile 'ay, )riends. 6e groaned into the 'ind. &hat
*ade it 'orse. Betrayal in love 'as a theoretical evil. Betrayal o) )riendship=
And da*n it, no' 7aria and thus ;an9a deep and necessary )riend9'ere tangled up in the
a))air.
6e reined in his panic(ed *ind. -hen had his *ind last been panic(ed@
:act one. Clarissa had at the least been present at Beveril+s *urder. It 'as the only rational
e4planation )or her reaction to the (ni)e and her (no'ing the e4act date.
6ypothesis. he *ight have (illed hi* hersel), but it 'ould have been in sel)"de)ense, not to get
his *oney.
-as he besotted to thin( that@ !o. 6e hadn+t (no'n her long, but he (ne' her 'ell enough to
(no' she couldn+t be a coldhearted, greedy villain. A cri*e o) passion 'as *uch *ore in
(eeping.
:act t'o. I) it ca*e out that she had (illed a peer o) the real* under any provocation, she *ight
hang )or it. ,r at least be transported. At best, she 'ould have to a'ait trial in prison a*ong the
scu* o) the 'orld.
&here)ore, her cri*e could never be *ade public.
It settled 6a'( to reali<e that as an absolute certainty.
6e 'ould tear do'n 6a'( in the ;ale hi*sel) be)ore it ca*e to that.
6aving reached that blea( point, he )ound he could thin( properly again.
-hat i) she had only been 'itness to the (illing@ Perhaps so*eone else had (illed Beveril to
save her. Bid that really )it better, or did he 8ust 'ant it to be so@ It 'as no great i*prove*ent.
he 'ould still be an accessory to the *urder and liable to the sa*e punish*ent, and he could
hardly send a *an to trial )or de)ending her.
6o'ever, i) he could not prosecute anyone )or *urder, he 'as unli(ely to brea( the 'ill.
6e leaned against a 'ooden railing, cursing so)tly into the snarling sea.
Al'ays, al'ays, al'ays 'as the )act that the 'ill had been )orged and planted in Beveril+s house.
It shattered any illusion o) noble deeds. A cunning rogue 'as behind that, and 6a'( couldn+t
believe that he intended to leave Clarissa in peace)ul possession o) a )ortune.
o, even 'al(ing a'ay )ro* Clarissa and leaving her in peace 'as not an option.
6e circled and circled it, and ca*e do'n to the heart o) the *atter. 6e could persuade her to
elope.
!o 3uestion o) *arrying her in the nor*al 'ay. As soon as he applied to the Bu(e o) Belcraven
his )a*ily 'ould be investigated. &he *ost casual search 'ould uncover that his )ather 'as a
.aspard, and probably that he 'as 'ithin days o) being pronounced ;iscount Beveril. Aven i)
Belcraven 'as 'illing to per*it the *arriage, he 'ould tell Clarissa, and that 'ould be that. 6e
'asn+t sure she 'ould be able to bear the thought o) being Cady Beveril one day, but he (ne'
she 'ouldn+t )orgive the deception.
Alope, then. 6e 'ould have to pretend love, but he 'as at least very )ond o) her. 6e 'ould not be
li(e his )ather. he 'ould not have cause to co*plain o) neglect. -ith luc( she 'ouldn+t have to
be Cady Beveril )or a long ti*e, so perhaps it 'ouldn+t be a terrible blo'.
But 'hat i) it 'as@ -hat i) the blo', in particular the deception behind it, 'as enough to (ill all
a))ection@ -ould he end up in a *arriage as bitter as that o) his parentsF, 'ith one lost 'edding"
night child to sho' )or it@
6e could do that to hi*sel) )or 6a'(inville, but not to her. !ot to his :alcon, 'ho 'as in such
)ledgling )light in search o) li)e.
And any'ay, he thought 'ith a 'ry laugh, he+d pro*ised ;an. 6e 'as sure ;an 'ould see an
elope*ent as going )ar beyond the line.
-hich brought hi*, via a sharp sense o) loss, bac( to the (iller. -as there, perhaps, another
'ay= @
Clarissa and Althea 'ere pro*ised to a birthday party being given that evening by Cady
Babbington )or :lorence. Clarissa didn+t really 'ant to go, but :lorence 'as an old school )riend,
and it 'ould do no good to stay ho*e dro'ning in longing, doubts, and 3uestions. It 'as to be an
event )or young ladies only, so at least she 'ouldn+t have to deal 'ith 6a'( again.
he )ound that the Babbingtons+ s*all dra'ing roo* )elt al*ost li(e the senior girls+ parlor at
7iss 7allory+s and slid 'ith relie) into the unco*plicated past. oon she 'as chattering and
giggling, and the high spirits continued over dinner since, unli(e at school, 'ine 'as served 'ith
the *eal.
Perhaps that 'as 'hy the a)ter"dinner chatter turned naughty, especially 'hen it 'as revealed
that :lorence had *ade a transcription o) !e 8nnals of 8p!rodite. As those ne' to the boo(
huddled to read it, 'hispering aloud the *ore e4citing phrases, Clarissa 'ondered ho' *any o)
the* had ac3uired a little practical e4perience o) the /isen /od o) /apture.
&hen :lorence placed letter cards in a bag and invited everyone to pic( t'o to )ind the initials o)
their )uture husband. Clarissa 'as interested to note ho' *any o) the ten young 'o*en clearly
hoped )or a particular set o) initials.
Clarissa+s heart pounded 'hen her )irst letter 'as a #, but then she lost all )aith 'hen the second
turned out to be a B.
uggestions 'ere called out.
>.regory Beeston.?
>Cord .od)rey Bree*.?
>:lorence,? said one, >isn+t your brother called .iles@?
>But he+s *arried,? :lorence pointed out.
>Is he still as handso*e@? Clarissa as(ed, and recited her poe*. It received great applause, and
they all began to put together ad*iring doggerel.
>.eorge Bru**el,? Cady ;iolet tavering suggested.
he had been at 7iss 7allory+s too, but had considered Clarissa beneath her notice. he still
li(ed to cloa( hersel) in an air o) bored sophistication and 'as not ta(ing part in the versi)ication.
>6e could certainly use your )ortune, Clarissa,? she added.
Clarissa *ight so*eti*es )eel at sea in society, but she could s'i* li(e a )ish in schoolgirl
*alice. >o could nearly everyone,? she said, dropping her letters bac( into the bag. >Including
your brother, ;iolet. But I a* hardly li(ely to besto' *y riches on an elderly and bro(en dandy
li(e Bru**el. I) I enter into trade, I 'ill buy the highest 3uality.?
>uch as 7a8or .eorge 6a'(inville@? purred Cady ;iolet.
o their *eetings had been observed. Clarissa 'illed hersel) not to blush. >Perhaps.? But she
added, >,r so*e other young, honorable *an.?
:lorence leaped in 'ith suggestions, and Clarissa regretted the spar( o) unpleasantness at her
)riend+s party. oon every eligible *an o) Brighton 'as being assessed 'ith startling )ran(ness.
7r. 6aig"Porter+s legs 'ere too thin, Cord i*on /uther)ord+s )ingers too short and )at. ir
/upert .range laughed li(e a don(ey, and ;iscount Caverley had a chest so narro' it 'as
surprising he could breathe.
>But a viscount,? said Cecilia Porteous tentatively. >It is a consideration.?
!early everyone agreed that a peer o) the real* *ight be e4cused so*e )la's.
>Aven Cord Beveril,? *ur*ured Cady ;iolet.
>Bon+t be a cat, ;i,? snapped :lorence. >-e all (no' poor Clarissa didn+t 'ant to *arry hi*.?
>And 'e than(ed heavens )or his ti*ely death,? agreed Cady ;iolet s'eetly.
Clarissa sti))ened, 'ondering i) Cady ;iolet suspected.
But that 'as ridiculous. he 'as si*ply scratching )or the )un o) it.
he 'as saved by an interruption )ro* 7iria* 7osely. >I don+t (no' ho' it is that *en li(e
Cord ;andei*en and Cord A*leigh, 'ho have both title and physi3ue, are snapped up be)ore
they properly appear on the *ar(et. I thin( it vastly un)air5?
>But re*e*ber,? said Cady ;iolet, >Cord ;andei*en 'as thought to be as rolled up as Bru**el,
and dro'ning in ga*ing and drin( as 'ell, be)ore he *arried the .olden Cily.?
&his 'as ne's to Clarissa, and she recogni<ed that Cady ;iolet had raised it because the
;andei*ens 'ere )riends o) Clarissa+s. he 'ould very *uch li(e to put snails in ;iolet+s bed.
Again.
he hoped the co**ent 'ould be ignored, but so*e others de*anded details. Cady ;iolet chose
a sugarplu* and bit into it. >,h, ;andei*en ca*e ho*e )ro* the 'ar to )ind his )ather dead and
the estates 3uite ruined.?
>6ardly li(e Bru**el, then,? said Clarissa.
Cady ;iolet 'as not silenced. >6e consoled hi*sel) 'ith drin( and the tables, but then had the
good )ortune to snare the rich 7rs. Celestin. &rade, you (no'.?
>&hat+s not true5? ob8ected Bottie :)y)e. >he *arried a *erchant, but she 'as born into a good
)a*ily. he+s a connection o) *ine5?
Cady ;iolet+s lips tightened, but she shrugged. >A 'o*an *oves to her husband+s level upon
*arriage. :irst trade. And a )oreigner. &hen a de*on.? he allo'ed a pause )or e))ect be)ore
continuing, >According to *y brother, in the ar*y he 'as (no'n as Be*on ;andei*en.?
Averyone 'as no' leaning )or'ard avidly, and Clarissa )elt 'retched )or having started this.
Cord and Cady ;andei*en 'ere both properly behaved and (ind, and obviously in love.
o*eone else 'ho 'as being tarnished by association 'ith her.
>7y brother says that they+ve been close )riends )orever,? ;iolet continued, lapping up being the
center o) attention. >;andei*en and A*leigh. And,? she added 'ith a sly loo( at Clarissa,
>7a8or 6a'(inville.?
Clarissa s*iled bac( in a 'ay that she hoped said she 'as politely bored to death.
>All born and raised near here,? ;iolet continued.
>/eggie said that they each have a tattoo on their chest.? o*eone gasped. >aid he+d seen Cord
A*leigh+s in the ar*y, and been told about the others.?
he loo(ed around, lic(ing sugar o)) her )ingers. >A ha'( )or 7a8or 6a'(inville, a dragon )or
Cord A*leigh.? &hen she added, pin( tongue circling her lips, >And a de*on )or Cord
;andei*en.?
&he synchronous inhalation *ade a (ind o) ooo! around the roo*.
>-hat a pity,? said 7iria*, >that 'e are unli(ely to ever see that.?
But Clarissa 'as thin(ing ho' 'onder)ul it 'ould be to see that, because it 'ould *ean she 'as
seeing 6a'(+s na(ed chest. I*possible, o) course, short o) *arriage.
7arriage.
It 'as all very 'ell )or 7iss 6urst*an to tal( about reason, and 'aiting, and thin(ing o) the
years o) *arriage, but could she bear not to do it@ -ouldn+t she regret it all her li)e, 'ondering
'hat it *ight have been@ -hether it *ight have been true heaven=
>= 6a'(inville.?
-ith a start, she reali<ed that they 'ere tal(ing about 6a'(9as i) he 'ere a piece o) *eat on a
butcher+s slab.
>6andso*e.?
>Perhaps a little lightly built.?
>But 'ide shoulders.?
>And e4cellent thighs5?
!ig!s) Sally Hig!croft !ad been loo.ing at Haw.0s t!ig!s;
>Belicious blue eyes.?
>I pre)er bro'n *ysel),? said ;iolet.
Clarissa 'as astonished to )ind that her )ingers 'ere trying to *a(e cla's.
It 'as Althea, ho'ever, 'ho spo(e up. >I don+t thin( it at all see*ly to tal( about a gentle*an in
this 'ay.?
;iolet laughed. 6er practiced laugh that said that others 'ere silly, unsophisticated ninnies.
>&hey do it about us all the ti*e, according to *y brother.?
>Cadies,? said Althea, >should set a higher standard. And 'e should be *ore respect)ul o) those
'ho )ought )or us in the 'ar.>
&his did subdue everyone, and Clarissa )lashed Althea a grate)ul s*ile.
>But did he )ight@? as(ed ;iolet, 'ho never stayed subdued )or long.
>Duarter*astering, I believe.? Again Althea 'as there )irst. >uch ad*inistrative *atters are
e4tre*ely i*portant, Cady ;iolet. 7y late )iance 'as in the ar*y, and he o)ten said so.?
>Eou cannot deny that an o))icer 'ho 'as o)ten in battle is *ore dashing.?
>!o. But I can deny that dash is the *ost i*portant thing about any gentle*an5?
Althea 'as in her Aarly Christian 7artyr *ood, and clearly ready to thro' hersel) to the lions.
,r turn into one. Poor :lorence 'as loo(ing close to tears, so Clarissa rushed in. >&here are any
nu*ber o) eligible na*es being discussed here 'ho never 'ent to 'ar at all. -e can surely
assess each gentle*an as to his 3ualities.? /e*e*bering 7iss 6urst*an+s 'ords, she added,
>&heir 3ualities as husbands over the ne4t t'enty, )orty, si4ty years.?
>Cud5? e4clai*ed :lorence, but 'ith a grate)ul loo(, >'hat a dis*al thought. &hey+ll all be
boring, bulging, and bald by then.?
>o 'ill *ost o) us,? said Althea, still loo(ing *ilitant.
>!ot bald,? Clarissa pointed out.
>.ray, then,? said Althea, but she rela4ed.
>&han( heavens )or the dye pot9?
;iolet 'as interrupted by a *aid, and :lorence leaped up 'ith obvious relie). >pea(ing o)
)utures, I have a special treat )or us. &he )ortune"teller 7ada*e 7ysti3ue has been engaged to
give us each a reading. I+* sure one o) the things she 'ill be able to predict 'ill be our *arital
)ate. !o', 'ho 'ould li(e to go )irst@?
Averyone politely urged :lorence to be )irst, and 'hen she le)t, Clarissa led a deter*ined )oray
into tal( about )ashion. ;iolet 'ould still be a cat, but it 'as unli(ely to beco*e 3uite so
personal.
:lorence returned blushing, and ;iolet leaped up to go ne4t.
>-ell,? ally as(ed, >'hat did she say@ Are you allo'ed to tell@?
>It+s not li(e a 'ish, ally.? :lorence sat do'n a*ong the*. >he spo(e o) a *an o) honor and
good )a*ily. And she *entioned his high bro'.? he loo(ed around, blushing. >&hat does sound
rather li(e Cord Arthur Carlyon, doesn+t it@?
o, that 'as 'here :lorence+s interest lay. A pleasant *an 'ho 'as sho'ing signs o) losing his
hair. A high bro'. 7ada*e 7ysti3ue 'as clearly tact)ul, and clever as 'ell.
&hey had played at )ortune"telling at school, so she understood ho' it 'as done. I) possible, the
)ortuneteller learned about her clients be)orehand, and, o) course, certain things could please
al*ost everyone. Pro*ises o) happiness in love and o) good )ortune. :lattering co**ents about
strength and 'isdo*. In addition, and *ost i*portant, a )ortune"teller 'atched to see 'hat
rando* co**ents triggered a response.
6aving been engaged )or this event, 7ada*e 7ysti3ue 'ould have learned about :lorence, at
the very least. he *ight even have been given the guest list. Clarissa assu*ed she 'ould be told
about 6a'(. 6andso*e, honorable, and a 'ar hero, and perhaps so*ething cryptic about a bird.
;iolet returned not so pleased, having been told that the ideal husband )or her 'as not highborn,
but 'ealthy. >&he 'o*an is a charlatan5?
But 7iria* returned 'ith high hopes o) ir /alph -illoughby. >But Dueen Cleopatra said I *ust
be bolder 'ith hi*5?
>Dueen Cleopatra@? :lorence as(ed.
>Apparently so*eti*es Dueen Cleopatra spea(s through 7ada*e to give a special *essage. he
said that i) I 'ant ir /alph to sho' the depth o) his )eelings, I= *ust not be so nervous o)
being alone 'ith hi*.?
he loo(ed around )or advice.
Clarissa, thin(ing o) her ti*e at the )air 'ith 6a'(, (ne' that Dueen Cleopatra had the right
idea, but she 'ouldn+t say so 'ith ;iolet listening.
Althea said, >he is right, a)ter a )ashion, 7iria*. I have, a)ter all, been engaged to *arry. o*e
*en )ind it hard to sho' their )eeling 'hen constantly under the eye o) others. &his does not
*ean that you should go )ar apart 'ith hi*, or put yoursel) in danger.?
>,h,? said 7iria*, her thoughts obviously churning. 6er eyes )lic(ered around the group. >he
also said=?
>Ees@?
>&hat touch could encourage a gentle*an.?
ouc!5 Clarissa couldn+t i*agine 7iria* sliding her hand into ir /alph+s poc(et.
>he said that 'hen *ost touches are i*proper, they can have great po'er. &hat since ladies are
generally gloved, our na(ed hands have?9she loo(ed at her o'n pale hand9>sensual po'er.?
>!a(ed5? e4clai*ed :lorence, loo(ing at her o'n hand. >I suppose 'e are gloved 'hen out o)
the house. o 'e *a(e an e4cuse to ta(e o)) our gloves9?
>And then touch his s(in,? said 7iria*, 'ho loo(ed as i) she didn+t 3uite believe 'hat she 'as
saying.
Clarissa thought about the )air, about stic(y buns, and 6a'(+s hand on her 'rist. A na(ed
'rist=
>Cud5? said Cady ;iolet. >Eou+re all tal(ing li(e 6ay*ar(et 'hores. &he 'o*an is depraved.?
7iria* )lushed. >-e+re only tal(ing about touching hands, ;iolet5?
>,r )aces, I suppose,? said :lorence, eyes bright 'ith *ischie). >6ands and )aces are the only
na(ed spots available, aren+t they@ !o 'onder *en go around so 'rapped up. It+s probably li(e
ar*or.?
&hey )ell into a laughing vie' o) a 'orld 'here *en 'ere terri)ied o) attac(ing )e*ale hands,
but then it 'as Clarissa+s turn to visit 7ada*e 7ysti3ue.
Chapter Te(%e
he 'as s*iling as she )ollo'ed the *aid to the roo* set aside and hoping that she, too, 'ould
be advised by the naughty Dueen Cleopatra. &he dispensing o) such titillating advice doubtless
e4plained the 'o*an+s popularity.
&he *aid opened the door to reveal a curtain. Clarissa pushed it aside and entered the roo*.
.loo* halted her. I) this roo* had 'indo's, the curtains 'ere dra'n, )or there see*ed to be no
natural light.
&here 'as so*e light, ho'ever. 6anging oil la*ps 'ith dar(, 8e'el"colored glass turned the
roo* into a *ysterious cave o) s'aying shado's. &he oil *ust be per)u*ed, )or a s'eet, e4otic
tang 'a)ted through the air, *a(ing this place li(e an other'orld, nothing to do 'ith )ashionable
Brighton at all. Clarissa shivered, then re*inded hersel) that this 'as all theatrics.
7ada*e 7ysti3ue sat behind a table covered 'ith a pale, shi**ering cloth. he 'ore so*e (ind
o) dar( sil(en robe and a veil over the lo'er hal) o) her )ace. 6er hair 'as covered by a hel*et
o) silver coins that hung do'n to her shoulders in bac( and to her eyebro's in )ront. 6er large
eyes 'ere heavily outlined in blac(.
>it,? she said in a so)t )oreign voice, >and I 'ill reveal the secrets o) your heart.?
Clarissa (ne' that running a'ay no' 'ould *a(e her loo( the )ool, so despite a )lash o)
irrational panic, she too( the )e' steps and sat do'n across the table )ro* the 'o*an.
&here 'as nothing to )ear here, and yet 'ariness 'as tightening her shoulders and causing her
heart to pound. Perhaps it 'as si*ply the intent loo( in the 'o*an+s eyes, but, o) course, she
'ould only be studying her )or things to use in her >predictions.?
&here 'as no crystal ball. Instead, the table 'as scattered 'ith an assort*ent o) ite*s9'ell"
used cards 'ith strange designs, carved stic(s, dis(s 'ith *ar(ings, unpolished stones in *any
shapes and colors, and ornate ribbons, so*e o) the* (notted.
>urely I (no' the secrets o) *y o'n heart,? she said as lightly as she could. >I 'ould rather you
tell *e so*ething I do not (no'.?
>Indeed@ &hen consider the ite*s on the table,? the )ortune"teller said 'ith an elegant s'eep o) a
beringed hand, >and pic( the three that interest you *ost.?
Clarissa stared at the ob8ects, 'ondering 'hat each *eant. he didn+t believe in )ortune"telling,
but even so she 'as suddenly nervous o) letting this 'o*an probe. he pic(ed ordinary,
unrevealing things9one stic(, a plain length o) ribbon, and a clear chun( o) crystal.
7ada*e 7ysti3ue too( the*, holding the*. >Eou have secrets. 7any secrets. And they trouble
you greatly.?
Clarissa sti))ened 'ith annoyance. ,) course so*eone 'ho pic(ed the plainest ite*s 'as trying
to hide things. >Averyone has secrets.?
>!ot at all.? &he large eyes s*iled. >6ave you not noticed ho' *any people long to tell their
secrets i) they can only )ind an e4cuse@ Eou, ho'ever, have true secrets. Eou 'ould be a)raid to
'hisper the* into the ground )or )ear that the gro'ing grass 'ould spea( o) the*.?
Clarissa al*ost rose to leave, but she re*e*bered in ti*e that any sharp reaction 'ould tell
7ada*e 7ysti3ue that her guess 'as correct. he produced a shrug. >&hen I a* *anaging to
(eep the* secret )ro* *ysel) as 'ell.?
But 'hy 'as the 'o*an touching on such *atters@
-as it possible she truly did have po'ers@ &hat could be disastrous5
Cradling the ite*s, the 'o*an as(ed, >-hat did you co*e here to learn@?
>I didn+t. Eou are si*ply a party )avor.? he intended it to be a slight.
&he 'o*an 'as as i*passive as the phin4, ho'ever, and Clarissa reali<ed that her eye
decoration 'as in the Agyptian style. >But you ca*e. -hat brought you here@ -hat do you 'ish
to learn@?
A)ter a *o*ent, Clarissa said the obvious. >o*ething about *y )uture husband.? &hat should
not lead to dangerous *atters.
>;ery 'ell.? &he )ortune"teller let the ob8ects )all on the table and pic(ed up the three cards they
landed on. he laid the* in )ront o) Clarissa, each 'ith a sharp snap. >6e 'ill be handso*e. 6e
'ill be brave=?
Snap. >6e 'ill be poorer than you.?
Clarissa stared, her heart thundering no'. :e' young ladies *arried poorer *en. But then she
al*ost sagged 'ith relie). 7ada*e 7ysti3ue had done her preparatory 'or( and (ne' Clarissa
'as the Bevil+s 6eiress.
>6o' tedious,? she dra'led. >Can you tell *e nothing *ore@?
>-hat do you truly 'ish to (no'@?
%ill Haw. offer marriage; S!ould / accept; %ill !e stir t!e issue of 3everil0s deat! to our
destruction; %!om can / trust;
Gnable to as( the 3uestions that *attered, Clarissa stared at 7ada*e 7ysti3ue.
&he 'o*an e4clai*ed 'ith e4asperation. >Ah5 Eou are so guarded. Inotted. Eou 'ill strangle
yoursel)5?
he sei<ed Clarissa+s right hand to peer at the lines. Clarissa thought o) )ighting )ree, but part o)
her had to (no' 'hat the 'o*an 'ould say ne4t.
>Ah,? said 7ada*e 7ysti3ue again, but so)tly this ti*e. >!o' I see. I see blood. I see a (ni)e.?
Clarissa began to drag her hand a'ay, but then she re*e*bered. &he 'o*an 'as )ishing )or a
reaction. &hat 'as ho' )ortunetellers 'or(ed. &hat and prior (no'ledge.
But a chill s'ept over her, as i) the cold 'ind outside 'as 'histling through the curtains. -hat
strange 'aters to )ish in.
he cal*ly pulled her hand )ree. ,n the slight chance that 7ada*e 7ysti3ue *ight have the true
sight, she *ust get a'ay )ro* her.
>Eou have nothing to )ear )ro* *e,? said the 'o*an, >but you are right to be a)raid. Eour
secrets are dangerous.? In a very so)t voice she added, >A *urder, yes@?
Clarissa 'as nailed in place, not (no'ing 'hether to stay or )lee.
>A *urder lin(ed to *oney. 7uch *oney. But it is poisoned, *y dear. It co*es )ro* evil and
'ill al'ays carry evil. Eou *ust escape its toils.?
>I don+t (no' 'hat you+re tal(ing about.? Clarissa instantly (ne' she shouldn+t have spo(en,
because all the 'illpo'er in the 'orld couldn+t *a(e her voice sound convincing. But her
silence *ust have been elo3uent, too.
'eat 'as sending chills do'n her spine, and she didn+t (no' 'hat to do. It 'as as i) the 'o*an
'ere )orcing open a door into the past, into secrets and places that *ust stay in the dar( )orever.
>Cisten to *e.? &he )ortune"teller leaned )or'ard, capturing Clarissa 'ith her large, dar( eyes.
>&he *oney 'ill bring you nothing but pain. Eou *ust tell the truth about it or it 'ill cause you
agony and death. .uard yoursel), guard yoursel)5 &here are rogues around you 'ho 'ill cause
your ruin.?
$ogues@ Clarissa )elt her heart rise up to cho(e her.
&he Co*pany o) /ogues@
But then she shivered 'ith relie). >/ogues? 'as 8ust a 'ord. A 'ord )or scoundrels. ,) course a
person should avoid scoundrels. &his 'o*an couldn+t possibly (no' about the Co*pany o)
/ogues.
And all she had said could co*e )ro* co**on (no'ledge. he 'as the Bevil+s 6eiress. Cord
Beveril had been stabbed to death, and she+d ended up 'ith his undoubtedly dirty *oney. he
couldn+t i*agine 'hy 7ada*e 7ysti3ue 'as *a(ing such high dra*a out o) it e4cept )or e))ect.
Perhaps having at least one guest totter out o) the roo* 'hite and sha(ing 'as good )or business.
>I inherited a great deal o) *oney )ro* a *an 'ho 'as *urdered,? she said )latly. >&he 'hole
'orld (no's that. I thought you 'ere going to tell *e so*ething ne'.?
&he )lash o) annoyance in the 'o*an+s eyes 'as satis)ying, but Clarissa 'anted to leave. -ould
it hint at guilt@
>Eou re)use to recogni<e your danger,? the 'o*an said. >I 'ill as( Dueen Cleopatra to advise
you.?
Ah, the sensual advice. &hat she could deal 'ith. But then the clear chi*e o) a bell al*ost
shoc(ed her out o) her chair.
>I a* Cleopatra, Dueen o) the !ile,? said 7ada*e 7ysti3ue in a high"pitched, ethereal voice.
>7y hand*aiden spea(s )or *e.?
Bespite hersel), Clarissa couldn+t help a shiver.
>Be'are,? the voice sang out. >Be'are all rogues5?
/t0s 5ust a word.
>Be'are a *an 'ith the initials *.3.?
Clarissa stopped breathing.
!icholas Belaney@
Could 7ada*e 7ysti3ue have )ound out the na*e o) the leader o) the /ogues@ I*possible5
Could she have the true gi)t@
I) so, ho' *uch had the 'o*an had seen in her hand@ 6ad she seen 'hose blood, 'hose (ni)e@
And 'hat 'as this danger that surrounded her, connected to the *oney@
>!.B. does not 'ant you to tell the truth,? the eerie voice continued, >but you *ust. ,nly then
'ill you be )ree. 6eed *y 'ords. 6eed the*, or you 'ill die 'ithin the year.?
3ie@ Clarissa )elt as i) she 'ere )ighting )or breath. &ell the truth@ he couldn+t5 he couldn+t
possibly.
&he dar("lined eyes opened. >Dueen Cleopatra does not spea( to everyone,? 7ada*e 7ysti3ue
said in her ordinary voice. >I hope 'hat she said 'as use)ul.?
>Eou don+t (no'@?
>I a* *erely the vessel )or her 'ords.? &he dar( eyes studied her. >Eou are upset. I a* sorry.
he usually brings good advice.?
Clarissa so*eho' dragged hersel) out o) her trance. &he 'o*an *ust never (no' ho' close her
'ords had co*e to dangerous *atters. >Averything I+ve heard here 'as nonsense,? she said. >In
)act, you didn+t really predict *y )uture at all.?
7ada*e 7ysti3ue did not see* upset. he pic(ed up the plain crystal and placed it in Clarissa+s
hand, closing her )ingers over it. >Eou do not believe, but (eep this stone. It 'ill help you 'hen
your troubles begin.?
Clarissa could only thin( ho' 6a'(+s touch had *ade her shiver, and this one *ade her shudder.
he 'anted to leave the 'o*an convinced that her predictions and 'arnings had been
*eaningless, but hunt as she *ight she could not )ind the right 'ords. In the end she si*ply
turned and 'al(ed out o) the roo*.
he too( a *o*ent to steady hersel), slapping her chee(s a little since she 'as sure she 'as pale.
&hen she returned to the dra'ing roo*, trying )or a light s*ile.
o*eone else le)t to see 7ada*e 7ysti3ue, and the others began 3uestioning Clarissa.
>-hat did she say@?
>-ho* are you to *arry@?
>-as it )rightening@? Althea as(ed. >Eou loo( a little pale.?
Clarissa )ound a shrug. >&erri)ying5 he said I 'ould *arry a *an poorer than *ysel).?
>But a truth,? said ;iolet.
>Ees, o) course. Clearly she has the gi)t. Althea, do you have one o) your headaches@?
Althea, bless her, too( her cue. >I+* a)raid so, Clarissa. I don+t 'ish to spoil your en8oy*ent=?
>!ot at all. It is late.? he than(ed :lorence )or the party, and soon they 'ere out in the )resh air
'ith their )oot*an )or escort on the short 'al( ho*e.
>Eou see* upset,? Althea said as they 'al(ed.
>!ot really, but it 'as a silly event.?
Althea glanced at her. >Because they 'ere discussing 7a8or 6a'(inville@?
&hat 'as a *uch sa)er speculation than any other, so Clarissa s*iled and ad*itted it.
In bed, ho'ever, an4iety de)eated sleep.
7ada*e 7ysti3ue had clearly seen *ore than could be guessed or discovered. -hat i) she
tal(ed@ he *ight even go to the *agistrates to tell the* about a young 'o*an involved 'ith
blood and *urder. -hen people reali<ed the young 'o*an 'as the *urdered Cord Beveril+s
betrothed and heir, *ight that not start speculation@
&he /ogues had clearly covered up the events o) that night very s(ill)ully, but 'as it s(ill)ul
enough to resist an intense investigation@
he tried to tell hersel) that 7ada*e 7ysti3ue 'ould see no pro)it in going to the authorities.
7agistrates tended to loo( sourly on such )airground tric(s, and the 'o*an had no proo).
Clarissa couldn+t be sure, though. he couldn+t be sure5
And the 'o*an had predicted her deat! i) she didn+t so*eho' get rid o) the *oney.
!o, i) she didn+t tell the truth about the *oney.
-hat truth@ &he 'ill, at least, 'as honest.
>&ruth? *ust re)er to the )act that a person involved in a death could not bene)it )ro* it. &hat had
been e4plained to her. 7r. Belaney had not been crude about it, but she+d understood. I) she let
slip the truth about Cord Beveril+s death, *any people 'ould su))er, including her. he 'as
asha*ed to thin( that at the ti*e she+d appeared to be the sort o) ninny 'ho 'ould gabble, but
she hadn+t been at her best.
And perhaps she 'as that sort o) ninny. he (ne' she+d said a )e' things to 6a'( that she
shouldn+t have.
he couldn+t tell the truth, though. &hat 'as co*pletely i*possible.
-hat should she do@
he che'ed on her (nuc(le. &he /ogues should be 'arned about this danger. he didn+t 'ant to
contact 7r. Belaney. he 'ould have to con)ess to being less than reliable, but on top o) that,
they all *ade her uneasy. &hey see*ed to be good *en, honorable *en. A4cept perhaps the
brutish 7ar3uess o) Arden. But they 'ere also ruthless. ,nly thin( ho' coolly they+d reacted to
bloody *urder5. 7r. Belaney had see*ed al*ost a*used. Perhaps, behind their super)icial gloss,
they 'ere too li(e Arden, given to violence 'hen crossed.
But she had to tell the*. &hey had ris(ed *uch )or her, so she *ust guard the*. he slipped out
o) bed and lit a candle )ro* her nightlight. -hen Althea did not stir, she 'rote a very care)ully
phrased 'arning to !icholas Belaney. he )olded it, sealed it, and returned to bed to plot ho' to
get it into the post 'ithout anyone (no'ing. he *ight be going to e4tre*es, but 7iss 6urst*an
'as bound to 3uestion her about the connection, and she didn+t 'ant to tangle in any *ore
deceit.
7ada*e 7ysti3ue collected the ite*s )ro* the table and le)t her assistant, a*uel, to clear a'ay
the la*ps and curtains. he le)t the roo*, hearing the last o) the guests ta(ing an e4cited
)are'ell, and dispatched a *aid to tell Cady Babbington that she 'as ready to leave.
&he plu*p and a*iable lady bustled into vie', bea*ing. >&han( you so *uch, 7ada*e
7ysti3ue5 &he girls are thrilled 'ith your prognostications.?
&herese s*iled. Eoung 'o*en 'ere al'ays e4cited by 'ays to entice and entrance *en.
Cady Babbington e4tended the guineas, then tittered. >&hey tal( o) crossing a gypsy+s pal* 'ith
gold, don+t they@?
,lder 'o*en, too.
>But I a* not a gypsy, *ada*e. 7y art is an older one than theirs.? he held out her hand, and
'hen the )lustered 'o*an put the *oney into it, she added, >But so*eti*es visions co*e to *e.
Eou are a very )ortunate 'o*an, *ada*e, blessed by the )ates 'ith a healthy )a*ily and a
loving husband.?
>,h, yes. Ees indeed5?
>But the )ires perhaps only s*older@? he reached into her bag o) ite*s and pulled out a ribbon
at rando*. A blue one. >Blue,? she said, >is your color o) po'er. &a(e this ribbon, Cady
Babbington, and 'ear it on your person at all ti*es. It re*inds you o) your younger days, yes@
-hen you and your husband )irst )ell in love@?
Cady Babbington loo(ed a little blan(, but then said, >I+* sure I had ribbons o) all (inds then.?
>Eou 'ill recall. Eou 'ill recall *uch about those ti*es. &hen you 'ill loo( at your husband and
see that *an 'ho thrilled you so, and it 'ill be so again.?
&he 'o*an 'as pin( but )ascinated. he even loo(ed younger.
7ada*e 7ysti3ue patted her on the hand. >Eou and your husband are really no di))erent, are
you, no'@ .ood night, *y lady, and than( you )or engaging *e.?
>,h. .ood night, I+* sure.?
7ada*e 7ysti3ue *ade her 'ay out o) the bac( o) the house. ,r rather, &herese Bellaire did,
not totally disappointed by her night+s 'or(. A nu*ber o) 'o*en *ight lead *ore interesting
lives because o) it9and she had *et Beveril+s heiress.
!ot 'hat she had e4pected. 7ore brain and steel. But she+d con)ir*ed by her reactions that the
/ogues 'ere involved.
&hat !icholas 'as involved.
he 'aited in the base*ent )or a*uel, telling )ortunes )or )ree )or the servants, pro*ising the*
'ind)alls, handso*e ad*irers, and appreciation )or their talent.
:or so *any people, that 'as all they 'anted, to be appreciated, though o)ten )or talents they did
not possess. &he coo( 'as not the )inest, but a si*ple co*pli*ent about her ca(e and she
preened. -hen she 'as told she 'as appreciated, she doubtless sa' hersel) the tal( o) Brighton
)or her culinary s(ills.
&he lan(y )oot*an in the overlarge livery, Ada*+s apple bobbing, probably sa' hi*sel) as the
ob8ect o) every house*aid+s lust. &he shy, dough")aced *aid envisioned being snatched up by a
solid trades*an because o) her unpretentious goodness.
&his )ortune"telling 'as such an easy business that she could no doubt *a(e her living at it
)orever. But she 'ould have her )ortune.
I) Beveril had not already been dead, she 'ould have (illed hi* )or stealing it )ro* her t'o
years ago. !o' her sole purpose 'as to get it bac(. It 'as hers, earned in the s'eetest ploy ever
i*agined, and Beveril 'ould not have been able to steal it i) not )or !icholas Belaney and his
Co*pany o) /ogues.
a*uel arrived, the curtains in a bundle and the e*pty la*ps dangling )ro* his big right hand.
A strapping lad )or seventeen, and o) course he 'as devoted to her.
he adored hi*, as she adored all handso*e young *en=
As a tiger adores goats.
he rose and too( her leave o) the da<<led servants, 'ho 'ould spread the 'ord. !o, 7ada*e
7ysti3ue 'ould never lac( 'or( here in Brighton. But her *ain concern 'as her plan.
-ould the heiress heed her 'arning@ -ould she con)ide in so*eone that the /ogues had (illed
Beveril and )orged that 'ill@ Alas, it 'as unli(ely, and she hadn+t spilled any in)or*ation.
&oo *uch brain and spine.
As she 'al(ed to her hip treet establish*ent, she *ourned her pretty, elegant plan. Prove the
'ill )alse9 and entangle the /ogues in a *urder charge at the sa*e ti*e9and the ne' Cord
Beveril 'ould have the *oney.
7rs. /o'land+s invalid husband 'ould die, and a)ter a short interval, the 'ido' 'ould beco*e
Cady Beveril. A little 'hile longer and she 'ould be a 'ido' again, possessed o) all that *oney.
&he son could have the paltry estate.
o delight)ully devious. -hatever suspicions people *ight have, she 'ould leave )or the
A*ericas legally possessed o) the 'ealth. But she had )ailed to )ind evidence. 6er only hope
no' 'as the 6a'(.
I) he did the 8ob )or her, the plan could still 'or(. he had 3uire 6a'(inville in the pal* o) her
hand. It had added spice to this rather tedious 'or( to dance beneath the 6a'(+s nose and be
overloo(ed. Perhaps it 'ould be even *ore delicious i) he s3uee<ed the heiress dry )or her.
he cli*bed the steps to her house and unloc(ed the door, sending a*uel o)) to put the things
a'ay, but 'ith a loo( he recogni<ed, that *ade hi* blush.
Ah, seventeen.
he 'ent to her roo* and stripped o)) 7ada*e 7ysti3ue, slipping into a sil( robe that had been
appreciated by !apoleon hi*sel). &o*orro', alas, she 'ould have to return to 6a'( in the ;ale
)or a 'hile, to be that dreary 7rs. /o'land. 6er e4cuse )or absence 'as that she 'as pursuing
an elusive inheritance. But it 'ould not do to be a'ay too long.
All the *ore reason to en8oy tonight.
he rang her bell and su**oned her dinner9and her goat.
6a'( slept that night. I) he+d not learned to sleep through e4ternal and internal tur*oil, he
'ouldn+t have survived a *onth in his ar*y 'or(. 6e+d )or*ed his plan any'ay. 6e+d )ound the
'ay out, but it 'ould be stronger i) he could s3uee<e a bit *ore in)or*ation out o) Clarissa.
It 'as a 'ay out that 'ould *ean that she 'ould never spea( to hi* again. 6e pre)erred to thin(
o) it as )reeing her )ro* hi*.
,ver brea()ast he )elt ;an observing hi*, but the tal( 'as all gossip and chatter. 7aria had
received a letter 'ith a ne' vie' on Caroline Ca*b+s novel, #lenarvon. It (ept her interested, as
she+d 'itnessed several o) the scandalous incidents bet'een the lady and Byron.
Con, usan, and de ;ere 'ere to leave today, clai*ing that a little Brighton 'as enough )or the*.
Averyone rose to see the* on their 'ay.
&hen 7aria said, >&he sun+s shining5 -e *ust go out i**ediately be)ore it rains again.?
;an laughed. >It+s not 3uite that dire, *y dear.?
>Is it not@?
>I+ll send a note to see i) 7iss .reystone and 7iss &rist 'ish to 8oin us.?
6a'( *et ;an+s loo( blandly and received a distinctly 'arning loo( in return.
>Bon+t 'orry,? he said as they le)t the roo*. >I have absolutely no intention o) seducing 7iss
.reystone today.?
It 'as, alas, da*nably true.
Chapter Th$rteen
By the ti*e brea()ast 'as over, Clarissa had co*e up 'ith and discarded any nu*ber o) cunning
plans )or posting her letter. In the end, she chose the si*plest. -hile 7iss 6urst*an 'as reading
the ne'spaper, and Althea 'as 'riting her daily letter ho*e, she slipped out o) the house and
hurried through the )e' streets to the post o))ice.
I) 7r. Cra')ord thought it strange to see a young lady alone, he *ade no co**ent.
Clarissa gave hi* the letter. >Can you tell *e ho' soon it 'ill be there, please@?
6e studied the address. >!ear Eeovil@ &o*orro', dear lady. I 'ill *a(e sure it leaves on the
earliest and best *ail.?
6is benign s*ile said he thought it 'as a love *issive. But then he loo(ed at the letter again.
>7r. Belaney o) /ed ,a(s@ -hy, I a* al*ost certain that your co*panion, 7iss 6urst*an, sent
a letter to e4actly that address not *any days ago.?
It hadn+t occurred to her that a *an li(e 7r. Cra')ord 'ould (eep trac( o) letters passing
through his hands. Cord help her, had she 8ust done so*ething else stupid@
But then the )ull *eaning struc( her.
7iss 6urst*an5
7iss 6urst*an in league 'ith the /ogues@
he hadn+t ti*e to analy<e it no', 'ith 7r. Cra')ord s*iling at her. he too( the letter out o) his
)ingers. >I) 7iss 6urst*an has already 'ritten to 7r. Belaney, then this is old ne's, I+* a)raid.?
he pasted on a care)ree s*ile. >&han( you, 7r. Cra')ord.?
he hurried a'ay, going t'o streets be)ore she let hersel) pause to thin(. It 'as absurd, but she
)elt as i) so*eone 'as 'atching her, loo(ing )or signs o) guilt.
It 'as still early, so only the *ost hardy 'ere out )or bris( 'al(s, but she couldn+t stand here li(e
a statue. And i) she didn+t get ho*e, she 'ould be *issed. he )elt li(e tearing up the letter and
thro'ing the scraps into the sea, but she i**ediately thought o) so*eone chasing a)ter the* and
piecing the* together.
/idiculous. he 'as going *ad.
At the very least, she 'as thoroughly rattled and needed so*eone to tal( to. o*eone to trust.
:irst 7ada*e 7ysti3ue, no' 7iss 6urst*an.
he pushed the letter to the botto* o) her poc(et and hurried bac( to Broad treet, trying to
*a(e sense o) things.
Cra')ord could be 'rong, but that 'as outlandish.
o, 7iss 6urst*an (ne' 7r. Belaney.
&here 'as no getting around it. It 'as li(ely that 7r. Belaney had arranged )or 7iss 6urst*an to
be Clarissa+s chaperone here in Brighton. And she could see 'hy. It *ust have 'orried hi* that
she 'as *oving out into the 'orld, so he had installed 'hat a*ounted to a 'arder. 7iss
6urst*an hadn+t been a very good one or she+d have stuc( 'ith Clarissa at all ti*es, but perhaps
the lady didn+t understand all that 'as at sta(e.
&he huge 3uestion 'as, -hat 'as 7iss 6urst*an supposed to do i) Clarissa posed a threat@
-hat could the /ogues do9e4cept (ill her@
he couldn+t believe it, but she )orced hersel) to be logical about it. &hey 'ould have no other
'ay o) (eeping the*selves and their loved ones sa)e. It 'asn+t 8ust the /ogues and hersel). Beth
Arden 'as at ris(. Blanche 6ardcastle 'as at greatest ris( o) all.
7ada*e 7ysti3ue had 'arned o) death=
he ca*e to a sudden stop, then stepped hastily into 7anchester treet. A)ter a *o*ent, she
care)ully peered around the corner. ,n the opposite side o) the 7arine Parade, the distinctively
straight and drab )igure o) 7iss 6urst*an 'as tal(ing to a blond *an.
&o !icholas Belaney5
6e 'as already here, because 7iss 6urst*an had su**oned hi*. And it *ust have been at least
t'o days ago, perhaps because 6a'( 'as courting her. &he 6a'(. 7iss 6urst*an had been
alar*ed to hear that he 'as a s(illed investigator.
Clarissa headed up 7anchester treet to co*e do'n Broad treet )ro* the other end.
7r. Belaney 'as here, so she could go to hi* and tell hi* about 7ada*e 7ysti3ue. I) she
trusted hi*. he could also assure hi* that she 'as no danger to hi*. -ould he believe her@
6e+d been (ind to her once. 6e+d been the only one to reali<e that night that she had been
ignored. Beth 'as being co*)orted by the *ar3uess, Blanche by 7a8or Beau*ont, but she had
been le)t shivering alone. 6e+d ta(en her in his ar*s and so*eho' given her the )eeling that it
'asn+t so bad and that everything 'ould be all right.
But still, 'hat 'as she to e4pect o) a *an 'ho entered a bloody scene o) *urder and co*plained
that he+d >*issed the action?@
he paused outside the door to her house, vaguely understanding people 'ho thre' the*selves
into the ocean to escape a dile**a. he 'ould not be so 'ea(, though. he had to do the right
thing9the right thing )or Beth and Blanche, and also )or hersel). he did not 'ant to die over
this.
he slipped in but did not *a(e it upstairs undetected. Althea ca*e out o) the )ront parlor. >6ave
you been out@ I thought it *ust be 7iss 6urst*an. he received a note and 'ent out. &here+s a
*essage here )ro* Cady ;andei*en.?
At least Althea didn+t as( 'here Clarissa had been. Clarissa too( the note and opened it. >-e+re
invited to 'al( 'ith the* again.?
>And 7a8or 6a'(inville@? teased Althea.
Averything stopped )or Clarissa, then *oved again in ne' patterns. >And 7a8or 6a'(inville. I
'ill send an acceptance and then change into a prettier dress.?
As she 'ent to the des( she as(ed, >-here did 7iss 6urst*an go@?
>he didn+t say. -here did you go@?
>I 'anted a bit o) )resh air be)ore the cro'ds.?
Clarissa dashed o)) the note and su**oned the )oot*an to ta(e it. &hen she called )or Alsie and
'ent to change. he chose the rust"and"crea* dress she+d 'orn on the )irst day, and too( her
parasol as 'ell. It had so little chance to be use)ul.
6a'(. &he one person she could trust 'as 6a'(. -ell, she trusted Althea, but Althea 'as o) no
use in this predica*ent. In )act, she 'as another burden )or Clarissa. Althea *ust not beco*e
e*broiled in this.
-ith 6a'(, Clarissa (ne' e4actly 'here she 'as. 6e 'as a )ortune hunter. ,ther than that, he
'as as honorable as could be. And he 'as the 6a'(. 6e 'ould protect her.
Aspecially, she thought suddenly, i) they 'ere *arried. ,nce they 'ere *arried his interests
'ould entirely *atch hers. he 'ould have to tell hi* the truth, o) course9but not until they
'ere *arried. :or Beth, and Blanche, and the /ogues, she could not tell hi* the truth be)ore.
he grieved )or that, )or she 'ould li(e to *arry hi* 'ith )ull honesty bet'een the*, but it 'as
the only 'ay. And she couldn+t believe that it 'ould be a terrible blo' to hi*. A)ter all, he+d said
he 'ished he could (ill Beveril )or her. !o one could loo( on Beveril+s death as a 'rong)ul act.
A4cept perhaps a court o) la'.
o. Anough o) play)ul ga*es. he *ust bring 6a'( to the point o) o))ering )or her hand, 'hich
surely could not be so very hard. &hen she 'ould have to insist on a rapid *arriage. &he thought
o) *arrying 6a'(, o) capturing hi* )or her o'n, 'as enough to put a golden glo' around all the
dar(ness. I) she could persuade everyone, it could happen 'ithin the 'ee(5
7iss 6urst*an returned and *ade no ob8ection to the outing, though she declined to go hersel).
>7indless gallivanting,? she said, but she loo(ed a little gri*.
>-as there so*ething in your *essage to distress you, 7iss 6urst*an@? Clarissa as(ed.
>!o.? But that 'as all she said, and since the ;andei*ens and 6a'( arrived at that point,
Clarissa could not probe. he doubted it 'ould do any good any'ay, though she+d love to (no'
e4actly 'hat 7iss 6urst*an and Iing /ogue9as !icholas Belaney 'as called9 had discussed.
oon Clarissa 'as alone 'ith the *an she needed to *arry, but )ound hersel) alar*ingly tongue"
tied. 6a'( could )luster her 'ith a loo(, but she 'as generally able to (eep her 'its. !o',
(no'ing she 'as hunting hi*, she couldn+t thin( 'hat to say.
he )ound a sa)e sub8ect. >6o' is the cat, 7a8or 6a'(inville@?
6e o))ered his ar* as they 'ent do'n the shallo' steps. >&hriving on a diet o) liver and crea*.
It caught three *ice last night, and has beco*e the coo(+s pet.?
>&hen 'hy didn+t it please the ratters@? &hey turned to stroll do'n to'ard the sea)ront.
>Pure pride. -ould you have 'or(ed )or the*@?
he returned his s*ile. >,h, I approve5?
>I have called it Jetta )ro* its color, and because it 'as thro'n.?
>Jettisoned. I hope it has a better )uture.?
>Bo you 'ant the cat@?
>I@ I have no place to (eep a cat 8ust no'.?
>Eou have *ore o) a place than I do.?
Clarissa reali<ed that they+d slipped into their usual easy e4change, 'hich 'as not li(ely to ta(e
the* to *arriage. A conversation about ho*es *ight, ho'ever.
>But you have a ho*e in 6a'( in the ;ale, do you not@? she as(ed.
>&hat is *y )ather+s.?
A strange thing to say. >A )ather+s ho*e is generally thought o) as his son+s ho*e. Aspecially his
heir+s.?
>Perhaps *y years a'ay have *ade it less ho*eli(e to *e.?
>&hen 'here 'ill you live, 'hen you settle do'n@? &here. &hat 'as a hint.
6e didn+t see* to notice it. >I have to live there )or a 'hile. 7y )ather is not 'ell and needs help
in *anaging his a))airs. Jetta can return 'ith *e to 6a'(inville 'hen I go.?
&hey crossed the road to the sea)ront, 'here the bathing *achines 'ere still doing poor business.
Clarissa, ho'ever, 'as )i4ed on other *atters. >Bo you plan to return soon@?
I) her concern sho'ed, all the better.
6e glanced at her. >I cannot stay a'ay )or long periods. -hat o) your ho*e, :alcon@ -hen the
season ends here, 'ill you go to live 'ith your guardian@?
-hen the season ended9she hoped to be *arried to hi*. >I don+t thin( so. I don+t (no' 'hat
I+ll do.?
6o' e4actly did a 'o*an edge a *an into proposing@
>-ill 7iss 6urst*an stay 'ith you@?
*ot if / !ave anyt!ing to do wit! it. >I don+t (no' that, either. I haven+t been loo(ing very )ar
ahead. A)ter all,? she said 'ith a t'irl o) her parasol, >so*ething *ight occur=? 2i.e marriage,
she thought at hi*.
As usual, Althea 'as being s'ar*ed by suitors, and the ;andei*ens had stayed 'ith her.
Clarissa 'ondered i) she should go bac(, but she couldn+t do *uch to help decide 'hich
gentle*an should have the honor.
>Perhaps you 'ill stay 'ith Cady Arden,? 6a'( said.
Clarissa stared at hi*. urely she+d never spo(en o) Beth to hi*.
>-hy do you suggest that@?
But o) course. 6e 'as the 6a'(. And that 'as part o) the reason she *ust *arry hi*. I) only
he+d get around to as(ing her5 6e 'as doubtless acting the proper )ortune hunter, but here she
'as, li(e a deer in his sights 'ith a label on saying, hoot *e, and nothing 'as happening5
>he 'as a teacher at 7iss 7allory+s,? he said. >It 'as a si*ple assu*ption that she as(ed her
)ather"in"la' to oversee your a))airs.?
>I suppose I could stay 'ith her )or a little 'hile,? she said. >By then her baby should be born
and past its )irst 'ee(s.?
>But you do not 'ant to@ he is still the harsh school*istress@?
Clarissa laughed at that. >he never 'as.?
>But= @?
he loo(ed at hi*. >Eou+re very persistent, 6a'(. -hat is this to you@?
6e s*iled. >It pleases *e to see you challenging.?
>Boes it please you to ans'er@? o*ething about his *anner unsettled her.
>But o) course. I 'ould not 'ant you *oving to, )or e4a*ple, County Burha*.?
6is *anner 'as )lirtatious, 'hich 'as pro*ising at least.
Clarissa turned a'ay, as i) )ascinated by the sea. >I have no relatives in County Burha*, as best I
(no'.?
>It+s surprising 'hat you can )ind on the )a*ily tree,? he said in a tone that *ade her 'onder
'hat it *eant. Be)ore she could as(, he added, >But you ease *y heart.?
Aha5 he turned bac(. >Heart, 6a'(@?
But the *o*ent 'as shattered by a sharp yapping and a tug at her s(irt. A ball o) 'hite )ur had
its teeth in her dangling )ringe.
>Stop5? he tried to drag her s(irt )ree, and 6a'( s'ooped to capture the dog. But 'hen he
pic(ed it up, the s(irt ca*e 'ith it.
>Haw.5? Clarissa shrie(ed, trying to hold her he* do'n.
6e laughed and 'ent to his (nees, grabbing the gro'ling dog+s 8a's to )orce the* open. Clarissa
'as laughing at the absurd scene, but burningly a'are o) being the )ocus o) all eyes and still
sho'ing too *uch leg.
>Button, no5? a 'o*an cried, running over and leaning to slap the dog+s *u<<le. >Cet go5 Cet
go5?
And the dog obeyed, 'riggling )rantically in 6a'(+s hands to'ard its *istress.
It 'as Blanche 6ardcastle, dressed as al'ays in 'hite, but stunningly )lushed pin( 'ith
annoyance and e4ertion.
he held the s*all dog close, and she and Clarissa stared at each other. 7a8or Beau*ont and
another couple 'ere nearby, but everything 'as, )or a *o*ent, )ro<en and silent.
:or a panic(ed *o*ent Clarissa )elt that 6a'( 'ould i**ediately (no' all the truth about
Beveril+s death. But then sanity returned, and her only concern 'as scandal. Blanche 'as an
actress, and though she 'as highly regarded in her pro)ession, the 'orld (ne' that her past 'as
not unble*ished. he+d been Cord Arden+s ac(no'ledged *istress, )or a start.
6o'ever, it revolted Clarissa to thin( o) snubbing the 'o*an 'ho had been so (ind9*ore than
(ind. >Blanche,? she said 'ith a s*ile. >Is that *onster yours@?
Blanche loo(ed a little 'orried too, but she s*iled bac(. >Alas, I )ound hi* abandoned, and he is
'hite, but I cannot teach hi* *anners.?
>&hat+s because you+re not )ir* enough 'ith hi*,? said 7a8or Beau*ont.
Blanche retorted, >Eou+d doubtless li(e to thrash the poor *ite.?
But the s*ile they shared too( any sting out o) it. Clarissa 'as genuinely delighted to see the t'o
o) the* so rela4ed and happy. he certainly couldn+t let anything destroy that.
7a8or Beau*ont turned to her. >7iss .reystone, you have to ta(e so*e bla*e. &hat )ringe o)
yours is designed to provo(e *adness in *ales.?
It *ade her laugh, even though she 'as )rantically thin(ing, He was involved too) %ould t!ere
be anyt!ing in t!at for Haw. to weave t!e trut! from@
>I con)ess it,? she said as lightly as she could. >Bo you (no' 7a8or 6a'(inville@? he
per)or*ed the introductions, noting that the other couple had 'andered o)). Probably other actors
being discreet.
6a'( and 7a8or Beau*ont e4changed so*e co**ents about the *ilitary, 'hich see*ed to
establish each other in a )e' 'ords. &here 'as ti*e )or Blanche to say, >Eou+re loo(ing
splendid, Clarissa, and your F6a'(+ is very handso*e.?
Clarissa blushed to thin( that she+d shrie(ed that in )ront o) hal) the 'orld, but she agreed. And
here 'as so*eone she could go to )or advice. Blanche (ne' all the secrets, and she had 'orldly
'isdo* )or ten.
>Could I co*e to see you@? Clarissa as(ed.
Blanche+s eyebro's rose, but she said, >I) it 'on+t get you into trouble. I+* in Prospect /o'.
!u*ber t'o. I+* per)or*ing here at the !e' &heater.? -ith a 'atch)ul loo(, she added, >In
4acbet!.?
Clarissa (ne' she gaped )or a *o*ent, but covered it. he s*iled at so*ething 7a8or Beau*ont
said, but inside she 'as 'ondering 'hether she could even depend on Blanche.
7adness to play Cady 7acbeth5
he 'as sin(ing into the past, to Blanche saying, >I have al'ays 'anted to do 4acbet!.? Aven
Cord Arden had been shoc(ed by that a)ter hearing her 3uote )ro* the play earlier. %!o would
!ave t!oug!t t!e old man to !ave !ad so muc! blood in !im@
8 s3uee<e on the hand pulled her bac(. It 'as Blanche. >I hope *y little pet didn+t )righten you,
Clarissa.?
he laughed. >!o, o) course not5? And she told the story o) the ratters the day be)ore.
>o that 'as you,? said 7a8or Beau*ont. >&here+s an account in today+s Herald, but the na*es
o) the lady and gentle*an are not given.?
>!ot (no'n, 'e hope,? said 6a'(, and a)ter a little *ore chat, Blanche and her *a8or 'al(ed
on.
>7ay I be curious@? 6a'( as(ed. >A )a*ous Condon actress is an unusual )riend )or a
Cheltenha* schoolgirl.?
Clarissa had e4pected it, and had prepared a response. >It is a strange connection, and slightly
scandalous. Can I trust you 'ith it@?
&o her concern, he see*ed to thin( about it, but then said, >,) course. I+* no gossip.?
&hey strolled bac( to'ard the ;andei*ens and the 'ell"attended Althea. >Blanche 'as the
*istress o) the 7ar3uess o) Arden until 8ust be)ore his *arriage. Eou *ight thin( that this 'ould
create a ri)t bet'een her and the *ar3uess+s 'i)e9?
>I+d thin( it 'ould *a(e any *eeting i*possible.?
>Ah, but you don+t (no' Cady Arden.?
>And ho' do you (no' o) these things@?
6o' did she e4plain that@ he hadn+t thought this through.
>It slipped out.? It 'asn+t entirely a lie. he loo(ed at hi*. >I+* not an innocent, 6a'(, and I
'on+t pretend to be 'ith you.?
6is lips t'itched. >I hope not. o, ho' did these t'o unli(ely ladies *eet@?
>Beth heard about Blanche and contrived a *eeting.?
>trange. 7rs. 6ardcastle see*ed unscratched.?
Clarissa )ro'ned at hi*. >Eou 'ould o) course thin( that t'o ladies 'ould )ight over a *an. In
)act, they discovered they shared an interest in the rights o) 'o*en and the 'or(s o) 7ary
-ollstonecra)t, and beca*e )ir* )riends. &he *ar3uess,? she added, >'as so*e'hat
disconcerted.?
6a'( laughed. >An understate*ent, I+d thin(.?
>Be)initely.? Clarissa+s s*ile 'idened and she lost hersel) in thin(ing ho' very handso*e he
'as 'hen he laughed=
>And Cady Arden introduced you@?
he collected her 'its. >Ees. &hough I 'ent to Blanche+s house only once.?
he prayed not to sho' ho' that once had changed her li)e.
6e 'as studying her. -hy@ >Are you a )ollo'er o) 7ary -ollstonecra)t@?
he al*ost laughed 'ith relie) at such a prosaic concern. >-ould you *ind@?
>I 'ould have to study the lady+s 'ritings to be sure. But the proo) is in the product, I thin(.?
6e 'as loo(ing at her, surely, 'ith 'ar* approval. he stopped, 'aiting, hoping=
>And 7a8or Beau*ont@? he as(ed. >6o' does he co*e into the picture@?
Clarissa 'as hard"pressed not to sco'l. >6e+s a close )riend o) the *ar3uess+s )ro* their school
days. And as you see, he no' has a special relationship 'ith Blanche. According to Beth, he
'ants to *arry her, but Blanche thin(s it unsuitable. he clearly thought spea(ing to *e
unsuitable, too. o*eti*es our 'orld does not please *e.?
1specially !aving to play t!ese silly games)
6is bro's rose at her sharp tone, but he said, >I see you as too *uch o) a )ree spirit, :alcon, to be
severely constrained by society.?
&hat could al*ost be an opening )or !er to propose to !im, but Clarissa+s nerve )ailed her. -hat
i) he said no@ -hat then@ Perhaps he 'ould say no on principle i) she bro(e the rules so
thoroughly.
he too( a co'ardly escape. >I+* trying to be good )or Althea+s sa(e. -e should rescue her.?
>:ro* ad*irers@ -ill she than( you@?
>Be)initely. he beco*es )lustered by too *uch )lattery, and *en 'ill insist on saying the *ost
absurd things.?
<nli.e you. he+d )elt so certain that he 'as at least pursuing her )ortune, but no' sic(ening
doubt invaded. -as he slo' to capture her because he didn+t )ind her appealing a)ter all@ -as she
co*pletely )ooling hersel)@
>Perhaps *en say absurd things because 'o*en li(e it@? he co**ented. >-ould you be
o))ended to be told you are li(e a golden rose@?
he stared at hi*. >(eptical, perhaps,? she said 'ith a dry *outh and a racing heart.
>Eou 'ould accuse *e o) lying@?
>,) )lattering.?
>In )act,? he said al*ost prosaically, >you do re*ind *e o) a golden rose. !ot red, 'hich is too
deep and dar(, nor 'hite, 'hich is too cal*. !or even pin(, 'hich is too coy and blushing, but
golden, li(e 'ar* sunshine, brightening 'hat you touch.?
he had to lic( her lips, and she (ne' she 'as blushing. he should protest again that it 'as not
true, but she 'anted it to be. he 'anted hi* )or any nu*ber o) reasons, but she 'anted to be
loved by hi* *ore than anything in the 'orld.
Because she loved hi*.
Breath"stealing, panic"building, but true. he loved hi*. he could not bear to lose hi*.
In the end, she si*ply said, >&han( you,? and prayed )or *ore.
6a'( 'ondered 'hat de*ented de*on had ta(en control o) his tongue. 6e+d co*e out today to
learn *ore about Clarissa and the Ardens, and had succeeded beyond his hopes because o) that
chance encounter.
6e had not co*e out to brea( her heart even *ore. 6e )eared he could read the glo'ing
e4pression in her eyes.
>7iss &rist,? he re*inded her, turning to'ard her )riend.
6e sensed her disappoint*ent, but a)ter a *o*ent she spo(e cal*ly enough. >-ith such eligible
*en around her, you+d thin( Althea 'ould be developing a pre)erence.?
trong Clarissa. I) only= >Bo you thin( that perhaps she disli(es the )uss o) it@? he as(ed.
he loo(ed at hi* in surprise, in control. >Bisli(es being the toast o) Brighton@?
>It is possible.?
>6o' else is she to )ind a grand husband@?
>Perhaps she doesn+t 'ant one.?
>he does, 6a'(. I) she doesn+t )ind so*ething better, she+ll have to go ho*e and *arry a stu))y
'ido'er 'ith children nearly as old as she is.?
6e couldn+t help but s*ile. >Eou are char*ingly ardent in her cause. And (ind.?
>It+s not (indness. It+s )riendship. Eou understand that, surely. I hear that you and Cord
;andei*en are old )riends.?
Ees, he understood that. >:ro* the cradle.?
>Althea and I have been )riends )or less than a year, but true )riendships can happen 3uic(ly.?
It 'as said 'ith *eaning, as a challenge to hi*. he 'as right. ,ver and above any e*otions,
they had discovered )riendship. :riendship in *arriage. It had been his ideal once.
Ah, 'ell. Ideals o)ten dro'ned in 'ar.
he turned to study her )riend. >Eou thin( she is not )inding 'hat she 'ants@?
>I don+t thin( she see*s happy,? he said honestly, >but as you say, so*e'here in Brighton the
per)ect *an *ust e4ist.?
&hey *oved in, and 7iss &rist clearly 'as relieved to be rescued.
>Are you not happy here, &hea@? Clarissa as(ed 3uietly, studying Althea.
>,) course I a*.? But she added, >I do *iss the country a little, though.?
It 'as said 3uietly, but Cady ;andei*en heard. >-e could drive out to visit 6a'( in the ;ale.?
>-hy@? 6a'( as(ed.
&o Clarissa, that sounded rather sharp, and Cady ;andei*en 'as loo(ing at hi* 'ith surprise.
>-hy not@ &rips to the nearby country are all the rage, and I 'ould en8oy a chance to chec( on
the 'or( at teynings. I) 'e set o)) early to*orro', 'e can en8oy a 'hole day.?
>It 'ill probably rain.?
>6a'(, i) 'e stayed at ho*e )or )ear o) rain, none o) us 'ould do anything this su**er5?
Clarissa 'atched this e4change, 'ondering 'hy the pro8ect displeased hi*. he longed to see his
ho*e. &he ho*e she hoped 'ould be hers. Bid he thin( it 'ouldn+t appeal@
he 'ished she could reassure hi*. It could be a hovel and she 'ouldn+t care. A)ter all, 'ith her
*oney they could build a better place, and it 'as 6a'( she 'anted.
6a'(.
Perhaps on a trip to the country, to his ho*e, there+d be *ore opportunity to progress. Dueen
Cleopatra had given her very strange *essages, but her advice to 7iria* had been pro*ising.
.et the *an apart, ta(e o)) her gloves, and touch.
Perhaps, in the country, she could do that.
And no', 'ith 6a'(+s attention dra'n to Blanche, she *ust succeed. he *ust bind hi* to their
cause.
Chapter "!#rteen
As they strolled bac(, ;an said to 6a'(, >-asn+t that the -hite Bove you 'ere tal(ing to@ !ot
done to introduce her to a proper young lady, you (no'.?
>-hat proper young lady@ Clarissa introduced her to *e.?
;an laughed, but didn+t loo( as i) he entirely believed it.
>&he -hite Bove@? 7aria said. >,h, the actress. -e sa' her play &itania, ;an. Bo you
re*e*ber@ he+s very good. In )act, she+s playing Cady 7acbeth here.?
>A violent change o) roles,? 6a'( said. >And it+s hard to see her as the bloodstained po'er
behind the rotten throne.?
7aria gave hi* a loo(. >Are you saying that a beauti)ul 'o*an cannot also be dangerous@?
6e ble' her a (iss. >!o *an o) sense 'ould.?
>Aspecially ar*ed 'ith a pistol,? ;an said, 'hich see*ed to be a private 8o(e.
6a'(, on the other hand, 'as thin(ing that classical beauty had little to do 'ith it either.
It 'ould be so da*n easy to ta(e the bec(oning path. 7arry. !o, elope. 6e suspected he could
get her to do it.
/oses. 6ades.
&hin( o) the three"day 8ourney to the border, surrounded by her glo'ing enthusias*, (no'ing he
'as leading her to the slaughter. I*agine a 'edding night. 6er innocent, trusting surrender.
.od, no, don+t. Bon+t even thin( o) that.
Better by )ar that she si*ply hate hi* and be )ree.
"arpe diem, 'hispered the devil in his *ind.
6e could probably steal one *ore day be)ore the *orro'.
And he *ight as 'ell be 6a'(ishly practical. 6e still didn+t (no' 3uite enough about her and
the Ardens. I) he played his cards right, he *ight learn the details he needed.
&o*orro'.
In 6a'( in the ;ale.
&he ne4t day, Clarissa loo(ed e4citedly out o) the ;andei*en coach 'indo's as it rolled over the
hu*pbac(ed bridge into the village o) 6a'( in the ;ale. he 'as )ull o) curiosity, but also
pri*ed to ta(e any opportunity to pursue her cause. I) 6a'( didn+t propose, she vo'ed she
'ould do it be)ore they le)t.
&he ladies 'ere in the coach, and the gentle*en9 6a'(, Cord ;andei*en, and Cord &revor9
rode alongside. Althea had *uttered that she did not need a partner, but Clarissa thought she 'as
relieved it 'as Cord &revor, 'ho 'as e4cellent co*pany 'ithout sho'ing any sign o) 'anting to
be a suitor.
7iss 6urst*an 'as not 'ith the*, since today 'as her 'ee(ly *eeting o) the Cadies+ cholarly
ociety, 'hich she declared to be >an oasis o) sanity in Bedla*.? he did not see* particularly
di))erent in her *anner, and there had been no sign o) 7r. Belaney. Clarissa 'as relieved,
ho'ever, to be out o) Brighton and sa)e.
&he gentle*en 'ere all superb riders, but Clarissa couldn+t help but s*ile at the cat riding
proudly erect in )ront o) 6a'(. Jetta had re)used to ride in the carriage, clearly thin(ing the
co*pany o) other )e*ales in)erior.
6a'( stro(ed her occasionally, and her eyes slitted 'ith pleasure. Clarissa could rather i*agine
reveling in his touch in 8ust the sa*e 'ay. he 'ondered i) *en ever stro(ed 'o*en the 'ay
they stro(ed cats.
Buring the 8ourney, Cady ;andei*en had insisted that they all be on )irst"na*e ter*s. Clarissa
had happily agreed, thin(ing that soon they 'ould be true )riends. &he lady shared 'hat she
(ne' o) 6a'( in the ;ale, and Clarissa savored every *orsel, especially as it )elt as i) she 'as
being 'elco*ed into the co**unity.
he no' (ne' that 6a'(+s )a*ily 'as the *ost ancient, and in *any 'ays the *ost i*portant,
in the area, though there 'as no title e4cept s3uire, 'hich 'ent 'ith the *anor house. I)
so*eone else 'ere to buy the *anor, he 'ould beco*e s3uire.
&he other principal )a*ilies 'ere the ;andei*ens and the o*er)ords, headed by Cord A*leigh.
Both )a*ilies had estates outside o) the village, but 6a'(inville 7anor 'as in 6a'( in the ;ale
in the old style.
7aria had shared so*e interesting gossip along the 'ay. >Cord A*leigh recently inherited the
title o) Aarl o) -yvern. &he seat is in Bevonshire. 6o'ever, it appears that the late earl *ight
have had a legiti*ate son 'ho has a prior clai*. Duite a strange story. &he earl and the 'o*an9
a *e*ber o) a good local )a*ily9*arried in secret. &hey 'ere both so displeased 'ith each
other, ho'ever, that they (ept the *atter secret, and she too( up 'ith a local tavern (eeper, 'ho
is reputed to also be a s*uggler5?
>And no' the secret heir e*erges@? Clarissa in3uired. >It+s li(e a play. ,r a .othic novel.?
>A4cept that in this case the F'ic(ed earl+ is Cord A*leigh, and he doesn+t 'ant the inheritance
at all.?
>&hat+s an interesting idea, ho'ever,? Clarissa said. >A trial *arriage. I i*agine any nu*ber o)
disasters could be averted.?
>Clarissa5? Althea ob8ected, but she 'as laughing.
>-ell, it+s true.?
>Indeed,? said 7aria, and see*ed to *ean it.
It *ade Clarissa 'onder about her )irst *arriage, )or there could surely be no disillusion 'ith her
second. >6o'ever, there is the *atter o) o))spring,? 7aria continued. >-hat i) the trial has
conse3uences@?
-hat, 'ondered Clarissa, i) the trial 'as discovered@
Could s!e co*pro*ise Haw.@
>I have sent a *essage inviting the A*leighs to ta(e lunch 'ith us at teynings,? 7aria said. >I),
that is, the dining roo* plaster'or( is )inally )inished.?
Clarissa then learned *ore than she really cared to (no' about the trials o) repairing a decade+s
neglect o) a house that had not been 'ell built in the )irst place.
6a'(+s ho*e 'as older. -as it in even 'orse repair@ he, li(e 7aria, had the *oney to repair it.
6e+d ridden ahead to *a(e sure all 'as ready )or the*. Already she 'as longing to see hi*.
&he coach 'as lurching along a rough road around the central village green, past a ro' o)
ancient stone cottages that loo(ed in need o) as *uch care as the road.
Perhaps this 'as 'hy 6a'( 'as hunting a )ortune.
A s'ar* o) piglets suddenly dashed out bet'een t'o cottages, chased by three bare)oot children.
It 'as )ortunate that it 'as a)ter the coach had passed, not be)ore. Clarissa 'atched 'ith
a*use*ent as the urchins tried to herd the piglets bac( ho*e.
7aria directed her attention to the church. >Anglo"a4on, o) course.?
Ees, it loo(ed it, co*plete to the s3uare stone to'er. Age *ade the village pictures3ue, but it 'as
so*ething *ore subtle that *ade it )eel= right. Clarissa had never visited a place 'here the
varied bits and pieces )it together so 'ell, li(e the assorted )lo'ers in a country garden.
6er eye 'as caught9hoo(ed, *ore li(e9by a discordant piece, a *onstrous stuccoed house
'ith Corinthian pillars )lan(ing its glossy door'ay. &here 'ere other ne' buildings, buildings
)ro* every period over hundreds o) years, but only that one see*ed so appallingly out o) place.
>-hat is that 'hite house@? Clarissa as(ed.
>Ah. &hat belongs to a ne'co*er. A 'ealthy industrialist called lade.? 7aria pulled a )ace. >It
doesn+t )it, does it@ But he+s very proud o) it.?
>Couldn+t he be stopped@?
>Apparently not. 6e see*s to have ingratiated hi*sel) 'ith the s3uire. 6a'(+s )ather.?
&he carriage halted, and the )oot*an leaped do'n to assist the ladies out. Cord &revor and Cord
;andei*en dis*ounted, and a groo* trotted out through open gates to ta(e the horses. &hrough
those gates Clarissa could see an ancient building.
6a'(inville 7anor. It *ust be.
he 'as astonished that she hadn+t spotted it *ore easily, but it did blend in 'ith the ro' o)
cottages and other nearby buildings, and 'as surrounded by a high 'all covered by a ra*pant
*iscellany o) plants. Ivy cloa(ed the to'er, too.
-all and to'er had doubtless been necessary )or de)ense in the past, but no' the double gates
stood open, and Clarissa could gli*pse a garden courtyard and part o) the house9thatched roo)
and old dia*ond"pane 'indo's. /oses and other cli*bing plants ran up the 'all, *a(ing it see*
*ore a 'or( o) landscape than architecture.
he vaguely heard the carriage crunch on its 'ay to the inn, but she 'as *oving )or'ard,
through the gates.
>6o' char*ing,? Althea said in a polite 'ay.
>Ees,? Clarissa agreed, though the 'ord see*ed co*pletely inade3uate. ,nly a poet could do
8ustice to the sheer *agic o) 6a'(inville 7anor.
&he courtyard 'as sensibly graveled, but that 'as the only *odern touch. In the center, an island
)ull o) heavy roses held in its very heart an ancient sundial. It 'as tilted in a 'ay that surely
*eant that it couldn+t tell the ti*e, but then she doubted that sundials had ever been accurate.
&his place had )or*ed be)ore the counting o) *inutes or even precise hours had any *eaning.
Both courtyard and house 'ere bathed in sunlight. -ar* sunlight, )or a *iracle, and it gave the
illusion that the sun al'ays shone here. 7any 'indo's stood open, as did the iron"*ounted oa(
door. &he vie' through the door'ay gave a tantali<ing gli*pse o) a tiled hall that see*ed to run,
uneven as the river sur)ace and 'orn in the *iddle by *any )eet, to another open door and a
bec(oning garden beyond.
he too( a step )or'ard.
A dog gro'led. he blin(ed, seeing )our large hounds spra'led near the threshold in the sun.
,ne 'as loo(ing at her la<ily, but 'ith a 'arning eye.
>Ba))y.?
At the 'ord, the dog subsided. 6a'( 'al(ed past, out o) the house, Jetta still in his ar*s.
6e stro(ed the purring cat, but his eyes 'ere on Clarissa. >-elco*e to 6a'(inville.?
!o' 'hy, thought 6a'(, did he )eel al*ost shoc(ed to see Clarissa here 'hen she 'as )ully
e4pected@ It 'as as i) the air had thinned, or as i) he+d been riding and 'or(ing to the point o)
'avering e4haustion.
6e pulled hi*sel) together and ans'ered 3uestions. Ees, the sundial 'as very old and had co*e
)ro* the *onastery at 6a'(s 7on(ton 'hen it had been destroyed in the si4teenth century. Ees,
the to'er did date bac( to be)ore the Con3uest but had been )i4ed and i*proved a nu*ber o)
ti*es.
Clarissa+s dress 'as a si*ple one )or this day in the country. It had not see*ed special be)ore.
!o' the color re*inded hi* o) the richest crea* in the cool dairy and *ade hi* 'ant to lic(
so*ething.
Ees, he said to Cord &revor, there 'as a ho*e )ar*, and this 'as it. &he *anor house also served
as a *odest )ar*house. &here 'ere *ore buildings beyond the 'all to the right.
&hat dress 'as doubtless the si*plicity o) a very e4pensive *odiste, but the e))ect 'as char*ing
and co*)ortable and )it here li(e the roses. 6er 'ide stra' hat 'as caught do'n at either side
'ith golden ribbons.
-hy hadn+t he noticed be)ore that it 'ould prevent (isses@
he turned to loo( *ore closely at the sundial, leaning in but laughingly trying to protect her
)li*sy s(irts )ro* the rose thorns. 6e stepped )or'ard to help, and she s*iled up at hi*.
&he bu<< o) insects a*ong the )lo'ers turned into a bu<< in his head. 6er hat shaded her )ace
)ro* the sun, but cast a golden glo' and a hint o) *ystery. 6er s*iling lips 'ere pin( and
parted, and he could al*ost taste their 'ar*th.
-hat 'as beauty i) not this@
-ith )rightening clarity he could i*agine her here as his 'i)e. 6e 'ould s'eep her laughing into
his ar*s and carry her upstairs to a bed covered 'ith s*ooth sheets )resh )ro* hanging in the
sun. And there he 'ould slo'ly, per)ectly, ravish her.
6e re*e*bered to breathe, and 'hen his hand 'as steady, he pulled out his pen(ni)e. >Cet *e
cut you each a rose, ladies.?
6e cut a pin( one )or 7iss &rist, and care)ully stripped the thorns be)ore giving it to her. 6e cut a
'hite one )or 7aria. But then he loo(ed )or a golden one, a per)ect golden rose, 8ust beginning to
un)url )ro* bud, and gave it to Clarissa.
he re*e*bered. 6e could tell by the 'ay she blushed 'ithin the golden *ysteries o) her hat
and raised the rose to inhale its per)u*e. 6e re*e*bered his )oolish, thoughtless 'ords about
roses=
And that she 'asn+t )or hi*.
"arpe diem.
&he *orro' 'as not )or the*.
6e ached to reach out and touch her, si*ply touch her chee(. 6e 'anted to tell her that this
*o*ent, at least, 'as true. 6e 'anted to loc( her in a sa)e and private place 'here she 'ould
never be in danger again.
&he church cloc( began to chi*e, pulling hi* bac( to reality.
By the ti*e it had struc( the )ull ten, he could spea( nor*ally and invite his guests into the
house. 6e steered the* to the right, into the )ront parlor, then escaped, his e4cuse being having
to tell his )ather they 'ere here.
Clarissa loo(ed around the *odest but lovely roo*. &he ceilings 'ere lo', and she+d noticed
that 6a'( had to duc( slightly to get through the door, but it all created a co<iness that 'rapped
itsel) around her. he could i*agine sitting here on a stor*y 'inter night, a huge )ire burning in
the hearth, curtains tightly dra'n. A person 'ould al'ays )eel sa)e here.
Aven the Bevil+s 6eiress.
he (ne' 'ithout doubt that she 'ould be sa)e in 6a'(+s ar*s, and in his ho*e.
he raised the golden rose to her nose. &he scent 'as light, al*ost elusive, but it 'as s'eet and
see*ed to carry the char* o) sunlight. A golden rose. &hat had to *ean that his )ondness 'as
real, and her plan 'as good. -hatever the reason )or his hesitation, it 'as not )ro* reluctance.
Perhaps he si*ply )elt it 'rong to hurry her. &hough it see*ed li(e a li)eti*e, she had been in
Brighton )or only a 'ee(. Perhaps he+d set hi*sel) a restraint9that he not propose inside a
)ortnight, )or e4a*ple.
he inhaled the rose again, s*iling. he 'as sure that restraint could be bro(en.
7aria sat in one o) the old 'ooden chairs 'ith cre'el"'or( cushions. >Bo you li(e the *anor,
Clarissa@?
Clarissa pulled her 'its together. >It+s lovely.?
>Perhaps it+s as 'ell you thin( so. But at the least it needs ne' carpets.?
>7aria,? said her husband, >don+t start doing over so*eone else+s ho*e.?
&hey shared a teasing s*ile, and 7aria said, >&hat 'ill be )or 6a'(+s 'i)e to do.?
>!ot until his )ather+s dead,? said Cord ;andei*en, and Clarissa sa' a slight reserve touch his
)ace. At thought o) 'i)e, or thought o) )ather@ 7aria ;andei*en 'as discreet, but there *ight
have been coolness in her *ention o) 3uire 6a'(inville during the 8ourney here.
&hat 'as a s*all cloud on the hori<on, she had to ad*it. he adored this house, but 'hat 'ould
it be li(e sharing it 'ith 6a'(+s )ather, especially i) he 'as an unpleasant *an@
A s*all price )or heaven.
>o,? said 7aria, >'hat do you thin( on the sub8ect o) carpets, Clarissa@?
Clarissa loo(ed at the )aded and 'orn &ur(ish carpet that covered the rippling dar( oa( )loor and
)elt that any change 'ould disturb so*ething as natural and per)ect as the roses in the garden.
-hen she loo(ed care)ully, she could see that the cushions on the old chairs sagged and the
e*broidery 'as )aded and 'orn 'ith ti*e.
>I thin( they suit the house,? she replied 'ith a s*ile, and 7aria laughed.
>It+s as 'ell 'e have di))erent tastes, isn+t it@?
Clarissa glanced at Cord ;andei*en, a )ine"loo(ing *an and pleasant, 'ho stirred her not at all.
>Ees, indeed.?
7aria chuc(led.
A huge )ireplace too( up *ost o) one 'all, and an old oa( settle sat to one side o) it. &he )ront
'all 'as a ban( o) s*all"paned 'indo's that stood open to the sunny courtyard. Clarissa
'andered over. o)t per)u*e dri)ted in9rose, lavender, and *any other plants she could not
even na*e. parro's chirped in the eaves, doves cooed nearby, and all around, birds sang.
,h, but she 'anted 6a'(inville 7anor5
It see*ed al*ost 'rong to )eel that 'ay. It 'as 6a'( she should 'ant, and she did, desperately,
but she 'as tu*bling into *ad love 'ith his ho*e as 'ell.
7ore than love. It 'as as i) the place 'as her setting, 'here she )it per)ectly. he )elt as i) she
'ere putting do'n roots no', tendrils 'inding through )aded carpet and old oa( )loor into the
earth beneath, deter*ined to stay.
A gig rattled by outside the gates, startling her out o) her i*patient thoughts. &'o 'o*en hurried
past, chattering, laughing. Clarissa stepped bac( as i) they *ight loo( and see her there, *ight
see her yearning, but all the sa*e she loved the 'ay the house 'as part o) the village, not stuc(
)ar a'ay in a huge par(.
&hen 6a'( returned, *a(ing her heart do a di<<ying dance. &he cat 'as still in his ar*s. >Cet
*e sho' you around this )loor. I+* a)raid the *anor isn+t a sho'place, 8ust a si*ple ho*e.?
Clarissa 'ent )or'ard into the )lagstoned hall.
&he 'alls 'ere 'ainscoted in blac(ened oa( and painted 'hite above, hung 'ith the occasional
painting. A s*all table against one 'all held a bo'l o) *i4ed garden )lo'ers. It 'asn+t a )or*al
arrange*ent, any *ore than this 'as a )or*al house, but it 'as pretty and entirely right )or the
setting.
A )aint purr hu**ed )ro* Jetta. Clarissa (ne' she 'ould purr too i) 6a'( 'as stro(ing her in
that absent"*inded but continuous 'ay.
>It+s lovely,? she said.
>I thin( so. It is doubtless i*practical o) *e, but I don+t 'ant to see it change.?
>-ho 'ould@?
6e )lashed her a s*ile. >7ost people, especially i) they had to actually live here. And are tall.?
6e duc(ed slightly to lead her into a dar("paneled dining roo* 'ith another huge )ireplace,
ancient oa( sideboards, and a thic( table. &hat table had been polished so long and lovingly that
the glossy top see*ed to have the depth o) a dar( pool.
A *obcapped, aproned 'o*an ca*e in bearing plates. he bobbed a curtsy and 'ent on 'ith her
business.
>Aren+t you te*pted to have the door'ays *ade higher@? she as(ed.
>It 'ould be a serious structural challenge. I+* learning by pain)ul e4perience.?
6e led the 'ay through an ad8oining door into another parlor.
Another ban( o) 'indo's al*ost )illed the 'all, and a 'indo' seat ran the 'idth o) it. Beyond
lay a si*ple garden 'ith la'n, roc(ery, and beds o) )lo'ers. And beyond that )lo'ed the river.
&'o s'ans glided past as i) co*pleting the picture )or her particular delight.
6o' 'onder)ul to spend long su**er evenings on this seat, by this river.
-ith 6a'(.
It 'as not 8ust 'ish)ul thin(ing.
Clarissa 'as deter*ined that it 'ould be so.
Chapter "$)teen
&hey 'al(ed over, as i) in per)ect accord, to loo( out at the vie'. Beyond the river lay peace)ul
)ields, so*e 'ith crops and so*e 'ith co's. &he land rose in the distance to the do'ns that lay
bet'een here and Brighton.
>-hat is the big 'hite house up there@? she as(ed. >teynings@?
>Ees.?
>-hy is the village only on this side o) the river@?
>&he Aden+s deep here and tric(y to cross, and the bridge is 3uite recent. Be)ore that a person
needed a boat or to go do'nstrea* a *ile to &ret)ord to cross.?
he sa' an old boathouse o)) to one side, unused no', 'rapped around and split by 'isteria.
>o Cord ;andei*en+s house 'ouldn+t have been built over there be)ore the bridge.?
>!ot unless he 'anted to (eep his in)erior neighbors at bay.?
he sat on the seat and s*iled up at hi*, si*ply happy. 6appy 'ith everything. >And did he@?
6is hand continued to stro(e the bliss)ul cat. >-hen the )irst Baron ;andei*en settled here, he
'as inclined to loo( do'n on our si*ple 'ays, they say. :oreign, you see. ,ver the generations,
they are beginning to )it in.?
Clarissa heard a laughing co**ent )ro* Cord ;andei*en, but her attention 'as all on 6a'(.
6is eyes 'ere 'ar* and )ull o) hu*or. And so*ething else@
6e 'as very hard to read.
6e loo(ed out at the vie' again. >7y bedroo* is directly above here. -e e4peri*ented 'ith
)lashing candlelight *essages in the night. ;an and I could see each other+s lights, then ;an and
Con could send *essages clear across the vale.?
>I+* surprised that isn+t done *ore o)ten.?
>It is used9especially by s*ugglers9but, o) course, it+s sub8ect to bad 'eather. Co*e on, I+ll
sho' you so*ething else.?
6e guided her bac( across the hall and up a short )light o) stairs into another roo* as i) she 'ere
the only one on this tour.
>But this is too big,? Clarissa said, loo(ing around at a space that see*ed as big again as the
house.
>-e call it the great hall, 'hich is a little grandiose, but it serves the )unction. 7y *other held
the occasional s*all ball here.? 6e led her )urther in. >!o' you+re in the old to'er.?
&hen she understood 'here the e4tra space had co*e )ro*. 7ost o) the roo* 'as inside the
he4agonal to'er. &o her right 'ere the arro' slits she+d seen )ro* the courtyard. !o' she could
see that they 'ere gla<ed. &here 'ere *ore at regular intervals, but in the side o) the to'er
opposite the door, another ban( o) 'indo's had been cut. ince the to'er 'alls 'ere deep, the
'indo' seat 'as in an alcove o) its o'n.
he 'ent to (neel on the cushions to loo( out. &his vie' 'as on a diagonal, loo(ing out at a
(itchen garden and an orchard, the trees already laden 'ith s*all )ruit. &o the right she gli*psed
the )ar* buildings he+d *entioned, and beyond, the river 'ound on through yet *ore )ertile
countryside.
>&he (itchens and such are belo', 'hich is 'hy this is raised.? 6e had co*e over to stand close
behind her, so Jetta+s purr al*ost vibrated through her. I) she turned, ho' close@ >And that, I+*
a)raid, is all I can sho' you today. 7y )ather does not 'ant to be disturbed.?
he s'iveled and )ound that her (nees al*ost touched his. >6e is very un'ell@?
>6e+s partly paraly<ed. 6e+s i*proving, but it+s slo' and he pre)ers not to sho' hi*sel) to
strangers. 6e+s also o)ten out o) te*per.? 6e too( her hand and gently tugged her o)) the
cushioned seat. >Cet *e ta(e you out into the garden.?
It 'as a surprise to )ind the others in the large alcove 'ith the*, and )ran(ly she 'ished they
'eren+t. According to Dueen Cleopatra, she needed to be apart 'ith hi*.
&hen she reali<ed that 6a'( held on to her hand. he still 'ore her gloves, but they 'ere cotton
lace and it 'as al*ost s(in to s(in. Dueen Cleopatra had been right about the potency o) that.
6is other ar* still cradled the cat, 'ho 'as eyeing Clarissa suspiciously through slit eyes, but at
least 'asn+t hissing as yet. he li(ed the thought that the cat 'as 8ealous. Ani*als 'ere supposed
to have good instincts.
As they )ollo'ed a stone"paved path do'n to the riverban(, she )elt as i) she and 6a'( blended
at pal*s and )ingers to beco*e one, but 'hen they reached the riverban( he abruptly
disentangled the*. Al*ost as i) he+d only 8ust noticed the 8oining.
he 'as lost 'ithout a *ap in a 'ilderness o) e*otions and touches.
A )a*ily o) duc(s paddled busily around, bobbing )or )ood, duc(lings 3uac(ing and dashing.
Jetta leaped do'n )ro* 6a'(+s ar*s to lie in the sun 'atching the duc(lings, as i) she hoped one
'ould co*e close.
>Bon+t you dare,? Clarissa 'arned.
&he cat only blin(ed.
Clarissa decided to stay close, 8ust in case, but she turned bac( to loo( at the house. It see*ed
contentedly slu*berous in the sun, 'rapped in its blan(et o) cli*bing plants and thatch. &he sun
'as 'ar* on her s(in and gave a glo' to everything.
&his 'as one o) li)e+s per)ect *o*ents. he hadn+t had *any, but she recogni<ed it. It 'as a
*o*ent she 'ould never )orget, but she hoped there 'ould be *any *ore li(e it.
>Penny )or your thoughts@? he said.
!o' that 'as an invitation, but she 'ouldn+t rush in until he had been given his chance. he
could 'ait.
>7y thoughts are that this is a lovely ho*e, and you are very )ortunate to have gro'n up here.?
>Ah.?
At the tone she glanced at hi*.
>&rue )ortune is to gro' up surrounded by love, 'ouldn+t you say, despite the circu*stances@ I)
this had been your )a*ily ho*e, 'ould it have *ade your youth happy@?
>I) this had been *y )a*ily ho*e, it 'ould not be in nearly such good repair. And anything o)
value 'ould have been stripped )ro* it years ago.?
>I see. Eou thin( I should count *y blessings@?
he *et his eyes. >I thin( 'e all should. And the *ain blessing is a )uture. -hatever the past has
been, the )uture is al'ays ours to *a(e.?
6e 'as clearly listening and thin(ing.
>A )uture 'ithout the tendrils o) the past@? 6e loo(ed at the *anor. >A house li(e this says
other'ise. &he )uture is not a road stretching cleanly in )ront o) us. It is a layer built on the
)oundation o) the past.?
he thought o) her )a*ily, her childhood, Beveril, Beveril+s death. >Boes no one ever get to start
building ane'@?
6is s*ile 'as 'ry. >Perhaps. But not so*eone 'ho belongs to a place li(e 6a'(inville 7anor.?
>Belongs to,? she said. >I li(e that.?
But a *ove*ent on the ground caught her eye. Jetta had risen to a hunting crouch, and one little
duc(ling 'as paddling close to the ban(.
Clarissa stepped )or'ard and shooed it a'ay.
>he 'ouldn+t, 'ould she@? she as(ed 6a'(.
>he+s an e4cellent *ouser.?
>&hat+s di))erent.?
>!ot to the *ouse. &he cat is a predator, Clarissa. It is its nature to hunt.?
he turned bac( to 'atch the duc(lings. >It is a ha'(+s nature too.?
>And a )alcon+s.?
he glanced at hi*. -as that a hint@ Bid he 'ant her to as( hi*@ -hy@ >I assure you, I 'on+t
bring you gi)ts o) s*all victi*s.?
6e reached out and lightly touched her chee(. >-hereas I 'ould li(e to bring you your ene*ies,
headless.?
>Ane*ies@? 6is touch and the 'ord had her da<ed.
>People 'ho 'ish you ill. People you )ear.?
he laughed, though to her o'n ears it sounded sha(y. >Alas, I have no ene*ies 'orthy o) a
ha'(.?
>Alas, indeed. But lac(ing a true ene*y, I 'ill *a(e do 'ith a petty one. !o one has spo(en to
you un(indly@ !o carriage has splashed *ud on your go'n@ !o servant has served your soup
cold@?
6e 'as teasing, but he hadn+t been teasing be)ore. -hy should he suspect ene*ies@ 6o' *uch
o) the picture had he put together@
>I 'ouldn+t de*and anyone+s head )or that,? she said. >In )act, I 'ant no *ore violence in *y
li)e.?
>7ore@?
he 'as stuc(, but then Cord &revor said, >o*eone+s 'aving, sir.?
&hey both loo(ed around to see an aproned )igure 'aving )ro* the *anor door.
>Ah,? 6a'( said. >&he carriage *ust have returned to ta(e us up to teynings.?
As the others 'ent ahead, he scooped up the cat, then put his )ree hand on Clarissa+s bac( to
direct her to'ard the house. As he had in that roo* in the ,ld hip=
6er dress 'as )ine, and she 'as 'earing the lightest o) corsets. he )elt the heat, and a thread o)
e4cited pleasure up and do'n her spine as she retraced her steps to the house.
6a'( and 6a'(inville.
he 'ould have both. he *ust have both5
K K K
teynings 'as certainly a co*plete contrast to the *anor9all clean, *odern lines and
sy**etry. Inside, ho'ever, the place 'as a hive o) *ending, ha**ering, painting, and cleaning.
&he s*ell o) 'et plaster, sa'dust, and linseed oil stole any sense o) co*)ort )or Clarissa. he
)ollo'ed 7aria+s guided tour, 'ondering i) her husband *inded his )a*ily ho*e being ta(en
over in this 'ay by his ne' 'i)e.
he didn+t thin( Cord ;andei*en *inded *uch that his 'i)e did, 8ust as she 'ould )ind it hard to
*ind *uch that 6a'( did. 6e 'asn+t by her side no'9the *en had disappeared, probably to
)ind a 3uiet corner and drin( ale9and every *o*ent o) this tour see*ed a 'aste o) ti*e.
ince there 'as no escaping, ho'ever, she tried to pay attention and *a(e intelligent co**ents.
,ne day soon, she hoped, the ;andei*ens 'ould be neighbors.
-hen she studied things, it did see* to her that *ost o) the 'or( 'as an i*prove*ent. o*e
doors had been *oved, and t'o roo*s had been opened up into one. &he pale paint'or( 'as
)resh and airy and suited this building. It 'as easy to co**ent approvingly.
As they all returned to the *arble")loored entrance hall, the *en e*erged.
6a'( ca*e over to her. >7ore to your taste, I gather@?
Clarissa chec(ed that her hostess 'as out o) earshot be)ore ans'ering, >!ot at all, I+* a)raid. It+s
too cool and big.?
6e loo(ed s(eptical. Bid he really thin( everyone pre)erred the *odern style@
>&ruly, 6a'(. I thin( the *anor house is lovely.?
:rustratingly, he see*ed to ta(e her co**ent as *ere good *anners. -hat else could she say@
&hat she loved his house so *uch that she 'ould *arry Cord Beveril )or it@ -ell, not 3uite that,
)or sure.
&hen Cord A*leigh and his 'i)e strode in in riding dress and high spirits. Clarissa did not thin(
she i*agined their sharp loo(s, as i) she 'as being assessed. &hat 'as a very hope)ul sign, i)
both o) 6a'(+s )riends thought her o) interest.
&hey all sat do'n in the dining roo* )or a cold luncheon. &hough the roo* 'as in a state )or
guests, Clarissa could see that 'or( had been le)t hal) done in various spots. &he )ood 'as
e4cellent, ho'ever, and a general peace suggested that the 'or(*en 'ere also ta(ing their *eal.
he began to ta(e in a sense o) the house as it 'ould be, and a*id the rela4ed conversation,
indulged hersel) in i*agining dinners here 'ith these couples as her good )riends. 6er *ind sped
ahead to children gro'ing up together as the three *en had, but all in co*pletely happy ho*es.
!ot in a ho*e li(e hers, or li(e 6a'(+s.
In so*e things, at least, a ne' beginning 'as possible.
he heard about the ;andei*ens+ 'edding )east. It 'ould be 'onder)ul to be *arried li(e that, to
be introduced to the village li(e that.
>Eou+ll have to choose a bride soon, 6a'(,? teased Cady A*leigh, >so 'e can have another
party be)ore the su**er is out.?
>.reedy, aren+t you, usan@ -ouldn+t it be better to 'ait a su**er or t'o@ &here aren+t li(ely to
be any *ore o) that sort )or a generation.?
>pea(ing o) generations,? Cady A*leigh responded, >'e can celebrate christenings5? he
blushed and grinned. >And yes, that does *ean that I thin( there+s going to be a christening in
:ebruary.?
Averyone congratulated the A*leighs, but 6a'( said, >6ardly the ti*e )or a village )ete, I+*
a)raid.?
Clarissa detected a touch o) 'ist)ulness in 7aria ;andei*en+s e4pression, and 'ondered. &he
lady had been *arried and had no children. Could that happen to her@ he supposed it could
happen to any 'o*an.
-ith tal( o) )etes and babies, everyone 'as la<y about rising )ro* the table, but eventually 7aria
said that the 'or(*en needed to get bac( to their tas(s and they+d been told to be 3uiet 'hile the
guests 'ere here.
&hey all 'al(ed out into the hall, and the A*leighs too( their departure. &he ;andei*ens,
ho'ever, 'ere approached by an aproned *an holding rolls o) plans, and soon they 'ere
e*broiled in an intent discussion.
Cord &revor and Althea 'andered to study so*e painted panels, leaving Clarissa and 6a'(
alone. It 'as not a good enough separation, ho'ever. &he day here 'as al*ost done. oon they
'ould be in the carriage ho*e, all chances gone. And she+d vo'ed to propose be)ore they le)t.
6ere@
&he acoustics o) the hall 'ere such that she could al*ost catch 'hat everyone else 'as saying.
he needed to be outside 'ith hi*. :or 3uite a long ti*e.
>A)ter a lunch li(e that,? she said, >I 'ould love a 'al(. Could 'e 'al( bac( to the village,
perhaps@?
6a'( loo(ed at her, but then said, >7aria 'ill probably be so*e ti*e, and 'ould be relieved not
to have us hovering. &here+s a pleasant )ootpath that should ta(e only a hal) hour or so.?
Anticipation and pure nerves tied Clarissa+s insides in a (not, but she said, >&hat sounds
per)ect5?
But then he said, >I+ll as( Cord &revor and 7iss &rist.?
Clarissa )iercely pro8ected a *essage to Althea to re)use, but the other couple ca*e over 'hile
6a'( 'ent to spea( to the ;andei*ens. Clarissa loo(ed )or an opportunity to 'hisper to Althea,
but none presented itsel) and in *o*ents they 'ere leaving the house by the bac( terrace, any
hopes and plans in ruins.
he tried to i*agine Althea lingering behind 'ith Cord &revor, but couldn+t. Althea, a)ter all, 'as
a stic(ler )or the proprieties.
6al)'ay across the la'n to'ard the 'oodland, ho'ever, Althea stopped. >,h, dear. I+* terribly
sorry. 7y an(le has begun to ache. I t'isted it slightly in the *ud at the )air.?
&hey all stood there )or a *o*ent, then 6a'( said, >-e 'ill go bac(.?
>,h, no5 Please don+t,? Althea protested. >I+* sure you 'ere loo(ing )or'ard to the 'al(.? he
turned to Cord &revor. >But i) you could give *e your ar* bac( to the house, *y lord=?
,) course he agreed. Clarissa glanced at 6a'(, 'ondering i) he 'ould insist on returning as
'ell, but he said nothing.
>-ell, then,? she said to Althea, >i) you 'ill be all right=?
>Per)ectly.? And Althea 'in(ed.
Clarissa had to )ight not to laugh as she turned again, alone 'ith 6a'( at last.
Instinct told her that this could be the *ost i*portant hal) hour o) her li)e.
Chapter S$&teen
6a'( lin(ed ar*s 'ith Clarissa and led her to'ard the 'oods and 'ilderness. 6e loo(ed do'n
at her, but her golden stra' hat shielded her )ace and *ade her a 'o*an o) *ystery9as i) she
'asn+t enough o) a *ystery already.
6e+d not planned this unchaperoned 'al(, but no' that it sat in his hands he could not re8ect the
gi)t. 6e could use it to see( details about Beveril+s death, but he (ne' he si*ply 'anted to en8oy
this ti*e 'ith the 'o*an he could not have.
It 'as perilous. 6e recogni<ed that. trange *agic 'as 'eaving through this day, and he )elt as i)
he 'ere 'al(ing into a )airy circle, being slo'ly deprived o) logic and purpose.
6e 'ould do no 'rong, ho'ever. 6e had pro*ised ;an, and a pro*ise li(e that 'as sacred. All
the sa*e, a stern chaperone 'ould have been sa)er.
A yo'l *ade hi* loo( bac( to see Jetta running a)ter the* li(e a thoroughbred. >Ah. A
chaperone a)ter all.?
>Bo 'e need one@?
6e glanced at Clarissa, catching a 'ic(edly de*ure loo( that *ade hi* 'ant to groan. -hat 'as
he going to do i) s!e had 'ic(ed designs upon !im@
&he cat arrived 'ith a )inal yo'l o) protest. 6e pic(ed it up, saying to Clarissa, >I) you don+t
thin( 'e do, :alcon, you are being naive.?
he blushed, but it only created a *ore devastating glo'. >I a* capable o) saying no to anything
I do not 'ant, 6a'(. Are you saying you 'ould )orce *e@?
>Eou have a *ista(en idea o) the role o) the chaperone, *y girl.? &hey strolled on, the cat no'
li*ply content. >6er role is not to prevent 'olves )ro* attac(ing, but to prevent *aidens )ro*
thro'ing the*selves into the 8a's o) the 'olves.?
he turned her head so he could see her 'hole )ace, and her e4pression 'as decidedly 'ic(ed. >I
have al'ays disli(ed having a chaperone.?
6e stro(ed the cat. >Jetta, I thin( you are truly needed here.?
Clarissa laughed, a char*ing gurgle o) laughter that 'as ne'. A )e' 'ee(s ago in Cheltenha*
she hadn+t laughed li(e that9rela4ed and happy. eductive.
6e could vividly i*agine her laughing li(e that in bed. !a(ed in a 'ell"used bed=
6e+d seen *en be'itched by 'ic(ed 'o*en, o)ten to the e4tent o) bes*irching their honor, once
or t'ice to their co*plete destruction. 6ad they, too, )elt careless as they )ell, as i) a )e' *agical
*o*ents 'ere 'orth any )ate@
I) he had any sense, he 'ould return to the house no'.
Instead, he 'ent on 'ith her, out o) the sunshine and into the cool *ystery o) the 'oodland. Jetta
leaped do'n to e4plore, and 6a'( searched )or so*ething innocuous to say. >-e played here a
great deal as boys.?
>Inights and dragons@? she as(ed.
>And crusaders and in)idels. Pirates and the navy9 but 'e 'ere al'ays the pirates.?
&he hat tilted, sho'ing a gli*pse o) nose. >A cri*inal inclination, I see.?
An opening. 6e could not )ail to ta(e it. >,) course. 6ave you never played the cri*inal@?
6e 'atched care)ully, but since he could still see only her nose, it 'as hard to 8udge her reaction.
>6ave you@? she said.
+es, now.
6o' peace)ul it see*ed in this other 'orld under the green shade, busy birdsong all around
the*. Jetta pounced into so*e )erns, then out again, than()ully 'ithout a trophy.
6a'( loo(ed at the siren 'al(ing so de*urely by his side and 'ished this 'as the innocent,
unshado'ed stroll it see*ed.
>!ot here. !one o) us 'anted to play the true villains. -e didn+t consider pirates villains, o)
course. &he dragons, in)idels, and navy had to be i*aginary.?
he turned so he could see her co*plete s*ile. >But villains o)ten have the best lines. I al'ays
as(ed to play the villain in school plays.?
>A villainous inclination, I see.?
>Perhaps.? &here 'as laughter in it, ho'ever, not dar( *eaning. >I certainly pre)erred it to being
the heroine. &here are so )e' good roles )or a heroine.?
>ha(espeare has so*e.?
>&rue. Portia. Beatrice. I played Cady 7acbeth once9?
6e could i*agine that a hand tightened on her throat, sealing o)) any *ore 'ords. -hy@ -hat
'as it about Cady 7acbeth that could not be spo(en@ Ci(e the distant ru*ble o) cannons,
spea(ing o) death, he re*e*bered the bloody dagger in the play.
>But is she a heroine@? he as(ed, 'atching. >he incites a *urder=?
6e 'as al*ost certain that Cord Arden had (illed Beveril, but had Clarissa incited hi* to it@
Pressed the dagger into his hands@ It 'as not a picture he 'anted to envision.
>he su))ers )or it,? Clarissa said.
>But so*e *urderers bene)it )ro* their cri*es.?
>,nly i) they+re not caught.?
he 'as getting better and better at tossing 'ords around 'ithout sho'ing her )eeling. 6e
ad*ired it, but he 'ished )or a little *ore transparency.
A4actly ho' had it gone@ Planned assassination, or cri*e o) the *o*ent@ It *attered. It *attered
to hi* because he did not 'ant her to be guilty in the tiniest degree, and it 'ould *atter i) it
ever, .od )orbid, ca*e to the courts.
6e (ne' he 'as dicing 'ith that. By stirring this pot, he ris(ed everything pouring out to
destroy.
>It+s a di))icult role )or a schoolgirl,? he re*ar(ed, >but playing 7acbeth 'ould be harder still.?
>,h, not really.? 6er voice see*ed nor*al again. >6e+s caught up in circu*stances, isn+t he@
And any'ay, schoolgirls love dar( dra*a and tragedy. Avery )i)teen"year"old girl longs to die a
*artyr. -e used to enact the story o) Joan o) Arc )or a*use*ent.?
he+d slid de)tly a'ay )ro* the edge.
>Eou played Joan o) Arc, 'hile 'e played /obin 6ood. aint and thie). &hat probably re)lects
the di))erence bet'een girls and boys.?
>7ilitant saint and honorable thie). -e girls 'eren+t attracted to the (ind o) saint 'ho spent her
li)e in prayer and peace, 8ust as none o) you 'anted to play the true villains.?
>-e conscripted so*e.? 6e li)ted a trailing branch out o) her 'ay. >&he head grounds*an here
'as un(no'ingly our sheri)) o) !ottingha*. Avoiding hi* 'as a challenge, especially as he
didn+t al'ays approve o) 'hat 'e 'ere doing and carried a sturdy stic(.?
>And 'hat about 7aid 7arian@? she as(ed 'ith a loo(.
>!ot until 'e 'ere muc! older.?
he laughed again, that char*ing chuc(le.
6e suddenly stopped, and 'ithout 3uestion or apology loosened her bonnet ribbons so the hat
)lattened and hung do'n her bac(.
he loo(ed up at hi*, unresisting.
&e*pting. Be*anding, even.
-ith di))iculty he re*e*bered his pro*ise to ;an. A (iss, perhaps@
!o, even a (iss 'as too dangerous no'.
>-e did a play about /obin 6ood once,? she said.
>-ho 'ere you@ /obin@ 7aid 7arian@ &he 'ic(ed sheri))@?
>Alan"a"dale.?
>&he *instrel@ Bo you sing, then@?
It shoc(ed hi* that there *ight be so*ething signi)icant about her that he didn+t (no'.
he s*iled, a lovely picture o) )rec(led innocence under the green"and"gold )iltered light o) the
su**er 'oods. &hen she began to sing.
<nder t!e greenwood tree %!o loves to lie wit! me, 8nd turn a merry note <nto t!e sweet bird0s
t!roat.
he began to bac( a'ay, still singing0
"ome !it!er, come !it!er, come !it!er. Here s!all you see
*o enemy but winter and roug! weat!er. "ome !it!er, come !it!er, come !it!er.
6a'( stood, al*ost breathless, caught by her s'eet, strong voice and the invitation in her eyes.
*o enemy but winter and roug! weat!er=
I) only that 'ere true.
6e 'al(ed slo'ly )or'ard. >ha(espeare@ I didn+t (no' he 'rote about /obin 6ood.?
>8s +ou 2i.e /t. It+s *ostly set in the )orest, so 'e stole bits.?
>Eou have a lovely voice. And,? he added, >you issue a lovely invitation.?
> FAll the 'orld+s a stage,+ ? she 3uoted lightly, > Fand all the *en and 'o*en *erely players=+
?
6e 'anted to shoo her a'ay, as she+d shooed a'ay the duc(ling. +ou are in t!e company of
predators. >lee, flee bac. to safety. Instead, his 'ill crushed, he held out a hand.
A (iss. Just a (iss.
6er eyes still and thought)ul, she loosened the )ingers o) one lacy 'hite glove and slo'ly pulled
it o)). &hen she began on the other. 6e 'atched her unveil crea*y, sil(en s(in, a shiver passing
through hi*.
6ands touched, hers cool and so)t, and he dre' her close, dre' her hands to curl behind hi*.
Bappled light turned her hair to a deep, burnished gold, and he loved the rioting 'ild)ire o) it. In
every 'ay, it suited her. &he curve o) her )ull lips and the loo( in her steady eyes 'ere pure
per)ection.
he *oved a little closer and raised her )ace e4pectantly )or the (iss. &he very boldness 'as a
'arning, but he couldn+t heed it no'. 6e too( the o))ered (iss that he needed.
Clarissa too( the (iss that she needed.
As their lips blended and s'eet satis)action rippled through her, she didn+t regret anything, past
or )uture. he san( into the spicy pleasure o) his *outh and gladly dro'ned. he held bac(
nothing, holding hi* tight to her so every possible inch 8oined 'ith hi*, absorbed hi*.
-hen the (iss ended, she shivered. It 'as partly pleasure, but *ore the ache o) dra'ing apart
and the hunger )or *ore. :or eternity.
he 'aited )or the 'ords that 'ould spea( the *essage in his dar(ened eyes, in his hands that
played gently against her chee(s, but then he stepped care)ully a'ay. >I 'onder 'here Jetta is.?
he caught his hand. >Bo 'e care@?
6is )ingers tightened on hers, but he said, >Ees, I thin( 'e *ust.?
6e 'as right. I) they 'anted to be honorable, they could not (eep (issing li(e that. But 'hy
'ould he not spea(@ he )elt she *ight die o) this restraint, but she 'ould give hi* till they 'ere
al*ost bac( in the village. he 'ould give hi* that *uch.
he 'as the one 'ho turned to )ollo' the path, he the one to be dra'n along by their inter'oven
)ingers. >&ell *e *ore about yoursel), 6a'(. &ell *e about your 'or( in the ar*y.? he
hungered )or everything about hi*, and there 'as so *uch she did not (no'.
he thought he *ight resist, but a)ter a *o*ent he led her on'ard and ans'ered. >I started out in
the cavalry, but I 'as seconded to the Duarter*aster .eneral+s Bepart*ent. It+s a separate
ad*inistrative unit. &here is also the Co**issariat, and the duties o)ten overlap.
>&he *ain purpose is the *anage*ent o) the ar*y. It+s no easy *atter to *ove tens o) thousands
o) *en and all the hangers"on around e))iciently and bring the* to battle in good order. In
addition, an ar*y is li(e a city. Averything that happens in a city happens there. Bra'ls, the)t,
cri*es o) passion. 7ost *atters are sorted out by the o))icers9thin( o) the* as *agistrates.? 6e
helped her over a spot 'here a cru*bling hole spanned the path. >o*eti*es there are *ore
co*ple4 proble*s. ,rgani<ed thievery, )orgery, *urder.?
>7urder@? he hoped she sounded *erely curious. he+d reacted to the 'ord li(e a spoo(ed
horse.
6e gave her one o) his sharp glances. he told hersel) it didn+t *atter. oon they 'ould be
bound, and then she 'ould tell hi* everything.
>7urder,? he agreed, >but rarely o) any cleverness. It 'as usually a case o) )ollo'ing the bloody
)ootprints.?
he hoped she didn+t shiver at that.
>-e *ostly loo(ed into cri*es involving o))icers or civilians, and o) course there 'ere al'ays
spies, so*e o) the* traitors.?
>7en in the ar*y 'ho turned traitor@? she as(ed, genuinely shoc(ed.
>o*eti*es.?
>-hy 'ould anyone do that@?
>:or *oney. &here+s no li*it to 'hat so*e people 'ill do )or *oney.?
&here see*ed a dar( tone to that. -as it because he 'as thin(ing o) hi*sel) as a )ortune hunter@
-as it si*ple guilt over that 'hich *ade hi* hesitate@
&hey 'ere tal(ing o) cri*es, ho'ever. It 'as an e4cellent opportunity to see 8ust ho' strictly he
(ept to the letter o) the la'.
>Bid you al'ays en)orce the la'@? she as(ed. >o*eti*es there *ust be e4cuses. hould a
starving person hang )or stealing a loa) o) bread@?
>!o one should hang )or stealing a loa) o) bread. ,ur punish*ent syste* is barbaric and
irrational. But those 'ith 'ealth live in )ear o) those 'ho are poor.?
he *ade hersel) as( the ne4t 3uestion. >-hat o) those 'ho steal li)e@ hould a person al'ays
hang )or *urder@?
6e glanced at her, and she could glean nothing )ro* his e4pression. >Eou thin( there should be
cle*ency@?
>-hy not@ &he Bible says an eye )or an eye. -hat i) it+s a cri*e o) revenge@?
>&he Bible also says, F6e that s*iteth a *an so that he die, shall surely be put to death.+ ?
&hat 'asn+t 'hat she 'anted to hear. >-hat o) a duel@ hould the victor 'ho (ills his opponent
be e4ecuted@?
>&hat is the la'. It+s generally ignored i) the a))air is handled according to the rules.?
he too( a ris( and re)erred to the heart o) the *atter. >Eet you said you 'ould have li(ed to (ill
Cord Beveril )or *e.?
6e 'as loo(ing at her intently. he *et his eyes, 'aiting )or his ans'er.
>o*e people deserve death,? he agreed.
>o in such a case, you 'ouldn+t 'ant the la' to run its course@? he 'as being too direct, too
bold, but she *ust (no'.
6e didn+t instantly agree. >-ho are 'e to play the angel o) death or the angel o) *ercy@ -ho are
'e to subvert 8ustice@?
>ubvert 8ustice@?
>Isn+t that 'hat you+re suggesting@ hielding a cri*inal )ro* the 'rath o) the la'@?
It 'as precisely 'hat she 'as suggesting, and she didn+t li(e his ans'ers.
>I 'as thin(ing *ore o) a 8ury,? she said 3uic(ly. >,)ten they let people go rather than e4pose
the* to harsh penalties.?
>Ah, true, and 'hy our syste* does not 'or(.? &hey had stopped, and he rubbed a (nuc(le
so)tly in the dip beneath her lips. >-e are being very serious )or a su**er a)ternoon. Eou thin(
o)ten and deeply about 8ustice and the la'@?
>-e had to discuss such *atters at 7iss 7allory+s,? she said, beginning to *elt again9and at
such a slight touch. >Bo you *ind a thought)ul, educated '= 'o*an@?
he+d al*ost said wife5
6is eyes crin(led 'ith laughter. >!ot at all. o,? he added, soberly, >'hat is it you 'ant to (no'
about *y vie's on the la'@?
he thought )or a *o*ent, then as(ed a direct 3uestion. >Bid you ever let a guilty person go
because you thought it 8ust, even though the la' 'ould have punished the*@?
6is hand stilled. A)ter a thought)ul *o*ent, he said, >Ees.?
he too( 'hat )elt li(e the )irst deep breath in *inutes. >I+* glad.?
>I thought you *ight be. In at least one case, I 'as 'rong and thus responsible )or another
death.?
>But9?
Jetta leaped out o) the undergro'th 8ust then, and Clarissa started 'ith shoc(. he put a hand to
her chest and 6a'( laughed. >&hat cat 'ill be the death o) *e. Co*e on. -e are co**anded
on'ard by our chaperone.?
Jetta 'as 'al(ing haughtily ahead.
chaperone or not, 6a'( put his ar* around her as he had that day at the )air. 6ere, ho'ever,
there 'as no need to protect her )ro* a cro'd.
he rela4ed into the gentle protectiveness o) it, but dared another 3uestion. >Bid you ever have to
investigate a )riend@?
>,nce. I had no choice. 6e 'as guilty o) repeated co'ardice, and a danger to all around hi*.?
>-hat happened to hi*@?
>!othing dra*atic. 6e 'as allo'ed to resign his co**ission on the grounds o) ill health. Cast I
heard, he goes around recounting his brave deeds and regretting that his 'ea( body )orced hi* to
leave the scene o) battle.? A)ter a *o*ent, he loo(ed at her and added, >o*eti*es 'e do not
(no' our )riends.?
-as that a 'arning@
>Can 'e (no' people at all@? she as(ed. >Can 'e ever (no' another person too 'ell to be
surprised@?
>Can 'e ever (no' ourselves too 'ell to be surprised@?
he )ro'ned over that. >I )eel I (no' *ysel) )airly 'ell, )aults and all.?
>But9)orgive *e, :alcon9you have )lo'n in circu*scribed territory. I) you 'ere plunged into
the e4traordinary, you 'ould doubtless surprise yoursel). ,ne 'ay or another.?
he loo(ed up at hi*. >I) 'e are uncertain o) everything, even ourselves, ho' do 'e go on@?
>Glti*ately, blind )aith and trust.?
&rust. &hat 'as the (ey. >I trust you, 6a'(.?
6is eyes shi)ted a'ay. >Ah,? he said. >Perhaps you shouldn+t.?
Chapter Se%enteen
he loo(ed ahead, to )ind that the path 'ound around a large boulder. Jetta, )ollo'ing it, glanced
bac(, then disappeared.
>-hat+s the *atter@? she as(ed.
6e too( her hand and pulled her along. >Co*e.?
Beyond the boulder the path tu*bled do'n long, rough steps. It didn+t go very )ar be)ore it
divided, see*ing to 'ander through shrubs and roc(y outcroppings. he could hear splashing
'ater so*e'here.
>I have led you,? he said, >li(e the children o) Israel, into the 'ilderness.?
&hen she reali<ed 'hat this 'as. A 'ilderness garden. >o you have. But surely that isn+t such a
terrible thing.?
>It has not, I )ear, received 7aria+s e))icient care as yet, and thus is rather *ore realistically 'ild
than it should be. Eet it stands bet'een us and our goal.? 6e loo(ed at her. >Bo 'e go on, or
bac(@?
A 'ilderness 'as designed to loo( 'ild but to also provide sa)e, s*ooth paths )or civili<ed
en8oy*ent. he could see that so*e paths here 'ere al*ost overgro'n, and there *ight be other
ha<ards.
he s*iled at hi*. >-e go on, o) course.?
6is s*ile suddenly *atched hers. >o be it.?
6e helped her do'n the rough, roc(y steps. >&his is all co*pletely arti)icial, o) course. Big here
and you+ll hit chal(, not granite. Care)ul.?
&he )inal roc( 'as covered in tangling ivy. 6e stepped on it in his riding boots, grasped her at
the 'aist and s'ung her co*pletely over to the path beyond.
he landed )eeling as i) she+d le)t her sto*ach and her 'its behind her entirely. -hen he stepped
do'n beside her, she curled a hand around his nec(. >A hero deserves a (iss,? she said, and
re'arded hi*, re8oicing in the )irst (iss she had ta(en )or hersel).
-hen they dre' apart, she dared to caress his lean chee( 'ith her )ingers, her delighted )ingers.
>Inight errant and princess.?
>,r,? he said, >dragon and princess= @?
>-ith sharp teeth@?
6e turned and nipped at her )ingers, and she snatched the* a'ay. >But you are aint .eorge5
.eorgina -est said so that )irst day.?
6e captured her hand and dre' it to his *outh, to his teeth. >I+* no saint, Clarissa.? 6e pressed
teeth so)tly into her (nuc(le. >/e*e*ber that.?
Astonishingly, she 'anted hi* to bite harder.
But then he lo'ered her hand and tugged her along a path. >Co*e on.?
he laughed and 'ent, their bare hands clasped as i) it 'ere the *ost natural thing in the 'orld.
And it 'as. &hey 'ere )riends. &hey 'ere 8oined. 6e 'as hers, and she 'as his, and be)ore they
returned to the civili<ed 'orld she 'ould be sure o) it.
6e o)ten had to hold bac( invading branches. At one point, Clarissa raised her s(irts to 'or( past
a bra*bly spot. It 'as necessary, but she didn+t *ind sho'ing an e4tra bit o) leg.
>Baisies,? he said, ad*iring her stoc(ings 'ith a grin. >Are all your stoc(ings )ancied in so*e
'ay@?
he deliberately )luttered her lashes at hi*. >-hy, sir, that is )or you to )ind out5?
-hen he reached )or her, she duc(ed under a drooping branch and evaded hi*. o*ething
snagged at her, and she reali<ed that her hat 'as still do'n her bac(. he didn+t *ind, but 'aited
)or hi* to unhoo( her. &hen )ro<e at the tender touch at her nape=
&hey see*ed *agically transported out o) the real 'orld and real cares, to a place 'here 'ild
rules reigned. he turned slo'ly to loo( at hi*, but he shoo( his head and dre' her on'ard.
&hen they ca*e to the 'ater, a little strea* tric(ling out o) a roc( to splash into a *oss"covered
dip and )lo' a'ay into a 'eedy pond. Clarissa put her hand under the cool strea*.
>Piped, o) course,? he said.
he )lic(ed a hand)ul o) spray at hi*. >Just because you have a house that loo(s as i) it+s gro'n
'here it stands5 &hat+s no reason to sneer because others have to construct their little bit o)
heaven.?
>7in4.? Caughing, he brushed a'ay the spar(ling trail )ro* his hair. >!ature is beauti)ul
enough. -hy try to turn it into so*ething it isn+t@ But 'e did have )un here as boys.?
6e loo(ed around. >I re*e*ber 'e (notted a rope onto a branch up there,? he said, pointing at a
tall el* that overhung the*. >-e 'ere planning to s'ing )ro* one side to the other, li(e pirates
boarding a panish treasure ship. ;an bro(e his collarbone.?
>Eour parents *ust have been terri)ied.?
>-e hid the rope and said ;an had )allen on the path. -e 'ere going to try another ti*e, but
never did. Perhaps 'e did have so*e sense.?
6e put his hand under the 'ater, letting it strea* out bet'een his )ingers li(e dia*onds in a sha)t
o) bright sun. he 'atched hi* care)ully, e4pecting retaliation.
6e turned to her, and 'ith his 'et hand he gently traced a cool line across her bro's, do'n her
chee(, and to her lips. &hen he (issed her, hot against the cool, so she hu**ed 'ith pleasure.
6e dre' bac(, )ro'ning. >&his is no good. 7aria 'ill send out a search party.?
he grasped his 8ac(et and pulled hi* bac(. >Can+t 'e hide here and never be )ound@?
>6ide in the 'ilderness@? 6e )reed hi*sel), gripping her hands to prevent )urther attac(. >!o,
)air ny*ph, I+* a)raid 'e cannot. &he 'orld is a de*anding *istress and 'ill recapture us.? 6e
loo(ed around. >&he paths 'ind all over, but 'e can cut through by going that 'ay.?
he loo(ed 'here he pointed. >&hat+s the pond.?
>It+s about si4 inches deep.? 6e suddenly s'ept her into his ar*s.
he shrie(ed, but then 'rapped one ar* around his nec( and (issed his 8a'. >7y hero5?
>Eou *ay 'ant to 'ait and see i) I can do this 'ithout dropping you. I suspect the botto* is pure
sli*e.?
As soon as he put his boots into the 'ater she )elt the* slip. >6a'(=?
>-hat is li)e 'ithout ris(@?
>&his is a brand"ne' go'n5?
>, little *ind, tied do'n in *undane cares.?
&he pond 'as only about ten )eet 'ide, but he 'as having to ta(e each step 'ith e43uisite care.
Clarissa began to laugh.
>top that, 'o*an. Eou+ll have us dro'ning in duc('eed5?
he stopped it by suc(ing lightly at his 8a'.
>Is that supposed to help@?
>Pro*ise o) re'ard@? she 'hispered.
6e halted. >top that, or I drop you.?
he loo(ed into his s*iling eyes. >Bo I believe you@?
>Bo you thin( I 'ouldn+t@?
>Ees,? she said, and nibbled hi*.
6e groaned and stepped 3uic(ly, rashly, the rest o) the 'ay across, then set her on her )eet. 6e
(ept one ar* around her, ho'ever, and s'ung her hard against hi* )or a (iss that *ade their
others see* lu(e'ar*.
Clarissa sagged, her (nees 'ea(ening under that assault. &he ne4t she (ne' she 'as spra'led
bac( against a roc(, a sun"'ar*ed roc(, grit and heat clear even through cloth. It 'as only
slightly inclined. Perhaps i) his legs 'eren+t so pressed to hers she 'ould slide do'n.
All she could thin( o), ho'ever, 'as his passionate eyes, on her. ,n her. Averything she 'anted
in li)e 'as here.
>Eour go'n is probably beco*ing stained 'ith *oss.? he 'hispered, leaning closer, supported
by one ar*. &he other hand rose to play on her chee(, her nec(=
>Is it@? 6er o'n voice astonished her 'ith its hus(y *ystery.
>Eour ne' go'n,? he re*inded her.
>A* I supposed to care@?
>Ees,? he said. >I rather thin( you are.?
>But I+* rich, 7a8or 6a'(inville. ;ery rich. -hat is one dress here or there@?
6is lips t'itched. >&hen 'hat about the evidence o) *oss on a lady+s bac(@?
>Ah. But isn+t the da*age done@ And I can al'ays clai* that you 'ere a poor escort and let *e
tu*ble in the 'ilderness.?
> F&u*ble,+ ? he said, brushing his lips over hers. >&hat has t'o *eanings, you (no'.?
>Ci(e Frod+@? she dared.
&hose creases dug deep beside his *outh. >;ery li(e Frod,+ yes. Eou )righten *e, Clarissa.?
>Bo I@ 6o'@?
>Bon+t loo( so pleased. Eou )righten *e because you have no true sense o) caution. Aren+t you at
all a)raid@?
>I+* not a)raid o) you, 6a'(.?
>Eou should be a)raid o) all *en here, alone in the 'ilderness.?
>hould I@ ho' *e 'hy.?
-ith a laugh that sounded partly li(e a groan, he loo(ed do'n, do'n at her bodice. 6er go'n+s
'aist 'as very high and the bodice very s(i*py, though *ade de*ure by a )ine cotton )ichu that
tuc(ed into it.
6e pulled that out.
Clarissa lay there, heart pounding, as he so)tly (issed the upper curves o) her breasts, a )eather"
stro(e o) lips across s(in that had never (no'n a *an+s touch be)ore. A 'ise and cautious
'o*an 'ould stop hi* at this point. he raised a hand and let her )ingers play 'ith his hair as
his lips teased at her.
&hen his hand slid up to cup her breast. A ne', strange )eeling, but she li(ed it. 6is thu*b began
to rub and she caught her breath. Ah, she li(ed that even *ore5
he reali<ed her hand had stilled and 'as clutching at the bac( o) his nec(. 6er eyes hal)")ocused
on sunlight on his hair=
A sudden coolness *ade her start and loo( do'n. 6is thu*b had 'or(ed both go'n and corset
o)) her nipple5 he 'atched nu*bly as his *outh *oved over and settled=
he let her head )all bac( and closed her eyes, the sun a 'ar* ha<e behind her lids as he stirred
*agic in )irst one breast, then the other.
!o, not 8ust in her breasts.
Avery'here. Perhaps because his hand 'as beneath her s(irt, up on her na(ed thigh. At so*e
ti*e her legs had parted and he pressed bet'een the*. he *oved her body against his, holding
hi* closer.
o, this 'as love*a(ing.
/uin.
6o' very, very s'eet.
A deep beat started bet'een her thighs, teaching her 'hat 'anting truly 'as. -anting a speci)ic
*an, in a speci)ic 'ay, at a speci)ic *o*ent.
!o'.
he 'riggled to press closer.
>.ood .od5?
6e pushed a'ay, 8er(ing her up straight. Clarissa opened da<<led eyes to see hi* in a
shi**ering halo o) light. 6e pulled up her bodice and searched around )or her discarded )ichu.
he put a hand on the roc( to stay upright, but she 'as laughing. >&hat 'as astonishing5 Can 'e
do it again@?
6e straightened, )ichu in hand. >Eou+re an unrepentant 'anton5? But he 'as )lushed and hal)
laughing too. >Eou+ve be'itched *e co*pletely out o) *y senses. 6eaven (no's ho' long
'e+ve been here.? 6e )lung the so)t cotton around her nec( and began to tuc( it in 'ith unsteady
)ingers.
&hen he stood bac(. >Eou do that. 7aria 'ill 'ant *y head. And ;an 'ill 'ant9?
6e stopped 'hat he 'as saying, and she )i4ed the )ichu over her breasts, )ighting bac( her
laughter. he 'as incapable o) anything e4cept total delight. &hat (iss, that encounter, had 'iped
a'ay the last trace o) doubt about his )eelings. 6e+d gone )urther than he+d intended. 6e+d lost
trac( o) ti*e.
6e, the 6a'(, had been lost in his senses 'ith her.
he (ne' he 'as appalled, and that spo(e o) the po'er o) their love.
&heir love=
>-e need only say 'e 'ere lost in the 'ilderness, 6a'(.?
>-e need to get out o) here. -here+s our da*ned inade3uate chaperone@?
6e too( her hand and virtually dragged her up so*e *ore steps and around another boulder out
into an open grassy space. &here sat Jetta in )ront o) a gate in the estate 'all, 'aiting.
>Bon+t as( ho' she (ne' 'here 'e 'ere going,? he said. >he+s never been here be)ore.? 6e
strode )or'ard and grasped the iron bolt, then s'ore. >It+s stuc(. 7y apologies.?
>:or language or gate@? But Clarissa (ne' laughter 'as in her tone. he couldn+t help it. he+d
laugh at rain at the *o*ent, at thunder, or at hurricane. 6e 'as an4ious to get through the gate
)or )ear o) her5 ,) 'hat *ore they *ight do here.
he rather hoped the latch 'as )used shut.
6e struggled 'ith it )or a *o*ent *ore, then suddenly stood bac( and (ic(ed at the rusty bolt.
&he gate sprang open, the bolt )lying o)) the shattered rotten 'ood.
he caught her breath.
Crude, e))ective violence.
A side o) 6a'( 6a'(inville that she had not seen be)ore, suddenly re*inding her o) handso*e,
civili<ed Cord Arden lost in rage, hitting his 'i)e=
6e shoo( hi*sel) and turned, the elegant *an again. >Co*e.?
Chapter E$'hteen
Clarissa 'ent through the splintered gate. All the beauti)ul certainty she+d )loated in had gone,
and she 'as 8olted to dubious earth. -ould his ne4t violent outburst be against her@ -hen she
told hi* the truth@
Beyond the gate lay civili<ation. &he Anglish countryside. A 'ell"trodden path'ay ran along the
edge o) a )ield o) barley, 'inding up the hill behind the*, and do'n to'ard the village in )ront.
&he path to 'here@ he had vo'ed to as( hi* to *arry her i) he didn+t propose )irst. !o' she
)altered be)ore uncertain )la*es.
>&he path rises up to 6a'(s 7on(ton,? he said in a very nor*al voice. >It+s about three *iles.?
Jetta rubbed past their legs and headed do'n. -hat 'as there to do but )ollo'@
>Perhaps you 'ould care to visit it one day,? he said as i) giving a guided tour. >-e have the
re*ains o) a *onastery there. ;ery re*aining re*ains. &he stones 'ere too use)ul to be le)t
untouched.?
>-e@? she as(ed. >Boes the *anor hold this land@?
>!o, this is ;an+s. &he only *anor land on this side o) the river is around 6a'(s 7on(ton. ,n
the other side, 'e o'n the village, and land nearly all the 'ay to o*er)ord Court up there.?
:ro* this height Clarissa could see *ore o) Cord A*leigh+s ho*e9a solid stone bloc( 'ith a lot
o) chi*neys. >Jacobean@? she guessed.
>Aarly Charles I, but close enough. It doesn+t have the elegance o) ;an+s house, or the age o)
*ine, and the o*er)ords haven+t been 'ealthy since the Civil -ar, so it+s shabby in places. But
it 'as al'ays *y )avorite place to be.? 6e+d co*e to a halt considering it. >It 'as al'ays a place
o) love and (indness and tran3uil days.?
>-hat happened to the*@?
7ore violence@
6e loo(ed at her as i) co*ing out o) *e*ories. >-as I spea(ing in the past tense@ &hat co*es
out o) *y *ind rather than reality. But Con+s )ather and brother died 'hile 'e 'ere in the ar*y.
It 'as his )ather+s heart. 6is brother dro'ned. :red 'as boating *ad. 6is *other and younger
sister still live there, ho'ever, and he has t'o older sisters 'ho are *arried 'ith )a*ilies o) their
o'n.?
Clarissa gave than(s )or 'hat sounded li(e a nor*al )a*ily. he 'as beginning to thin( such
things a *atter only )or )able5
>And Cord ;andei*en@ 6e doesn+t *ention any )a*ily.?
6e gestured )or the* to 'al( on, and she obeyed. he noted, ho'ever, that he didn+t touch her
this ti*e as he had so *any ti*es be)ore. 6ad that burst o) violence indicated a change o) *ind
in hi*, as 'ell as )or her@
-hat 'as she to do about that@
>adly, ;an has none le)t. It+s hard to believe. teynings 'as al'ays so )ull o) li)e. 6is *other
and one sister died in the in)luen<a that s'ept through here. 6is other sister died in childbirth a
year ago, on the e4act day o) -aterloo. .od alone (no's, death 'as not short o) business that
day.? 6e collected hi*sel). >It+s not surprising that his )ather 'ent do'nhill. 6e shot hi*sel).?
>And Cord ;andei*en ca*e ho*e )ro* battle to all that@ 6o' terrible.?
>But his *arriage has begun to heal the 'ounds.?
7arriage. Capable o) healing, capable o) 'ounding. he suddenly sa' it not as a device, as a
co*)ortable *atter o) orange blosso*s and beds, but as an ele*ental )orce.
>7y parents 'ere not li(e that,? she said, hal) to hersel). >I+* sure their *arriage 'as al'ays=
and.?
>Perhaps not. 7any *arriages begin 'ith drea*s and ideals.?
he loo(ed at hi*, reali<ing that they 'ere tal(ing about *arriage9no', 'hen she had beco*e
dread)ully uncertain.
>-hat o) your parents, 6a'(@?
>7ine@? 6is laugh 'as short and bitter. >7y )ather tric(ed *y *other into *arriage to gain her
estate. ,nce he had it, he gave her no )urther thought other than to push her out o) his 'ay.?
he stared at hi*, thin(ing perhaps she at last understood his lac( o) action. >Eou )ear to be li(e
your )ather@? she as(ed so)tly.
&hey had stopped again. >Perhaps,? he said.
he grasped her courage. >I) 'e 'ere to *arry, 'ould you give *e no )urther thought other than
to push *e out o) your 'ay@?
6u*or, true hu*or, spar(ed in his eyes. >I) I )ound you in *y 'ay, I+d li(ely ravish you on the
spot.?
he laughed, )eeling her )ace burn 'ith hot pleasure. >&hen *arry *e, 6a'(5?
And thus 6a'( )ound hi*sel) )ro<en, pinned to an i*possible spot by the 'ords that had
escaped hi*. I) he said no, she 'ould shrivel. I) he said yes, it 'ould be the direst betrayal.
6e could not trap her 'ithout telling her the truth. I) he told the truth, she 'ould )lee.
6e+d been silent too long. 7orti)ication rushed into her chee(s, and she turned to stu*ble a'ay
do'n the path.
6e caught her round the 'aist, stopping her, pulling her against hi*. >Clarissa, I+* sorry5 Eou
are being very generous, and I= Ba<<led by sunshine and 'ilderness adventures 'ith you, I+*
in no state to *a(e a logical decision.?
he )ought hi*. 6e )elt tears splash on his hands. In )ear o) hurting her, he let her go.
he 'hirled on hi*, brushing angrily at her eyes 'ith both hands. >Cogical5 Bo you deny that
you 'ent to Cheltenha* in search o) the Bevil+s 6eiress@?
>!o.?
>&hen 'hy, )or heaven+s sa(e, 'hen the rabbit 'ants to leap into the 'ol)s 8a's, are you
stepping bac(@?
>Perhaps, da**it, because rabbits are not supposed to leap into 8a's5?
he planted her )ists on her hips. >o5 Eou 'ill hold *y boldness against *e and cling to
conventional 'ays5? 6er loo( up and do'n 'as *agni)icently annihilating. >I thought better o)
you, sir.?
-ith that salvo, she turned and *arched a'ay, and this ti*e he did not try to stop her. 6e
'atched )or a *o*ent, trans)i4ed 'ith ad*iration and pure, raging lust.
7y .od, but he 'anted this treasure o) a 'o*an in every possible 'ay. 6e )orced his )eet into
action to )ollo', plunging *adly bac( into thought to )ind an ans'er, a solution. And it 'as as
*uch )or her as )or hi*. 6e could not bear to see her su))er li(e this.
6e could accept her o))er o) *arriage. 6e recogni<ed it )or the 'or* it 'as, but he could *a(e a
clear case in )avor.
he loved hi*. Perhaps she 'ould )orgive. Perhaps she 'ould accept a )uture as Cady Beveril. I)
not, she 'ould be the o))ended party, and could *arch o)), banners )lying. 6e+d (eep not a penny
*ore o) her *oney than he absolutely needed, and 'ould never try to restrict her )reedo*. 6e+d
give her a divorce i) she 'anted it.
But divorce al'ays sha*ed the 'o*an. he 'ould never be restored to the pro*ise o) li)e that
she had no'. 6e 'ould be stealing that )ro* her.
And it 'ould have to be an elope*ent, 'ith all the proble*s he+d already considered. All the
proble*s that had *ade hi* re8ect that course. 6e had al'ays prided hi*sel) on courage and an
iron 'ill, but no' he+d )ound his 'ea(ness. 6e see*ed able to stic( to nothing 'here Clarissa
'as concerned.
;an.
6e had *ade his )riend a pro*ise. 6e+d already gone )urther than he ought. Alope*ent, though
9that 'ould be an outright violation. ;an *ight even )eel obliged to call hi* out.
.od Al*ighty5 &hat 'ould be the hellish nadir, to ris( (illing or being (illed by one o) his
closest )riends.
&he path separated )ro* the high stone 'all, and Clarissa too( the branch heading to'ard the
river and the hu*pbac(ed bridge. 6e 'atched her straight bac( and high"held head.
uch courage, though he 'as sure she 'as still )ighting tears. he hurt. 6e (ne' that. he
'ouldn+t agree no', but it 'as a *inor hurt that ti*e 'ould heal.
6e *ust stic( to his other plan and let her )ly )ree.
Clarissa 'atched a cro' )lap up )ro* the )ield in )ront o) her and 'ished she could si*ply )ly
a'ay )ro* this e4cruciating situation. All she could do, ho'ever, 'as hurry to re8oin her party
and return to Brighton.
A*pty, purposeless Brighton.
!o *ore 6a'(.
-hy had he pursued her i) he did not 'ant her@ -hy had he (issed her li(e that in the 'ilderness
i) he did not 'ant her@ -as it true 'hat they said, that a *an 'ould (iss and ravish any 'o*an,
given the chance@
It hadn+t )elt li(e that, but 'hat did she (no' o) the reality bet'een *en and 'o*en@
But, oh, it hurt to thin( that all her *oney 'as not s'eetening enough to *a(e her palatable.
he 'as sure that he 'as still co*ing along behind her, and she longed to turn and screa*
stupid, pride"salving things at hi*. &hat she didn+t 'ant hi*. Bidn+t need hi*. &hat she thought
his (isses horrid.
he bit her lip. As i) anyone 'ould believe that.
All she could do 'as escape 'ith the shreds o) her dignity intact.
And then 'hat@
!o *ore 6a'(.
!o 6a'( in the ;ale.
!o heaven )or her. Aver.
he ca*e to a stile, and )or a stupid *o*ent the 'ooden structure see*ed li(e an
insur*ountable obstacle, especially 'ith tears blurring her vision. he gathered her s(irts in
order to cli*b it.
6a'( suddenly stepped past her to cli*b over and o))er her a hand. he had to )ace hi* again.
-as she )ooling hersel) that his eyes see*ed to *irror her pain@
he put her hand in his, reali<ing by sight that it 'as gloveless. o*e'here in the 'ilderness she
had *islaid that sy*bol o) the 'ell"bred lady.
As she stepped up on her side, he said, >I+* sorry. Eou (no' ho' to turn a *an topsy"turvy,
Clarissa.?
>It+s entirely an accident, I assure you. I (no' nothing.?
>I shouldn+t have critici<ed you )or *a(ing that proposal.? 6e 'as bloc(ing her 'ay, but at a
point 'here she 'as nearly a )oot taller. Beliberately giving her that superiority@
>I *eant 'hat I said,? he 'ent on. >I+* da<<led. &his has been an une4pected and re*ar(able
day, and our adventures in the 'ilderness 'ere enough to turn any *an cra<ed. Eou *ust see
that.?
&he splinters o) ice in her heart started to *elt, but he 'asn+t really e4plaining. ,r accepting her
o))er.
>I can+t ans'er you no',? he said. >I told you about *y parents. 7y *other )lung hersel) into
*arriage 'ith *y )ather in a state o) blind adoration, then clung to her disappoint*ent )or the
rest o) her li)e. 7arriage is not a *atter to be decided in e*otion.?
he stared do'n at hi*. >Eou+re li(ening *e to your )ather@ Eou, sir, are the )ortune hunter
here5?
>&hen 'hy did you as( *e to *arry you@?
he (ne' she 'as turning red again. >;ery 'ell. I, li(e your )ather, lust a)ter 6a'( in the ;ale.
At least I+* honest about it. And I 'on+t push you aside i) you get in *y 'ay.?
&here 'as so*ething to be said )or anger, she reali<ed, and )or an additional )oot o) height5
>And,? she added, >you 'ent to Cheltenha* loo(ing )or me.?
>Ees.?
>Chec(ing *e out be)ore *a(ing a co**it*ent@?
A s*ile t'itched his lips. >I li(ed 'hat I )ound.?
>And you suggested that I co*e to Brighton.?
>Ees.?
>And (issed *e at the )air.?
>Ees.?
>And too( *e into the 'ilderness.?
6e loo(ed rather as i) she 'ere raining blo's on hi*. &hat didn+t stop her. he 'ould not play
coy ga*es any*ore.
he stepped over the *iddle o) the stile to loo* over hi* even *ore. >o, 7a8or 6a'(inville,
'hat happens ne4t@?
>Eou )ly li(e the )alcon you are.? 6e put his hands at her 'aist and li)ted her, spinning her in a
circle t'ice, then do'n to the grass beyond.
he landed, laughing despite hersel). >!o one but you has ever done that to *e, 6a'(. 7ade *e
)ly.? he *eant it in *any *ore 'ays than a spin through the air, and she (ne' he+d (no' that.
-hat no'@ hould she ris( devastation by as(ing hi* again= @
A screa* severed the *o*ent.
A young child+s shrie(.
A)ter a da<ed *o*ent, Clarissa reali<ed that a splash had gone 'ith the screa*. 6a'( 'as
already running, already hal)'ay across a )ield to the river9the river so deep it had (ept the
village on one side until the bridge 'as built. he pic(ed up her s(irts and raced a)ter hi*,
dodging around slightly startled co's.
&he child 'as still screa*ing, but she couldn+t see the riverban( )or bullrushes. crea*ing 'as
good, but then she reali<ed that there *ight be *ore than one child. ,ne screa*ing, one
dro'ning.
6a'( could s'i*. he re*e*bered that and than(ed .od.
&he screa*ing stopped, and she sa' that 6a'( 'as there, and a s*all child 'as pointing. &hen
he 'aded through the rushes.
he ran the last little 'ay, gasping, and too( the girl+s hand. he could see a boy ailing, but in
3uite shallo' 'ater near the edge. 6a'( grabbed the boy+s ar* and hauled hi* close.
a)e.
a)e.
Clarissa suc(ed in so*e needed air, collapsing onto the grass 'ith the little girl in her lap.
>&here, there, s'eetheart. It+s all right. 7a8or 6a'(inville has your )riend.?
&he dar("haired child 'as very young to be out 'ithout an adult, and the lad didn+t loo( *uch
older. !o 'onder they+d )allen into such trouble.
-ondering at the silence, she turned the girl+s )ace to'ard her and )ound tears pouring )ro* huge
blue eyes, but eerily 'ithout a sound. >,h, poppet, cry i) you 'ant.? he raised her crea* s(irt
to 'ipe the tears.
A hiccup escaped, but that 'as all. But then suddenly the child buried her )ace in Clarissa+s
shoulder and clung, shivering li(e Jetta that )irst day. Clarissa held her tight and crooned to her.
he thought to loo( around )or the )orgotten cat and )ound it there, lying in the grass, eyes on the
child in Clarissa+s lap. Clarissa *ade a little roo*, and Jetta leaped up.
&he child )linched, but Jetta pushed closer, purring, and the little girl put out a grubby hand to
touch her. &hen shivering little ar*s encircled, and tears )ell onto the sil(y )ur.
6a'( had the other child out o) the 'ater and 'as hugging hi* too. 6e and she 'ere both going
to be *uddy, but 6a'( didn+t see* to *ind, and she certainly didn+t. he 'as glad that he
'asn+t 'asting breath yelling at the )rightened boy.
Clarissa bid her )ace in the girl+s curls. he 'as besotted by everything about 7a8or 6a'(
6a'(inville. he could even, in a 'ay, ad*ire hi* )or not snatching the pri<e she+d dangled in
)ront o) hi*.
6e 'ould be a 'onder)ul )ather, though. he+d never thought that 'ay be)ore, but she 'anted
hi* as )ather to her children.
6e carried the boy over. >6e see*s to *ostly spea( :rench, and be o) a taciturn disposition, but
he+s one o) 7rs. /o'land+s children, so this *ust be the other.?
>-ho+s 7rs. /o'land@?
>A Belgian 'o*an *arried to an invalid Anglish o))icer. he has roo*s in the village.?
>6er children shouldn+t be out alone.?
>!o, but there+s little *oney. he has to go a'ay so*eti*es, see(ing an inheritance. People have
o))ered to help, but she+s proud. -e+ll ta(e the* ho*e as 'e go.?
Clarissa separated reluctant child and cat, then held out a hand. 6e helped her up 'ith the little
girl still clutching.
>At least,? he said, loo(ing her over, >no one is going to be co**enting about stains on your
dress no'.?
Clarissa chuc(led. >I+* de)initely not still tied do'n by *undane cares.?
he didn+t 'ant to thin( bac( to all that had happened, ho'ever, and she had no idea ho' to go
)or'ard. he )ocused instead on the )act that the little girl 'as bare)oot, and the boy too.
>-here are your shoes, little one@? she as(ed the girl in :rench.
&he dar( curls shoo(, no.
&he boy said, >-e 'ere not 'earing any.?
>&hat+s not unco**on in the country,? 6a'( said, >and even less so on the continent. But I
suspect that these t'o slipped out o) the cottage 'ithout per*ission. &heir *other is probably
)rantic.?
&hey crossed the bridge into the village, passing a sine'y 'o*an 'ith a bas(et 'ho cluc(ed her
tongue. >&hose little i*ps. Bo you 'ant *e to ta(e the*, sir@?
6a'( than(ed her but re)used, and led the 'ay behind the clanging s*ithy to a door in the bac(
o) another building.
>Bert :agg lets out these roo*s,? he said.
>A rough place )or an o))icer and his 'i)e,? Clarissa said.
>I (no', but she+s living on *y )ather+s charity. he clai*s to be a connection o) his. 6e
certainly en8oys her co*pany. 6e said he invited her to live in the *anor house, but she re)used.
he+s a strange, di))icult 'o*an.?
6e (noc(ed on the door o) the very silent building. /ough cloths covered the 'indo's, so
Clarissa couldn+t see inside.
>Perhaps she+s out loo(ing )or the children,? she said.
But then the door s'ung open and a dar("clothed 'o*an stepped out. &he only brightness about
her 'as a star( 'hite cap that covered her graying hair and tied under her chin 'ith narro' laces.
he did not loo( 'ell. 6er s(in 'as sallo', and dar( rings circled her eyes.
>&!, mon dieu5? she e4clai*ed, snatching the little girl )ro* Clarissa+s ar*s. >Belphie5? &hen
she 'ent o)) into a rapid tirade o) :rench that Clarissa could not )ollo'.
he heard a noise and loo(ed do'n to see Jetta, bac( arched, hissing at the 'o*an. he hastily
pic(ed up the cat. >6ush.?
Jetta rela4ed, but still loo(ed at 7rs. /o'land 'ith a )i4ed stare. Clarissa could al*ost hear a
silent hiss, and (ne' 8ust ho' the cat )elt. Ees, any *other *ight berate a child 'ho had )allen
into danger, but there 'as so*ething coldly )urious rather than panic(ed about 7rs. /o'land.
Clarissa glanced at the boy, 'ho* 6a'( had put do'n. 6e loo(ed suitably a)raid. Any child
could be a)raid a)ter being caught in such naughtiness, and he had ta(en his baby sister into
danger 'ith hi*. All the sa*e, there 'as so*ething old about his )ear. he desperately 'anted to
stand bet'een the 'o*an and her children, as she+d stood bet'een Jetta and the duc(ling.
7rs. /o'land suddenly put the girl do'n and said in clear :rench, >Co*e, Pierre. &a(e Belphie
inside.?
Pierre 'al(ed over to his sister, head held high, and led her into the cottage,
>&han( you, 7a8or 6a'(inville,? said 7rs. /o'land in heavily accented Anglish. he sounded
as i) she+d rather be eating glass.
>Anyone 'ould have helped. 7ay I as( that you not be too harsh on the*, 7rs. /o'land@ I
thin( they have learned their lesson through their )right.?
&he 'o*an did not tha'. >&hey *ust learn not to slip a'ay.? he 'ent bac( into her house and
shut the door.
Clarissa blin(ed, startled by such lac( o) gratitude, and also by a )lash o) recognition. -ho@
-here@ he 'as certain she+d never *et 7rs. /o'land be)ore.
6a'( dre' her a'ay. >&here+s nothing 'e can do. Any )a*ily in the village 'ould span( the
pair o) the* )or that.?
>I (no'. But I don+t li(e that 'o*an.? he stro(ed the cat in her ar*s. >Jetta hissed at her.?
>Gnderstandable. &hat+s only the second ti*e 'e+ve spo(en, and she *a(es the hair on the bac(
o) *y nec( stand on end. I+d thin( she 'as avoiding *e e4cept that she avoids everyone e4cept
*y )ather.?
&hey 'al(ed bac( around the s*ithy onto the green.
>he visits your )ather@?
>Ees, and surprisingly he )rets i) she stays a'ay too long.?
>Eou don+t li(e it@?
6e glanced at her. >I told you once, I+* inclined to be suspicious o) every little thing.?
>I suspect your instincts are )inely tuned.?
6is loo( turned intent. >At the ti*e, as I re*e*ber, I 'as spea(ing o) 7iss 6urst*an. Eou have
reason to 'orry about her@?
Clarissa al*ost told hi*. But no. At this point she 'asn+t at all sure that he could be trusted 'ith
her secrets.
>urely 6a'( 6a'(inville can )ind out about a Belgian 'o*an *arried to a British o))icer
called /o'land.?
>6a'( 6a'(inville has been so*e'hat busy. But certainly the ne4t ti*e I+* in Condon I+ll
chec( on the* both at the 6orse .uards. he rubs *e the 'rong 'ay, but she+s probably si*ply
a poor 'o*an in a very di))icult situation and 'ith a pric(ly nature.?
&hen he said, >.ads, 7aria is probably already at the Peregrine, stea*ing5 Co*e on5?
6e too( her hand and they hurried across the green. &his 'as the *o*ent 'hen Clarissa had
pro*ised hersel) that she 'ould propose.
But she had, and she+d been re8ected. It 'as so pain)ul that she couldn+t i*agine ho' *en
pluc(ed up the courage to do it, especially the second ti*e.
he+d spiraled up to heaven in his ar*s, then plunged into )ear at his violence, and then to hurt
and )urious sha*e at his re8ection. But she still loved hi*. illy, besotted )ool that she 'as, she
still loved, still hoped.
&hey 'ere al*ost at the inn. he said, >&hat is a horrid house,? *eaning the stuccoed one ne4t
door.
>&horoughly.?
>I) your )ather o'ns the village, didn+t the builder need per*ission@?
6e stopped and turned her to'ard hi*. >Clarissa, I need to tell you so*ething.?
>Ees@? 6er heart speeded. he sensed this 'as so*ething crucial.
>7y )ather is deep in debt to lade, the *an 'ho o'ns that house. &hat+s 'hy he couldn+t stop
it. 7y )ather has *ortgaged 6a'(inville 7anor and all its estates to lade. I) 'e don+t get a lot
o) *oney soon, lade 'ill be s3uire here. And the )irst thing he plans to do is to rip do'n the
*anor and the cottages to build an even *ore *onstrous house on the river.?
he stared at hi*, struc( by an al*ost physical sense o) loss. >Eou can+t per*it that5 7y *oney.
It+s *y *oney that you need, isn+t it@ &hen 'hy= @?
6e 'inced. >I can+t e4plain everything no', Clarissa. But I 'anted you to (no' the truth. o
you+d understand.?
>But I don0t understand.?
>7a8or 6a'(inville5 .ood day to you, sir.?
&hey both turned to the *an 'ho had co*e out o) the 'hite *onster. 6e 'as *iddle"aged, )it,
and 'ell dressed. I) Clarissa had been a cat, she 'ould have hissed.
6a'( put an ar* around her as i) in protection and *oved to avoid the *an.
>A lovely day, is it not@? lade persisted.
>It is beco*ing less so.? Clarissa could )eel tension in 6a'(9the leashed desire )or violence.
&he 'retched lade *ust (no' it and 'as deliberately tor*enting hi*.
>Eou and your lovely lady have had an accident, 7a8or@? the *an as(ed, narro' eyes )lic(ing
over the*.
Clarissa reali<ed that in addition to being a *ess she still had her hat hanging do'n her bac(, and
her hair 'as doubtless rioting. A glance sho'ed her that 6a'( )or once 'as al*ost as
disordered.
>,nly in *eeting you, sir,? said 6a'(.
>o I suspect,? said lade in a voice )ull o) innuendo.
Clarissa )elt 6a'( inhale, and hastily stepped bet'een the *en. >Eou *ust be 7r. lade. 7a8or
6a'(inville has told *e ho' (ind you have been to his poor )ather.?
lade )ro<e, and his narro'ed ga<e )lic(ed bet'een her and 6a'(.
>Clarissa=? 6a'( put his hand on her again to *ove her a'ay.
>6o' happy you 'ill be,? she said, evading hi* again, >to (no' that soon your generosity 'ill
be repaid. I a* a very 'ealthy 'o*an.?
It 'as delicious to see the odious lade turn pale 'ith shoc( and )ury, but Clarissa didn+t dare
loo( at 6a'(. 6e 'as probably pale 'ith shoc( and )ury too, but she hadn+t been able to stand
seeing hi* baited.
>7y congratulations, 7a8or,? lade spat out.
>&han( you, lade.? 6a'(+s voice sounded )lat. >It *ust be a great relie) to (no' that your
generous loans 'ill be repaid in )ull, 'ith interest, be)ore the due date.?
>A hasty *arriage, eh@ Boubtless 'ise.?
Clarissa bloc(ed 6a'( again, )acing the iron )ounder. >!ot at all, sir.? he 'anted to (noc( the
*an do'n hersel)5 >It 'ill ta(e ti*e to arrange a suitably grand a))air. ,n the village green, no
doubt, since 7a8or 6a'(inville+s )a*ily is so i*portant here.?
,h, lord. he could )eel 6a'(+s anger blistering her bac(.
>&he loans co*e due on the )irst o) August, young lady.?
he assu*ed 'hat she hoped 'as a loo( o) astonished distaste. >I) you insist on pay*ent on the
dot, sir, it 'ill be arranged by *y trustees. Gnder no circu*stances 'ill I per*it 6a'(inville
7anor to change hands.?
6a'(+s ar* ca*e around her then, pulling her to his rigid, angry side. >As you see, lade, there
is no point in your )urther residence here.?
&he *an+s )ace 'as still pale, but no' splotches o) angry color *ar(ed his chee(s. >I believe I
'ill 'ait to dance at your grand 'edding, 7a8or.?
>I) you insist.?
6a'( turned Clarissa to'ard the inn, but lade said, >Is the na*e o) the bride a dread)ul secret@?
Clarissa t'isted bac( to say, >!ot at all, 7r. lade. I a* 7iss .reystone. Eou *ight have heard
o) *e. o*e call *e the Bevil+s 6eiress.?
he 'as then s'ept a'ay by an ar* as strong as iron. Cord, that had been thoroughly 'ic(ed,
but also thoroughly satis)ying. lade 'as probably drooling 'ith )ury.
o 'as so*eone else. !ot drooling, but )urious.
Chapter N$neteen
6a'( dragged her not to the *ain door o) the inn, but through the arch into the inn yard.
Ignoring, or perhaps oblivious to, the various servants there, he thrust her against the rough 'all.
>-hat e4actly do you thin( you are doing@?
>&rouncing the odious lade5? she declared, grinning even though her (nees 'ere turning to 8elly
'ith )ear. .lory in the battle 'arred 'ith *e*ories o) Beth+s bruised )ace. >Bon+t tell *e you
didn+t en8oy that.?
>An8oy being ta(en by the scru)) and dragged through a bra*ble patch@?
>An8oy 'atching hi* drin( bile.?
uddenly his )urious eyes closed, and then he laughed, leaning his )orehead against hers. >Leus,
yes. It 'as 'orth a thousand tor*ents.?
Clarissa (ne' she should )eel hurt by that, but she didn+t. he 'as suddenly certain that all 'as
right in her 'orld. he didn+t understand his reluctance, but she 'as sure it could be blasted into
dust. Above all, she 'as sure that she 'anted hi*, and that he 'ould be all she 'anted and *ore.
he po(ed hi* hard in the belly. >I) you+re rude again about the prospect o) *arrying *e, I+ll go
right bac( and tell lade he can have 6a'(inville, every last post and stone.?
6e straightened to loo( at her, eyes still 'ild 'ith laughter. >Clarissa, there is nothing I 'ant
*ore than to *arry you.?
>-ell, then9?
6is (iss silenced her, a hot, enthralling (iss that sent )ire into every part o) her, though she
couldn+t help thin(ing o) the 'atching servants.
-ith glee.
6e+d certainly have to *arry her a)ter this.
>6a'(5 Clarissa5 top that5?
Clarissa e*erged )ro* a da<e to )ind 7aria hitting 6a'(+s bac( 'ith a piece o) 'ood.
:ortunately it 'as rotted, and 'as )lying into pieces 'ith each blo'.
6a'( turned to her laughing, hands raised, and she thre' the re*aining )rag*ents a'ay in
disgust. >-hat do you thin( you+re doing@? she de*anded. &hen she stared at Clarissa. >,r *ore
to the point, 'hat !ave you done@?
>I ravished her in the 'ilderness, o) course.?
?%!at;,
>Bon+t be a goose, 7aria. &hat 'ilderness o) yours, by the 'ay, is too da*n 'ild. But *ost o)
the da*age to our appearance 'as done by our gallant rescue o) t'o children )ro* the river.?
>/escue@? 7aria collected hersel). >&hat doesn+t e4plain such a shoc(ing (iss in )ront o) the
servants.?
>A certain *adness co*es upon us all a)ter battle.?
>Battle@?
Clarissa 'as threatened by incapacitating giggles, )or a hundred reasons. he si*ply leaned
against the 'all and en8oyed the sho'.
>Clarissa 8ust routed lade by telling hi* 'e are engaged to be *arried. I thought I had better
co*pro*ise her thoroughly be)ore she changed her *ind.?
he+d 'on5 he didn+t (no' ho', but she+d 'on. he lovingly brushed so*e )rag*ents o) rotted
'ood o)) her )uture husband+s shoulders.
6e turned, and the loo( in his eyes turned her delight to cold stone. &he laughter had gone, and
'as replaced by so*ething dar( and al*ost lost. A *ove*ent beyond hi* caught her eye, and
she sa' Cord ;andei*en e*erge )ro* one o) the stable buildings, suddenly deadly.
-hy on earth 'ould she thin( that@
As i) alerted, 6a'( s'ung around. >!othing happened.?
>!othing5? e4clai*ed Cady ;andei*en, but then she see*ed silenced by the crac(ling tension.
>!othing o) any great signi)icance,? 6a'( said 'ith precision.
Clarissa 'anted to protest that, but she too 'as )ro<en by so*ething ready to burst out o) this
ordinary place into the 'orld o) cla' and )ang.
Cord ;andei*en said, >A 'ord 'ith you, 6a'(.? 6is head indicated the stable behind hi*.
Clarissa put her hand on 6a'(+s ar* as i) to hold hi* bac(, but 7aria pulled her a'ay. >Co*e
into the inn and tidy up, Clarissa.?
>But9?
>Eou can+t possibly return to Brighton loo(ing li(e that.? he ruthlessly steered Clarissa into the
building, chattering.
>Cord ;andei*en is not *y guardian5? Clarissa bro(e in, )orcing a halt. >-hat+s going on out
there@?
7aria loo(ed at her. >7ore to the point, 'hat 'ent on during your 'al(@?
>!othing,? said Clarissa, >o) any great signi)icance.? &hen the 'hole tu*ultuous hal) hour burst
out o) her in tears, and 7aria gathered her into her ar*s, hurrying her along to a private roo*.
>6ush, dear. 6ush. -hatever 'ent on, 'e+ll arrange *atters. I (no' 6a'( loves you.?
Clarissa loo(ed at her and ble' into her hand(erchie). >Eou do@?
>Ees, o) course.?
>&hen 'hy doesn+t he 'ant to *arry *e@?
7aria+s s*ile 'as close to a laugh. >,) course he does5?
Clarissa shoo( her head. >7en are very hard to understand, aren+t they@?
7aria hugged her again. >&here you have a universal truth, *y dear.?
6a'( )ollo'ed ;an into the pleasantly pungent stable thin(ing that the day couldn+t get *uch
'orse, but (no'ing that in )act it could.
;an turned and *erely 'aited.
>&hat (iss probably did go beyond the line,? 6a'( said. >But nothing 'orse happened.? &hen he
re*e*bered the 'ilderness. >7ore or less. &hat bloody 'ilderness o) yours is a disgrace.?
6e sa' ;an )ight it, then laugh. >It+s al*ost 'orth it to see you in this state, 6a'(. -hat the
devil are you up to@?
>I+* trying to save 6a'(inville.?
>I assu*e you have decided to 'oo 7iss .reystone. Is it necessary to be so crude about it@?
>he told lade 'e 'ere engaged to *arry.?
;an visibly rela4ed. >-hy the devil didn+t you say so@ Congratulations5?
>I+* not going to *arry her, ;an.?
;an leaned bac( against a 'ooden post, )ro'ning in perple4ity. >-ould you care to start at the
beginning@ ,r at so*e point that *a(es sense@?
6a'( said, >7y )ather is the ne' ;iscount Beveril.?
;an )ro'ned even *ore. >Eou+re the son o) Cord Bevil@ &he one 7iss .reystone inherited
)ro*@ And I+ve never heard o) it@?
>&he ne' Cord Beveril. Eou (no' *y )ather changed his na*e as a price o) *arrying *y
*other. 6e 'as born a .aspard, and that+s the Beveril na*e. -hen Cord Bevil died last year, he
chased bac( up and do'n the )a*ily tree and discovered that he+s the heir. It+s ta(en hi* the best
part o) a year to settle it, but it+s 8ust about done.?
>Congratulations. Eou+ll outran( *e one day.?
>Bugger that. &he na*e+s )it to be spat upon.?
>A na*e+s a na*e. &he )irst Cord ;andei*en 'as a spineless lic(spittle. Is this 'here the debt
co*es )ro*@?
>7ore or less. &he s3uire+s been obsessed by the Beveril *oney. 6e thin(s he should get it along
'ith the title, that the 'ill 'as a )orgery.? 6a'( loo(ed around and spotted a roo* 'ith a door.
>Co*e in here.?
;an )ollo'ed, and 6a'( shut the door. &he roo* 'as s*all and see*ed *ostly to hold nostru*s
)or treating horses.
>Gn)ortunately,? 6a'( said, >*y )ather is probably right.? 6e didn+t 'ant to say it, but he had
no choice. >I+ve been dangling a)ter 7iss .reystone not to 'oo her but to entice her to spill
so*ething about the 'ill.?
>Eou+re a da*n )ine actor, then.?
>I+ve learned to be. ;an, )or .od+s sa(e, there+s no 3uestion o) *arriage5 ,nce Clarissa discovers
'hat I+ve been up to, and that I+* a )uture Cord Beveril, it+ll all be over.?
>6a'(, this doesn+t sound li(e you.?
>-hat, underhanded tric(ery and snea(y investigation@ It+s *y stoc("in"trade. I+ve so)tened up
plenty o) villains )or the gutting.?
>But not an innocent young 'o*an.?
>I) she 'as innocent, there 'ouldn+t be any gutting to be done.?
;an )ro'ned. >All right, let+s tal( about this. -hat e4actly do you thin( her guilty o)@?
>7urder, or conspiracy to *urder.?
>4urder@? ;an *anaged to (eep it so)t. >I) I+* any 8udge, 7iss .reystone 'ould run )ro*
(illing a *ouse.?
>&he *ouse 'ouldn+t be )orcing vile (isses on her, and threatening 'orse.?
>Eou thin( she (illed Beveril 'hen he tried to rape her@ Eou+d send her to the gallo's )or that@?
>!o, da**it. But re*e*ber, she ended up 'ith the dead *an+s *oney.?
It 'as a detail he tended to 'ill)ully ignore.
>All right,? said ;an, >do you have any reason other than 'ish)ul thin(ing to believe that Cord
Beveril+s 'ill 'as )orged@?
>-hen have you ever (no'n *e to indulge in 'ish)ul thin(ing@?
But his thin(ing about Clarissa ca*e perilously close.
>It 'as hand'ritten,? he said crisply, >'itnessed by servants 'ho have conveniently
disappeared, and it le)t everything not entailed to a young 'o*an, to co*e to her co*pletely and
'ithout control at age t'enty"one.?
;an+s e4pression lost its indulgence. >6ell.?
>6ell, indeed. I can add, )ro* Clarissa+s o'n lips, that she 'as sold to Beveril and hated hi*,
'hich he *ust have (no'n. he thre' up over hi* 'hen he tried to (iss her.?
>It does loo( da*ned bad. 6o' did Beveril die@?
>Ini)ed. ;iciously.?
But then ;an shoo( his head. >It still doesn+t )it. I (no' I don+t have your acute sense )or truth
and lies, but Clarissa .reystone *a(es an unli(ely thie) and an i*possible *urderer.?
>Appearances can be deceptive. Bid I ever tell you about an innocent"loo(ing, big"eyed child in
Cisbon@ !ever *ind. Eou don+t 'ant to (no'.?
;an+s bro's rose. >Are you protecting Be*on ;andei*en )ro* sordid details, 6a'(@?
6a'( sighed. >I 'ould i) I could. -e none o) us need *ore dar(ness in our lives. But I have to
save 6a'(inville. Eou *ust see that, ;an.?
>Ees, o) course. Perhaps I+ll si*ply cut lade+s scra'ny throat.?
It 'as a 8o(e. 6a'( hoped, but he shoo( his head. >!o *ore blood i) I can help it.?
>o, let+s sort it out.?
6a'( put up a hand. >7aria 'ill be 'aiting. -e can tal( later i) you 'ant.?
>!o, let+s deal 'ith this no'. I) necessary 'e can stay the night and get Con in on it. Eou really
thin( Clarissa .reystone co**itted a vicious *urder and planted a )orged 'ill@?
>!o, da**it, but that could be 'ill)ul delusion.?
;an s*iled slightly at the i*plied ad*ission. >I+* not 'ill)ully deluded. Cet+s consider this. I)
so*eone else 'as the *urderer and thie) last year, 'ho could it have been@ :ro* 'hat I+ve
heard, she le)t school and 'ent to Condon. he can+t have (no'n *any people 'ho 'ould (ill
and )orge )or her9? 6e bro(e o)). >&al( about teaching a grand*other to suc( eggs. Eou *ust
have been through this.?
6a'( resisted )or a *o*ent, but he (ne' ;an 'ouldn+t let it go. >Arden,? he said.
>Arden@?
>&he 7ar3uess o) Arden 'as the (iller. Cast year he *arried a teacher at Clarissa+s Cheltenha*
school.?
;an+s 8a' dropped. >&he heir to Belcraven@ Are you *ad@?
>6igh ran( *eans honor@ Eou (no' better than that, ;an.?
>It *eans hell+s )ires i) you *eddle there and can+t prove it beyond doubt. And 'hat *otive
could he have@?
>7aria has that pretty niece, !atalie. -hat i) she 'ere in the po'er o) a *an li(e Beveril@
Couldn+t 7aria persuade you into doing so*ething illegal to rescue her@?
>I+d (ni)e hi* in public i) necessary.?
6a'( (ne' ;an 'as spea(ing the literal truth. 6e hi*sel) 'ould do it too. And so 'ould a *an
li(e Arden, he 'as sure.
>I) that 'as the 'ay it 'as,? ;an said, >give the *an a *edal.?
>&hen ho' do I get the *oney@?
>6o' do you get the *oney this 'ay@?
6a'( put it into plain 'ords. >I blac(*ail hi* )or it.?
;an braced hi*sel) against a 'or(table. >Eou+d destroy essentially honorable people@?
>Bon+t get too *isty"eyed. Bisposing o) Beveril 'as a virtuous act, but *isappropriating his
*oney 'as straight"out, deliberate the)t.?
>6o' in .od+s na*e do you thin( to go about this@ 7en li(e Arden and his )ather can destroy
'ith a 'ord.?
>Ah, yes, the Bu(e o) Belcraven. 6e+s Clarissa+s guardian, by the 'ay.?
>Leus5 &hey+re all in it@ But 'hy@?
>i*ply protecting her, I assu*e. -hich has *y sy*pathy. But I *ust save 6a'(inville, and I
see no reason not to have enough o) that *oney to also rebuild .aspard 6all and get *y )ather
o)) *y bac(. And do so*ething )or the poor Beveril tenants.>
;an 'as loo(ing slightly alar*ed. It too( a lot to alar* Be*on ;andei*en. >Eou+ll have to
convince the du(e that you 'ould *a(e it public. And,? he added, >'atch your bac(.?
>I+* good at that. ;an, I+* depending upon the )act that these are essentially honorable people.
Beveril 'as thought to be 'ithout an heir. urely they+ll see that it+s 'rong to divert all that
*oney.?
>And Clarissa@?
>he+ll hardly be le)t penniless.?
>he+s an innocent party.?
>Innocent5 he sho's no guilty conscience over en8oying the ill"gotten gains.? &hen another
piece clic(ed into place. >Bevil ta(e it, the )ortune is payment. he 'as present at the *urder, so
Arden arranged the )orgery to pay her o)). !o 'onder she+s as close*outhed as a to*b about it.?
>6a'(, this is 'rong.?
>!o, da**it, )orgery is 'rong. 7y )ather, da*n his eyes, is right. &he *oney belongs to
6a'(inville, and I 'on+t see lade destroy it because I 'as too s3uea*ish to hurt Clarissa+s
)eelings5?
>Eou can+t do it.?
6a'( 'as about to 'ring ;an+s nec( 'hen he sa' the e4pression on his )riend+s )ace. As i) he+d
suddenly seen an unpleasant vision.
;an straightened. >Arden 'ill call your blu)).?
>6e daren+t ris( it.?
>-hy not@ I) you prove anything, you 'ill destroy Clarissa as 'ell as hi*.?
>-ith any luc(, he 'on+t (no' that+s a )actor.?
>7ore to the point,? said ;an slo'ly. >Arden is a /ogue.?
>-hat@?
>,ne o) Con+s Co*pany o) /ogues. I can+t believe that slipped by your brain. /oger, !ic(,
:rancis, 6al, Cuce=? ;an recited. >-e heard enough about the*. And Cuce is Cucien de ;au4,
7ar3uess o) Arden.?
It had slipped by hi*. Bevil in )la*es. o*ething about Arden had been niggling hi*, but Con
had al'ays tal(ed about the /ogues by )irst na*es9unusual enough. Cuce.
>And 6al Beau*ont,? he said. >&he *an 'ith 7rs. 6ardcastle. Clarissa said he 'as an old
)riend o) Arden+s. But being a /ogue doesn+t give Arden i**unity.?
>!o, but he has to (no' 'ho you are. I+* sure Con spo(e o) us to the* as *uch as he spo(e o)
the* to us. And there+s only t'o o) us. Gnless he has the brain o) a sheep and the spine o) a
rabbit, he+ll have to (no' that you could not possibly atte*pt to destroy one o) Con+s /ogues.
6o'ever, perhaps Con can act as go"bet'een.?
>!o5? 6a'(+s re8ection 'as instinctive, but reason )ollo'ed. >&hat+s an intolerable position to
put hi* in. FAd*it to *urder and )orgery o) your )ree 'ill and 3uietly *ove hal) o) Clarissa+s
)ortune to *y )riend 6a'(.+ !o,? he repeated, standing a*ong ruins. >I+ll co*e up 'ith
so*ething else.?
>Eou don+t have *uch ti*e. -hy not si*ply tell Clarissa the truth@ Perhaps she 'ill be able to
)orgive your deception and overloo( a )uture as Cady Beveril.?
>But ho' 'ill Arden and his )ather )eel about it@ he still needs her guardian+s per*ission.?
>Ba*n.?
>trange, isn+t it@ I have all the cards in *y hand, and yet it still see*s possible that I *ight
lose.?
>-e have to tell Con. 6e can+t be le)t out o) this.?
>6aven+t you thought that he *ight (no'@ &he /ogues don+t (eep secrets )ro* each other.?
>Eou thin( he (no's that they set up a 'ill that de)rauded you@?
6a'( shoo( his head. >I haven+t told hi* anything about the debt or the Beveril title. o*eone
in the /ogues has to (no', though, 'ith *y )ather chasing it through the courts.?
>I can+t believe Con 'ould do nothing about a situation li(e that.?
>6e+d be caught in the *iddle.?
>!o,? ;an said. >It+s *ore li(ely that they+re protecting hi* )ro* it. 6e+s only recently started to
recover )ro* -aterloo and Bare.?
6a'( considered it and (ne' it *ight be true. >All the *ore reason not to tell hi* yet.? 6e 'ent
to'ard the door. >I need a little *ore ti*e, ;an. Perhaps i) I shu))le the cards again. At the least I
need to go do'n to the *anor to get clean clothes.?
&hey e*erged )ro* the roo* and separated, but as 6a'( 'al(ed to the *anor, he couldn+t see*
to shu))le the cards into anything but disastrous patterns.
-ho should su))er@ 6i*sel), )or certain, but he 'as choosing the pain.
-hat o) Con, or Clarissa@
-hat o) the Bads'ells, the 7an(telo's, and the Ashbees@ -as .ranny 7uggridge to have the
roo) torn do'n around her head@
But at 'hat point did the price o) 6a'(inville beco*e too high@
Cut the loss.
It 'as a process he+d done o)ten in the 'ar, even 'hen it *eant choosing bet'een one set o)
soldiers or another. Perhaps i) he thought o) everyone as troops o) soldiers.
&he option 'ith the least loss 'as to elope 'ith Clarissa. 6e 'ould have the *oney, or at least
the e4pectation o) it. 6e (ne' the 'ill, and the *oney ca*e to her at her *a8ority, regardless o)
'hat she did or 'ho* she *arried. As her husband, he could easily borro' against it.
6a'(inville 'ould be sa)e.
&here 'ould be a )ighting chance o) happiness )or the*. &here 'as so*ething deep and true
bet'een the*, and he 'ould 'or( to gain her )orgiveness )or the deception.
;an *ight never )orgive hi* )or brea(ing his 'ord, but he could hope that ti*e 'ould heal that,
especially i) he could *a(e Clarissa happy.
Con. At the *o*ent, Con 'as an un(no'n. I) he sa' this as a betrayal o) the /ogues, it could
lead to a ri)t. &he /ogues certainly 'eren+t going to li(e it. &hey 'ere going to have to da*n
'ell trust hi* not to e4pose their cri*inal acts.
But it 'as the only 'ay.
.athering the detached purpose)ulness that had carried hi* through scenes o) carnage, he 'ent
s'i)tly to his roo* to change, then gathered the *oney available in the house. 6e thought about
leaving a note )or the s3uire, but then (noc(ed and entered his )ather+s roo*.
&he s3uire 'as lying on his daybed )ondling9there 'as no other 'ord9so*e papers. >&hey
have co*e,? he said, 'ith shining eyes. >&he docu*ents. Eou *ay no' o))icially call *e Cord
Beveril5?
6a'( had to stop hi*sel) )ro* sei<ing the papers and ripping the* to shreds. Pointless.
Pointless.
&his settled things, ho'ever. In *o*ents his )ather could begin spreading the 'ord. ince
Clarissa 'as in the village, she 'ould hear about it, and that 'ould be the end o) that.
>Congratulations, *y lord. Eou *ay congratulate *e, also. I a* about to *arry 7iss .reystone.?
6is )ather bea*ed. >&here, you see. All+s 'ell that ends 'ell. And her *oney 'ill pay to
re)urbish .aspard 6all.?
>!ot a penny o) her *oney 'ill go on .aspard 6all, *y lord. -e 'ill pay o)) lade, but the rest
'ill re*ain under her control.?
I) he had to do this, it had to be that 'ay.
>-hat@ Are you *ad@ Ceave a )ortune in the grasp o) a chit li(e that@ I 'ill not allo' it.?
>Eou 'ill have no say in it.? 6e turned to'ard the door. >I *erely ca*e to say that I 'ill be gone
a )e' days.?
>.one@ .one 'here@ -e *ust arrange a grand )ete to announce *y elevation to the village5 I
outran( ;andei*en no', and I+ll see hi* recogni<e it.?
&he )ury boiling inside 6a'( threatened to burst out o) control, but he+d not struc( his )ather yet.
!o' 'as de)initely not the ti*e to start.
>It 'ill have to 'ait, *y lord. I a* o)) to .retna .reen.?
6e closed the door on his )ather+s protests9not about the elope*ent but about delay in his )ete
9and ran do'n the stairs. o*eho' he had to get Clarissa out o) the Peregrine and on the road
north be)ore his )ather set the ne's spreading.
6e )retted even over the ti*e it too( a groo* to saddle up Centaur, i*agining his )ather leaning
out o) his 'indo' above to shout the ne's. 6e 'ouldn+t do that, but he 'ould tell his valet9
*ight already have told his valet. 6is valet 'ould tell the other servants and=
Perhaps a servant had already hurried ho*e to spread the 'ord.
6e led Centaur up to the inn, considering ho' to steal Clarissa. Perhaps he+d have to snatch her
on the 'ay to the coach, li(e Cochinvar snatching his beloved )ro* her 'edding. .
So lig!t to t!e croup t!e fair lady !e swung.
So lig!t to t!e saddle before !er !e sprung)
?S!e is won) %e are gone, over ban., bus!, and scaur-
!ey0ll !ave fleet steeds t!at follow,? 6uot! young 2oc!invar.
And that, o) course, 'as the proble*. 6e 'as dubious about young Cochinvar riding so rashly
'ith a lady at his bac(, and he+d no intention o) atte*pting it 'ith ;an and Con9especially ;an,
an incredible horse*an no' e3uipped by his rich bride 'ith the )inest horses9in hot pursuit.
6e 'ould have to go in and try to lure her out.
&hen he sa' Clarissa9beloved, unconventional, i*petuous Clarissa9in the arch to the inn
yard. Alone. 6er hat shaded her )ace again, and so*e order had been brought to her curls, but her
dress 'as irredee*ably stained.
-hen he reached her, she stepped )or'ard. >I+ve told the* all 'hat I did 'ith lade and that I
(issed you, not the other 'ay around.?
I) he hadn+t adored her already, he+d have cru*pled then. 6e held out his gloved hand. >Alope
'ith *e.?
6er eyes 'idened, but she only said, >-hy@?
>o that this can+t be snatched )ro* us.?
he loo(ed do'n and a'ay, obviously )lustered, but then bac( at hi*. >Bo you love *e, 6a'(@
Bon+t lie. Please don+t lie.?
>I adore you, Clarissa. And that is no lie.?
&hen she s*iled and put her hand in his. >&hen, o) course. It+s a *ad, i*petuous notion, but that
probably suits us both.?
6e laughed as he s'ung his )air lady to the crupper and settled in )ront o) her. >I used to be a
very sane, thought)ul *an,? he said. >6old tight. -e+re going over ban(, bush, and scaur.?
And he set o)), past a )e' startled villagers, along the road that 'ould eventually ta(e the* north
to cotland, 'here *inors could still legally *arry 'ithout the per*ission o) parents, guardians,
or /ogues.
But he soon turned o)), going 'est instead o) north. 6e couldn+t outride ;an. But, by heaven, he
could probably still outthin( hi*.
Chapter Tent*
&he rest o) the party 'as in the entrance hall o) the Peregrine, 'aiting 'ith so*e i*patience )or
Clarissa to return )ro* the privy. Aventually, 7aria as(ed Althea to )ind her, but Althea returned
)ro'ning. >he+s not there. I don+t (no' 'here she can have gone to. Perhaps she+s returned to
the roo* upstairs.?
But then one o) the 7isses -eatherby trotted in, chee(s )lushed. >7y dear Cady ;andei*en5?
she gasped. >,h, *y lords.? he curtsied around, clearly breathless 'ith e4cite*ent. >Are you
by any chance loo(ing )or your co*panion@ -e sa' you earlier. 7y sister and I. a' you on the
green, and returning. And the handso*e *a8or returning 'ith the lady.?
>7iss -eatherby,? 7aria interrupted ruthlessly. >Bo you (no' 'here 7iss .reystone is@?
>-hy, yes,? said the lady, not 'ell concealing her glee. >he+s 8ust ridden o)) behind 7a8or
6a'(inville.?
7aria loo(ed at her husband. >;an@?
6e+d turned pale 'ith anger in a 'ay she+d never seen be)ore.
6e 'as actually *oving 'hen she grasped his sleeve. >-ait5 &al(.? he s*iled bac( at 7iss
-eatherby. >&han( you so *uch. I (no' I can trust you not to spread this around.?
Gnli(ely hope, but it *ight stop the ne's )or a *inute or t'o. he didn+t thin( there+d been any
inn servants nearby to hear. he dragged her husband into the ad8oining parlor, the rest
)ollo'ing, and shut the door. he couldn+t have done it i) he+d resisted, so she (ne' she 'as
right.
>I thin( he truly loves her,? she said. >And I (no' she loves hi*.?
But 7iss &rist 'rung her hands. >-hy run o)) together@ he+s re)used hi*, and he+s abducted
her5?
>!onsense,? 7aria snapped. >Abduction is co*pletely illegal these days. 6e can hardly drag her
against her 'ill to cotland.?
;an said, >I have to stop this, 7aria. :or everyone+s sa(e. I+* sending a note up to Con.?
6e le)t be)ore she could stop hi* again, and indeed, she 'asn+t sure she should. But he+d loo(ed
)or a *o*ent as i) he 'ould (ill his )riend.
Be*on ;andei*en. Bid she (no' 'hat he 'as really capable o)@
;an returned 'ith a letter in his hand. >I+ve sent )or Con. -hen he arrives, give hi* this.?
7aria too( it, but she (ne' he 'as setting o)) in pursuit. >Bon+t (ill hi*, ;an. :or your o'n
sa(e, don+t.?
6e rela4ed slightly. >I 'on+t. I *ight beat hi* to a pulp, but I 'on+t (ill hi*.? 6e (issed her
3uic(ly, tenderly, then rubbed at 'hat *ust be lines in her bro'. >Bon+t 'orry. &his is a *ess,
but I+ll )ind a 'ay to bring it all out right.?
>6e hasn+t abducted her,? she said. >Clarissa+s besotted 'ith hi*, and I+d say he )eels the sa*e
'ay about her. -hat+s going on@?
>It+s co*plicated.? 6e (issed her again 3uic(ly, then le)t.
7aria could have screa*ed 'ith )rustration. Co*plicated5 he+d give hi* co*plicated. he
considered snapping the seal on the letter in hopes that it e4plained, but long training in proper
behavior 'ould not per*it it.
Instead she called )or tea and settled to soothing Althea. Poor Cord &revor 'as loo(ing as i) he
'ished hi*sel) else'here, but he 'as bearing up li(e the 'ell"trained o))icer he 'as.
It too( re*ar(ably little ti*e )or Con to turn up, though it had )elt li(e an hour. 6e strode in,
another *an behind hi*.
>7r. !icholas Belaney,? he said. >7y guest at the *o*ent, but he+s probably involved.? 6e too(
the letter, opened it, and read.
&hen he passed it to his )riend.
>Con,? said 7aria, >i) you don+t tell *e 'hat is going on, I a* going to do so*eone serious
in8ury.?
6e laughed, but sobered, loo(ing around the roo*. >:)y)e, I+* sure you+re as curious as any
hu*an 'ould have to be, but it 'ould si*pli)y things i) you 'eren+t here. And 7iss &rist, you
could help 7iss .reystone as 'ell by strolling on the green.?
Cord &revor accepted his orders re*ar(ably 'ell, but Althea loo(ed around. >-hat+s going on@
Is Clarissa in danger@?
Cord &revor too( her ar*. >&ruly, 7iss &rist, it 'ould be si*plest i) 'e le)t. I trust Cord
A*leigh to ta(e care o) everything.?
7aria 'atched hi* coa4 Althea out o) the roo*, and said, >6e+ll go )ar.?
>Boubtless. Cisten, 7aria. &he s3uire has *ortgaged 6a'(inville to lade. 7ore than
*ortgaged. 6e+s deep in debt to the *an, and lade plans to tear do'n *ost o) the village to
build a preposterous villa on the river. ,) course 6a'( has to stop hi*.?
>,) course, but9 Ah, I see. Clarissa+s )ortune. But 'hy elope@?
>Because, according to ;an+s letter, the s3uire is about to beco*e Cord Beveril. orry,? he said,
passing over the letter. >/ead it yoursel).?
7aria too( it and read 3uic(ly. >6e really thought she 'ould re8ect hi* )or the na*e@?
>And )or the deceit o) it all. It 'as *ore a case, I assu*e, o) hi* not being 'illing to ris(
everything on the chance that she *ight. It+s the 'ay 6a'(+s *ind has learned to 'or(. Pinpoint
the one thing that *ust or *ust not happen and 'or( to'ard it, da*n the incidentals.?
>Incidentals,? 7aria *uttered, scanning through the letter again. >o*e o) this is so cryptic5?
>Judiciously so,? said 7r. Belaney, 'ho* she+d )orgotten entirely, 'hich 'as surprising, since
he 'as a good"loo(ing *an 'ith presence. >Con,? he said, >you should )ollo' to assist
;andei*en. I+ll hold the )ort here. &al(ing o) things that *ust not happen, Clarissa *ust not
*arry 6a'(inville 'ithout (no'ing the truth.?
Con nodded and strode out, and he *ust have narro'ly *issed colliding 'ith Althea rushing in.
>&hat 7iss -eatherby says that 7a8or 6a'(inville+s )ather is no' Cord Beveril5 2ord 3everil5?
>-e (no',? said 7aria 'ith a sigh. >it do'n, Althea, and have so*e *ore tea.?
&herese Bellaire stood by the s*ithy, observing con)usion on the village green and seething.
he+d been uneasy about that encounter 'ith the heiress, though the girl had sho'n no sign o)
recognition. 6er *ain concern, ho'ever, had been the relationship bet'een the t'o. &o her
e4perienced eye it hadn+t loo(ed li(e a *an be'itching a silly young 'o*an, but li(e a *an
be'itched.
By love. &he greatest traitor o) all the e*otions.
&he 6a'( 'as supposed to re*ove the heiress and leave the old *an in possession o) the
*oney5 I) he *arried the heiress there 'ould be three lives bet'een her and victory. &'o
accidental deaths could be arranged. &hree, ho'ever, 'ould be perilously suspicious, especially
i) she survived as 3uire 6a'(inville+s 'ealthy 'ido'.
And no' 'hat 'as going on@ ,ne o) the silly, nosy -eatherby sisters 'as )litting around in an
ugly, over"orna*ented bonnet. People 'ere appearing )ro* buildings li(e 'or*s )ro* bad
apples.
urely she+d seen Cord ;andei*en ride north out o) the village. !ot at a dangerous gallop, but
'ith so*e urgency, and yet his 'i)e+s carriage had not le)t.
&hen t'o *en rode to the inn at speed.
Cord A*leigh, she thought, and=
*ic!olas;
Banger s(ittered do'n her spine, but e4cite*ent too. Ah, i) he 'as here it 'ould beco*e a great
ga*e. And perhaps she 'ould have the chance o) true revenge. &here 'as his dull 'i)e. And a
child no', as 'ell. he+d chec(ed on hi*, and he rarely le)t their sides. -hat i) they 'ere here
too@
he lic(ed her lips. &his 'as al*ost as good as a tender goat in her bed.
It 'ould be so deliciously dangerous to go over to the other side o) the green, to be close to the
inn, 'here !icholas *ight see her.
-ould even !icholas (no' her in this disguise@
he began to 'al( across the green, 'ondering 'hether she dared to go into the inn and see( a
*eeting to see i) he 'ould (no' her li(e this. I) anyone 'ould, he 'ould. &hey had been so
spicily inti*ate si4 years ago, 'hen he had been so young, so tender. !one other o) her young
con3uests had been li(e hi*.
&hey had been so 'ic(edly inti*ate t'o years ago, as 'ell. Co*pelling hi* had added a
delight)ul t'ist. I) she held his child captive, 'ould he surrender again@
:atally te*pting, but too *uch so. It 'as ti*e to be sensible i) she 'as to have the li)e she
'anted. he 'ould have her )ortune bac(, or as *uch as she could get, and escape.
As she neared the groups o) people, she heard the na*e Beveril.
>-hy, 7iss /o'land,? said one o) the 7isses -eatherby. >6ave you heard@ ,ur dear s3uire has
beco*e ;iscount Beveril5 6e has 8ust received the ne's5?
>A*a<ing5? she said. >I *ust go and congratulate *y cousin.?
7iss -eatherby+s scra'ny )ace pinched. he and her sister had never 3uite believed the
supposed connection. But then, both sisters 'ere ena*ored o) 3uire 6a'(inville in their
pathetic, spinsterish 'ay. -hat 'ould they thin( to (no' that &herese could have hi* at a snap
o) her )ingers because she provided )lattery, a clever *outh, and opiu*@
,ne o) the inn+s groo*s 'as out here, and he s*iled his croo(ed"tooth grin. 6e 'as proo) that
she could still enslave *en in this ugly guise. It 'as never entirely a *atter o) loo(s. o )e'
'o*en reali<ed that.
Probably the poor *an 'as be*used and guilty about the lust)ul urges he )elt to'ard the drab
)oreign 'o*an 'ith the sic( husband.
6e sidled over. >.rand ne's, ain+t it, *a+a*@?
>-onder)ul.?
>And such a co*ing and going.? 6e 'as al*ost bursting 'ith ne's.
>Ees@? she as(ed, as i) he 'ere clever and i*portant.
>6ere+s Cord and Cady ;andei*en at the inn 'ith a party, visiting the village. And one o) the
young ladies has disappeared5 7iss -eatherby,?9he tipped his head in the lady+s direction
9>she says she sa' the lass o)) 'ith 7a8or 6a'(inville on a horse5 And,? he added in a
'hisper, >no' Cord ;andei*en+s hurried o)) in a )ine old *ood. Ino'n hi* since he 'as a lad,
I have, and there+ll be blo's be)ore the night+s out, even i) it is another .eorge.?
o*eti*es the Anglish idio*s escaped her. he ignored the last co**ent, but inside she 'as
cursing.
Aloped. he+d )eared as *uch.
>And here+s the other one arrived 'ith a )riend.?
ince the groo* clearly had no *ore to say, she than(ed hi* and hurried do'n to the *anor. &he
ne' Cord Beveril 'as o) no use to her any*ore, but it 'as best not to drop a part. And he 'ould
be good )or a )e' guineas.
-hen she le)t, it 'as 'ith guineas, and con)ir*ation that the 6a'( 'as o)) to cotland 'ith the
heiress.
he paused to loo( at the bucolic setting and the robust Anglish peasantry still gossiping. &han(
.od she could escape this place. I) only she could set )ire to its s*ug prettiness be)ore she 'ent.
he *ight try i) not )or the 'et 'eather. It had doubtless le)t the thatch too sodden to catch.
he had survived a perilous li)e by recogni<ing 'hen to drop one plan and pic( up another. he
headed bris(ly )or her ho*e here.
he still had Cieutenant /o'land, and there 'as a chance o) !icholas+s child. All 'as not lost.
Possibly, 8ust possibly, she could have her *oney and !ic(y on his (nees begging be)ore it
ended.
,nce Althea 'as cal*ed, 7aria loo(ed at 7r. Belaney. >Eou+re the leader o) the Co*pany o)
/ogues, aren+t you@ I heard o) you )ro* arah Eeovil, and o) course so*e *ore )ro* ;an.?
>Ceader@? he said, loo(ing strangely both rela4ed and poised )or action. >&hat 'as at 6arro'.
!o' 'e+re si*ply a group o) )riends.?
7aria glanced at Althea, 'ishing she could send her a'ay again. ensible Cord &revor had not
reappeared.
>But 'hat connection is there bet'een a group o) school )riends and Clarissa that leads to you
giving Con a co**and@ Ah, no, I+* sure you+d call it so*e )riendly advice.?
6is eyes spar(led 'ith a*use*ent. >&he connection is Cord Arden,? he said, and it 'as )encing
)or the hell o) it. >6e+s a /ogue. 6is 'i)e 'as one o) Clarissa+s schoolteachers and is by 'ay o)
being a )riend and *entor no'.?
>Eou /ogues are very 'illing to put yourselves out )or each other, aren+t you@?
>,) course. Is that not the root o) )riendship@?
&hey 'ere interrupted by Cord &revor, carrying 6a'(+s cat. >Cady ;andei*en@ &his cat+s
hanging around and *a(ing a nuisance o) itsel). o*eone said it 'as the *a8or+s.?
>It belongs at the *anor, I suppose=? But 7aria re*e*bered ;an saying the s3uire+s dogs
'ould eat it.
&he cat leaped out o) Cord &revor+s ar*s and up onto the table to loo( around 'ith 'hat could
only be described as severe annoyance. 7aria s(etched the rescue story )or Belaney, and he
laughed. >I+ll ta(e her up to the Court and try to (eep her there until 6a'(inville returns. ,ne
certainty in all this is that he 'ill return.?
6e pic(ed up the cat, and though still radiating grievance, she stayed in his ar*s. >-hat do you
'ish to do no', Cady ;andei*en@ &here is nothing you can acco*plish here, I thin(.?
7aria sy*pathi<ed 'ith the cat+s )eelings. >I a* not one o) your /ogues, 7r. Belaney.? Aven so,
she rose. >I see that I get the tas( o) e4plaining to Clarissa+s chaperone that I have allo'ed her to
be carried o)) to a clandestine *arriage.?
6e put on a loo( o) *ild alar*. >Be)initely. I+* not going to ta(e that ne's to Arabella
6urst*an.?
>Eou (no' the lady, I see,? she said, pulling on her gloves.
>,h, yes. I as(ed her to ta(e care o) Clarissa.? . >!epotis*5? gasped Althea, 'ho 'as loo(ing
da<ed.
6e glanced at her. >Bid she say that@ he 'ould. As it happens, she+s god*other to *y daughter.
&ell her that Arabel is nearby and 'ill co*e to visit 'hen this is straightened out9i) she doesn+t
eat anyone in the *eanti*e.?
>Eour child has cannibalistic tendencies, 7r. Belaney@?
6e grinned. >7ore than li(ely. But I 'as re)erring to 7iss 6urts*an. Bon+t 'orry. &his all
see*s high dra*a at the *o*ent, but it 'ill sort out readily enough 'ith a little attention.?
>Indeed5 -hat a sha*e you 'eren+t involved in the 'ar.?
&hough he scarcely t'itched, it hit ho*e, and she shepherded Althea out o) the roo* regretting
her sharp 'ords. he 'as irritated at being e4cluded )ro* the inside circle, ho'ever, and deeply
'orried about ;an.
All had been delight)ul since their *arriage, but it 'asn+t that long since he+d tried to blo' his
brains out. 6is estates 'ere in no danger, and he had *any reasons to live, but so*e o) those
reasons 'ere rooted in 6a'( in the ;ale and the .eorges.
-hat 'ould happen i) this caused a deep breach 'ith 6a'(@
&hey cli*bed into the 'aiting carriage, and Cord &revor appeared, leading his horse, ready to
escort the*.
uch an e4cellent young *an, and than( heavens he+d been spared both physically and *entally
by the 'ar.
Gnli(e Con. Con had le)t to )ollo' ;an, but she suddenly reali<ed that Con could be put in a
position o) having to choose bet'een t'o groups o) )riends.
he al*ost le)t the carriage, driven to stay here. But 'hy@ &here 'as nothing she could do.
-hatever happened 'ould happen )ar )ro* here, presu*ably on the road north. Could 6a'(
really outrace ;an@ -hat 'ould happen 'hen ;an caught the*@
;an said that Con 'as the steady one, the one 'ho had anchored the* to prevent e4tre*es. But
the Con o*er)ord she had (no'n in the past 'ee(s did not stri(e her as roc( solid, even 'ith
usan and his ne' happiness.
;an said it 'as -aterloo, and the loss o) his )ello' /ogue, Bare Bebenha*, there.
7aria had (no'n Bare. 6is *other, the Buchess o) Eeovil, 'as a distant cousin. Bare had been a
young *an put on earth to *a(e others s*ile, and arah Eeovil had not even begun to recover
)ro* his loss, especially as there had been no body to bury. It had ta(en *onths )or her to accept
that he 'as gone.
Con o*er)ord hadn+t deceived hi*sel) that 'ay, but apparently, despite all reason, he bla*ed
hi*sel), as i) he could have nurse*aided Bare through the battle and (ept hi* sa)e.
6e couldn+t a))ord to lose another )riend.
Chapter Tent*+!ne
&ollgates, thought ;an, 'ere a very use)ul institution. !ot only did they provide the )unding )or
decent roads, they *ar(ed the passage o) travelers, especially unusual ones such as a *an 'ith a
lady up behind hi*.
-hen he 8oined the Condon road, the (eeper o) the )irst tollbooth north told hi* that no such
couple had gone that 'ay, on horse, by carriage, or on )oot. ,) course. 6a'( 'ould hardly try to
outrace hi* on the direct route, double"laden.
6e had to turn bac( to'ard Brighton to chec( the side roads, but there 'ere do<ens o) the*
'eaving o)) into a co*ple4 net'or( lin(ing village to village. Ba*n 6a'(. 6e 'as going to
have to 'aste hours, and he didn+t have the patient nature )or this (ind o) 'or(.
Con *ight )ollo', so he le)t a 3uic( note 'ith the toll(eeper e4plaining his actions, and saying
that he 'ould leave a clue on the signposts o) the roads he 'ent do'n. It 'ould be one o) their
old boyhood signs. A t'ist o) 'heat. &he )ields 'ere )ull o) it.
&hen he turned bac(, stopping to as( anyone he passed i) they+d seen the couple, and also to cut
a hand)ul o) 'heat )ro* the edge o) a )ield. 6e turned o)) onto the )irst side road a)ter stic(ing a
crude 'heat dolly in a crac( on the top o) the signpost.
Ba*n 6a'(5 6e+d throttle hi* 'hen he caught hi*. And yet a part o) hi* hoped his )riend
'ould get a'ay, *arry Clarissa, and that it 'ould all so*eho' 'or( out )or the best.
6a'( )ollo'ed side roads and did so*e cross"country 'or(, though he couldn+t 8u*p hedges
'ith Clarissa at his bac(. &hey didn+t tal( and he 'as glad o) it. 6e didn+t (no' 'hat to say.
peed 'asn+t i*portant at this pointJ conceal*ent 'as. At an out"o)"the"'ay village he stopped
at a s*all inn and as(ed i) anyone in the area 'ould have a gig to hire out. Cuc( 'as 'ith hi*,
and 7r. Idler, the s3uint"eyed inn(eeper, ad*itted to having one available hi*sel). >7ostly used
to go to *ar(et day, sir.?
Bespite the s3uint, 6a'( assessed the *an as honest, and the type to hold his o'n counsel.
>7ay I hire your gig, sir, )or a 'ee( or *ore@?
&he *an pursed his lips. >A 'ee( or *ore, sir@ &hat+d be a bit o) an inconvenience.?
>I+d pay very 'ell. And I+d leave *y horse as security.?
&he *an+s eyes sharpened, and he 'ent over to give Centaur an e4pert scrutiny. >!ice beast,? he
said, but he still loo(ed suspicious. >-here you and the lady be going, then, sir@?
6a'( gave hi* the true ans'er. >.retna .reen. But I+ll only ta(e the gig as )ar as Condon.
Perhaps not even so )ar as that. I 'on+t be able to return it until 'e co*e bac(, though.?
&he *an loo(ed bet'een the*, then )i4ed his eyes"*ore or less9on Clarissa. >Eou going
'illingly, *iss@?
6a'( 'atched her response. he s*iled brilliantly. >,h, yes. And I+* not being duped by a
'orthless rascal, either. 7y co*panion is an ar*y o))icer 'ho served 'ell 'ith the Bu(e o)
-ellington.?
7r. Idler 'as not i*pressed. >&here+s *any a gallant soldier no sane 'o*an 'ould 'ant to
husband, *iss, but that+s your a))air.? 6e turned to 6a'(. >/ight, then, sir.?
&hey settled ter*s 3uic(ly, then Idler added, >Eour lady *ight 'ant a cloa(, sir. I could sell you
one *y daughter le)t behind )or a shilling.?
&he deal 'as struc(, and Clarissa cli*bed into the gig 'earing a typical hooded country cloa( o)
bright"red 'ool over the sha*bles o) her )ashionable go'n. he s*iled do'n at the inn(eeper
and said, >&han( you. Eou+ve been very (ind.?
>Aye, 'ell, I hope so.?
6a'( e4tended his hand to the *an, and a)ter a surprised *o*ent, Idler shoo( it. >I+ll ta(e good
care o) your horse, sir. But i) you+re not bac( here in a )e' 'ee(s 'ith *y gig, I+ll sell it.?
>,) course. I *a(e no de*ands on you, but i) *y lady+s brothers should happen by, 'e 'ould
appreciate it i) you didn+t tell the* o) our business.?
But Idler didn+t *a(e any pro*ises. >Bepends on 'hat they say, sir, and 'hat I *a(e o) the*.?
6a'( laughed. >As is your right. 7y than(s )or your help.?
6e cli*bed up, accepted Clarissa+s bright s*ile 'ishing he 'ere 'orthy o) it, and set a rough
course east to pic( up the -orthing road north o) 6orsha* and 'or( his 'ay to Condon by that
roundabout route.
&hey 'ent )our hours on the -orthing"to"Condon road, able to *a(e only a steady pace because
o) the one horse. 6e 'anted to push closer to Condon, but the sun set and then dar(ness crept in,
'ith rain threatening. 6a'( turned o)) into a narro' road to a village called 7ay)ield, 'hich he
hoped 'ould have so*e sort o) inn.
6e halted the gig part'ay, ho'ever. >-e+ll have to stop here )or the night. Any regrets@?
he loo(ed at hi* 'ith a cal*, direct ga<e. >!one, e4cept that you can+t tell *e 'hy.?
6e 'as te*pted, but he said, >!o, I can+t. But 'e+ll stay here as brother and sister.?
he s*iled as i) she 'as hiding laughter. >!o one 'ill believe it. -e loo( co*pletely unali(e.
-e *ight as 'ell stay as husband and 'i)e. It is 'hat 'e 'ill be, isn+t it@?
6is heart began to thu*p, but she 'as right. >Ees, it is.? 6e dug in his poc(et and too( out the
rings he+d brought9a plain gold band, and the one 'ith the s*ooth ruby bet'een t'o hearts.
>It+s been the betrothal ring in *y )a*ily since Ali<abethan ti*es,? he said, ta(ing her le)t hand
and sliding the ring onto her )inger. >A per)ect )it. -e do see* to be )ated.?
>I thin( so.? he blin(ed a'ay tears. >I didn+t (no' I could be so happy as this. And the other@?
6e held it in his )ingers. >7y *other+s 'edding ring. I+* not sure 'e 'ant to use it. he 'ore it
all her li)e, but apparently re)used to be buried 'ith it.?
he closed his hand around the ring. >Eou are not your )ather, 6a'(, and neither a* I. -e are
*arrying because 'e love each other. !othing else *atters.? he opened his hand again to loo(
at the ring. >I 'ish I could 'ait until 'e say our vo's, but I suppose I should 'ear it.?
6er co*plete trust 'as under*ining hi*, but he+d (no'n ho' it 'ould be. /ather as a *an
)acing a*putation (no's ho' it 'ill be. Ino's it has to be.
6e slid the ruby ring bac( o)) her )inger and put the gold band on. >-ith this ring,? he said to
her, >I pro*ise that I 'ill al'ays cherish you, Clarissa, and 'ill do everything in *y po'er to
*a(e your li)e happy.?
6e *eant every 'ord, but even so they 'ere tainted by 'hat 'as really going on.
he shone 'ithout reservation. 6e put the ruby ring above the other and clic(ed the tired horse
into *otion again. >-e+ll 'ait until the real vo's are said be)ore 'e go any )urther 'ith this, o)
course.?
he didn+t say anything, but 'hen he glanced at her she 'as s*iling in a da*ned *ysterious
*anner.
&he Bog and Partridge 'as s*all, but the bu4o* landlady ad*itted to a roo* )or the night. 6e
didn+t thin( she believed )or a *o*ent that they 'ere *arried, even 'ith the rings, but she 'as
'illing to *ind her o'n business.
6e sa' Clarissa blush as they 'ere led upstairs and into a clean, surprisingly spacious bedroo*,
but she sho'ed no sign o) doubt or hesitation. -hat 'ould he do i) she did begin to get cold
)eet@ Co*pel her to go through 'ith it@
I*possible.
&he 'o*an lit a la*p and 'ent to arrange their 'ashing 'ater and their dinner. &hen they 'ere
alone.
As 'ell as the bed, the roo* contained a table and chairs, and t'o good"si<ed ar*chairs 'ith
cushions on the seats. A 'ashstand occupied one corner and a cha*ber pot another, both 'ith
screens, than( heavens, though he 'ould use the outside convenience.
Clarissa hung up her cloa(, then sat in a chair. >I+* astonishingly happy. But, then, you (no' I
have an i*patient nature. -aiting 'ee(s )or a church 'edding 'ould have been torture. I only
'ish it 'ere possible to )ly to .retna .reen.?
6a'( laughed, 'ondering i) it sounded li(e a groan. >I 'ish that too.?
6e *eant that he+d not have to 'orry about pursuit any*ore, and 'ould be sooner done 'ith
deception, but he sa' her ta(e it as a longing )or her delight)ul body na(ed in a bed 'ith hi*.
Another groan threatened. 6e did long, and )ro* her slight, totally 'ic(ed s*ile, he )eared his
bride longed too.
6o' the devil had it co*e to this@ And yet this 'as the only option that 'ould save the village
and give at least a )ragile chance o) 'inning Clarissa too. But i) he didn+t 'in her=
6e could shoot hi*sel). 6a'( in the ;ale 'ould be saved.
But then it 'ould end up sold 'hen the s3uire died 'ith no heir. Ba*nation. 6e had to get her
'ith child to see this through@
A)ter a (noc(, the door opened to ad*it t'o *aids 'ith their *eal and 8ugs o) 'ashing 'ater.
6e gave the* their vails and they curtsied out.
6a'( pulled hi*sel) together. 6e+d never been one to do things hal)heartedly. &hese *oody
silences didn+t serve at all. 6e s*iled at Clarissa. >Bo you 'ant to 'ash )irst, or eat@?
>Aat,? she said 'ith a grin. >But I+ll 'ash *y )ace and hands at least. I a* starving, though. I
'as in too *uch o) a ti<<y to eat *uch at lunch.? he loo(ed at hi*, rosy 'ith so*e (ind o)
hu*orous guilt. >I+d vo'ed to propose to you, you see, i) you didn+t get around to it. I 'asn+t
leaving 6a'(inville 'ithout trying to capture you.?
6e could not resist. 6e 'ent over and (issed her. >I a* certainly thoroughly snared.?
>!o regrets@? she said to hi*, direct and sober.
6e couldn+t )lat"out lie. >.iven a di))erent 'orld, :alcon, I 'ould rather have *arried you in a
church be)ore your )riends. But I do not regret the *arriage.?
It 'as enough to *a(e her s*ile. oon they sat to their *eal, divided by large a*ounts o) very
'elco*e )ood.
It see*ed al*ost inappropriate to be so hungry at such a ti*e, but li)e *arched on in the *idst o)
even the *ost e4traordinary events.
Clarissa considered it un)ortunate that the chairs had been placed at either end o) the table. It put
)ive )eet bet'een the*. All the sa*e, they 'ere alone, and in a *ore steadily inti*ate situation
than they+d ever been.
And, by so*e *iracle, on their 'ay to their 'edding.
-ith only one bed )or the night.
6er heartbeat 'as already )ast, but she 'as 'illing to 'ait )or the )irst seductive *oves.
6a'( poured 'ine into her glass and indicated the plates. >It+s probably best i) 'e help
ourselves.?
&hough she+d honestly clai*ed hunger, no' she 'asn+t sure she could eat, but she too( a
chic(en breast and so*e vegetables, then sipped her 'ine, 'atching hi* in the pool o) la*plight.
It touched gold in his hair and pic(ed out the handso*e lines o) his )ace and the elegance o) his
hands. -as it (ind to her@ A )lutter o) uncertainty at her appearance started inside. &he s*all
*irror had told her that neatness, as usual, had totally escaped her. Perhaps she should have
as(ed to borro' his co*b. 6e+d used it to restore his usual elegance.
&hen he loo(ed up, and so*ething heated danced in his eyes that s*oothed the )lutter a'ay. 6e
raised his glass to her. >&o our )uture. 7ay it be all you deserve.?
he raised her o'n. >And all you deserve, too.?
As she sipped, she sa' a t'itch o) e4pression.
>6a'(5 Bon+t you thin( you deserve happiness@?
>Eou )orget. Any )uture is built on the past.?
It 'as as i) Beveril 'ere trying to bully his 'ay into the roo*. he should tell hi* be)ore he
co**itted hi*sel)=
But she thrust it a'ay. >&onight, can+t 'e )orget about the past@?
>&he past is al'ays beneath our )eet. -ithout it, 'e 'al( on nothing.?
>Perhaps 'ithout it, 'e )ly.?
And he s*iled as i) the shado's )led. >Perhaps 'e do, 'ise :alcon. Perhaps 'e do. Aat. Eou+ll
regret it later i) you don+t.?
>Advice )ro* e4perience@? she as(ed, but she cut into the tender chic(en and *ade hersel) eat a
*outh)ul. &hen she discovered that she 'as hungry, and she ate a )e' *ore )or()uls o) )ood in
silence.
>ee@? he said, his lips t'itching.
Ca*entably, she )lic(ed a piece o) bean at hi*.
6e caught it in his *outh. >Ar*y tric(s. !ever 'aste )ood.?
&hey laughed together and she thought, friend.
he+d had )riends at school, so*e o) 'ho* she+d )elt close to, but she+d never )elt as she did
about 6a'(. he didn+t (no' ho' to say it9it see*ed al*ost childish9 but it 'as a 'ar*
glo' near her heart. o*ething steady and dependable. Gnli(e the rather )rantic burning o) her
love.
he tal(ed a bit about 7iss 7allory+s and he shared so*e o) his ti*e at his school, Abingdon.
>;an, Con, and I 'ent to di))erent schools,? he said.
>Bi))erent )a*ily traditions. And I thin( our )a*ilies thought a little variety 'ould be good )or
us. Part o) the purpose o) schooling is to *a(e use)ul connections, a)ter all.?
>Bid you en8oy it@?
>&i*e a'ay )ro* the *anor 'as al'ays pleasant.?
he sensed a hard truth being delivered. >-e 'on+t let your )ather destroy our happiness, 6a'(.?
>I pray not.? But he didn+t see* to believe it.
he chattered )or a 'hile about Brighton *atters, but so*ething 'as disturbing that 'ar* glo'
o) )riendship li(e a chill dra)t playing on a candle )la*e.
&hey *ight as 'ell tal( o) serious *atters. >6o' long 'ill it ta(e us to get to cotland@?
>&hree days, 'ith good speed.?
>Can 'e elude pursuit@?
6e pushed a'ay his plate still hal) )ull. 6e hadn+t touched it )or so*e ti*e. >I hope so. ;an
doubtless has *urder on his *ind.? 6e pic(ed up the decanter o) claret. >7ore 'ine@?
he 'asn+t used to a lot o) 'ine and had already drun( t'o glasses, but she accepted *ore.
>6e+ll never catch us on this route.?
>It 'ill be luc( i) he does. 6e does, ho'ever, have a*a<ing luc(.? 6e shrugged and )illed his
o'n glass. >-e+ll be in Condon to*orro' and can arrange so*e disguise and then speed north.?
he loo(ed do'n at her stained and *uddy dress. >I+ll treasure this dress, though. It has very
special *e*ories.? &hat )lic(ed her *ind to so*ething else. >Bo you (no', during the 8ourney
I+ve been thin(ing about the horrible 7rs. /o'land. I (no' her )ro* so*e'here.?
>-here@? he as(ed, eyes suddenly alert. >Is there anything else to the )eeling@ Any connection@?
he laughed. >Al'ays the 6a'(5 It 'asn+t anything dire or suspicious. Just curious. I 'ish I
could pin it do'n.?
6e+d rela4ed again, but she thought his eyes still see*ed intent. 6e+d told her he couldn+t resist a
*ystery, and it see*ed to be true. he 'as de)initely right to be binding hi*.
>-ell, then,? he said, >'here *ight you have *et her@?
>&hat+s it. I have no idea. Eou have to understand, 6a'(, I haven+t led a very adventurous li)e.?
6e laughed, and she protested, >I haven+t5 &hings have happened to *e recently, but *ost o) *y
li)e has been positively boring. &he only place I *ight have *et her 'as last year in Condon.?
>7ore or less at the ti*e o) -aterloo, 'hen Cieutenant /o'land 'as in Belgiu* )ighting and
being 'ounded. It 'ould be strange i) his 'i)e and children 'ere in Condon then.?
>And I+* sure I never encountered a Belgian'o*an. I 'as restricted to )ashionable circles, and
rarely escaped *y *other+s eye.? he shoo( her head. >It+s probably a *ista(e. o*e people
loo( li(e others.?
>But you aren+t con)using her 'ith so*eone else, are you@?
he could only shrug. &hat )aint sense o) recognition 'as beco*ing less substantial by the
*inute. &he tal( had passed so*e ti*e, but she 'as no longer interested.
>!ever *ind,? he said, one )inger stro(ing the long ste* o) his glass. It re*inded her o) his
stro(ing o) Jetta, and o) ho' very *uch she 'anted hi* to be stro(ing her.
he couldn+t bear it. he stood and carried her 'ineglass around to his side o) the table.
&heir eyes loc(ed )or a *o*ent, and then he pushed bac( his chair, inviting her to sit on his lap.
An invitation she too(, heart racing, heat surging through her.
It *ust be the 'ine, but it 'as *agical.
>Another adventure,? she said, ad8usting hersel) and looping her )ree hand around his nec(. >I+ve
never sat on a *an+s lap be)ore.?
>As usual, you get the idea very 3uic(ly.? 6e accepted her daring (iss, then one hand rose to
cradle the bac( o) her head. 6is lips opened and she settled, *elted, into a deep 8oining.
A)ter a languorous ti*e, their *ouths parted and he 'hispered, >Bo I 'ant to (no' 'hat other
adventures you have planned@?
>Plan@? she said, e4ploring his 8a', his ear 'ith her lips. >I+* a creature o) i*pulse.?
>6eaven protect *e. -hat i*pulse drives you@?
>I thin( you (no'.?
6e *oved her apart a little. >Clarissa, I pro*ised ;an that I 'ouldn+t seduce you.?
>I didn+t pro*ise anything.?
he s'ooped in )or another (iss, but he held her a'ay. 6is )ace 'as )lushed, his breathing
unsteady. >I thin( perhaps you+re unaccusto*ed to 'ine=?
>!ot that unaccusto*ed.? he cradled his )ace, )eeling the roughness o) a day+s beard on his
chee(s. >-hy 'ait@ -hat i) they do *anage to stop us@?
>&hen it 'ould be better.?
>,r our *arriage 'ould be essential.?
6e captured her hands and held the* a'ay. >Clarissa9?
>&here+s only one bed. -here are you going to sleep@?
>,n the )loor. I+ve done it be)ore.?
>Eou+ve eloped be)ore@? she teased.
&he loo( in his eyes )illed her 'ith a sense o) e4traordinary po'er. he could hardly believe that
she 'as doing this9trying to seduce a *an. he, Clarissa, the plain one that no *an ever loo(ed
t'ice at.
But she 'as, and she 'as 'inning, and it didn+t see* so e4traordinary, so ridiculous. he could
)eel it in his hands, still controlling her 'rists, and see it in his eyes. he could sense it in the
very air around the*.
6is scarce"chec(ed desire.
:or her.
:or her.
>-hat 'ould you do i) I started to undress here, in )ront o) you@?
6is eyes closed 'ith 'hat loo(ed li(e pain.
>Eou+d li(e it@? she as(ed, astonished to hear it co*e out in an al*ost Jetta"li(e purr.
>-ould I li(e to be burned to a cinder@?
>-ell, 'ould you@?
6is lids li)ted, heavily. >It+s every *an+s deepest longing.?
&hat *ight be teasing, but she (ne' it 'ent deeper than that. It 'as hunger.
he leaned )or'ard, letting hi* (eep control o) her hands, to brush her lips across his. >7a(e
love to *e tonight, 6a'(. It is *y deepest longing.?
6is lips *oved beneath hers )or a *o*ent, then slid a'ay. >-hat i) you change your *ind, i)
you decide you don+t 'ant to *arry *e@?
>Eou thin( I 'ill be so disappointed@? she teased.
6e avoided her lips again. >Clarissa, I+* trying to be noble, da**it. I) anything prevents our
*arriage, you+d be ruined.?
>Are you saying you 'on+t *arry *e@?
>!o. But you *ay change your *ind.?
>Eou )orget. I+* in love 'ith your house.?
6e laughed, and rolled his head bac(, eyes closed. >&hin(. Eou *ight get 'ith child.?
he nibbled do'n his nec(. >o, I+ll be the even *ore scandalous Bevil+s 6eiress. I don+t care.?
>&he child *ight.?
>&hen I+ll buy it a )ather. But, 6a'(, I 'ant you. !othing is going to change *y *ind. I love
you.?
6is lids li)ted, heavily. >Eou said you loved *y ho*e.?
>And you. I) lade tears do'n 6a'(inville 7anor, I 'ill still love you. But he 'on+t do that. -e
are on our 'ay to our 'edding to prevent it.?
6e s'allo'ed. he )elt it.
>Bo you )eel your )eet sliding, :alcon@? he said so)tly. >Cove only greases the path. It doesn+t
pro*ise a sa)e landing.?
>o*e paths lead to heaven.?
>Bo'n'ard@?
he chuc(led and *oved her lips do'n'ard, nu<<ling at the edge o) his collar. >It 'ould see*
so=?
Bi*ly, so*e'here )ar a'ay in the house, a cloc( began to chi*e. he decided to (iss his nec(
and 8a' )or each chi*e, and ended at ten. >&en )atho*s deep,? she breathed against his s(in.
6e released her hand to hold her o)) at the shoulders. >I surrender to the depths.?
&riu*phant, si<<ling, she rela4ed a'ay )ro* hi*, and he raised her le)t hand to his *outh. >I
give you *y love and allegiance, :alcon. I s'ear that i) this )alls apart, it 'ill be at your desire,
not *ine.?
>&hen it 'ill never )all apart.?
6e slid her )ro* his (nee to lead her to the bed.
>Alectricity,? she said.
>Cightning.?
>Ees.? he (ne' she 'as blushing, but she didn+t *ind. Bespite !e 8nnals of 8p!rodite, she
'as unclear about 'hat 'as going to happen here, but she didn+t *ind that either.
he si*ply 'aited, )or 6a'(.
6e raised his hands to her hair, 'hich she (ne' 'as a *ess. >I suppose your *aid arranged this
care)ully this *orning. Boes that see* a very long ti*e ago@?
>A *ere century or t'o.?
>And the destruction is considerable.? Pins )ell to the )loor, and his )ingers threaded into her
curls. >But it is rioting, te*pestuous hair, li(e its o'ner.? 6is eyes *et hers. >And as lovely.?
>Eou li(e stor* and riot@?
>;ery *uch.? 6e raised her hair and let it )all. >It catches the la*plight in a net o) )ire.?
6e lo'ered his hands and turned her to the bed. It 'as set high, and steps stood ready )or the* to
cli*b into it. hould she ta(e o)) her clothes yet, or 'ould he do that )or her@
6e dropped her hand to pull o)) the buttercup"yello' coverlet. 7eticulously, he )olded it and put
it on the chest that sat at the base o) the bed. &hen he )olded do'n the other covers, e4posing a
large e4panse o) pure 'hite sheet &he precise preparations stirred a pang o) panic. >-on+t I
bleed@?
>&he people here *ust suspect 'hat is going on. I) it bothers you, 'e can stop no'.?
>,h, no.? &hen she plunged into honesty. >It+s 8ust that this suddenly )rightens *e, but in the
spiciest 'ay. Boes that *a(e sense@?
6e put his hands on her 'aist and li)ted her to sit on the high bed. >,) course. It )rightens *e,
too. Because I 'ant it too *uch.?
6e 'as loo(ing into her eyes as i) searching )or doubts, )or retreat. he s*iled and leaned
)or'ard to (iss hi*.
6e laughed, bro(e )ree. >tay there.?
6e 'ent to pile the re*ains o) their *eal on the tray, then put it outside the door.
>Eou thin( o) everything,? she said, and heard a touch o) a pout in it.
6e ca*e bac( to'ard her. >&hat is *y reputation.? 6e 'ent to his (nees and began to unlace her
right hal) boot.
Clarissa sat there, )eeling slightly li(e a child, but at his touch, intensely 'o*an. Ieen
anticipation suddenly s'irled inside her.
And i*patience.
>I )eel,? she said, loo(ing do'n at his bent head, >that at a *o*ent li(e this I should be 'earing
satin slippers, not *uddy shoes.?
>At least they+re leather.? 6e put the right one on the )loor and began on the le)t. >&he *ud and
'ater don+t see* to have soa(ed through to your stoc(ings.?
he )le4ed the toes o) her liberated right )oot. 6er daisy"e*broidered stoc(ings 'ere pretty, but
sturdy. >I should be 'earing sil( stoc(ings, too.?
6e glanced up, s*iling. >:or a day in the country@ I+d thin( you a )lighty piece.?
>Eou don+t thin( *e a )lighty piece@?
6e discarded her le)t boot. >6****. !o' that you co*e to spea( o) it=?
6e began to slide his hands up her leg beneath her s(irts, *a(ing her stir and catch her breath.
>Is this= is this the 'ay it+s usually done@?
>-hat@? 6e *et her eyes, but his hands continued to *ove up.
>Is the gentle*an supposed to re*ove a lady+s shoes and stoc(ings@ Is that part o) it@?
6is lips t'itched. >Are you going to analy<e every step@?
>&his is a very i*portant e4perience )or *e, you (no'.?
>Ees, I thin( I (no' that.?
6is hands )ound her garter, and undid the (not by )eel, sending the *ost e4traordinary )eelings
up the inside o) her thigh.
>&here are a thousand 'ays to *a(e love, Clarissa. Boubtless *ore. I) this 'as our 'edding
night, I *ight have le)t you 'ith your *aid to undress and get into bed, then 8oined you later.?
6e loo(ed do'n again, and pushing her s(irts up to her (nee, rolled do'n her stoc(ing.
>I bought those yesterday,? she said so)tly. >-ith you in *ind.?
>And they are *uch appreciated.? 6is voice see*ed suddenly hus(y, and she couldn+t contain a
s*ile, even though her heart 'as beating so deeply she 'ondered i) she *ight )aint.
Ba<edly, she 'atched her pale leg reveal itsel). Boubts stirred. It 'as a very ordinary leg.
6e stro(ed his )ingers up and do'n her shin, then raised her )oot to (iss her instep. >&his is
de)initely an argu*ent )or anticipating *arriage.?
>-hat@ ,h, no *aid et cetera=?
>Precisely.?
>o *any places to (iss.?
>And I intend to (iss every one.?
So many places on !im to .iss, she thought. -ould she be brave enough to (iss every one@
&hen he e4plored )or the garter o) the le)t stoc(ing. Clarissa leaned bac( on her elbo's, closing
her eyes in order to concentrate on the )eel o) his hands. he )elt unsteady. Duivery. he 'asn+t
sure she 'asn+t actually 3uivering.
-hen he (issed her le)t instep, his hand cradled her )oot 'ar*ly to raise it, )ingers brushing
against the side o) her heel. &hen his hands slid slo'ly bac( up her legs, opening the 'ay )or
cool air. 6e 'as pushing her s(irts up no'.
he truly did 3uiver, )or he *ust be close to her na(ed privacy.
Cips hot on the top o) each (nee in turn, hands stro(ing the length o) her thighs.
&hen he pulled her up and li)ted her o)) the bed to stand.
Chapter Tent*+t!
he opened da<<led eyes to see hi* )ra*ed in a halo )ro* the la*p. >&his is re*ar(able.?
6e laughed, and it see*ed to be 'ith unshado'ed pleasure. >I hope it beco*es even *ore so.?
6e pulled her suddenly close )or a (iss. >Eou+re not at all a)raid, are you@?
>Is there anything to be a)raid o)@?
>A little pain@?
he shrugged. >I+* sure it hurt to s'ing on ropes across the 'ilderness.?
>&hat 'as ;an, not *e.?
>But you+d have been ne4t, 'ouldn+t you@?
6e grinned. >-e+d already argued over it. And you+re right. I 'ouldn+t have counted the scrapes
and bruises.? 6e raised a hand and brushed so*e hair o)) her chee(, bac( behind her ear.
>But love*a(ing is dangerous, :alcon. Be 'arned. At its best or its 'orst it ta(es us to places
beyond the ordinary. Beyond s'inging ropes, beyond battle, even. &he :rench call it the little
death. &hey believe that )or a *o*ent the heart stops and all bodily sensations cease, so that
return to li)e is both e43uisite delight and e43uisite agony.?
he 3uivered again, deep inside, 'ith hunger. >Can it be li(e that the )irst ti*e@?
6e laughed, or it *ight have been a groan. >I) I can possibly *a(e it so. -hich at the *o*ent,?
he added, turning her to un)asten her dress, >*ight co*e do'n to a 3uestion o) ho' long I can
stand this torture.?
>&orture@? she as(ed, shrugging out o) the dress.
>,nly *oderate so )ar. Corsets, ho'ever, are the very devil.?
he giggled, but could only 'ait as he un(notted and loosened her laces. he turned then. >I can
get out o) this and *y shi)t 'hile you undress. ,r do you need *e to help you@?
>&hat 'ould probably be *y undoing.? 6e began to rip o)) his clothes, as she struggled out o)
the corset. 6e 'as 'atching her in a 'ay that brought bac( every scrap o) that sense o) )e*ale
po'er, and she 'as clu*sy 'ith hu**ing e4cite*ent.
6e pulled o)) his shirt, and she )ro<e, corset dangling )ro* her )ailing )ingers. !ot so *assive as
the groo* in Bro'nbutton+s stableyard, but the stu)) o) *aidens+ drea*s all the sa*e, 'ith
ridged *uscles do'n his belly and curved ones in his ar*s.
&here 'as a dar( *ar( above his right breast. he let the corset )all and 'al(ed over to hi*.
>&he tattoo,? she said. >I see it at last.?
>Bidn+t you al'ays (no' you 'ould@?
he s*iled up at hi*. >Ees. &his 'as inevitable )ro* the )irst day, 'asn+t it@? he raised her le)t
hand to trace the purple lines. >A # and a ha'(@?
>;an 'as a de*on. Con a dragon.?
>-hy@?
>-hy do si4teen"year"old boys do *ost o) the things they do@ Because one o) the* suggests it,
and it see*s li(e a good idea at the ti*e. -e 'anted to be able to recogni<e one another+s
*angled bodies.?
he shuddered and 'ith her le)t hand on the tattoo, she ran her right do'n a 8agged scar in his
side. >Eou could have died be)ore 'e *et.?
>&rue, though I didn+t have a very dangerous 'ar.?
>-hat 'as this, then@? she as(ed, still touching the scar.
>A chance to s'ing over the 'ilderness. I) sta)) duties 'ere light, 'e 'ere so*eti*es given
per*ission to 8oin the )ighting )orces.?
he loo(ed up. >And I suppose you leaped at it.?
6e see*ed surprised by her tone. >,) course. Can+t you i*agine ho' )rustrating it is to be
surrounded by the )ever o) battle9the electricity9and not be caught up in it@? 6e ran a hand up
her side to stro(e the curve o) her breast. >/ather as i) 'e 'ere to be suspended li(e this )or the
rest o) our lives, never to )all )ully into the *adness o) desire.?
At the loo( in his eyes, and the tantali<ing touch, a shudder passed through her, a shudder o)
pleasure and pain such as she had never even i*agined. he )elt as i) she contained seething
po'er bet'een her t'o hands. 6is heat, his breathing, his controlled patience=
he leaned closer to press her chee( against his hot, s*ooth s(in. 6e suc(ed in a deep breath,
*oving against her li(e a 'ave, and she let her hands slide around hi*, encircle hi*, pressing to
hi* so only the )ine cotton o) her shi)t lay bet'een their bodies.
>-hat 'ould I have done i) you had died@? she *ur*ured.
6is ar*s ca*e around her. >:ound so*e other *an to love.?
>It doesn+t see* possible.?
>It doesn+t, does it@? 6is head rested against hers. >-hen I 'atched you at the *anor house
today, standing near the sundial, surrounded by roses, it 'as as i) a *issing piece had )allen into
*y li)e. I give you )air 'arning, :alcon. Eou 'ill have to )ight to be )ree o) *y hood and 8esses.?
he s*iled into his s(in. >As 'ill you. And a )alcon, re*e*ber, is a superior bird to a ha'(.?
he heard a hu*, presu*ably o) pleasure. >&he thought o) you hunting *e do'n,? he said,
>al*ost te*pts *e to )ly.?
>I have cla's to catch you 'ith.? he lightly pressed her nails into his bac(.
6is inhaled breath s'ayed her again. >6ave you any idea,? he said, >ho' per)ectly happy I a* at
this *o*ent@ ,r, co*e to thin( o) it, it+s *ore a state o) per)ectly happy anticipation.?
Gnderstanding, she *oved bac(, though she 'ould 'illingly have stood li(e that, so inti*ately
close, )or hours longer.
6e sat on the bed and urgently pulled o)) his boots. he 'ent to help, tossing )irst one, then the
other aside. he put hands to his right stoc(ing, but he sei<ed her, s'inging her onto the bed, and
)alling on her 'ith a ravishing (iss.
At last5
he 'rapped her ar*s and legs around hi*, (issing hi* bac(, pressing a burning, aching need
against hi*. &hen he bro(e contact, )reed hi*sel) to pull o)) her shi)t.
&hus, )inally, she 'as na(ed, and )ear hit her. !ot )ear o) 8oining, but )ear o) disappointing.
6e put a hand to her breast, slid it do'n over her ribs, her hip, her thigh, then bac( up again.
>Eou are so beauti)ul,? he *ur*ured.
>Eou don+t have to lie to *e.?
6e loo(ed up at her. >I+* not lying, love. Bon+t you (no'@ Eour legs, your hips, your breasts=
Eou+re crea* and gold and honey. A per)ect, delicious s'eet*eat.?
6e suddenly s'ooped do'n and lic(ed, lic(ed up her belly, around her breast.
he had a beauti)ul body@ he+d never thought beyond her plain )ace, but the 'ay he 'as
cherishing her 'ith touch and ga<e, the hunger she sensed in every touch, te*pted her to believe.
&he per)ect 8e'el in a per)ect day. 6e 'as ta(ing pleasure, true pleasure, in her body.
6e tongued her nipple, *a(ing her catch her breath, *ostly in anticipation. &his she already
(ne', and she re*e*bered the 'ay he+d been s'ept beyond sense in the 'ilderness.
he 'anted to do that to hi* again.
Again and again.
:orever=
6e suc(led her, )irst gently, then *ore deeply, and she arched. >6urry,? she said. >6urry.?
>Patience,? he *ur*ured. >Patience.?
>I don+t 'ant to be patient5?
>&rust *e.?
6e slipped a'ay )ro* her breast and began to lic( slo'ly to'ard the other one.
he punched at his shoulders 'ith both )ists.
6e laughed.
Coving the )eel o) his broad shoulders, she began to (nead the*. he loved the )eel o) his
tongue, too, though not as *uch as the suc(ling.
6e hu**ed again, approvingly, so she (neaded hi* so*e *ore, *ore deeply as he suc(led,
(neading her need into his deep *uscles again and again.
6er leg 'as rubbing against his and his breeches bothered her. >Gndress,? she co**anded.
6e pushed a'ay )ro* her, and she grabbed )or hi*. >!o, don+t stop.?
>Patience,? he said, laughing and escaping. >A little 'aiting 'ill de)initely do you good.?
he sat up, hands on hips, pretending annoyance, not having to pretend )rustration at their
separation. But it 'as al*ost 'orth it to 'atch as he stripped o)) his re*aining clothes.
6e stepped out o) his dra'ers and loo(ed at her, and suddenly his 8utting *anly part gre' larger,
rising.
>,h, *y,? she said. >I thought the pictures e4aggerated.?
>Pictures@? 6e cli*bed bac( on the bed and gently pushed her do'n.
>7en have boo(s, and 'o*en steal the*.? he 'as still loo(ing at his /od o) /apture,
'ondering i) the boo( 'as right, and he 'ould li(e her :elicitous :ingers. >o*e o) the girls
brought interesting treasures bac( to school.?
>But you didn+t 3uite believe the*@ :ro* 'hat I+ve seen o) such boo(s, you 'ere very 'ise.?
6e captured her )ace and loo(ed into her eyes. >Are you )rightened, love@?
he thought about it. o*ething 'as beating in her, but she didn+t thin( it 'as )ear. he certainly
didn+t 'ant to stop. >-hat I+* )eeling is nothing I+ve ever e4perienced be)ore.?
6e (issed her, laughing. >till analy<ing.?
Bespite the )luttering inside and outside o) her s(in, she chuc(led. >,) course. I don+t 'ant to
*iss or )orget any o) this. Perhaps I should (eep a diary.?
>!o' that 'ould shoc( our grandchildren.? 6is hand had )ound her breast again.
.randchildren. An astonishingly beauti)ul thought.
.randchildren at 6a'(inville.
>I+d 'rite it in code,? she *ur*ured, da<ed by his touch. >&he )irst sight o) you. &he )irst )eel o)
your s(in. &he special s*ell o) your body. 7y o'n strange state. Eour every touch=?
6is hand stilled. >It is so*e'hat disconcerting, you (no', to thin( o) you ta(ing notes.?
he loo(ed at hi*. >6a'(, are you nervous@?
>Eou thin( I+* not@? -hen she 8ust loo(ed at hi*, he said, >I 'ant this to be per)ect )or you, *y
heart. But per)ection really isn+t possible.?
he s*iled and ran her hand through his hair. >-hatever it is, it 'ill be per)ect.?
6e (issed her 3uic(ly. >Continue to ta(e notes, then,? he said, and turned his attention to her
breasts.
>I li(e that,? she said. >,h5 I )eel as i) I+* co*ing do'n 'ith a )ever. But not at all ill.
Gnco*)ortable, though. Inside.?
6is hand slid do'n. >Perhaps I can heal that.? 6e paused to circle her navelJ then his )ingers
pushed into the hair bet'een her thighs, close to the tingling ache.
he )ollo'ed every touch and sensation in her *ind, *arveling.
>,pen )or *e, s'eetheart.?
-hen had she pushed her thighs so tightly together@ he hastily spread the*, breath held, and
his )ingers slid deeper.
lid. he could )eel *oisture there. >&he Belectable Be' o) Beli3uescent Besire=?
>-hat@?
he hadn+t reali<ed that she+d spo(en aloud. >A boo( called it that.?
>A beda<<ling boo( o) bridal be*use*ent@?
Caughing, she said, >!e 8nnals of 8p!rodite. It 'as rather alliterative.?
>o I hear. Eou are Be)initely Belectable.?
>I*possibly I*patient@?
>Bauntingly Be*anding.?
&hey collapsed into laughter, but he loo(ed at her. >Bon+t you thin( perhaps 'e could ta(e this
seriously@?
>-hy@?
>Because I+* beco*ing Besperately Besirous.?
6e 'as ru))led and rosy. he laughed again at all the r+s, but said, >&hen I a* -onder)ully
-illing.?
6e pressed his hand bac( bet'een her thighs. >But not /apturously /eady, *y Pulchritudinous
Pleasure.?
Beauti)ul pleasure. he didn+t (no' i) she 'as truly beauti)ul, but he 'as, and this 'as, *ade
*ore so by the blessing o) laughter. he 'ould never have i*agined being in a bed 'ith a na(ed
*an ent'ined in laughter.
6er hips rose o) their o'n accord to greet his )ingers, and an ache intensi)ied. Passion+s
Penulti*ate Pang. &hey 'ere near the end@
It 'as deep, deep inside her. -here he 'ould go.
oon, she prayed. oon.
>Boes that )eel good@? he as(ed.
>,h, yes. But=?
6e began to circle his hand. >Better@?
All the )eelings see*ed to rush to the place he pressed on, and her hips pushed up again. >,h5
&he Precious Pearl o) Aden+s Acstasy.?
>Probably.? 6e laughed into her da<ed eyes. >By all *eans, tell *e 'hat else you recogni<e as
'e go.?
>&he -anton -ave o) -o*anly -elco*e,? she gasped as her body rose up and )ell o) its o'n
accord. >I tried it. tro(ing the Precious Pearl= It 'as pleasant, but not li(e this5?
6er body see*ed to clench itsel) pain)ully, but she 'anted *ore.
>Boo(s )or *en tend to e*phasi<e the delicacy o) the pearl,? he *ur*ured into her ear. >&hose
)or 'o*en should doubtless e*phasi<e )ir*ness. &ell *e i) I hurt you.?
6is hand pressed harder, and his *outh settled hot against her breast. o*ething shot bet'een
his *outh and his hand, and Clarissa let out a little shrie(. >&he earing pear o) ensual
ubli*ation5?
6er senses 'ere )iring o)) into spar(s and spar(les, but she tried to co**ent as he+d as(ed,
>And= the :inal :ragrant :rag*entation. ,h, *y5 Bon+t stop5?
>I 'on+t.?
he 'anted to push bac(, so she did, again and again, desperately see(ing so*ething that 'asn+t
alliterative at all.
And then she died.
he )elt it. &hat sudden, per)ect stop, then the torrent o) sensation that le)t her sha(ing and
breathless.
&hen he *oved over her, and as her *ind ca*e together she reali<ed that it 'asn+t his hand
any*ore.
It 'as hi* against her.
he 'as still 3uivering and aching, and she caught bac( a cry, not sure i) it 'as o) need or
protest. 6er body seethed 'ith sensitivity, but he 'as )orcing her hips 'ide, )orcing her open in a
'ay his )ingers had not. he )elt i*paled9
he sti)led the shrie(, but then said, >&hat hurt5? and 'as shoc(ed bac( to the real and a'('ard
'orld.
6e stilled. >Are you all right@?
he 'anted to say no, that she needed ti*e to get used to this, that perhaps they should try again
another day. But she could sense his tense desperation, and could i*agine 'hat he *ight be
)eeling.
>,) course,? she said, trying )or laughter again. >&he= Per)u*ed Portal has been Pierced.? ,h,
but she 'as invaded. >o it+s ti*e )or the= 7asculine 7astery o) 7aidenly 7ysteries.?
>!ot *aidenly any*ore,? he said, but she 'as re'arded by his abrupt surrender to his needs.
&he :ear)ul Phallic :erocity. he (ne' 8ust 'hat the 8nnals had *eant.
Again, and again, and again.
he could bear it, she could bear it, she could bear it.
But then pain )aded and other )eelings )lo'ed bac(. :ierce, thunderous )eelings, shared 'ith hi*.
he )ound she 'as *eeting his *ove*ents, harder and harder, thrust )or thrust.
&he Joyous Joust5
&hen he )ro<e. he could )eel the rigid tension in every inch o) his *uscular body. he opened
her eyes to revel in the sight o) hi*, beauti)ul in the light and shado' o) this per)ect roo*, lost in
the little death.
,h, yes, *a(ing love 'as a very dangerous thing. &hey 'ere *ore than na(ed here. &hey 'ere
na(ed to the soul.
6e rela4ed as i) the -ave o) -o*anly -elco*e had rolled over hi*, and collapsed to (iss her in
the 'ay she needed to be (issed. In the 'ay that e4pressed the shattering e4perienced.
&hen he rolled to the side, still tangled 'ith her, to hold her close. &hey 'ere plastered together
at every possible point, sealed by s'eat, and she )ound it i*possible to i*agine ever being
separated again, even by clothes.
&hey 'ere one. :orever. Indivisible.
he (issed his chest, then 'riggled up to (iss his *outh, then loo(ed into his sated eyes. >&hat
'as per)ect.?
>Per)ectly Per)ect@ &hat+s as close to alliteration as I can co*e at the *o*ent.?
6is eyes 'ere a*used, but above all they 'ere deeply content and centered on her. >Per)ection
'ill co*e, and 'e+ll en8oy the practice.? 6e closed his eyes and laughed. >Is it possible to say a
sentence 'ithout t'o 'ords starting 'ith the sa*e sound@ A)ter this, I+* going to e*barrass
*ysel) every ti*e I open *y *outh.?
he spra'led on his chest, loo(ing at hi*. >Persistent Practice@?
6is eyes opened. >Eou 'ant to )ly higher and higher@?
>-hy not@ -hy stay close to ground@?
>:or sa)ety@?
>Bo 'e care about sa)ety@?
>Ees,? he said, s*ile )ading, >I rather thin( 'e do. I intend to (eep you sa)e, love, even i) it does
*ean staying in the nest.?
he snuggled even closer. >&hat 'on+t be too bad i) the nest has a bed. -hen can 'e do it
again@?
6e loo(ed at her. >I had the i*pression it hurt you 3uite a bit.?
-hen she thought about it, she could )eel soreness. >&he design o) the )e*ale body is very
inconvenient.?
>7ost parts o) it are thoroughly delight)ul,? he said, cradling a breast and (issing it. >Aspecially
yours.?
he dared to as(. >Bo you li(e *y breasts@?
>I adore your breasts.?
>7ore than other 'o*en+s breasts@?
6e loo(ed up. >Bon+t. &hat+s a ga*e that no one 'ins. Eou are you. I love you. I have never
loved a 'o*an as I love you. As it happens, you have very beauti)ul breasts, )ull and pale, 'ith
generous, rosy nipples. But it 'ouldn+t *atter i) they 'ere other'ise. &hey 'ould still be the
breasts o) the 'o*an I love.?
he put 'ondering hands to her body, to her breasts. >It+s hard )or *e to thin( o) *ysel) that
'ay.?
>As beauti)ul@?
>And loved.? he )elt tears threaten, and she didn+t 'ant to spoil this 'ith tears. he s*iled and
put one hand on his chest. >Eou have a beauti)ul body, too.?
>Is that all I a* to you@ A beauti)ul body@?
6e spo(e teasingly, but she sensed that the sa*e need pulsed through hi* as her.
>!o, you+re the *an I love. I) you 'ent bac( to 'ar and ca*e ho*e scarred and *ai*ed, you
'ould still be the *an I love.?
>-hy@? But then he put up a hand to stop her ans'er. >.od, no. &hat+s another ga*e that no one
'ins.?
he 'anted to laugh. >-hy 'ouldn+t any 'o*an )all in love 'ith you@ Eou+re handso*e,
honorable, brave, strong=? But she *oved do'n to (iss the ha'( on his chest. >:or *e, though,
the *ost 'onder)ul thing is the 'ay I+ve been able to tal( to you )ro* the )irst. Eou are *y
deepest, li)elong )riend. I (no' you have other )riends9?
6e sealed her lips 'ith his )ingers. >!one closer. !o'.?
>&ruly@?
6is eyes 'ere steady and deep. >&ruly. :or as long as you 'ish.?
he began to cry. he couldn+t help it. &his 'as the *ost per)ect *o*ent o) her li)e, but she 'as
sobbing as i) she+d lost everything that *attered. 6e gathered her close, roc(ing her and
*ur*uring )or her to stop. he tried, but she couldn+t.
>It+s all right,? she *anaged. >I+* happy, not sad5?
>Cord save *e )ro* you sad, then, love. Bo stop, please.?
he laughed and 'iped her )ace on the sheet. >I loo( a *ess 'hen I cry, too.?
6e helped her dry her eyes and didn+t deny her state*ent. :or so*e reason, that put the per)ect
)inish on per)ection.
&his 'as all co*pletely honest.
he ran a hand across 6a'(+s 'ide shoulders, then do'n the center o) his chest, 8ust 'anting to
touch. he traced the scar again, chilled by ho' close it *ust have been to )atal.
>It 'as a *ere glancing blo'.?
>I+* surprised it didn+t brea( your ribs.?
>Crac(ed the*. 6urt li(e the devil.?
he stro(ed along the scar. >I+* glad you+re not at 'ar any*ore.?
>I 'as rarely in *uch danger. Gnli(e others.?
he loo(ed up. >-hy do you bla*e yoursel)@ Eour 'or( 'as i*portant.?
>I (no'.?
>But you still )elt as i) you 'ere shir(ing,? she ris(ed, sliding do'n and holding hi*, his head on
her shoulder.
he thought he 'ouldn+t spea( o) it, and she didn+t dare to press hi* )urther. But then he began
to tal(, about his ar*y li)e, but especially about others, including Cord ;andei*en and Cord
A*leigh.
he listened, stro(ing his hair, blending deeper 'ith hi* at every 'ord. he (ept )eeling she+d
)ound per)ect happiness, only to rise up to *ore, and *ore. he truly )elt she *ight )ly a'ay, but
it 'ould be to heaven.
6eaven. Ah, yes. !o purgatory )or her. Certainly no hell. Instead, *iraculously, she had heaven.
A4cept )or the s*all 'or* o) her involve*ent in Beveril+s death.
It 'as ti*e to tell her story. But not 3uite yet. &his ti*e 'as )or hi*. 6e 'as tal(ing about
6a'(inville no'.
>I 'ent into the ar*y to escape it. -hen I returned a )e' 'ee(s ago, I planned to deal 'ith
'hatever proble*s *y )ather had and ride a'ay. I didn+t intend to cut *ysel) o)) )ro* ;an and
Con, but I didn+t thin( I could live there.
>But 'hen I rode in, people recogni<ed *e. .od (no's ho', since *ost o) the* hadn+t seen *e
since I 'as si4teen. And I recogni<ed the*. !ot al'ays i**ediately, but 'ithin *inutes it 'as
as i) the passing years had disappeared. Aven *y old nurse=?
6e *oved his head restlessly against her. >!anny Briggs saved *y li)e. he 'as *y *other in
all true senses o) the 'ord. Aven a)ter she le)t *y )ather+s service, I spent *ore ti*e in her house
than at the *anor. I sent her letters and gi)ts. But I hadn+t thought she really *attered to *e
any*ore until I sa' her.
>In ten years she+d gone )ro* a robust 'o*an to a )rail one, shrun(en, croo(ed, and in pain. And
in ten years, I+d hardly given her a thought apart )ro* casually sent pac(ages. ,) course, she+d
treasured every one.?
6e suddenly shi)ted, *oving up to loo( at her. >-hy a* I boring you 'ith all this@ Co*e and be
(issed )or being such a good listener.?
&he (iss 'as 6a'(+s (iss, as s(ill)ul and delight)ul as ever, and yet a)ter'ard, cuddled against
hi*, Clarissa pined )or the lin(s that *ight have been )orged 'ith the 'ords he had le)t unsaid.
>I 'asn+t bored,? she said. >I don+t thin( you should bla*e yoursel) )or not thin(ing o) the*.
-hen a person gro's, he 'ill o)ten leave his ho*e and start ane'. And I+* sure 'ar de*ands a
*an+s attention. Eou 'ould not have 'anted to be distracted.>
6is hand 'as stro(ing her bac( again, and she re*e*bered hi* stro(ing Jetta, re*e*bered
'anting to be stro(ed that 'ay. And no' she had it. :or as long as they both should live=
6e nu<<led her hair. >I+ve never e*barrassed *ysel) 'ith so *uch chatter be)ore.?
he s*iled against his s(in. >Eou+ve never been *arried be)ore.?
>-e+re not no'.?
>As good as. In the eyes o) heaven. I+ve never )elt li(e this, either, 6a'(. I+ve never truly had
so*eone to be 'ith li(e this. It+s li(e catching sunlight and )inding it can be held in the hands
)orever.?
>,r having heaven here on earth.?
>Per)ect Perpetual Paradise,? she *ur*ured on a laugh. &his 'ould be the *o*ent to tell hi*.
o at peace, so rela4ed, so ine4tricably bound.
And yet, it 'ould change things. &hey+d have to tal(, to *a(e sense, to leave the so)t clouds.
Better surely to sleep no', and do the telling in the *orning.
Chapter Tent*+three
Clarissa a'o(e to sunshine and 'ar*, *us(y s*ells, to strangeness inside and around. And then
to *e*ory.
he turned her head slo'ly, but he 'as there, beside her, still trustingly asleep, turned a'ay.
6e+d thro'n the covers o)) do'n to his 'aist, so she could indulge in lu4uriant study o) the lines
o) his bac(, o) his *uscular ar* bent close to her. he longed to ease )or'ard and (iss it, taste
his 'ar*th and s(in, but she 'ouldn+t 'a(e hi* yet.
-hen he a'o(e she 'ould have to tell hi*, and it pric(ed at her. It 'asn+t precisely 'rong not to
have told hi*. It couldn+t *a(e any particular di))erence to hi*. It 'asn+t as i) she 'as in danger
o) being arrested.
But she 'ished this *o*ent 'as enshrined in per)ect honesty.
,n that thought, she reached out to touch his ar*.
6e stirred, rolled, then his eyes opened sharply. he sa' that second o) disorientation be)ore he
rela4ed and s*iled. But guardedly. uch shado's behind his s*ile. -hy@
Ah.
he s*iled )or hi*. >I have no regrets. I love you, and this 'as the )irst night o) our li)e
together.?
6e too( her hand, the one 'earing the rings, and pressed it to his lips. >I love you, too, Clarissa.
&his 'ill be as per)ect as I can possibly *a(e it.?
he al*ost let go o) 'hy she+d a'a(ened hi*, but she 'ould not 'ea(en no'. >Al*ost no
regrets,? she a*ended. As he beca*e suddenly 'atch)ul, she added, >I have so*ething to tell
you, 6a'(, and I thin( it re3uires clothing and cool heads.?
6e (ept hold o) her hand. >Eou+re already *arried@?
>,) course not5?
>Eou+re not Clarissa .reystone, but her *aid in disguise.?
>Eou+ve been reading too *any novels, sir.?
6e pulled her closer. >Eou eloped only because you 'ere consu*ed 'ith carnal lust )or *y
luscious body.?
he resisted. >Eou+re beginning to sound li(e !e 8nnals of 8p!rodite,? she said severely, >and
o) course I lust. But I also love.?
>&hen nothing troubles us.?
>I could have lost all *y *oney on 'ild invest*ents in )ur cloa(s )or A)rica.?
6is s*ile deepened. >Eou+re a *inor.?
>I ga**oned *y trustees.?
>I+* not at all surprised.? 6e gently tugged her closer. >-ould you care to ga**on *e@?
he 'ent, let hersel) be dra'n to his lips, but in a *o*ent she tugged )ree and cla*bered out o)
the bed. >Cater,? she said, but then )ro<e, suddenly a'are o) her total na(edness.
&hen she laughed and )aced hi* bra<enly.
6e sat up e3ually bra<enly, co*pletely splendid, tousled, s*iling.
>Carnal lust,? she *ur*ured, and *ade hersel) turn a'ay to search )or her shi)t, her corset, and
her la*entably *uddy stoc(ings.
-hen she loo(ed bac( he 'as already into his dra'ers. >I 'ish I had a clean dress to 'ear.?
>-e+ll )ind you one in Condon. 7uch though I+d li(e to linger here, beloved, 'e+d best have
brea()ast and be on our 'ay.?
A'areness o) the 'orld, o) pursuit, drained delight.
he hurried into her shi)t and corset, then 'ent to hi* to have the strings tied. A s'eet and
si*ple tas(, and yet to have a *an tie her laces see*ed a *ar( o) the co*plete change in her li)e.
As he tied the bo', she turned in his hands and started 'hat *ust be done. >I 'as present 'hen
Cord Beveril died,? she said, intent on his e4pression.
It hardly see*ed to change at all. >I guessed.?
>6o'@ -hy@?
>Perhaps because I+* the 6a'(.? But his lashes lo'ered as i) that *ight not be the 'hole truth.
he put that aside. >I need to tell you about it. I should have be)ore, but I couldn+t until no'.
Eou+ll see 'hy.?
6is eyes 'ere steady on her again. >;ery 'ell. But you 'anted clothing and cool@?
he hurried to put on her dress and stoc(ings, though she had to hunt )or her second garter. 6e
'as dressed by then, and she 'ent to hi* to have her buttons )astened. As he did the last one, he
brushed her hair aside and she )elt heat, 'et heat, up the bac( o) her nec(.
>-hen I sa' you in this dress, :alcon, you *ade *e thin( o) dairy crea*, and I 'anted to lic(
you.?
he laughed and turned, pushing hi* play)ully a'ay. o*ething she could do 'hen she (ne'
there 'ould be to*orro' and to*orro' and to*orro'.
Aven, perhaps, later. &hey+d clearly eluded any pursuit. &here 'as no real need to rush on to
Condon.
,nce her conscience 'as clear.
he sat on the rather hard chair at one end o) the table and indicated that he should sit on the
other, at a sa)e distance. 6is bro's rose, but he obeyed.
>Eou 'ere present at Beveril+s death,? he said obligingly. >I assu*e he 'as doing so*ething vile
and his death 'as deserved. I also assu*e that you did not (ill hi*, but i) you did it 'ould only
*a(e *e ad*ire you *ore.?
he bit her lip on tears at his understanding.
>Eou don+t have to tell *e any *ore, :alcon. It really doesn+t *atter.?
he s*iled. >But I 'ant to. I have *any )ailings, and one is an incurable urge to'ard honesty.?
>I don+t see that as a )ailing, beloved.? And yet so*ething so*ber touched hi*.
Beloved. he plunged into it. >I don+t need to tell you that Beveril 'as an evil *an. A)ter he
(issed *e, I ran a'ay )ro* hi*.?
>-hen you thre' up over hi*.?
>Ees. Perhaps I should have been able to control *ysel) better=?
>!ot at all. -e use 'hat 'eapons 'e have to hand.?
he laughed. >I see 'hat you *ean. It certainly stopped hi*5 -ell, then, I escaped through the
'indo' in *y brother+s clothes, but Beveril hunted *e do'n and caught *e at= at a )riend+s
house.? Aven no' she )altered about telling hi* everything. >6e had t'o *en 'ith hi*, so 'e
couldn+t do anything, and he threatened= 6e 'as going to do horrible things to us both, but he
'as going to (ill *y )riend. o= he 'as (illed.?
he paused )or breath and pulled a )ace. >&hat 'asn+t *uch o) a tale, 'as it@?
>It does rather s(ip the 'ho, the 'here, and especially the ho'9'hich I ad*it )ascinates *e.
But I understand, and you bear no guilt.?
>Eou 'on+t )eel obliged to pursue 8ustice about it@?
6e reached a hand across the table. >-hat is 8ustice here@ I a'ard your noble de)ender the
*edal.?
he put her hand in his, (nots untangling that she+d hardly been a'are o). >I (ne' you 'ould
thin( li(e that. I+* sorry, 6a'(, deeply sorry, that I didn+t tell you everything be)ore.?
>Be)ore@?
>Be)ore 'e co**itted ourselves.?
6e tugged, and she understood and 'ent to sit in his lap, to be in his ar*s. >&here is no sha*e in
this, :alcon. But I con)ess to 6a'(ish curiosity. About the ho', and ho' it 'as concealed.?
>&he ho' co*es *ostly )ro* Beveril+s being ta(en by surprise. And )ro* rein)orce*ents.? he
reached out to touch a silver button on his 8ac(et. >I+* not sure ho' *uch else I can tell, even to
you.? he loo(ed up. >&here are secrets 'e are bound not to share. Boes that apply to husband
and 'i)e@?
>!ot i) it a))ects both husband and 'i)e. But ta(e ti*e, love. ,ur only urgency no' is to eat and
be on our 'ay.?
>I long )or co*plete honesty bet'een us,? she said. >,n all things. But 'ould you tell *e
so*ething truly secret that Cord ;andei*en shared 'ith you@?
6e thought )or a *o*ent. >I *ight not.? 6e touched her chee(. >Bo 'hat you thin( is best, love.
I trust you.?
&rust. It 'as li(e a per)ect golden rose. he sat up slightly and )aced hi*. >&hen I have to tell
you one thing, 6a'(. I did not behave at all li(e a :alcon last year. I 'as )ro<en 'ith )ear.
Paraly<ed. I did nothing. And a)ter'ard= A)ter'ard, a)ter'ard I 'as heartless to the one 'ho
saved *e. hoc(ed because others 'eren+t shoc(ed9?
6e put his )ingers over her lips. >6ush. It 'as your )irst battle. :e' o) us are heroes the )irst ti*e
out. I thre' up a)ter *ine.?
6is understanding 'as so per)ect. he too( his )ace bet'een her hands and (issed hi*, 'ithout
'ords to e4press the 'holeness that she )elt.
he dre' bac( at a tu*ultuous pealing o) church bells. >Is it unday and I didn+t notice@? she
as(ed.
>!ot unless 'e+ve spent days in heaven instead o) 8ust one night. And it+s very early )or a
'edding.?
6a'( eased Clarissa o)) his lap and 'ent to open the door. &here 'ere *any innocent
e4planations )or the bells, but his instinct )or danger 'as at the alert.
It could be nothing to do 'ith ;an, surely.
A spar(le"eyed *aidservant 'as 8ust running up the stairs and paused to gasp, >!ot to 'orry, sir5
It+s the du(e+s heir born at last and all sa)e5 And )ree ale to be served in the tap in celebration5?
>Bu(e@? 6a'( as(ed, alar* subsiding, but trying to thin( 'hat ducal estate 'as in the vicinity.
>Belcraven, sir5 !ot the du(e+s heir, o) course, but his heir+s heir. 6is estate is here. A )ine,
handso*e boy born to be du(e one day, .od 'illing, 8ust as his )ather 'as born here t'enty"si4
years ago5?
>A true cause )or celebration,? 6a'( said, a*a<ed that his voice sounded nor*al.
Arden here@ -hat strange star had brought this about@
6e+d discovered that the *ar3uess had a urrey estate called 6art'ell, his principal country
residence. 6e+d not troubled to )ind out precisely 'here. Betails, details. It 'as al'ays in the
details.
>&he *ar3uess+s estate is very close@? he as(ed in )aint hope.
>!ot a *ile out o) the village, sir5 And he and his lovely 'i)e as easy as can be 'ith everyone
here.? he gave hi* a sly loo(. >!ot li(e in the old days, 'hen the co*pany 'as very di))erent,
let *e tell you.?
>7arriage re)or*s *any a *an.?
>And *any a *an it don+t5? she )lashed bac( 'ith a grin, and hurried o)) on her errand. An
increasing babble could be heard belo'.
6a'( turned slo'ly bac( into the roo*, rapidly absorbing the situation and the i*plications.
Could they get a'ay undetected@ :ro* 'hat he (ne' about the 7ar3uess o) Arden, his
displeasure 'as li(ely to be e4pressed physically and e))ectively.
Clarissa, ho'ever, did not see* to reali<e their danger. 6er eyes 'ere shining. >Beth+s had the
baby and all is 'ell5 he+ll be so*e'hat put out at it being a boy, o) course.?
>Put out that it is a boy@? he as(ed, s'i)tly gathering their )e' possessions.
>he doesn+t approve o) the aristocracy+s obsession 'ith *ale heirs.?
It 'as su))iciently startling to *a(e 6a'( pause.
>he+s a )ir* believer in the e3ual rights o) 'o*en, you see, and o) a rather republican turn o)
*ind.?
>&he 7archioness o) Arden@?
>he 'rote that it 'ould be bad enough having a son born to be du(e 'ithout hi* being the
eldest, too. he hoped )or a )e' older )e*ales to (eep hi* in line. Apparently Cord A4den 'as
the youngest and has t'o older sisters, and she said that *ight have been the saving o) hi*.?
6a'( laughed. >;ery li(ely. I+* sorry about brea()ast, but 'e should be a'ay )ro* here. I doubt
there+ll be *uch service here soon, any'ay.?
>,h, I suppose so.? he unhoo(ed her cloa(, but said 'ist)ully, >It does see* a sha*e not to be
able to visit Beth, being so close.?
>!o,? he said )ir*ly and guided her out o) the roo*.
>I (no'. I (no'. And she+s doubtless resting. But it does see*= A note@ !o,? she said )or hi*.
>!o,? he said again as they 'ent do'nstairs, 'ishing he could give her this s*all indulgence.
In the plain hall, he grabbed an e4cited potboy and as(ed hi* to )ind the landlady. People 'ere
strea*ing to'ard the inn )ro* all directions.
>It+s a bit li(e the Bu(e o) -ellington, isn+t it@? she said.
>I hope not.? "ome on. "ome on.
he turned suddenly, the scarlet cloa( clasped to her. >Eou said Beveril+s death 'as 8usti)ied,?
she said 3uietly. >o I 'ant to tell you 'ho (illed Beveril.?
&rust and honesty. 6a'( 'ished that he could tell her no'. But she could still bac( a'ay.
>Arden,? he said, loo(ing around )or the landlady. >It doesn+t *atter e4cept that 'e don+t 'ant to
be caught by hi* here.?
>-hy= @ But no, it 'asn+t the *ar3uess.?
6e turned to loo( at her. 6e had given up the plan o) blac(*ailing the *ar3uess and du(e, but
even so, it 'as as i) solid ground disappeared )ro* beneath his )eet. 6ad he been 'rong about
everything@
>It 'as Blanche 6ardcastle,? she 'hispered.
>&he actress@? It 'as probably the stupidest response he+d ever been guilty o).
>Ees. I (no' 'hy you+re so shoc(ed. A 'o*an, and one 'ho see*s so delicate. But she 'as a
butcher+s daughter, apparently. And no', o) course, she+s playing Cady 7acbeth.?
>Leus5? 6e 'asn+t actually shoc(ed that a 'o*an had ripped Beveril open. A *an has to be
dense indeed to preserve illusions about the gentler se4 during 'arti*e. :or so*e reason,
ho'ever, the i*age o) the (iller going on to play the part o) the 'o*an 'ith the bloody (ni)e did
outrage hi*.
Clarissa 'as loo(ing at hi* slightly an4iously, and he 'as relieved to be able to say 'ith
honesty, >7rs. 6ardcastle is in no danger )ro* *e, :alcon. I salute her.?
-ryly he ac(no'ledged, ho'ever, that he+d held a sharper 'eapon than he+d (no'n. Belcraven
and Arden *ight 'ell have called his blu)), secure that i) he did see( a Pyrrhic victory, they
stood behind high 'alls o) po'er and privilege. An actress, ho'ever, 'as another *atter entirely.
An actress 'ith a so*e'hat dubious past 'ould hang )or the bloody *urder o) a peer.
>Eou see, don+t you,? she said slightly an4iously, >that Blanche *ust never su))er )or her
gallantry. he too( hi*= she too( hi* up to her bed to get hi* a'ay )ro* his guards= he 'as
so brave.?
>I see. Bon+t 'orry about this.? he s*iled, a hint o) tears in it again. >I+* so glad I told you. I
)eel truly )ree no'. :ree to be happy.?
> FAnd ye shall (no' the truth,+ ? said 6a'(, > Fand the truth shall set you )ree.+ ?
6e teetered on the edge o) ta(ing the great ga*ble, o) trusting to her love, to the *agic they+d
shared. he did love 6a'(inville. he did love hi*. I) that survived the strain. But years o)
caution tied his tongue. -hat i) he 'as 'rong@
6e+d heard o) *en sentenced to death spinning out the *o*ents 'ith one sli* e4cuse or another,
against all reason delaying the inevitable. !o', at last, he understood.
Another *o*ent o) her untarnished ad*iration and trust=
&hen a tall, athletic blond *an strode into the inn s*iling, gloves and crop in hand. 6a'( (ne'
instantly, )atally, 'ho it *ust be. Pre"ducal arrogance radiated )ro* every pore.
People rushed )or'ard to bo', to congratulate. &hen the s*iling ga<e hit Clarissa, *oved to
6a'(, and changed.
!o chance o) escape. 6a'( put Clarissa behind hi* as the *ar3uess s*iled again, escaped his
'ell"'ishers, and ca*e over to the*, cold *urder in his eyes.
Clarissa, ho'ever, slipped around hi*. >Congratulations on the baby, Cord Arden.?
Ba*nation, she 'as trying to protect hi*, and he could hear the )ear in her voice. Arden 'ould
never hit a 'o*an, but 6a'( pulled her bac( to his side.
Arden, ho'ever, so)tened to concern 'hen he loo(ed at her. >&han( you. Clarissa9?
>I do hope Beth is 'ell,? she interrupted, a tone too high.
>Beth is a great deal 'eller than is see*ly.? &he *ar3uess+s voice too( on an e4asperated edge.
>&he baby 'as born at )our in the *orning, but the *other is already out o) her bed and 'ell
enough to )ight the *id'i)e about the need to lie do'n, and *e about the appropriate
establish*ent )or a )uture Bu(e o) Belcraven. 6aving lost a night+s sleep and years o) *y li)e, I
'ouldn+t *ind even a )e' hours in bed, never *ind a 'ee( o) rest and loving attention, but ho'
can I even sit do'n and try to recover 'hen Beth is bustling about@ And no' I )ind this5?
At the return o) )ury, 6a'( e4pected Clarissa to )alter, but her chin 'ent up. >Are you planning
to hit so*eone again@?
Color )lared in Arden+s chee(s. >Probably.?
>&ypical5?
6a'( )orced Clarissa behind hi*. >Bid he hit you be)ore@?
By 6ades, he+d ta(e Arden apart5
>!o5? 6er hands cla*ped around his right ar*, and he reali<ed his hands 'ere )ists. And so 'ere
Arden+s, though he loo(ed *ore startled than enraged.
&hen Arden loo(ed at Clarissa, eyes narro'ing. >top trying to de)lect the conversation.?
And he 'as right. Clever Clarissa.
>Bon+t you thin( 'e should *ove this into privacy@?
A ne' voice. 6a'( loo(ed behind Arden and sa' that Con had co*e into the inn. And that a
bunch o) villagers 'ere suc(ing in every 'ord.
Con 'as standing at the door to a s*all roo*. 6a'( too( Clarissa in there, )eeling so*ething
si<<le and die.
Con had co*e in pursuit and so*eho' *anaged to be close. Being in the area, he+d sought a bed
'ith his )riend, 'hich *ust have been interesting 'hen it turned out to be a night o)
accouc!ement. !o' they 'ere discovered, and surely Con+s steady eyes 'ere disappointed.
Perhaps 'orried, too. About the role he+d have to play@
econd at a duel@ 6e 'ouldn+t let it co*e to that.
I) only, though, he+d sei<ed the *o*ent to tell Clarissa the truth.
Arden strode in, and Con closed the door. >-ant to e4plain, 6a'(@? 6e stayed close to Arden. A
sho' o) support, or readiness to control violent i*pulses@
Clarissa replied be)ore 6a'( could. >-e+re eloping, Cord A*leigh. -hat need o) e4planation@?
>-hy 'ould be a start,? Arden said.
ilence )ell, and then Clarissa loo(ed at 6a'(. >&ell hi* 'hy.? he 'as clearly con)ident that he
could.
6a'( s*iled 'ryly, and loo(ed at Con rather than Arden, seeing the )ir* resolve o) an
e4ecutioner. It 'asn+t a *atter o) /ogues versus the .eorges )or Con. It 'as si*ply the right
thing to do.
lippery slopes. :ro* right to 'rong as 'ell as )ro* virtue to sin.
>-hy, 6a'(@? Con as(ed. It 'asn+t a repetitive de*and )or an ans'er, but an opening o))ered
so that he could tell Clarissa rather than have so*eone else do it.
o he turned to her and put the noose around his o'n nec(.
Chapter Tent*+)!#r
>Because,? he said, >i) I try to *arry you in the ordinary 'ay, you 'on+t do it.?
he blin(ed at hi*. >I 'on+t@?
>Eou 'on+t.? It 'as Arden+s voice, cold and relentless.
6er eyes )lic(ed to hi*, then bac( to 6a'(, and she s*iled slightly, as i) any i*pedi*ent 'as a
laughing *atter. >&ell *e, then. It can+t be as bad as you thin(.?
>It is, :alcon.? 6e too( a last breath and (ic(ed a'ay the stool. >7y )ather 'as born a .aspard.
Eou *ay not (no', but that 'as Cord Beveril+s )a*ily na*e. A)ter *uch e))ort, he has *anaged
to establish his clai* to be the ne4t Cord Beveril. And I, o) course, a* his heir.?
In a 'ay it sounded silly put into 'ords. !o hanging *atter at all. Just a na*e, as ;an had said.
But it 'as *ore than a na*e.
And 8ust at the na*e, she paled. >3everil5?
>-hich *eans,? said Arden *oving to her side, as i) protecting her )ro* hi*, da*n it, >you
'ould have one day been Cady Beveril.?
&he tense he used neatly put an end to all hope, and 'hen Arden put his ar* around her, she did
not resist. he did, ho'ever, sta**er, >But=? con)usion in her eyes.
>As you see,? the *ar3uess continued, his eyes suggesting that he 'as tal(ing to a slug, >this
raises 3uestions about 7a8or 6a'(inville+s attentions all along.?
>Cuce,? said Con 3uietly, *oving bet'een the*. >&here+s *ore to this than that.?
>Is there@? Arden as(ed, his eyes still on 6a'(.
>Ees.? Averyone else in the roo* spo(e at once, and the shoc( o) it bro(e the tension. Clarissa
laughed, then bit her lip, eyes still shado'ed by shoc( and uncertainty. he pulled )ree o) Arden,
but *ade no *ove closer to 6a'(.
&his had snatched a'ay her elusive beauty. All he 'anted in li)e 'as to *a(e Clarissa beauti)ul,
each and every day, and yet by his actions he had doubtless thro'n a'ay the chance.
6e spo(e to her alone, 'ithout hope. >7y )ather thought he should have inherited Beveril+s
'ealth along 'ith the title, and he spent in e4pectation o) it. &hat+s 'here the debt ca*e )ro*. I
sought you out loo(ing )or evidence that you 'ere involved in Beveril+s *urder because then the
'ill 'ould be overturned and the ne' viscount9*y )ather9'ould inherit the *oney.?
>Eou thought *e a *urderer5 I suppose in so*e 'ays I should be )lattered.?
>Clarissa=?
But her hand covered her *outh. >I+ve 8ust given you the evidence.?
>Eou have@? Arden as(ed, sharply.
>I told hi* everything. Just as he planned.?
>!o5? 6a'( e4clai*ed, but there see*ed nothing le)t to pin hopes to e4cept honesty. >At the
beginning, yes.?
>Bo I have to slap you 'ith *y gloves@? Arden as(ed coldly. >I+d have to burn the* a)ter'ard.?
>!ot no'5? 6a'( co**anded, a'are o) Clarissa+s sudden pallor. >Con9?
6e put his hand on her ar* to push her to'ard Con, but she t'itched a'ay. >Bon+t try and get
rid o) *e5 Bon+t you dare5 Any o) you. I+* not a child.? he 'hirled on Arden. >Eou are not to
)ight over *e.?
>Eou have no say in this.?
>I de*and a say. I insist on it.? -hen Arden stayed tight"lipped and resolute, she said, >I) you
duel hi*, I+ll shoot you.?
>Clarissa,? said 6a'(, 'anting to laugh and cry at once. >I+* sure you don+t (no' ho'.?
>It can+t be so hard as all that.? he stared at hi*, eyes bri**ing 'ith tears. >Eou said it 'as an
honorable act )or so*eone to (ill Beveril. 6o' could you even thin( o) destroying people over
it@ Aven )or 6a'(inville.?
>I didn+t.?
>&hen 'hat drove you@?
>&he 'ill,? he snapped. >:orgery is hardly cloa(ed 'ith honor, Clarissa, no *atter ho' you care
to deceive yoursel).?
he stared at hi* and the elusive truth da'ned even as she 'hirled to )ace Arden.
>It 'as a forgery5? he laughed. >,) course it 'as. 6o' very stupid I+ve been. Beveril9
Beveril59leaving *e all his *oney. 6e+d have rather le)t it to the Cro'n, or scattered it in the
streets i) it co*es to that.? he suddenly struc( out at the *ar3uess 'ith both )ists, pu**eling
hi*.
Arden stepped bac(, and be)ore 6a'( could reach her, he grasped her 'rists and spun her to )ace
hi*. >6it hi* i) you+re )eeling violent. 6e+s the villain o) the piece.?
he staggered )or'ard, 'eeping, and 6a'( caught her, held her )or a precious *o*ent. >I have
co**itted no cri*e.?
A4cept brea(ing a heart.
>Abduction, )or a start,? Arden said.
>top.? Con too( Clarissa )ro* 6a'(, (eeping an ar* around her. he 'asn+t crying, but she
see*ed ready to collapse. >&here+ll be no duel,? Con said, in an o))icer+s un3uestionable voice,
>and no violence.? &hen he loo(ed at Arden 'ith a )ro'n. >I gather cri*inal acts are not to be
shared a*ong the /ogues these days.?
&he *ar3uess loo(ed to be at the end o) his tether. >!ot lightly, no. And you ca*e bac( )ro*
-aterloo in a bad 'ay. -e 'eren+t about to add to your burdens.?
Con pulled a )ace and sat Clarissa in a chair. 6e 'ent to his haunches in )ront o) her. >-hat do
you 'ant to do@?
he loo(ed at hi*, pallid, then up at 6a'(. >I 'ant to arrange to give the *oney to the ne' Cord
Beveril.?
Arden too( a step to'ard her. >Bon+t be )oolish.?
-ithout loo(ing, Con put a hand out to stop hi*. >It 'ill be as Clarissa 'ishes.?
>,n 6a'(inville+s side, I see,? said Arden coldly.
Con 'as steady as a roc(. >It is Clarissa+s choice. &hat has been decided.?
It see*ed to stop Arden+s )ight, but he said, >Perhaps she+ll see sense 'hen the shoc(+s 'orn
o)).?
>Bo I have any say@? 6a'( interrupted.
&hey all loo(ed at hi*, but he spo(e to Clarissa. >6a'(inville only needs so*e o) the *oney9?
>Ba*n your eyes5? Arden e4ploded. >6o' *uch )ilthy *oney do you need@?
6a'( )aced hi*. >Cegally, the *oney belongs to *y )ather. But t'enty thousand pounds 'ill
su))ice.?
&he arrogant disdain 'as designed to annihilate. >I 'ill provide it )or you on agree*ent that you
leave Clarissa in peace.?
&here 'as nothing le)t but icy invulnerability. >-ithin the 'ee(@? 6a'( in3uired.
>-ithin the 'ee(.?
Clarissa started to say so*ething, but Arden overrode her. >-e can discuss your situation later.
Co*e along no'. Beth 'ill 'ant to ta(e care o) you.?
>But the baby=?
>Is not enough to ta4 *y A*a<on.? 6e turned to Con, acting as i) 6a'( 'as not there.
>Co*ing@?
>!o. I+ll deal 'ith 6a'(.?
>6e can+t be allo'ed to har* Blanche.?
>6e 'on+t.?
>,) course I 'on+t,? 6a'( snapped. Arden had dra'n Clarissa to her )eet, but she loo(ed
stric(en still. >Clarissa, you don+t have to go.?
It 'as a )aint hope, and her blan(ness denied it. he *ade no protest as the *ar3uess too( her
out o) the roo*, but then she suddenly stopped.
6a'( 'atched in )aint beating hope as she turned bac(. he pulled o)) the t'o rings and put
the* on a table against the 'all. And then she 'as gone.
6a'( 'as le)t 'ith Con and could collapse into a chair and put his head in his hands. >I+ve
(no'n battles that have been easier.?
>I+* sure you have.?
>he 'as innocent,? 6a'( said, to hi*sel) as *uch as to Con. >All along, she 'as co*pletely
innocent.?
And thus his treat*ent o) her had been atrocious )ro* )irst *o*ent to no'. 6e+d hunted do'n a
sheltered young 'o*an 'ho+d been )orced into an engage*ent 'ith a depraved *an. he+d been
abused, terri)ied, threatened, and then 'itness to his bloody *urder.
Arden 'as right. 6e deserved to be shot.
>Eou+re not totally the villain, you (no',? Con said in a steadying voice.
6a'( loo(ed up. >,h, please, e4plain 'hy not.?
>Eou can+t let lade rape 6a'( in the ;ale.?
>o I rape Clarissa instead.?
>I a* sure you did not.?
6a'( sighed. >!o, but I+ve used her sha*e)ully.?
>Cast night 'as un'ise, but understandable. And you planned to *arry her.? Con s*iled a little.
>I) you 'ish, you can lay *ost o) it at the /ogues+ door. -e ca*e up 'ith the )orgery.?
>Eou 'eren+t even there.?
>All the sa*e.?
>Ah,? said 6a'(, suddenly 'rac(ed by a 'eariness he hadn+t )elt since -aterloo, since a)ter
-aterloo 'ith the chaos and the 'ounded and the *ounds and s'eeps o) bodies and body parts
so that victory, )or the *o*ent, 'as valueless. o one only 'anted to turn bac( ti*e )or a )e'
brie) days to restore li)e and 8oy to the thousands o) dead, and to their )a*ilies still to hear the
ne's, and then change history so that such battles never happened again.
Avents, ho'ever, are 'ritten in in( the *o*ent they occur, and cannot be erased.
>In that case,? 6a'( said, standing and beginning to pull together 'hat 'as le)t o) his li)e, >can I
as( you to deal 'ith Arden about this@ A duel, though I can understand his )eelings, 'ould serve
no one. Eou can assure hi* that I 'ill do nothing to endanger 7rs. 6ardcastle or anyone else
involved in Beveril+s death. :or the sa(e o) 6a'( in the ;ale, ho'ever, I *ust ta(e his *oney. In
strict honor, I should not let the *atter o) the )orgery go.?
Con rubbed his chin thought)ully. >!icholas arrived at o*er)ord Court yesterday. Eou (no'
'ho I *ean@ !icholas Belaney@ Apparently his Aunt Arabella su**oned hi* to Brighton.?
>Arabella 6urst*an@ .ood .od, a /ogue dragon as 'ell. I 'as doo*ed.?
>I+* a)raid so, but since she 'as largely (ept in the dar(, I thin( the doo* 'ill )all on us. But
'hen ;an e4plained about the Beveril title, 'e agreed i**ediately that the *oney had been
i*properly redirected.?
A crac( o) laughter escaped 6a'(. >!o' that+s a 'ay to describe )orgery. And a da*n good
)orgery, too.?
>But o) course,? said Con 'ith a s*ile. >Eou have to understand that everyone, including Beveril
hi*sel), thought he 'as heirless. &he *oney 'as going to buy the /egent another gold plate or
t'o, and 'ithout *oney, Clarissa+s situation 'as desperate. Eou *ay not (no', but !icholas has
an interest in that *oney. It 'as originally gathered by a 'o*an called &herese Bellaire9? Con
*ust have caught a reaction. >&hat na*e *eans so*ething@?
>,h, yes,? said 6a'( 'ith another laugh. &he debacle 'as beginning to ta(e on an absurd
hu*or. >I recruited Belaney )or that 8ob. 6e *ust be en8oying this turn o) the 'heel.?
>!ot particularly. But at least I don+t need to dance around the details. &he Bellaire 'o*an
gathered the *oney )ro* Bonapartist supporters. he 'as supposed to ta(e it to :rance to be
ready )or !apoleon+s return. Instead she planned a ne' li)e in A*erica. !icholas distracted her
su))iciently that Beveril 'as able to steal it.?
>.ad. And she didn+t (ill hi* then and there@?
>he 'as, as I said, distracted. And by then, Angland 'as not sa)e )or her. But !icholas could
hardly be happy leaving that *oney 'ith a *an li(e Beveril. -hen Clarissa+s a))air erupted, it
'as si*ply too good a chance to pass up.?
till s'i**ing in lunatic hu*or, 6a'( as(ed, >I 'onder 'hat happened to &herese Bellaire@
he *anaged to 'or( her 'ay bac( into !apoleon+s inner circle, you (no', but -aterloo *ust
have ended her hopes.?
>I pray that+s true. I+* sure she+s never )orgotten or )orgiven any o) this. I re*e*ber her.
6oneyed poison. But the )orgery 'as done under the assu*ption that no one had a better clai*.
/ight is on your )ather+s side and the *oney should be his. -e agree on that, but Clarissa+s
situation *a(es *atters di))icult.?
6a'( sighed. >I don+t 'ant all the *oney, Con.?
>:i)ty )i)ty,? Con suggested.
6a'( laughed. >I see. Eou 'ere sent here 'ith po'er to negotiate, 'ere you@ 6o' does Belaney
plan to get around her guardian and trustees@?
>&he /ogues can raise that *uch *oney until Clarissa co*es o) age. I) she insists on having it
all, so be it.?
6a'( pressed his hands to his )ace. >,n 'hat+s le)t o) *y honor, I+d not ta(e a penny i) it
'eren+t )or the people o) 6a'( in the ;ale.?
>I (no' that.?
6e pulled hi*sel) together. >I need the t'enty, and I have to ta(e a bit *ore )or .aspard 6all.
!ot )or the place itsel), and certainly not )or *y )ather, but )or the people there. o*ething needs
to be done to correct the decades o) neglect. &he Beveril tenants are probably the *ost innocent
victi*s o) all. But I 'ant Clarissa to have the rest. &ry to persuade her o) that.?
Con nodded. >he *ay not be 'illing to ta(e anything no'.?
>I 'ish to heaven I+d never let that slip, but I didn+t (no'9 I should have (no'n. he should
have the *oney, but i) she+s di))icult, point out that i) the Bevil+s 6eiress turns suddenly poor it
'ould raise a'('ard 3uestions.?
&hey 'ere tal(ing so cal*ly o) the )uture. &he )uture 'ith 6a'(inville, perhaps even 'ith his
)ather at .aspard 6all.
But a )uture 'ithout Clarissa.
Gnendurable, e4cept that li(e a soldier 'ith a shattered leg, he had no choice but to endure the
a*putation and then9i) that 'as .od+s choice9li*p on.
>Are you all right@? Con as(ed.
-ith Con he could let the e4asperation sho'. >!o, o) course not5 I+* stuc( in hell. o*e o) it is
*y o'n )ault, but *ost o) it isn+t. It+s *y )ather+s, and lade+s, and Beveril+s, and your da*ned
/oguesF. It+s li(e being under the control o) an insane and inept co**anding o))icer 'ho sends
his *en *arching straight into a battery o) ene*y guns. And there+s nothing, absolutely nothing,
one can do but *arch.?
Con, 'ho had doubtless been in that situation, pulled a )ace. >-hat 'ill you do no'@?
>7arch bac( to 6a'( in the ;ale and arrange to pay o)) lade. -hat else@?
Con nodded. >!icholas 'ould probably li(e to tal( to you about this.?
6a'( 'anted nothing to do 'ith the *an, but he 'ould go 'here the insanity sent hi*. >-e
didn+t part on good ter*s bac( in F1#, and I+* not sure I+* in the *ood to be conciliating.?
>6e+ll cope.?
6a'( loo(ed around and pic(ed up the rings. >I (ne' *y *other+s ring 'as a bad o*en.? 6e
put the* in his poc(et, then turned to go. But he stopped. >Ba**it. I need to 'rite to her.?
6e had to hunt do'n the inn(eeper to get paper, pen, and in(9a slightly bos(y inn(eeper, 'ho
gave hi* a very suspicious loo(. &hen he 'ent bac( to the bedroo*, out o) Con+s sight, though
he didn+t suppose his )riend 'ould be able to tell anything )ro* si*ply loo(ing at hi* as he
'rote.
A 'ounded ani*al see(ing a hole in 'hich to lic( its 'ounds.
&here 'as no lasting privacy in any o) this, ho'ever.
It 'as going to have to be acted out on an open stage. Could he *itigate things )or her@
-riting 'as part o) his e4pertise. -riting clearly, precisely, and succinctly so the recipient 'ould
understand the in)or*ation or instruction 'ithout delay. !o', the blan( sheet o) paper 'as as
daunting as a 'ell"ar*ed garrison, i*possible to con3uer.
6e shrugged and dipped the rather unpro*ising pen. !o 'ords 'ere going to create a *iracle
here, but he could not ride a'ay 'ithout at least e4pressing hi*sel) clearly.
6onestly.
Ees, at this point at least he had honesty, 'ith all its sharp tangs.
4y dear "larissa=
&hen he 'ished he+d said >:alcon.? !o, it 'as better as it 'as. ,r perhaps he should have
'ritten >7iss .reystone.?
Perhaps he had better be *ore care)ul, or less particular. 6e+d been able to ac3uire only one
sheet o) paper, and he could hardly (eep Con 'aiting )or hours as he tried to )or* a *iracle. 6e
*ust also phrase this so it 'ould not cause disaster i) it )ell into the 'rong hands.
4y dear "larissa,
7lease read t!is letter to t!e end. / understand !ow you must feel, but you will not, / believe, find
anyt!ing maudlin or embarrassing !ere.
/ wis! to outline first w!at / !ave proposed to deal wit! our situation. 7lease believe t!at /
sincerely wis! only t!e best for you, but t!at / also !ave ot!ers to consider. +ou said t!at you !ad
fallen in love wit! Haw. in t!e 9ale, and / !ope t!erefore t!at you will not mind providing money
to dispose of t!e odious Slade.
/n addition, t!ere will be a small sum to begin t!e restoration of t!e 3everil estate, w!ic! !as
suffered greatly, t!roug! no fault of t!e people t!ere.
!e rest is yours. 8t your ma5ority, you will be able to dispose of it as you will, but / !ope you
will feel able to en5oy it.
8s for our personal affairs, / cannot apologi(e for everyt!ing, since / was striving to protect t!e
innocents w!o would be !armed by Slade, but / do truly regret ever t!in.ing less t!an t!e best of
you. / s!ould !ave .nown, as soon as / .new you, t!at you were always beyond reproac!.
6e paused, (no'ing he should sign it there, but unable to )orgo a little gesture to'ard hope. And
also, *aybe to salve her hurts. 6e (ne', li(e a deep 'ound, that he )ragile con)idence 'ould be
crac(ed. Pray .od, no shattered.
7er!aps / will sound maudlin !ere, so by all means cease to read if you wis!. !e necessary part
is over. / give you my word, my dear >alcon, t!at as / once promised, / !ave never flattered you.
4y delig!t in you9
6a'( halted to conte*plate a tense. -hoever 'ould have thought that tenses could be so
crucial@
4y delig!t in you !as been real, my admiration of you deep and true. / am, alas, cursed wit! a
future as 2ord 3everil, but per!aps t!at fate will not arrive for many years, and per!aps it will
seem less appalling by t!at time. 7er!aps, too, you will one day be able to forgive my many
deceptions and trust me enoug! to venture into t!e wilderness again wit! me.
6e paused again, 'anting to 'rite >I 'ill 'ait,? but he (ne' that *ight place a burden on her,
and above all, he 'anted to preserve her precious, hard"'on )reedo*. And so, in the end, he
*erely signed it, >6a'(.?
6e resisted the urge to reread it, 'hich 'ould lead hi* to 'ant to re'rite it, he 'as sure. 6e
)olded it 'ith his usual precise edges, then reali<ed he had no *eans to seal it. It didn+t *atter.
Con 'ouldn+t read it9and 'hat *atter i) he did@
6e loo(ed once at the roo*, at the disordered bed 'ith the slight, telltale splash o) blood, and a
li)eti*e+s 'orth o) *e*ories. Constantly, constantly, li(e a *anic *illstone, his *ind ground
round and round, see(ing things he could have changed, paths he could have logically ta(en.
6e shrugged and 'ent bac( do'nstairs to 'here his )riend patiently 'aited.
Perhaps still his )riend, though he 'asn+t sure he deserved it.
>Eou al'ays 'ere the steadiest o) us,? he said as he passed over the letter.
>o*eone had to try to steer us a'ay )ro* disaster. But I+* not doing very 'ell by *y )riends,
a* I@ Bare, ;an, you9?
>Bare 'as not your )ault. -ar is a te*pera*ental bitch 'ho gives no care to good or bad, 8ustice
or in8ustice. Coo( at Be Cancey, (illed by a ricocheting cannonball by *y side, al*ost at the end
o) the battle. &here 'as no point to it. And it could have hit *e, or even -ellington, as easily.?
>I (no'. But I+ve been too 'rapped up in *ysel).?
6a'( gripped his ar*. >Perhaps none o) us ca*e out o) -aterloo 'ith anything in reserve )or
the other. -e 8ust chose di))erent 'ays o) hiding it.?
Con+s gray eyes searched hi*. >-ill you be all right@?
>,) course. I certainly have plenty o) 'or( to do.?
>Including saving Clarissa+s reputation. Eou 'ere seen racing out o) the village.?
6a'( gri*aced. >Ba*n. I+ll co*e up 'ith so*ething.?
A)ter a *o*ent, Con clasped hands. >I+ll ta(e care o) Clarissa )or you. I have a horse in the
stables here. &a(e it. I+ll see you in 6a'( in the ;ale.?
Con le)t, and 6a'( too( a *o*ent to steady hi*sel). &he *ill 'as still grinding, and probably
'ould do so )or the rest o) his li)e, but even i) it ca*e up 'ith the *ost brilliant solution, it 'as
too da*n late.
Chapter Tent*+)$%e
Cord Arden had apparently ridden to the village9 si*ply to accept the congratulations o) the
people gathered at the inn. &o return, he co**andeered 6a'( and Clarissa+s gig. he 'as
slightly a*used by seeing his lordly *agni)icence in such a lo'ly vehicle pulled by the placid
cob. ,nly slightly, ho'ever, )or she did not have the heart )or hu*or o) any (ind.
he 'as trying very hard not to thin( about all that had happened, all she had learned, but it
surrounded her li(e a chill 'ind, or an overcast day.
6art'ell. &han( .od there 'as so*e'here to go no', so*e haven. It had been a haven be)ore.
Beth had ta(en her there a )e' days a)ter Beveril+s death, and it 'as there she had *ade
decisions about the )uture. I) they could be called decisions. All she had 'anted then 'as a place
to hide.
he did not let the bitter laugh escape. he+d thought that she+d gro'n so strong, so brave, so
able to deal 'ith li)e, but here she 'as, rushing bac( to a sa)e place, and she could no *ore stay
here this ti*e than last.
Cast year Beth had invited her to live 'ith her, at 6art'ell and else'here. Clarissa 'ould have
been sa)e inside the de ;au4 )a*ily, but she had not 'anted to be any'here near the *ar3uess,
'ho had blac(ed Beth+s eye.
As they rolled along the country lane, she glanced at hi*, reali<ing that she )elt di))erently no'.
&hough she+d been stupid, gullible, and 'ea( about 6a'(, she had changed over the past year.
he understood *ore about e*otions, about control, and about ho' easily strong e*otions could
e4plode control.
he had hit Arden. A )eeble hit, but only because she 'as )eeble. I) she+d been able she *ight
have (noc(ed hi* to the ground.
In an uncontrolled *o*ent 6a'( had shattered a gate, and he had not believed that his beloved
had been 'ith another *an.
>I+* sorry )or 'hat I said bac( there, Cord Arden. As you guessed, I 'as de)lecting the
conversation.?
>!e4t ti*e choose another 'eapon.?
he pulled a )ace. &hey had never been on good ter*s. he had indirectly caused his violent
*o*ent, and guilty people bla*e others i) they can. Aven so, he+d 'or(ed hard and ta(en ris(s
)or her, and she (ne' he 'ould continue to do so. It 'as nothing to do 'ith her, but all to do 'ith
Beth, 'ho* he loved.
&hat 'as the point.
he understood no' 'hat Beth had been trying to tell her last year, that the love 'as true and
deep, and that there)ore he 'ould *a(e sure that such lac( o) control never, ever happened
again.
>Beth 'on+t be happy i) 'e+re at odds, *y lord,? she said. >And even i) she+s 'eller than she
should be, I+* sure tran3uility is good )or a ne' *other.?
6e did glance at her then. >6er tran3uility 'ould be undisturbed i) you+d behaved properly.?
he s'allo'ed an instinctive retort. >Ees, you+re right. I 'as )oolish. But= I didn+t 'ant to lose
heaven, you see.?
he bit her lip, deter*ined not to cry. !o' she certainly had lost heaven in all its aspects9both
6a'( and 6a'(inville. It had probably all been an i*aginary heaven, any'ay, but )or a little
'hile it had )elt astonishingly real, as i) it could, truly, be )or her.
Cord Arden reached over and gently s3uee<ed her hand. 6e 'as gloved, but still it 'as the *ost
hu*an contact she re*e*bered 'ith hi*. >7y instinct is to tear 6a'(inville li*b )ro* li*b,
but it+s not so long since I did 3uestionable things. I have so*e sy*pathy )or hi*, pressured by
the needs o) his )a*ily and his land.?
>o do I.?
6e glanced at her again, clearly e4pecting *ore, but she couldn+t spea( it. Beep inside she )elt
ra', 'here trust had been uprooted )ro* her. Bid 6a'( 'ant her no' that he could have the
*oney regardless@ Cast night she 'ould have laughed at doubt, but no', s'irling in the
a'areness o) deception, it ate at her.
I) he protested on his (nees that he loved her, 'ould it be pity, or obligation@
And then there 'as the proble* o) Cord Beveril. It should be a little thing, but it si*ply 'asn+t.
Beveril5
It 'as as i) a ghoul had risen )ro* the grave to drool all over her.
Cord Arden turned the gig bet'een open gates and into the short drive through lovely gardens to
the house. 6art'ell 'as 'hat people called a cottage ornee. It loo(ed li(e a thatched village
cottage, only gro'n to three ti*es the si<e. Clarissa couldn+t help co*paring its pretty per)ection
un)avorably 'ith 6a'(inville 7anor, 'hich 'as real even to its 'arped bea*s and uneven
)loors.
Beth had 8o(ed that 6art'ell 'as a bucolic toy )or the 'ealthy aristrocracy rather li(e Dueen
7arie Antoinette+s >)ar*? at Ce Petit &riannon, but Clarissa (ne' Beth loved it, probably
because it 'as ho*e to her and the *an she loved.
he+d told 6a'( that she 'ould live 'ith hi* in love any'here. And it had been true.
As Cord Arden turned the gig do'n a side drive to'ard the stables at the side, she s'allo'ed
tears. he 'as not going to turn into a 'ailing )ool over this. he+d lost her virtue, her beloved,
her heavenly ho*e, and her )ortune all in one day, but crying 'ouldn+t bring any o) it bac(.
he 'ent into the house 'ith the *ar3uess so*e'hat nervously, ho'ever. he 'as not so strong
as to ignore 'hat Beth 'ould thin( o) her adventures. &hey 'ere still *ore teacher and student,
and she had al'ays been a'ed by Beth+s intelligence and strong 'ill.
-hen they )ound that Beth 'as asleep, she 'as as relieved as the *ar3uess.
>And than( heavens )or that,? Cord Arden *uttered. 6e loo(ed at Clarissa, and she sa' that he
hadn+t a notion 'hat to do 'ith her. Beneath the gloss and the highly trained ability to be the
6eir to the Bu(edo* under the *ost trying circu*stances, he 'as, 3uite si*ply, e4hausted.
he 'as astonished to )eel a need to pat hi* on the shoulder and tell hi* to go and have a nice
rest. he settled )or saying, >I (no' the house, *y lord, so you *ay )eel easy leaving *e to *y
o'n devices )or a 'hile.?
6is loo( 'as, i) anything, (ind. >I+* sorry, Clarissa. I can say he+s not 'orth it, but at this
*o*ent you 'on+t believe that.?
>&his certainly isn+t ho' I 'ant things to be.? But she loo(ed hi* in the eye. >I 'ouldn+t give up
the past )e' 'ee(s, Cord Arden, even had I (no'n it 'ould bring *e here.?
6e reached out and touched her chee(. >I (no' that )eeling. Eou have )riends, Clarissa. Eou 'ill
be happy again soon.?
>I+* ruined, you (no',? she said, 'ondering i) he didn+t 3uite understand.
>!o, you+re not,? he said 'ith a s*ile. >Just a little *ore e4perienced. Eou (no' Beth 'ouldn+t
disapprove o) e4perience. As( the servants )or anything you need. A*leigh 'ill be here soon, I
have no doubt.?
6e+d *ade her laugh, and she 'atched hi* go upstairs, astonished by a touch o) a))ection. &ruly
her e4perience see*ed to have stretched her *ind in so*e 'ay, giving her gli*pses o) subtleties
and, *ore i*portant, understanding.
-hat to do@
he should be hungry, but she 'as sure )ood 'ould cho(e her. he probably should as( to
borro' a dress o) Beth+s. &hey 'ere, or had been, *uch o) a si<e.
Perhaps she should 'rite to 7iss 6urst*an, or even to the du(e. -ould the du(e have to (no'
about this@
In the end, ai*lessly, she dri)ted out into the garden, 'andering do'n to the river, 'here duc(s
busily paddled and dipped under the sur)ace )or )ood.
In her *ind she 'as i**ediately bac( at another house on another river.
-ith 6a'( in 6a'(inville.
he sat do'n on the grass to thin(, to try to see 'hat had really happened.
6a'( had gone to Cheltenha* to )ind a cri*inal. he thought bac( over that day, tried to see it
through his eyes. 6e *ust have been telling the truth 'hen he said he changed his *ind then.
he+d been the *ost unli(ely villain.
6e+d dra'n her to Brighton so he could dig )or *ore evidence. he re*e*bered 'ryly the
nu*ber o) ti*es their tal( had turned to Condon and Beveril, and the things she+d let slip.
&he (ni)e in the tent.
6e 'as good. ;ery good.
But had the connection, the )riendship, the passion, all been arti)ice@
-hat about the 'ilderness@ &hat she 'ould s'ear 'as real.
Ah. he re*e*bered the splintered gate, and 'as suddenly sure that yes, it had all been real.
6a'( 'ould not lose control li(e that as a stratage*.
And last night. urely there had been nothing )alse about last night.
But 'hat did she really (no' about these things@ 6e+d planned to *arry her )or her *oney and
so he 'ould have 'anted her bound by passion.
And love.
And trust.
he gri*aced at the 'ay she+d babbled about per)ection and honesty and trust. And told hi*
everything.
he could only pray that he+d told the truth, that he had 'hat he 'anted. &hat Blanche 'ould be
sa)e.
he 'atched the river, thin(ing stupidly that it *ust be *uch easier to be a duc(.
he heard )ootsteps and turned, thin(ing it 'ould be the *ar3uess, hoping against hope that it
'ould be 6a'(.
It 'as Cord A*leigh.
>&here are suddenly a lot o) titled gentle*en in *y li)e,? she said, and it 'as silly.
6e s*iled and dropped to the grass by her side, dar("haired, s3uare"chinned, and steady"eyed.
>Just *e and Arden, isn+t it@?
>And Cord ;andei*en.?
>And, indirectly, Cord Beveril.? 6e 'as still s*iling, but there 'as so*ething in his eyes that
*ade de*ands o) her. >Perhaps i) you called *e Con it 'ould si*pli)y your li)e.?
>Eou+re his )riend. 6ave you co*e to as( *e to )orget it all@?
>I+* a /ogue, too, re*e*ber, and you are the one person 'ho least deserves to su))er.
Averything 'ill be e4actly as you 'ish.?
he laughed, hiding her )ace against her s(irt, into the deceptively si*ple crea* *uslin go'n
that she had chosen yesterday *orning 'ith such hopes and drea*s, and that no' held only
stains, and *e*ories.
>&hat does assu*e that I (no' *y o'n 'ishes.?
>Eou 'ill, but perhaps not no'. I (no' that at the *o*ent it probably see*s urgent, but it 'ill
all 'ait.?
he turned her head side'ays to loo( at hi*, this virtual stranger 'ho 'as so inti*ately lin(ed
'ith her a))airs. >But 'ill the 'orld 'ait9be)ore conde*ning *e@?
>&he 'orld 'on+t (no'. -ho+s to tell the*@?
trange to thin( about that. !ot the /ogues. !ot 6a'(, or Cord ;andei*en or Cord A*leigh.
Althea@ 6ardly. Cord &revor@ 7iss 6urst*an 'ould cut his nose o)).
>&he village o) 6a'( in the ;ale@? she as(ed.
>6a'( 'ill deal 'ith the*. 6e+s gone bac( there.?
he studied hi*. >Eou trust hi*.?
>-ith *y li)e and all I hold dear.? A)ter a *o*ent he added, >&hat doesn+t *ean he+s 'ithout
)aults.?
he loo(ed )or'ard at the river. >o I can return to Brighton, and asse*blies, and parties. It
see*s co*pletely i*possible, you (no'.?
>I (no'. But li)e goes on. 6e sent a letter and as(ed that you read it.?
he sat up and too( the )olded paper, but she 'asn+t sure she 'anted to read it.
>It doesn+t have to be no', i) you don+t 'ant. But I thin( you should, 'hen you+re ready to.?
Clarissa loo(ed at the )olded sheet. &here 'as nothing on the outside, not even her na*e.
&here+d been no need o) na*e or direction, o) course, but it struc( her as very 6a'(ish to be so
precise about the necessities.
It 'as also, she reali<ed, )olded in hal) and then in three 'ith i*pressive precision. Avery angle
'as e4act, every edge in line. 6o' distressing it *ust be to a *an o) such discipline and order to
be thro'n into such discord.
he loo(ed at his )riend. >Is he all right@?
>!o *ore than you.?
>I+* in love 'ith hi*, so even *ore than I 'ant hi*, I 'ant to *a(e everything per)ect )or hi*.
But I+* not sure 'hat that per)ect 'ould be, and I a* sure that I *ustn+t= *elt *ysel) into hi*
)or his co*)ort and pleasure.?
>An e4traordinary 'ay o) putting it, but I (no' 'hat you *ean. I don+t have any 'isdo* to
o))er.? A)ter a *o*ent he said, >I+* not even sure there is any 'isdo* 'hen it co*es to the
heart, e4cept the old nostru* that ti*e heals. It heals, but healing is not al'ays 'ithout scars, or
even de)or*ities.?
he stared at hi*. >I+* certainly not being treated as a silly child, a* I@?
>Bo you 'ish to be@?
>Boesn+t everyone 'ish to be, so*eti*es@?
>&here you have an e4cellent point.? 6e opened his ar*s, and she 'ent into the*. It 'as
)atherly, or perhaps brotherly. he, 'ho had never had )ather or brother interested in holding her.
he re*e*bered that a)ter Beveril+s death, !icholas Belaney had held her in the sa*e 'ay. But
none o) these *en, even i) )ull to bri**ing 'ith good'ill, could solve her dile**as )or her.
>I suppose I have to return,? she said. >&o Brighton.?
>Certainly 7iss 6urst*an 'ill 'ant to see you sa)e.?
>7iss 6urst*an is a /ogue.? he said it )ir*ly but 'ithout resent*ent.
>!o, she+s not. he+s a /ogue+s aunt. Cord 7iddlethorpe+s aunt, to be precise. I) you thin( she+s
on our side against you, you don+t (no' her very 'ell. he+s a )ierce de)ender o) 'o*en in any
practical 'ay. &here+ll be s(in lost over our *is*anage*ent o) this.?
he pulled )ree o) his ar*s to loo( at hi*. >he didn+t (no' any o) this@?
>!ot unless she+s a )ortune"teller. !icholas as(ed her to ta(e you on because he thought you
needed special help to 'in your place in society. &hat+s all.?
>But she 'rote to hi*. /eporting, I assu*e.?
>Ah, that. he 'rote de*anding his presence. he has an encyclopedic (no'ledge o) society that
e4ceeds 6a'(+s. As soon as he appeared she re*e*bered that his )ather had been born a
.aspard, and that .aspard 'as the Beveril )a*ily na*e. It rang enough o) an alar* bell )or her
to send )or hi*, but not enough o) one to ta(e any action. he had no idea9probably still
doesn+t9that 6a'(+s )ather has the title no'.?
>&hen I+d li(e to go bac( there.? he stood up and brushed o)) her hopeless s(irt. >Ci)e goes on,
but it hardly see*s possible.?
Ci(e a cla' scratching at the bac( o) her *ind, she 'ondered 'hat she 'ould do i) she 'as 'ith
child. All very 'ell )or Cord Arden to brush o)) her ruin, but a s'elling belly 'ould be a very
obvious sign o) e4perience.
-ould that *ean that she+d have to *arry 6a'(@
6e+d argued 'ith her about 8ust this. About her changing her *ind, being 'ith child.
6ad he really tried to resist@ ,r had that si*ply been *ore cunning on his part@
he 'anted hi* too *uch to *a(e sense. -anting 'as not the guide.
A child can 'ant to grasp the )ire, an adult 'ant to thro' a'ay a )ortune on cards.
o*ething popped up )ro* the 8u*ble o) her *ind. >Eou *entioned )ortune"telling= It+s
tugging at so*ething= oh, 7rs. /o'land5?
6e )ro'ned slightly. >&he 'o*an in the village 'ith the invalid husband@?
>Ees, I )elt as i) I (ne' her, but no' I see she re*inds *e o) that )ortune"teller in Brighton.
7ada*e 7ysti3ue.?
-ho had tal(ed about the *oney not really being hers, and death i) she did not tell the truth.
he+d told the truth, but she still )elt hal) dead.
>-hat is it@ Are you )aint@?
>!o.? he couldn+t deal 'ith another stir o) the pot. >I thin( I need to eat so*ething. And
probably borro' a clean go'n. Con,? she added as a *ar( o) appreciation )or his (indness.
6e s*iled. >Co*e along, then.? &hey began to 'al( bac( to the peace)ul house.
7ost people 'ould pre)er 6art'ell, 'ith its pictures3ue char*s around a thoroughly *odern and
convenient interior.
But Clarissa (ne' that 6a'(inville still held her heart.
Chapter Tent*+,$&
6a'( rode south al*ost by co*pass, driven by duty alone. It *ight be pleasant, in )act, to
beco*e lost. 6e+d loo(ed into so*e cases o) people 'ho si*ply disappeared. Perhaps they too
)ound the*selves in a dead spot o) li)e and 'ent a'ay. -ent any'here so long as it 'as not here.
6e *ight collide 'ith ;an by pure accident on this 8ourney, but that encounter could not be
avoided. It really didn+t *atter 'hen. It *attered 'hether ;an, li(e Con, could hold on to old
bonds in spite o) present insanity, but he couldn+t a))ect that.
6e could a))ect Clarissa+s reputation, and he put his *ind to that.
6e *ade 6a'( in the ;ale 'ithout incident, and sa' everyone in the village turn to stare.
&he 7isses -eatherby popped out o) their house, agape. .ood.
.ri*ly a*used, 6a'( touched his hat. >.ood evening, ladies.?
&hey gaped even *ore, and he 'aited )or the* to )ra*e a 3uestion.
But lade *arched out bet'een his ridiculous pillars right up to his saddle. >-here+s your
i*petuous bride, 7a8or@ :led to 'ar*er ar*s@?
/age surged. Barely resisting the urge to (ic( the *an+s teeth in, 6a'( put his crop beneath
lade+s 'attly chin and raised it. >,ne *ore 'ord, and I 'ill thrash you. 7y )ather+s )olly is to
bla*e *ore than your greed, but you are very un'elco*e here, sir. And your co**ents about a
lady can only be attributed to a vulgar *ind.?
As i) brea(ing a spell, lade dashed a'ay the crop and stepped bac(, puce 'ith choler. >Cady@?
he spat, then stopped. >7ay 'e (no' 'here the char*ing 7iss .reystone is, 7a8or@?
;ery 'ell. lade 'ould do, and the -eatherbys 'ere all ears.
>It+s none o) your business, lade, but she heard that her dear )riend the 7archioness o) Arden
'as in childbed and 'ished to be 'ith her. As you said, she is so*e'hat i*petuous.?
lade opened, then shut, his *outh. >And the happy event@? he in3uired 'ith a disbelieving
sneer.
>A son. &he heir to Belcraven, born 8ust be)ore da'n.?
6e heard the 7isses -eatherby t'ittering, as 'o*en al'ays did at these events, and o) course at
the slight vicarious connection to the birth o) such an august child.
&he birth 'as 8ust the (ind o) incontrovertible )act that could glue together al*ost any lie.
lade 'as certainly believing it.
>And the *oney@? he as(ed sti))ly.
6a'( per*itted hi*sel) a disdain)ul sneer. >-ill be yours, sir, be)ore the due date. I *ust than(
you )or being so obliging to *y )a*ily.?
-ith that, he turned his horse to'ard the *anor, 'hich apparently 'ould survive, along 'ith the
heart o) 6a'( in the ;ale. At the *o*ent, he )elt no satis)action. 6e did not dis*iss the value o)
preserving the village, but he did not dis*iss the cost, either.
As he dis*ounted in the courtyard the scent o) roses *et hi*9sic(eningly. 6e le)t the horse to
the groo* and strode s'i)tly inside.
>.eorge@ -here+s your bride@?
6is )ather stood in the door'ay to the bac( parlor, leaning on a stic(.
>Isn+t it *ore a case o) 'here+s the *oney@?
>Be)initely, de)initely. Eou have it@ I) so, 'e can start planning the celebration.?
>.o to the devil,? 6a'( snapped, then 3uic(ly reined in his te*per be)ore it drove hi* into
so*ething else to be asha*ed o). >I have the *oney to pay o)) lade, but there is no e4tra, *y
lord.?
>&here is al'ays *ore *oney, *y boy5 I thought a )ete si*ilar to that one ;andei*en thre' )or
his 'edding. But *ore regal. :ull dress. A procession9?
6a'( turned to go up the stairs. >Eou 'ill, o) course, do e4actly as you 'ish, sir. I have no
interest in it.?
>Ba*n your eyes5 And 'here is your bride, eh@ Cost her already@?
6a'( paused on the landing. >Precisely, sir.?
6e entered his roo* te*pted to sin( into the dar(ness, but he had done this )or a cause, and the
cause 'ent on. 6e opened his ca*paign des(. &he )a*iliar paper and pens s'ept hi* bac( to his
other li)e. 6e thought there *ight even be a trace o) s*o(e and po'der trapped in the 'ood.
-hy had the s(ills that had carried hi* through challenging and even torturous tas(s in the ar*y
)ailed hi* here@
6e pic(ed up the )lattened pistol ball that had been his constant re*inder that blind luc( played a
huge part in )ate. Perhaps this ti*e his luc( had run out.
But, no, that 'asn+t it. In the ar*y he+d usually 'or(ed to'ard a single i*perative. 6e+d had no
personal sta(e, and a good part o) his s(ill had been in bloc(ing out all distractions o) )act or
senti*ent.
In )act, this ca*paign 'as a resounding success.
6a'(inville 'as sa)e.
6e deserved a *edal.
6e 'rote a partan letter to Arden than(ing hi* )or his assistance and re3uesting that he arrange
)or the *oney to be available at his Brighton ban( be)ore the end o) the *onth. &hen, 'ith
distaste, he 'rote a note to lade re3uesting the na*e o) the institution 'here his *oney should
be deposited.
6e 'ent do'nstairs and sent a servant o)) 'ith it.
And that, pretty 'ell, 'as that.
All that 'as le)t 'as the rest o) his li)e.
6e 'al(ed out o) the house at the bac(, and do'n to the river, but the duc(s *ust have been
en8oying so*e other part o) the 'ater, and heavy clouds 'ere dri)ting bet'een the earth and the
sun. It see*ed sy*bolic, but he (ne' the sun 'ould shine another day and the duc(s 'ould
return.
,nly Clarissa 'ould be perpetually absent.
-as there any chance that she 'ould relent once the shoc( 'ore o))@ 6e couldn+t bear to hope. I)
he did, he thought he 'ould be )ro<en in ti*e, 'aiting.
6e heard a )ootstep and turned.
;an+s )ist caught hi* hard on the 8a' and )lung hi* bac('ard into the river.
6e sat up spluttering, hand to his throbbing 8a', tasting blood )ro* the inside o) his chee(. ;an
'aited, icy.
>I) you hit *e again,? 6a'( said, >I+ll have to )ight bac(.?
>Eou thin( you can 'in@?
>-ould anyone 'in@?
;an glared at hi*, but the ice 'as crac(ing a little. >-hat+s this claptrap about Clarissa going to
Cady Arden+s lying"in@?
6a'( decided he could probably stand up 'ithout having to (ill ;an and did so. >As a story it
can hold i) not challenged too strongly.?
&hat 'as a hint, and he sa' ;an ta(e it.
>-hat did happen@?
6is boots 'ere )ull o) 'ater. >I tried to elope. I evaded pursuit, but *ade the *ista(e o) staying
the night in Arden+s ho*e village.?
A crac( o) laughter escaped ;an. >-ellington 'ould have your guts5?
>&he thought has occurred to *e. I )orgot, I assu*e, that I 'as at 'ar.?
&he duc(s chose that *o*ent to scoot 3uac(ing along the river, perhaps dra'n by the splash.
,ne duc(ling scuttled over to pec( at his boots.
6a'( loo(ed do'n conte*platively. >It see*s to be *y day )or being attac(ed by ani*als.?
>Are you re)erring to *e@?
6a'( s*iled slightly. >Is a de*on an ani*al@?
-ith a sha(e o) his head, ;an stuc( out his hand. 6a'( too( it and cli*bed out o) the river to
drip on the ban(.
>-hat happened@? ;an de*anded. >&he 'hole truth.?
>I+* not going to add pneu*onia to *y other )ollies. Co*e inside and I+ll tell you as I change.?
6a'( discarded his boots by the bac( door and le)t 'et prints as he padded along the )lagstoned
corridor and up the stairs. >7ind your head,? he said as he 'ent into his roo*.
;an duc(ed 8ust in ti*e, then )lung hi*sel) into the big leather chair 'ith old )a*iliarity. &he
three o) the* had rarely chosen the *anor over teynings or the Court, but they had spent so*e
ti*e here, *ostly in this roo*.
>Eou gave *e your 'ord that you 'ouldn+t ruin Clarissa.?
6a'( stripped, piling his sodden clothes in his 'ashbasin to spare the 'ooden )loors. >I said, i) I
re*e*ber, that I 'ould not ruin her that day.? 6e (ept a care)ul eye on ;an+s )ists. >I did not
*ean to be specious, but as it happens, I (ept to the letter o) *y pro*ise.?
>And yesterday@?
>And yesterday, I did not.? 6e to'eled hi*sel) dry. >-e 'ere, ho'ever, on our 'ay to our
'edding. A4cept that 'e 'ere stopped.?
>By Arden. Eou don+t see* to have been bruised be)ore no'.?
>7y golden tongue.?
>Against 8rden, 'hen he )ound you bedding a 'o*an he has to regard as being 'ithin his
protection@?
>-e 'eren+t bedding at that *o*ent,? 6a'( pointed out, pulling clean clothes out o) dra'ers.
>And,? he added, >Con 'as there. And Clarissa.?
>Bidn+t 'ant to create a )uss in )ront o) her@?
>Couldn+t get through her 'ould be *ore e4act. &his 'as be)ore she reali<ed the truth, o)
course.? 6e pulled on his breeches, )astened the*, and sat do'n. >he had no idea the 'ill 'as a
)orgery, ;an. !o idea at all.?
;an loo(ed at hi* )or a *o*ent, unusually thought)ul. >-hat no'@?
>!o' I pay o)) lade 'ith Arden+s *oney. It *ust be pleasant to be able to a))ord such lordly
gestures, and it see*s the /ogues 'ish to arrange to cover it.? 6e e4plained the arrange*ents.
>But 'hat o) your )ather@ 6e accosted *e in the hall, chortling about outran(ing *e. And going
on about a grand )ete to beat *y 'edding celebration.?
6a'( sighed. >I deserve a penance, and I certainly have one.?
A)ter a *o*ent, ;an said, >At least you+re )ree o) that 7rs. /o'land. he pac(ed her household
into ,ld 7att+s cart yesterday and headed a'ay.?
&he part o) hi* that 'as still the 6a'( stirred at that. >Bo 'e (no' 'hy@?
>!ot that I (no'. &he general )eeling is, good riddance.?
>I agree, but I *eant to visit her poor husband in case so*ething could be done )or hi*.?
>I tried a )e' 'ee(s bac(. I )orced it as )ar as a gli*pse into his roo*. I thin( he+s done )or.
6aggard and )rail. I gather there 'as a dread)ul blo' to the head.?
>Poor *an.? But at the *o*ent 6a'( couldn+t )eel strongly about it. 6e couldn+t )eel very *uch
o) anything e4cept loss and pain.
>Bo you love her@? ;an as(ed.
Instinctive de)ense al*ost had hi* denying it. >Ees, but it+s co*pletely i*possible. Apart )ro*
*y behavior, can you i*agine her here 'ith *y )ather insisting on being Cord Beveriled at every
turn, and co*plaining endlessly o) not en8oying his true splendor at .aspard 6all@?
>But her *oney= @?
>&he clear i*pression is that she 'ould rather eat glass than ta(e a penny o) stolen *oney, and
(no'ing Clarissa, I+* sure she+ll stic( to her guns.?
6a'( couldn+t spea( o) her 'ithout beco*ing *audlin. 6e surged to his )eet and put on his
shirt. 6e couldn+t be bothered to go )urther than that. >Convey *y apologies to 7aria. -hat o)
7iss &rist@?
>7aria and Cord &revor returned her to Brighton, I understand. Boubtless not loo(ing )or'ard to
e4plaining the situation to 7iss 6urst*an.? ;an rose too. >!icholas Belaney is here, by the 'ay.
taying at the Court 'ith his 'i)e and child. I suspect he+ll 'ant a 'ord 'ith you, too.?
>o Con said. I+* sure I have enough un*ar(ed s(in to go around. Are you o)) )or Brighton,
since 7aria+s there@?
>Ees. -ill you be co*ing in@?
>-hat )or@?
;an gri*aced, gripped his ar* )or a *o*ent, then le)t.
6a'( 'ent to his 'indo' to conte*plate duc(lings.
Clarissa, dressed in one o) Beth+s si*pler go'ns, 'as atte*pting to consu*e a bo'l o) soup in a
spare bedroo* 'hile 'aiting )or Con to return 'ith a carriage. he+d suggested that they use the
gig, but he+d insisted that she have so*ething better )or the 8ourney to Brighton.
&he soup 'as a tasty *i4 o) chic(en broth and vegetables, and doubtless nourishing, but she 'as
having trouble )inishing it. &ears pric(led around her eyes al*ost constantly, and 6a'(+s letter
'as a sharp"edged presence in her poc(et.
A)ter a rap, the door opened and Beth ca*e in.
Clarissa leaped to her )eet. >Beth, you shouldn+t be up5?
>Bon+t you start pestering *e,? Beth said, sitting at the table. >it do'n. Aat.?
>Eou loo( very 'ell,? Clarissa said, and Beth did. he 'as in a loose dressing go'n 'ith her
hair in one long plait, but she loo(ed *uch the sa*e as al'ays.
>I a* 'ell. It 'ent easily, and I have done considerable research. &here is no reason )or 'o*en
to lie around )or days or even 'ee(s a)ter a healthy birth. uch a practice 3uite li(ely encourages
debility. &hat and lac( o) )resh air and e4ercise during pregnancy. I 'al(ed at least a *ile every
day.?
Clarissa chuc(led, and so*e o) the sodden sadness li)ted. >And the baby@?
Beth+s )ace lit up. >Per)ect, o) course. Eou *ust co*e and see hi* 'hen you+re )inished.?
Clarissa had no reluctance about abandoning the soup. >I+* )inished. I can+t 'ait.?
Beth bea*ed and led the 'ay do'n the corridor to the nursery. >&his is ne4t door to our
bedcha*ber,? she said so)tly, as a *aid rose )ro* a chair by the cradle to curtsy.
he led the 'ay over to the grand gilded cradle s'athed in blue satin. Inside, a tiny s'addled
baby slept. &o Clarissa he loo(ed rather gru*py, but she 'hispered that he 'as beauti)ul.
Beth pic(ed hi* up, and the tiny *outh opened and shut a )e' ti*es, but then the baby stilled
again. he carried hi* into the bedroo* and shut the door. >It+s ridiculous, but I )eel as i) I a*
stealing hi*,? she said to Clarissa. >6e has a sta)) o) three, and that 'as only a)ter a battle royal.
Cucien can+t i*agine 'hy he shouldn+t have his o'n liveried )oot*an5 I have had to be very
)ir* to have ti*e to *ysel) 'ith hi*.?
Clarissa s*iled. >6e+s only eight hours old and you+re already at 'ar.?
>I+ve been establishing the rules )or *onths, but they still *ust be i*ple*ented.? he grinned,
ho'ever, as she sat do'n in a roc(ing chair, her baby in her ar*s.
,nce settled, she gave Clarissa a clear loo(. >!o', tell *e everything.?
>-on+t 'e 'a(e the baby@?
>!ot unless you plan to shrie(. Any'ay,? she said, loo(ing do'n at her child, >I 'on+t *ind i)
he 'a(es. 6e has the *ost beauti)ul huge blue eyes. I+* )eeding hi*, you (no'. It+s a bit sore at
the *o*ent, but it+s 'onder)ul.? he touched the baby+s chee(, and he *ade little suc(ing
*ove*ents but didn+t 'a(e.
Clarissa 'as sure Beth didn+t really 'ant to hear about the distressing debacle. But then Beth
loo(ed up, all schoolteacher. >,ut 'ith it, Clarissa. -hat have you been up to@?
By the end o) the story the baby had a'a(ened, s3ua'(ed a little, and been put to the breast,
'ith so*e 'inces. Beth had told her to (eep telling her tale.
!o' she as(ed, >-hat is your intention no'@?
>!ot to ta(e any o) that *oney. I+* resolved on that. I still can+t believe the /ogues 'ould
steal.?
he thought that Beth 'as 'incing at the suc(ling, but then she said, >It 'as *y idea, actually.
:orging the 'ill.?
>Eours5? Clarissa e4clai*ed, close enough to a shrie( )or the baby to 8er( o)) the breast and cry.
By the ti*e Beth had hi* soothed and on the other breast, Clarissa 'as cal* again. Astonished,
but cal*.
>-hy@?
>-hy not@ Averyone said Beveril had no heir. Eou needed *oney. I 'as a)raid even Cucien
'ouldn+t be able to stop your parents )ro* selling you in so*e 'ay or another.?
>But it+s a cri*e.?
Beth pulled a laughing )ace. >I *ust be o) a cri*inal inclination, then. I even too( part in the
planting o) the 'ill at Beveril+s house. Blanche and I acted the part o) 'hores.?
Clarissa gaped, and Beth chuc(led. >Cucien 'as du*b)ounded too. I 'ore a blac( 'ig, lashings
o) crude )ace paint, and a bodice that 8ust barely covered the essentials.?
>Bu*b)ounded? su**ed it up, especially since Beth see*ed to be recalling a delight)ul
*e*ory.
>Bo you thin( I should (eep the *oney, then@?
Beth sobered. >It is *ore co*plicated no', isn+t it@ &here is a ne' Cord Beveril, and 'ithout our
inter)erence he 'ould have inherited it all.? he considered Clarissa. >I a* not clear ho' you
regard 7a8or 6a'(inville at this ti*e.?
>Probably because I+* not clear either. 7y heart says one thing. 7y *ind shouts 'arnings. -e
'ere 'arned o)ten enough at school about the seductive 'iles o) rascals and the susceptible
)e*ale heart.?
>&rue,? said Beth, but 'ith a rather *ysterious s*ile. >But it+s as *uch a *ista(e to e4pect
per)ection )ro* a *an as it is to tu*ble into the po'er o) a ra(e. A)ter all, can 'e o))er
per)ection@ Bo 'e 'ant to have to try@?
>6eaven )orbid. 6e 'rote *e a letter.?
>-hat did it say@?
>I haven+t read it yet.?
>&here+s no need to *a(e a hasty decision, *y dear, but reading the letter *ight be a good start.?
&he door opened then and Cord Arden 'al(ed in. 6e halted, and loo(ed al*ost e*barrassed,
perhaps because he 'as in an open"nec(ed shirt and pantaloons and nothing else. !ot even
stoc(ings and shoes.
But then he loo(ed at his 'i)e and the baby, and Clarissa sa' that nothing else *attered.
As he 'ent over to Beth, she slipped out o) the roo*, certain o) one thing. he 'anted that one
day. &o be a ne' *other 'ith the *iracle o) a child and a husband 'ho loo(ed at her and the
child as Cord Arden had loo(ed.
And she 'anted it to be 6a'(.
he 'ent bac( to her cold soup to read his letter, then cooled the soup so*e *ore 'ith tears.
!eat, crisp )olds and neat, crisp phrases, but then those poignant perhapses.
,r 'ere they si*ply the prag*atic analysis o) the 6a'(+s *ind@
I) only she had so*e *ystical gi)t that 'ould detect the truth in another person+s heart.
Chapter Tent*+,e%en
&he trip by carriage too( a lot less ti*e than the 'andering 8ourney that had carried Clarissa and
6a'( to the )ate)ul village. Con, 'onder)ul *an, did not atte*pt conversation, but eventually
she 'ea(ened and as(ed hi* about 6a'(.
6is loo( 'as thought)ul, but he tal(ed. he sa' their childhood )ro* another angle. &he bond
'as still there, and the )un, but they 'ere shaded by Con+s e4asperation 'ith his 'ilder )riends.
Cord ;andei*en, it 'as clear, had al'ays been given to e4tre*es, inclined to act )irst, thin(
second. 6a'(, on the other hand, had thought too *uch, but relished challenges. 6e had also
lac(ed a happy ho*e.
he learned *ore about his parents. &hough Con 'as *oderate in his e4pressions, it 'as clear
that he despised 3uire 6a'(inville and *erely pitied his 'i)e.
>he 'as hard done to,? he said, >but it 'as her o'n )olly. Averyone in the village agrees that
she 'as a plain 'o*an past any blush o) youth. -ould the sudden appearance o) a handso*e
gallant protesting adoration not stir a 'arning@?
6e clearly had no idea ho' his 'ords hit ho*e to her.
>6e *ust have been very convincing,? she said.
>uch *en usually are. -hen the truth da'ned, she 'ould have been 'iser to *a(e the best o)
it.?
>-hy@ &o *a(e it easier )or hi*@?
6e loo(ed at her. >&hat 'as her attitude, I+* sure. But she only *ade *atters bitter )or hersel),
her child, and everyone around her. &here 'as no changing it.?
>And she couldn+t even leave,? Clarissa said. >It 'as her ho*e.? And perhaps she, too, had loved
6a'(inville.
Con said, >It+s *ade 6a'( so*e'hat cold. !ot truly cold, but guarded in his e*otions. And he+s
never had a high opinion o) *arriage.?
Clarissa 'as a'are o) the letter in her poc(et. .uarded, perhaps, but not 'ell. And not cold. And
he 'anted *arriage.
Could it all be )alse@
he didn+t thin( so.
Con called )or the carriage to stop, and she sa' they 'ere at a crossroads. >-e can turn o)) here
)or 6a'( in the ;ale,? he said.
>!o.?
he 'asn+t ready yet. he 'as deter*ined to be thought)ul about this.
>I 'as thin(ing *ore that 'e could go to *y ho*e, to o*er)ord Court. -e don+t even have to
go through the village to get to it )ro* here. !icholas Belaney is there, and I+* sure he+d li(e to
spea( to you. -e can send a note to 7iss 6urst*an and go on to Brighton to*orro'.?
Clarissa 'as certainly in no rush to return to Brighton. >-hy not@ I 'ouldn+t *ind a 'ord 'ith
hi*, either.?
&he Court 'as al*ost as char*ing as 6a'(inville 7anor, though centuries younger, but Clarissa
'as past caring about such things. Con+s 'i)e, *other, and sister 'ere 'elco*ing9Con+s 'i)e
insisted on being usan9 but it couldn+t touch her distraction. !othing in the 'orld see*ed real
e4cept her and 6a'( and her dile**a.
And stopping 'here he 'as *ere *inutes a'ay had not been a good idea.
!icholas Belaney too( one loo( at her and suggested that they tal(, but ordered a 'ine posset )or
her. As she 'ent 'ith hi* into a s*all sitting roo*, she said, >I+* not hungry.?
>Eou need to eat. Eou can+t )ight 'ell on an e*pty sto*ach.?
>I+* li(ely to )ight you. &his is all your )ault.?
>I) you 'ish, but I thin( the bla*e can be 'ell spread around. &here+s nothing so 'ea( as FI
*eant 'ell,+ but in this everyone *eant 'ell, Clarissa.?
>!ot 6a'(. 6a'( 'anted *y *oney. I+* not touching it.? &hat should sha(e his co*placency.
>As you 'ish, o) course,? he said. >I+* sure 7iss 6urst*an can )ind you a position pandering to
a not"too"tyrannical old lady.?
he pic(ed up a china )igurine and hurled it at hi*.
6e caught it. >It 'ould be )oolish to be 'antonly poor, Clarissa, and no one has a greater right to
that *oney than you.?
>-hat about 6a'(+s )ather@? he *ade hersel) say it. >&he ne' Cord Beveril.?
>,nly by the *ost precise letter o) the la'.? 6e put the )igurine on a s*all table. >it do'n, and
I+ll tell you 'here that *oney ca*e )ro*.?
he sat, her revivi)ying anger sagging li(e a pric(ed bladder. >:ro* Cord Beveril+s unpleasant
businesses, I assu*e.?
>6e *ight have increased it a bit that 'ay, but even vice is not 3uite so pro)itable in a short
ti*e.?
Clarissa listened in a*a<e*ent to a story o) treason, e*be<<le*ent, and pure the)t.
>&hen the *oney belongs to the people this 'o*an got it )ro*. A4cept,? she added thought)ully,
>they 'ould hardly 'ant to clai* it, 'ould they@?
>&hey could be )ound. &herese happily gave up a list o) their na*es once she had no *ore use
)or the*. In the end the govern*ent settled )or letting the* (no' that they 'ere (no'n. 7any
o) the* )led the country, and I don+t thin( those that re*ain 'ould 'ant to be re*inded o) their
)olly.?
>&he Cro'n, then.?
>&he /egent 'ould love it. It 'ould buy hi* so*e trin(et or other. But by 'hat e4cuse can the
*oney be given to the Cro'n@?
he 'as arguing )or the sa(e o) arguing, because she 'as angry 'ith the* all. >-hen I+*
t'enty"one, I can do 'ith it as I 'ish.?
>,) course. I arranged it that 'ay. In retrospect, that 'as an indulgence. It apparently gave
6a'(inville reason to doubt the 'ill.? 6e s*iled. >It does see* un)air that 'o*en at t'enty"one
are considered in)antile, 'hen *en at the sa*e age are given control o) their a))airs.?
>&hat sounds li(e 7ary -ollstonecra)t.?
>he *ade so*e good points.?
&here 'as a (noc( on the door, and a *aid ca*e in 'ith the stea*ing posset. -hen she+d le)t,
Clarissa decided not to be in)antile. he sat at a s*all table and dipped in her spoon.
Crea*, eggs, sugar, and 'ine. A)ter a )e' *outh)uls she did begin to )eel less *iserable. >&his
'ill have *e drun(.?
6e sat across the table )ro* her. >Probably 'hy it+s e4cellent )or the su))ering invalid. &here are
ti*es 'hen a little inebriation helps.?
he loo(ed at hi*. >-hat do you 'ant *e to do@?
6e shoo( his head. >I have put you in charge o) your o'n destiny.?
he too( *ore o) the posset, and the 'ine untangled so*e o) her sorest (nots.
>I+* a)raid o) *a(ing a )ool o) *ysel).?
>-e all are, *ost o) the ti*e.?
he glanced up. >:or li)e@ 6o' does anyone *a(e choices@?
>,) *arriage partners@ I) people 'orried too *uch about *a(ing the per)ect choice, the hu*an
race 'ould die out.?
>!ot necessarily,? she pointed out, and he laughed.
>&rue, but it 'ould be a chaotic syste*. 7arriage brings order to the *ost disorderly o) hu*an
a))airs.?
>But there are *any bitter, corroding *arriages. 6a'(+s parents, )or e4a*ple. And *ine.?
>&rue )ondness, good'ill, and co**on sense can get us over *ost hurdles.?
he spooned up the last o) the s'eet li3uid, and the 'ine probably gave her courage to as( a
personal 3uestion. >Is that 'hat your *arriage is li(e@?
6e laughed. >,h, no. 7y *arriage is one o) co*plete insanity. But I reco**end it to you, too.
It+s called love.?
Cove.
>Perhaps I should see 6a'(,? she said, a 'ar* spiral beginning to envelop her in betraying
delight.
But Belaney shoo( his head. >I thin( 'e+ll 'ait an hour or so to see i) that+s only the 'ine
tal(ing.? 6e rose. >7ean'hile, co*e and *eet *y insanity. Aleanor, and *y daughter, Arabel.?
As they 'ent to the door he said, >-ould you be able to call *e !icholas@?
>In 'hat circu*stances@? she teased.
>Ba*ned tenses. I 'ould li(e it i) you 'ould call *e !icholas. I thin( you are by 'ay o) being
an honorary /ogue.?
Con, and !icholas. !e' )riends. And her acceptance o) it 'as so*ething to do 'ith 6a'(, and
'ith Cord Arden.
>!icholas,? she said, but she added 'ith a giggle, >I+* not sure I can call Cord Arden Cucien,
though.?
>Be)initely the 'ine,? he said, guiding her out o) the roo*. >&he nu*ber o) people to call Arden
Cucien is s*all. I) not )or the /ogues it *ight be do'n to one9 his *other.?
>And Beth, surely.?
>Perhaps.?
he understood. -ithout the /ogues, Cord Arden *ight not be the sort o) husband Beth 'ould
call by his )irst na*e. 6e *ight be the sort 'ho e4pressed every sour e*otion 'ith his )ists.
>Perhaps I should call 6a'( .eorge,? she said. >Cess predatory. But then he 'ouldn+t call *e
:alcon.?
!icholas shoo( his head. >-e *ust de)initely 'ait an hour.?
Aleanor Belaney 'as a handso*e 'o*an 'ith a rooted tran3uility that Clarissa ad*ired. ,)
course, it *ust be easy to be tran3uil 'ith a husband such as !icholas. Clarissa 'as sure he had
given her no trouble, told her no lies.
Arabel 'as a char*ing toddler in a short pin( dress sho'ing lace"tri**ed pantalettes. 6er
chestnut curls 'ere cut short, and she 'as playing 'ith a cat that Clarissa recogni<ed.
>Jetta5?
&he cat reacted to the na*e, or perhaps to her. -hichever, Clarissa certainly received a cold
stare. Cord above, 'as a cat capable o) )i4ing bla*e )or the loss o) its hero@
>It 'as thought to be in danger )ro* the *anor dogs, so I brought it up here.? !icholas s'ooped
up his daughter and carried her, laughing, over to be introduced. Clarissa sa' identical sherry"
gold eyes.
Arabel s*iled 'ith unhesitating acceptance. > FCo5?
>!ot the beginning o) an ode,? said !icholas, >but her greeting.?
&he child turned to hi*, bea*ing, to say, > FCo5 +Co5 FCo5? But then she said, >Papa. Cove
Papa.?
Clarissa al*ost )elt she should loo( a'ay as !icholas (issed his daughter+s nose and said, >I love
you too, cherub.?
Insanity.
Cove.
6eaven.
But then Arabel turned to her and stretched out. Astonished, Clarissa too( the child and duly
ad*ired the 'ooden doll clutched in one )ist. !icholas 'ent to tal( to Aleanor, and the child
didn+t turn to loo(.
-hat blithe con)idence in love that 'as, that never doubted, or )eared the loss o) it. -ould she
ever )eel that 'ay@
&hen Arabel s3uir*ed to get do'n and led the 'ay bac( to the cat and so*e other toys. Clarissa
sat on the carpet and played, discovering one certainty.
he 'anted a child.
he 'anted to be *arried to 6a'( and have 6a'(+s children, but i) that didn+t happen, she
'anted to be a *other. A *arried *other.
he tried to i*agine being *arried to so*eone else.
It didn+t see* possible, but ti*e *ust have an e))ect on that. -hat 'as the di))erence bet'een a
'ild passion and an eternal love@
Aasier by )ar to play 'ith the child than to tussle 'ith adult proble*s.
But then 7rs. Belaney insisted that it 'as bedti*e. -hen she ca*e to pic( up her daughter, she
said, >I understand that you are a /ogue no'. I hope you 'ill call *e Aleanor.?
Clarissa scra*bled to her )eet, not 3uite so co*)ortable 'ith this in)or*ality, but she agreed.
>And i) you 'ant a 'o*an to tal( to,? Aleanor Belaney said, >I a* a good listener. !o hand at
good advice, you understand, but 'e can o)ten 'or( these things out )or ourselves once 'e start,
can+t 'e@?
he carried the child a'ay, and Clarissa glanced at the cloc(.
>till hal) an hour to go,? !icholas said.
he pulled a )ace, but said, >&hen I thin( I+ll 'al( in the garden and tal( to *ysel).?
he e4pected a co**ent, but he only said, >By all *eans9i) you pro*ise not to snea( do'n to
the village.?
he glared, but the thought hadn+t occurred to her. It 'as a very little ti*e to 'ait, and she (ne'
it 'as 'ise to see i) her )orgiveness seeped a'ay 'ith the e))ects o) the posset.
-hen she le)t the roo*, the cat ca*e 'ith her. he loo(ed do'n. >I thought I 'as the ene*y.?
&he cat *erely 'aited. Perhaps the clever ani*al had decided she 'as the (ey to 6a'(. It 'ould
be nice i) true.
&he o*er)ord Court gardens 'ere pleasant, though rather )or*al. he crossed a la'n and
'andered do'n a ye'"lined path, greeted by a gardener busy (eeping the hedges tri*. It 'as a
'ar* but heavy evening. Aven the birds 'ere 3uiet. Apart )ro* the snic., snic., snic. o) the
gardener+s shears, it 'as soundless.
he ca*e to a round )ishpond dotted 'ith 'ater lilies and sat on the stone edge to trail her hand
in the 'ater.
A )at carp ca*e to nibble, then s'a* a'ay, disappointed. Jetta crouched on the ri*, also
disappointed.
!o )ood.
!o )ortune.
6er slightly inebriated *ind didn+t 'ant to )ocus, not even on tal(ing over her proble* 'ith
hersel).
he loo(ed around, but nothing o))ered 'isdo* or inspiration. &he pond sat in the *iddle o) a
hedge"lined s3uare, 'ith )our neat )lo'er beds set 'ith bushes in the center and lined 'ith lo'
'hite )lo'ers. It struc( her as a*using that 6a'( o) the neatly )olded note had the lush, 'ill)ul
garden, 'hile Con o'ned such precision.
Both had been )or*ed by previous generations, ho'ever.
Aach side o) the s3uare hedge had an opening leading to another path. !one o) the* invited.
&hen a )igure crossed over one o) those paths. A *aid in dar( clothing 'ith a large bundle. And
Jetta rose to hiss.
Clarissa loo(ed at the cat. >Another rival )or 6a'(+s a))ections@? But the cat 'as si*ply
t'itching its tail restlessly.
Clarissa )ro'ned at it. >!o' you have *e t'itchy.? he scooped it up and 'ent do'n the path to
catch another gli*pse. &he 'o*an 'as )ar ahead, going bris(ly about her business, 'hich 'as
probably to ta(e laundry to the village. Jetta gave another, al*ost hu))y, hissJ the 'o*an turned
right and 'as out o) sight.
Clarissa turned bac( to'ard the house, but so*ething about the 'o*an 'as on her *ind no'.
he hurried in a direction that should provide another vie', giving than(s )or the straight lines o)
the garden. he ca*e to the abrupt end o) the garden, 'ith countryside be)ore her.
&he 'o*an 'as already across a pasture and cli*bing a stile, bundle under her ar*, to )ollo' a
)ootpath along the edge o) a harvested )ield to'ard the village. It 'asn+t a servant. It 'as that
7rs. /o'land.
>till don+t approve@? she *uttered to the tense cat. >7is)ortune turns so*e people *iserable,
you (no'. And see, she has to ta(e in laundry to put )ood on the table.>
,r she *ight be stealing. An un)air thought about the poor 'o*an, 'ho+d sho'n no sign o)
)urtiveness, but Clarissa decided she had to tell so*eone. he turned bac( to the no' rather
distant house.
o*er)ord Court 'as a ra*bling place, and 'hen she eventually entered, she )ound hersel) near
the (itchens. he stopped in there, )aced by hal) a do<en )e*ale servants 'ho didn+t (no' 'ho
she 'as, and )eeling very )oolish.
>I+* 7iss .reystone. A guest.?
&hen Jetta leaped do'n and 'as i**ediately the center o) attention. >-onder)ul *ouser, it is,?
said the 'o*an 'ho 'as probably the coo(, s*iling. >Can 'e help you, *iss@?
Clarissa )elt that she had been properly introduced. he al*ost didn+t 'ant to spoil it by saying
anything, but she *ade hersel) spea(.
>I 8ust sa' so*eone in the garden. I thin( it 'as 7rs. /o'land, )ro* the village. Boes she ta(e
in laundry, or *ending, perhaps@?
8nd w!at business is it of yours@ she could i*agine the servants saying.
>6er@? said the coo(. >!ot li(ely. he has been here no' and then, to spea( to her ladyship9the
Bo'ager Cady A*leigh, that is. Begging, i) you as( *e, )or all her airs. But not today, *iss.?
Protesting that 'ould do no good. Perhaps she should spea( to the do'ager.
he le)t the (itchen and headed to'ard the )ront o) the house. &he Court, ho'ever, 'as the sort
o) ra*bling place built in stages, 'here no corridor 'ent in a straight line. he 'as beginning to
thin( she+d have to call )or help, but then she tentatively opened a door and )ound hersel) in the
)ront hall.
!o' 'hat@ 6er alar* about 7rs. /o'land 'as beginning to see* very silly, but she decided she
'ould )ind the do'ager.
At the *o*ent the house 'as as sleepy as the gardens, but she+d seen a bellpull in the s*all
roo* 'here she+d tal(ed 'ith !icholas. he 'as heading there 'hen !icholas ca*e out o)
another roo*. >Ah, your hour+s up,? he said, s*iling.
I) she+d 'anted to bloc( her decisions )ro* her *ind, she+d certainly succeeded. :or the past
little 'hile she hadn+t thought o) 6a'( at all. Perhaps that 'as 'hy her *ind had eagerly
clutched the little *ystery.
!o' that the idea 'as bac(, it pushed out all others. >I still 'ant to see hi*,? she said.
>;ery 'ell9?
>*ic!olas5? &hey both turned to see Aleanor racing do'n the stairs, 'hite")aced. >I can+t )ind
Arabel5?
!icholas caught her in his ar*s. >he li(es to hide9?
>-e+ve searched her roo*. &he ones nearby. I+ve called.? he turned, searching the hall.
>Arabel5 Arabel5?
6e pulled her bac( into his ar*s. >6ush. he can+t have co*e do'n here. -e+ll get everyone to
search.?
Con and usan had e*erged )ro* the roo* 'here !icholas had been. &hey i**ediately 'ent
o)) to set all the servants to the search, inside and out, and a *essage 'as sent to the village )or
e4tra people.
&he Belaneys hurried upstairs, calling their daughter+s na*e. Clarissa raced a)ter the*, caught
up in the alar* at the thought o) that s'eet child perhaps stuc( in a chest, or having tu*bled
do'n so*e stairs.
It 'as only upstairs, 'ondering helplessly 'here to loo(, that the thought struc(. It 'as too
ridiculous to bother !icholas 'ith, so she ran in search o) Con, )inding hi* in the )ront hall
*arshaling a))airs. Duic(ly, she told hi* about 7rs. /o'land.
>Eou+re sure it 'as she@?
>7ostly,? she said, less sure by the *o*ent. he al*ost said, >Jetta hissed,? but that 'ould *a(e
her see* a co*plete idiot.
>But she 'as carrying so*ething@?
>I thought it 'as laundry. ,r *ending.?
But then his eyes sharpened. >Bidn+t you *ention her earlier@ &hat she re*inded you o)
so*eone@?
>,) the )ortune teller.? But then she inhaled 'ith shoc(. >he tal(ed about /ogues. And she gave
*e !icholas+s initials5? he 3uic(ly s(etched that encounter.
>-ho could be interested in Clarissa+s *oney and in the /ogues@?
Clarissa turned to see 6a'( there, hat, crop, and gloves in hand. &heir eyes *et in a sudden
collision o) need and proble*s.
Con said, >7ada*e &herese Bellaire.? But then he added, >It+s insanity. -hy 'ould she even be
in Angland@? 6e 'as already turning to run upstairs, ho'ever. >-e have to tell !icholas. Bear
.od=?
Clarissa and 6a'( ran a)ter hi*.
&hey )ound the Belaneys opening and shutting dra'ers and ar*oires that had to have been
searched be)ore.
Con told the*, and they both turned i*possibly paler.
>&herese,? !icholas said. >Please, .od, no.?
Aleanor clutched his ar*, and then they 'ere 'rapped 'ith each other. Clarissa re*e*bered that
7ada*e Bellaire 'as the 'o*an 'ho had gathered the *oney, then lost it to Beveril. he+d
thought 'hen !icholas told her that there 'as *ore to the story.
I) only she had pursued. ,r done somet!ing.
>-e have to )ollo' it up,? said !icholas, co*ing bac( to li)e. &o Clarissa he said, >-hich 'ay
did you see her go@?
>Bo'n to the village.? he described it e4actly.
Be)ore she could say she 'as sorry, 6a'( said, >&hat path splits three 'ays. And I doubt she
too( the village one. he *oved her 'hole household out at crac( o) da'n.?
>-here@? !icholas as(ed.
>!o one (no's, and 'e 'on+t until ,ld 7att returns to say 'here he too( his cartload. 7ada*e
7ysti3ue *ust have so*e base in Brighton, but there+s no saying she+s returned there. I) it is
she.? 6e added, loo(ing at Clarissa, >:ortune tellers can be uncanny.?
>I (no'5 I+* not sure o) anything.?
Clarissa could al*ost )eel !icholas+s need to rush o)), but he loo(ed at 6a'(. >I+* in no state to
thin(, 6a'(inville. I gather this is your )orte. -ill you ta(e co**and@?
Clarissa sa' a touch o) color on 6a'(+s chee(s. he re*e*bered then that he and !icholas
could be seen as on opposite sides in respect to her. All that 'as uni*portant no'.
>,) course,? 6a'(, said. >I+* sure you 'ant to do so*ething, ho'ever. -hy not )ollo' the
route Clarissa described@ Coo( )or clues or people 'ho sa' the 'o*an. &a(e a couple o) Con+s
groo*s to )ollo' other routes 'hen it splits.?
!icholas hugged his 'i)e and le)t. usan 'ent to hold Aleanor+s hand.
6a'( turned to Con. >I+d li(e you to head )or Brighton by the *ost direct route, loo(ing )or the
:rench'o*an or ,ld 7att. I) you get there 'ithout a trace, )ind 7ada*e 7ysti3ue+s
establish*ent and chec( it out. &a(e a couple o) ar*ed groo*s9and be care)ul.?
>Aye"aye, sir,? said Con ironically, but 'ithout resent*ent, and hurried out.
&he salute brought a slight s*ile to 6a'(+s lips.
>houldn+t so*eone chec( 7rs. /o'land+s place here@? Clarissa as(ed.
>Ees, I+ll do that. It 'on+t ta(e long, and it needs a care)ul eye. I+ll see i) *y )ather (no's
anything about the 'o*an, too. 6e 'as *ightily upset to hear o) her leaving.?
6e turned to go, but Clarissa grabbed his sleeve. he 'asn+t sure 'hat to say e4cept that she had
to say so*ething. >:ind her.?
6e loo(ed at her 'ith deep dar(ness, then touched her chee(. >I) it is hu*anly possible9?
&hen in a blac( strea(, Jetta leaped in to sit on his boots, as i) trying to pin hi* do'n. Clarissa
'ondered )or a *ad *o*ent 'hether the cat (ne' he 'as going into danger. 6e pic(ed it up and
*oved it, and strode out. A)ter a sha(e, Jetta strode a)ter hi*. &here 'as no other 'ord )or it.
Clarissa )elt as i) he had a guard.
But then she turned bac( and sa' Aleanor+s )ace. >I+* sorry. I should have gone a)ter her.?
But Aleanor shoo( her head. >he 'ould have (illed you. ,r ta(en you 'ith her i) she could.?
>&hen I should have raised the alar*5 I**ediately.?
>-hy@? Aleanor had lost all that placid cal*, but she ca*e to ta(e Clarissa+s hands. >-hy
should you i*agine anything so e4tre*e@ Ci)e 'ould be i*possible i) 'e all 8u*ped to such
conclusions every ti*e 'e sa' so*ething out o) the ordinary.?
>But,? Clarissa said bitterly, >I should have learned )ro* e4perience. Averyone 'ho has anything
to do 'ith *e ends up in disaster.?
Aleanor gathered her into her ar*s. >!o, no, *y dear. Averyone 'ho has anything to do 'ith
&herese Bellaire ends up in disaster. /eally,? she added, 'ith a touch o) unsteady hu*or,
>!apoleon 'ould have been 'ell advised to 'ring her nec(.?
Chapter Tent*+e$'ht
&he 'o*en continued the search )or a 'hile9Clarissa even ran out to the )ish pond in case the
child had escaped the house and dro'ned9but no one+s heart 'as in it. &hey 'ere all sure that
Arabel had been stolen a'ay.
Clarissa too( a *o*ent in the garden to let out her tears, and she )elt better )or it, i) drained. But,
oh, the thought o) that s'eet, trusting in)ant, 'ho see*ed innocent o) anything but adoring
(indness, in the hands o) >7rs. /o'land?5 I) only she+d not acted sensibly )or once. I) only
she+d been i*petuous, and pursued. Perhaps she *ight at least be 'ith the child and able to
protect and co*)ort her.
&he only >i) only? that *attered no', ho'ever, 'as i) only she could do so*ething to speed up
the child+s sa)e return.
he returned to the house and discovered that 6a'( also had returned and ta(en over Con+s
study )or 'hat could only be called a co**and post. he entered to )ind that he+d set the 'o*en
to 'or(, even the do'ager and Con+s sister.
A *ap 'as spread on the des(, and 6a'( 'as studying paths and roads under the eye o) a
'atch)ul cat. Aleanor 'as ta(ing notes and see*ed *uch steadier. Averyone else see*ed to be
dra'ing. Clarissa soon gathered that they 'ere dra'ing rough s(etches o) routes, 'ith churches,
houses, strea*s, and such as *ar(ers.
he 'as given a piece o) paper, and Aleanor read o)) so*e details )or her.
>-e+re going to send out riders along all these routes,? Aleanor said. >It 'ill cover everything
)ro* here to a )ive"*ile radius.? he glanced at 6a'(. >6e is very *eticulous, isn+t he@?
Clarissa loo(ed at hi* too. >6e has that reputation.? he couldn+t help adoring hi* )or his
control and discipline. Ino'ing hi*, she reali<ed that inside he 'as probably as achingly
'orried and an4ious as they all 'ere, but he 'as intent on his goal. /escue.
6e said so*ething to Aleanor, loo(ing up, and his eyes )ound Clarissa. o*ething )lashed there
9a need, she hoped9but i**ediately it 'as controlled. >&he 6en)ield road goes through t'o
tollgates,? he said to Aleanor. >&he second should be )ar enough. &he river bloc(s any
roundabout route. -ho has that one@?
Aleanor loo(ed at her list. >usan.? he 'ent to relay the instructions to usan, 'ho 'as using
the deep 'indo'sill to 'or( on.
&hen !icholas returned, loo(ing e4hausted but better so*eho' )or racing around. he reali<ed
that 6a'( had sent hi* )or e4actly that reason, and had probably put Aleanor to 'or( to help
her, too. o *any threads in his )ingers, each one to be done per)ectly, because )ailure 'as
i*possible.
&hen the *aps 'ere )inished, the 'aiting groo*s su**oned, instructed 'ith crisp precision, and
sent o)).
>&hey can be bac( 'ithin the hour,? said 6a'(, but he glanced out o) the 'indo' at the overcast
s(y. >I) the 'eather holds.? 6e loo(ed at !icholas. >&he 'o*an *ay have gone to Brighton, but
it *ight be too obvious. -hat do you 'ant to do@?
>/ide hell"bent )or Brighton, o) course,? said !icholas. >,r to Condon. ,r to the ty4 to bargain
'ith Charon9? 6e stopped hi*sel). >-e 'ill 'ait until the riders return, and hope there+s a
clear path. It 'ould be 'orse, a)ter all, to go in the 'rong direction entirely.?
>&hen 'e *ust eat,? 6a'( said. >usan@?
usan le)t, and everyone *oved restlessly, 'aiting )or so*ething that could not co*e )or a
'hile.
>I) Con )inds anything along the road,? 6a'( said, >he+ll send bac( 'ord. -hat+s the 'o*an
li(e@ :ro* all I+ve heard o) her, devious but not stupid.?
!icholas rubbed his hands over his )ace. >!o, not stupid. But she can be )oolish. he prides
hersel) on her arcane plans, but then gets lost in the*. Certainly )ollo'ing a straight line is
unli(ely to )ind her. Eou+re going about it the right 'ay. pin a 'eb.?
!o' that the i**ediate 'or( 'as done, Aleanor Belaney had sun( into a chair, staring into
no'here. !icholas 'ent to her.
Clarissa turned to loo( out o) the 'indo'. Avening 'as beginning to *ute the day. /ealistically
spea(ing, it 'as no *ore terrible )or the child to be in the hands o) a *ad'o*an at night, but it
)elt as though it 'as.
6a'( ca*e to stand nearby. he (ne' it even be)ore she loo(ed.
>Is she *ad@? she as(ed.
>Probably not. But there+s a (ind o) *adness that thin(s only o) itsel). All controls to do 'ith
decency or hu*anity are lost, and only the desires and pleasures o) the person *atter. I suspect
she is that sort o) 'o*an. -hat do you thin(@?
>I thin( o) her 'ith her children.?
6e put out a hand to her, then stopped it, lo'ered it. he did not protest. &here 'as no place in
this )or the*, )or the tangles and dile**as still to be sorted out.
usan returned, )ollo'ed by *aids 'ith trays holding tea, 'ine, and plates o) hastily *ade
sand'iches. Certainly, thought Clarissa, sitting do'n to dinner 'ould be *acabre. &he *aids
le)t, and everyone 'as busy )or a *o*ent, pouring, passing, ta(ing plates. But then stillness
settled.
>Aat,? 6a'( said. >Eou can get it do'n i) you try, and strength is needed. And don+t get drun(.?
A)ter a *o*ent, !icholas put do'n his 'ineglass and pic(ed up a sand'ich. Aleanor 'as
drin(ing tea, but she started to eat too.
6a'( ate t'o sand'iches, but he see*ed to be thin(ing throughout the *eal. &hen he said, >&he
*ost li(ely situation is that the Bellaire 'o*an has ta(en the child to hold )or ranso*. I gather
she has reason o) sorts to thin( that Clarissa+s *oney is hers. 7y )ather 'as under the illusion
that she 'as going to *arry hi* as soon as she 'as 'ido'ed. !o illusion, actually. &hat
doubtless 'as her plan once he had the *oney. I suspect I 'as her hunting dog, sent to sni)) out
the villains. An interesting *ind. I assu*e that *y elope*ent told her the plan 'as dead9so 'e
have this.?
!icholas put do'n his )ood. >But 'e only arrived yesterday. &his has to have been an i*pulse.
6ad she no other device@ It is unli(e her.?
>he pre)ers *ultiple plans@?
>he adores the*.?
>7rs. /o'land had t'o children,? 6a'( said, >a boy and a girl. Are they hers@?
!icholas laughed. >&herese@ I*possible to i*agine, and t'o years ago she boasted o) the
per)ection o) her body, un*ar(ed by birth. .ood .od, has she (idnapped others@?
>,r adopted, to be )air. he+s been here )or *onths 'ith the*. A strange ploy i) she too( the*
)or *oney. !o,? 6a'( said.
6e pic(ed up Jetta and stro(ed the cat as i) it helped hi* thin(. >I suspect the children 'ere
si*ply disguise. Perhaps poor /o'land 'as too. Intriguing, really. he *ust have been le)t in a
very di))icult situation a)ter -aterloo. tranded in Belgiu*, 'ithout her po'er)ul protectors, and
thin(ing o) her *oney in Angland. I) she )ound a 'ounded o))icer and persuaded hi* to clai*
her as his co**on"la' 'i)e9perhaps in e4change )or nursing hi*9and ac3uired a couple o)
the stray orphans that al'ays 'ander a)ter battle, she 'ould have an e4cellent cover )or a
:rench'o*an to enter Angland.?
>Eou sound as i) you+re )alling under her spell.?
6a'( loo(ed at !icholas. >I+ll 'ring her nec( i) need be. It+s o)ten necessary to enter into the
*ind o) villains to decide 'hat they 'ill do. And villains rarely see the*selves that 'ay. &hey
see the*selves as clever, as entitled to 'hat they sei<e, as 8usti)ied in the evil that they do. Eou+re
right about her having so*e other plan. Ino'ing 'hat it is 'ould be use)ul, but the *ain point is
that she 'ill de*and *oney. A great deal o) *oney and in short order. Can you raise it@?
Clarissa stood. >I 'ish I could give her all o) *ine5 I don+t 'ant it. he 'as right 'hen she said
it 'as poisoned.?
>But you can+t get it in a day or t'o,? 6a'( said, as i) the *oney 'as o) no i*portance to hi*.
>Arden o))ered *e t'enty thousand, so I assu*e he can put his hands on that 3uic(ly.?
>&he /ogues,? said !icholas, suddenly alert.
But then pounding )eet had the* all turning to the door. It burst open, and a panting groo* raced
in. 6e loo(ed around the cro'ded roo* in con)usion. >irs, letter )ro* his lordship5?
6a'( too( it and opened it. It contained another sealed paper. >he 'ent through the Preston
toll,? he said, reading. >A 'o*an )itting her description in a )ast carriage. Bold. And, even
bolder,? he added. 6e loo(ed at !icholas. >&he 'o*an paid the toll(eeper to give this letter to
anyone 'ho as(ed.? 6e held it out. >It+s addressed to you, but o) course Con read it.?
!icholas 'as already reading. >he 'ants a hundred thousand pounds be)ore eight o+cloc(
to*orro' evening.? 6e gave it to Aleanor.
>I*possible,? gasped the do'ager Cady A*leigh.
>And she has her other string,? !icholas carried on, loo(ing strangely stunned. >he clai*s to
have Bare.?
Clarissa loo(ed around in con)usion. 6a'( said, >It+s not possible9? But then he breathed,
>Cieutenant /o'land.? 6e cursed, 'hich, given the presence o) ladies, sho'ed ho' deeply
shoc(ed he 'as.
>he 'ouldn+t lie,? !icholas said. >It has to be true. Pray .od it doesn+t *a(e Con do so*ething
'ild. -e have to go.?
>Ees, o) course.? But 6a'( held up a hand. >-hat o) the *oney@ -e have to thin( no' ho' to
raise it.? But then he loo(ed at !icholas. >I) it+s Bare, he+s in bad shape. ;an sa' hi* brie)ly. 6e
thought he 'as dying.?
>-e get hi* and Arabel bac(,? said !icholas )latly. >By all *eans, let+s thin( ho' to get the
*oney. I) &herese can be easily )ound in Brighton, Con and ;andei*en 'ill do it.?
6a'( sat at the des( and put a clean sheet o) paper in )ront o) hi*. >Eou have all I can raise, but
it+s precious little, even 'ith 8e'els included. Arden+s t'enty thousand, o) course.?
Clarissa bit her lip, thin(ing 'hat that *eant )or 6a'( in the ;ale, but there 'as no choice.
&he do'ager suddenly stood and too( o)) her rings and a brooch, putting the* on the des(. >I+ll
go and get *y 8e'el bo4.?
Con+s 'i)e and sister did the sa*e. Aleanor said, >Averything I have 'ith *e, o) course. But
*ost is bac( in o*erset. &here+s not ti*e, is there@?
!icholas too( her hand. >-e can try. But there are those closer. Arden,? he said to 6a'(. >6e+s
good )or *ore. Beth has dia*onds 'orth a good part o) the a*ount.?
Clarissa had seen Beth+s dia*onds. &hey 'ere part o) the ducal estate and not really Cord
Arden+s to give, but she (ne' he 'ould.
>Ceander+s probably in o*erset, but 'e+ll send to his usse4 estate in case. :rancis. 6al+s in
Brighton, but he has little. I thin( tephen+s in Condon. I) there are 'ays o) raising *oney, he+ll
)ind it. -e have to contact the Eeovils too.?
>Bare+s parents@? 6a'( said. >Ees, o) course. &hough he *ay not be a pretty sight.?
>I) he+s alive, do you thin( that *atters@?
>!o.? 6a'( added the na*e.
&he t'o Cady A*leighs and 6elen o*er)ord returned and put 8e'el bo4es on the table, Clarissa
didn+t thin( the contents 'ould be 'orth a vast su*, but they 'ould be treasured pieces given up
in this cause.
>I have so*e 8e'elry in Brighton lent *e by the Bu(e o) Belcraven,? she said. >Eou can have
that. -hen I co*e o) age,? she added )ir*ly, >Beveril+s *oney 'ill go to repay all these debts. I
a* deter*ined on it.?
he said it loo(ing at 6a'(, a)raid o) ob8ection, but he nodded. >I hope to get through this
'ithout paying a penny, and 'ith the 'o*an loc(ed up )or her cri*es.?
>!ot 'ise.?
&hey all loo(ed at !icholas. >-e really don+t 'ant &herese on trial. he (no's or guesses )ar
too *uch. I+* sure she+s counting on that. ,) course, i) she har*s Arabel in any 'ay, I 'ill (ill
her. I hope she+s counting on that, too.?
&he )irst groo*s began to return 'ith their pointless reports on their routes. &hey 'ere sent to eat
'hile !icholas 'rote letters to the /ogues and the Eeovils, as(ing )or the *oney and 8e'els, and
a *essage to his ho*e in o*erset instructing a trusted servant to bring the contents o) his sa)e.
Clarissa couldn+t help thin(ing that so*e luc(y high'ay*en *ight *a(e the stri(e o) their lives.
>-here shall 'e as( that it be sent@? !icholas as(ed.
A)ter a *o*ent, 6a'( said, >;an+s house in Brighton,? and gave the address. ,nce the letters
'ere on their 'ay, he said, >And no' 'e can go. he+s gone to ground in Brighton, but by .od,
there has to be a 'ay to )ind her.?
Clarissa, Aleanor, and usan 8a**ed into the A*leigh phaeton, Aleanor driving, the gentle*en
on horsebac(. Again Jetta insisted on riding 'ith 6a'(, sitting upright in )ront o) hi*.
>he+ll )all o)) at speed,? Clarissa said.
>I doubt it,? said !icholas, his horse sidling i*patiently, doubtless a re)lection o) the rider. >&he
Chinese trained cats to ride into 'ar e4actly li(e that. &hey 'ould leap at opponents and blind
the*.?
Clarissa shivered at the thought, but all in all, the *ore protectors 6a'( had, the better.
&hen they 'ere o)). :ive groo*s not needed )or other duties rode 'ith the*. 6eads turned as the
speeding cavalcade 'hipped past. Clarissa could only thin( o) all the people 'ith s*all
proble*s, all the parents 'hose children 'ere sa)e.
In a short 'hile !icholas dre' alongside to tell Aleanor he 'as riding ahead, and she gave hi*
her blessing.
>I) I 'ere any rider at all, I+d go 'ith hi*. It is so intolerable not to be racing to do so*ething,
no *atter ho' )utile.? he crac(ed her 'hip, and the horses pic(ed up pace as the sun set sul(ily
behind heavy clouds.
Chapter Tent*+n$ne
Brighton. Clarissa re*e*bered entering Brighton a short 'hile be)ore, )ull o) nerves and hope.
6o' di))erent no', 'ith so *uch at sta(e. 6o' trivial all her earlier an4ieties see*ed. &he past
hours o) stress had scoured a'ay her uncertainties about 6a'(. In this uncertain 'orld, 'hat did
t'enty, )orty, si4ty years *atter@
"arpe diem, )or indeed, one could not (no' 'hat the *orro' 'ould bring.
&he sunlight had al*ost gone by the ti*e they entered Cord ;andei*en+s house, )inding the
;andei*ens there, along 'ith Con and !icholas. Con see*ed a)ire 'ith ne' purpose, and it 'as
all to do 'ith Cord Barius.
>7ada*e 7ysti3ue has a house on hip treet,? he said, >but it see*s deserted. I hesitated to
brea( in.?
>.ood,? 6a'( said. >-e can+t be precipitous. -e ris( triggering her to do so*ething
undesirable. !o sign o) ,ld 7att@?
Clarissa had to thin( 'ho that 'as. ,h, the carter 'ho had transported Cieutenant /o'land and
the children.
!o, she corrected. 6e+d transported Cord Barius Bebenha* and the poor 'ai)s pic(ed up )ro*
'ho"(ne'"'here and sub8ected to &herese Bellaire+s cold heart )or a year. he desperately
regretted returning the children, but couldn+t see ho' she and 6a'( could have done anything
else.
>!ot on the road,? Con said. >I+ve sent the groo*s to chec( on all the inns and taverns. 6e li(es
a drin(. But ho' do 'e search all Brighton@?
>7eticulously,? said 6a'( 'ith a hint o) a sel)"*oc(ing s*ile.
>-e don+t have enough people to co*b thousands o) households5?
&here 'as a rap on the door and they all turned. &hey 'ere all, Clarissa reali<ed, still standing in
the narro' hall.
&he nearest person opened the door9usan.
Blanche and 7a8or Beau*ont ca*e in. Blanche 'ent straight to Aleanor and put a bundle in her
hands. >Cucien+s nec(lace is the *ost valuable piece, but I+ve put in so*e stage tru*pery too.
Perhaps she 'on+t have ti*e to study it.?
>.ood idea,? said !icholas. >7aria, 'hich 8e'elers here are *ost li(ely to (eep paste )or people
to 'ear@?
Averyone )lo'ed into the )ront parlor and soon 7aria had a list, but it 'as too late to visit
8e'elers today.
>-e have to do so*ething,? said Aleanor )iercely, desperately. >Bear heaven, i) she+s a'a(e, she
'ill be so )rightened5? !icholas 'ent to her, but he 'as haggard 'ith the sa*e need.
>-e try to )ind her,? 6a'( said steadily. >7aria, *ay I have so*e o) your servants@?
>,) course5 -hich ones@?
>A )e' 'ho are Brighton born and bred.?
he hurried out and soon returned 'ith a *aid, a sturdy young *an, and a )rightened"loo(ing
boy, 'hose eyes see*ed to be trying to go all 'ays at once.
>Cisten care)ully,? 6a'( said in a clipped, *ilitary voice. >-e need to )ind a 'o*an in
Brighton. &he *ain thing is that she is :rench. he 'as last seen loo(ing sallo' and dressed in
blac(, but she *ay have changed. he+s sli*, dar("eyed, and about thirty. he 'ill probably have
one or three young children 'ith her. -e+re also loo(ing )or a very sic( o))icer, 'ho *ight go by
the na*e Cieutenant /o'land. &he last person is a carter called ,ld 7att. ,ld 7att :agg. 6e
*ight si*ply be drun( in one o) the taverns. All three people are so*e'here in Brighton. Eou
are to alert as *any people as possible9 children too9that anyone 'ho brings *e ne's o)
'here any o) these people are 'ill receive ten guineas.>
&he *aid and groo* ca*e to sharp attention. &he lad gaped. &hat 'as probably his yearly 'age.
>-hat+s *ore, i) any o) these people are )ound by anyone, you three 'ill each receive ten
guineas )or yoursel). 7ind, though, everyone is to be care)ul. -e only 'ant to (no' 'here she
is. -e do not 'ant her disturbed. Bo you understand@?
All three nodded, though >da<<led? *ight have better described their state than
>co*prehending.?
>Bo you have any 3uestions@?
&he lad said, >&en guineas, sir@?
>Ees.?
&he three servants bac(ed out, but then Clarissa heard one set o) running )ootsteps. he 'as sure
they 'ere the boy+s.
>I do hope no one 'ill get hurt,? she said.
>Eou 'ouldn+t *a(e a general, love.?
It slipped out and they loo(ed at one another.
>I have this constant urge,? said !icholas, pacing the roo*, >to go and search the streets. It+s
irrational.?
>But per)ectly reasonable,? 6a'( said. >-aiting9and 'atching9are al'ays the hardest parts.?
Clarissa guessed that he re)erred to his ar*y career.
>-hat about 7ada*e 7ysti3ue+s house@? she as(ed.
>he *ight try to hide in open vie'@? 6a'( as(ed. >I doubt it. It 'ould be a trap. But it
certainly should be chec(ed. -ho+s best at housebrea(ing@?
>I+ve done it,? said !icholas 'ith a 'ry s*ile, >but I 'ouldn+t say it+s a s(ill o) *ine.?
>I+ll do it, then,? said 6a'(, pic(ing up a satchel he+d brought and ta(ing out a ring o) strange"
loo(ing (eys.
>Eou *ust have had an interesting 'ar,? !icholas re*ar(ed.
>&hat+s one 'ay o) loo(ing at it. As I pointed out recently, ho'ever, it 'as nothing so dra*atic
as chasing do'n spies. 7ore a 3uestion o) chec(ing out 'arehouses.?
Clarissa re*e*bered, and (ne' he+d said it deliberately, as a (ind o) connection.
6e too( !icholas 'ith hi*, as a (indness, she 'as sure, and Jetta by necessity, but they 'ere
soon bac( to say that the house 'as deserted and no clue could be )ound there. >A4cept traces o)
opiu*,? 6a'( said. >o she probably does have Cord Barius and the children drugged.?
>It can be so dangerous,? Aleanor 'hispered. >I+ve never given her it. !ot even )or teething.?
&he door suddenly opened and 7iss 6urst*an stood there. >6a5? she e4clai*ed, )i4ing Clarissa
'ith a dragon+s eye. >7aria, I told you to tell *e i) she turned up.? But then she loo(ed around.
>-hat+s the *atter@?
!icholas 'ent and too( her hands. >&herese Bellaire has (idnapped Arabel.?
7iss 6urst*an, 'ho Clarissa had thought 'as *ade o) pure steel, 'ent sic(ly sallo' and sat
do'n 'ith a thu*p. >,h, heaven help the poor angel5?
Clarissa thought the 'o*an *ight cry, but then she sti))ened. >I assu*e you *en are dealing
'ith it@?
>As best 'e can,? said 6a'( dryly.
A (noc( on the door brought the *aidservant 'ho+d been sent out to search. >I )ound the carter,
sir5? she declared, )lushed 'ith e4cite*ent as i) this 'as a treasure hunt. :or her, Clarissa
supposed, it 'as. >At 7rs. Purbec(+s lodging house, sir, but dead drun(. /eally drun(. he
thin(s he+s drun( uncut brandy, sir, )or there 'as a hal)"an(er nearby.?
7aria gave the 'o*an her ten guineas and told her to go and )ind a 'ay to bring the
unconscious *an here.
>Gncut brandy@? she as(ed 'hen the *aid 'as gone.
>*ugglers ship it double strength in s*all cas(s,? usan said. >It saves space. &hen it+s 'atered
to the right proo) over here. &here+s *any a *an drun( hi*sel) to death snea(ing a bit )ro* a
s*uggler+s cas(.?
Clarissa had learned that usan 'as )ro* the coast o) Bevon. Bid all people there (no' such
details@
A)ter that, it 'as *erely a 3uestion o) 'aiting. ,ld 7att 'as trundled over in a handcart and put
to bed in the (itchen, but it 'as clear he 'ould not 'a(e soon9 and perhaps not at all.
&he Belaneys le)t to go up to the roo* prepared )or the*.
Clarissa reali<ed that she 'ould have to return to Broad treet. :oolishly, she didn+t 'ant to
leave 6a'(, and she didn+t 'ant to leave the center o) the action in case so*e *iracle should
occur.
But then, a)ter a short interval, the other t'o servants straggled in to say that no one see*ed to
have seen a trace o) the :rench'o*an, or the invalid o))icer. 6a'( gave the lad and the *an
their ten guineas any'ay, and rubbed a hand over his )ace.
>he can+t have hidden that thoroughly. It+s not possible.?
>Gnless it+s a blind,? Con said, >and she+s not in Brighton at all.?
6a'( considered it, but then shoo( his head. >he 'ants her *oney, and this is the place she
appointed. I+* *issing so*ething. -e all need sleep.?
Clarissa couldn+t i*agine ho' anyone could sleep, but 7iss 6urst*an rose, a very subdued 7iss
6urst*an. Clarissa reali<ed that there hadn+t been a 'ord about her elope*ent. It 'as a very
*inor thing.
he turned to 6a'(. 7inor or not, it see*ed strange to leave 'ithout so*ething *eaning)ul
bet'een the*. >Can you sleep@? she as(ed. .ood heavens, it had been only last night that they+d
slept together.
It 'as Cord ;andei*en 'ho ans'ered. >6e can sleep through anything 'hen he decides he
needs it. -e thought it 'ould be a nice nostalgic touch to share 3uarters be)ore -aterloo. -e
didn+t reali<e then 'hat (ind o) 'or( 6a'( really did. Con, Bare, and I couldn+t get a *o*ent+s
rest )or the co*ing and going. 6a'(, on the other hand, 'ould suddenly stop, lie do'n, and go
to sleep, telling 'hoever 'as there to ta(e *essages.?
6a'( 'inced. >-as it as bad as that@?
>Ees.? But then Cord ;andei*en added, >-e 'ouldn+t have *issed it, all the sa*e. I hope to
.od it is Bare, and 'e can save hi*.?
6a'( pic(ed up a pen )ro* the table, turning it restlessly in his )ingers. >6e ca*e to spea( to *e
that last night. 6e 'as leaving )or the Buchess o) /ich*ond+s ball. Eou t'o had already gone to
your regi*ents, and I 'as busy, but -ellington 'anted as *any o))icers as possible there to (eep
up appearances.
>6e ca*e into *y roo* and said he 'anted to than( *e. I as(ed 'hat )or, o) course. Probably
rather shortly. I 'as busy, and his gad)ly antics in the past 'ee(s hadn+t endeared hi* to *e. 6e
gestured at all the papers in that 'ay he had that *ade it see* that he too( nothing seriously.
F,h, )or all this, I suppose,+ he said. FAn e4cellent education in the co*ple4ities o) *ilitary
a))airs.+ &hen he said that i) he lived, he planned to ta(e a seat in Parlia*ent and 'or( to i*prove
ar*y ad*inistration.
>I suddenly too( hi* *ore seriously, and I 'orried. 7en do get a pre*onition o) death. I as(ed
hi*, but he shrugged and said so*ething about it being reasonable to consider death on the eve
o) battle. :lippantly, in his usual 'ay. &hen he as(ed *e to ta(e care o) you, Con, and I reali<ed
that *ost o) his gad)ly 8apes had been a deliberate atte*pt to carry you through the 'aiting
ti*e.?
Con+s *outh 'as tight 'ith suppressed tears. >But he+s alive. And 'e+ll )ind hi* and *a(e hi*
'ell again.?
>Ees, 'e 'ill. I didn+t loo( a)ter you, Con, but 'e+ll get Bare bac(, so he can berate *e about
it.?
Clarissa couldn+t be cautious or discreet. he 'ent over to 6a'( and pulled his head do'n )or a
gentle (iss. >&o*orro' is the battle, but I 'ill be by your side.?
6e cradled her head )or a *o*ent, his eyes telling her 'hat she (ne', that there 'as a great deal
to be said but that this 'as not the ti*e. &hen he (issed her bac( and said, >leep 'ell.?
he nodded and le)t 'ith 7iss 6urst*an.
he arrived bac( at Broad treet e4hausted )ro* an astonishing )e' days, but not ready )or sleep.
he 'andered into the )ront parlor.
&o )ind Althea in the ar*s o) a dashing gentle*an.
>Althea5? Clarissa gasped, absurdly shoc(ed.
Althea and the *an bro(e apart, both red")aced and appalled.
7iss 6urst*an let out a crac( o) laughter. >It+s as 'ell I don+t plan a career as a chaperone. I+*
clearly a total loss at it. Eou, sir9'ho are you, and 'hat are you doing@ ,h, )orget that. It+s clear
'hat you+re doing.?
&he *an had struggled to his )eet and 'as pulling his 'aistcoat do'n. 6e 'as not a young
gallant, but he 'as a )ine )igure o) a *an, 'ith short, curly hair, a handso*e )ace, and good
broad shoulders. Althea leaped up and stood beside hi* in a protective posture that Clarissa
recogni<ed.
6o' on earth had Althea got to this point 'ith this *an 'ith her none the 'iser@ he+d never
seen hi* be)ore.
&he *an tugged on his cravat, then said, >I a* e4tre*ely sorry. Carried a'ay, you see. But 7iss
&rist and I have 8ust agreed to *arry.?
>;ery nice,? said 7iss 6urst*an. >But 'ho are you@?
>&he na*e+s ;errall,? he said, s'allo'ing. >I do have 7iss &rist+s )ather+s per*ission.?
Clarissa gaped. &his 'as Althea+s hoary 'ido'er@
6e stood straighter, chin set. >I thought I 'as prepared to 'ait 'hile Althea had her holiday here,
but her letters began to 'orry *e.? 6e turned to Althea. >I hope you don+t *ind your )ather
sharing the* 'ith *e, *y dear@?
Althea shoo( her head, blushing beauti)ully.
>I did not li(e to push *y suit too strongly, but I beca*e convinced that it 'ould be )olly to
delay 'ith so *any handso*e gallants around. o here I a*.?
>o here you are,? 7iss 6urst*an said. >A4cellent, but there+s no bed )or you here, 7r. ;errall,
so o)) you go. Eou can return in the *orning.?
7r. ;errall too( his leave, not even daring to ta(e a )inal (iss under 7iss 6urst*an+s eye.
Bespite everything that had happened, Clarissa )elt li(e giggling, and she 'as truly delighted )or
her )riend+s happiness. Incidentals li(e age didn+t *atter. ,nly trust and love.
But then Althea obviously gathered her 'its. >But you, Clarissa. -e heard= 7aria ;andei*en
said=?
Clarissa *ade a decision. >,h, that 'as all a *isunderstanding.? he used the e4cuse 6a'( had
apparently spread around. >I 'ent to attend Beth Arden+s lying"in.?
>Eou, an un*arried lady5? Althea gasped.
>I 'as al'ays so*e'hat rash, Althea, you (no' that. Co*e up to bed.?
he glanced at 7iss 6urst*an and sa' that the 'o*an understood. &here 'as no point in
disturbing Althea+s happiness 'ith a crisis she could not help 'ith.
It 'as dar( in the s*all space, and 'indo'less, but a tight grille in the door let in gli**ers )ro*
a la*p so*e distance a'ay. A s'aying la*p.
Cord Barius Bebenha* lay propped up on the narro' bed, 'atching the t'o older children play
'ith their )ood. A4actly that. &here 'as bread here. &hey+d eaten so*e, then *olded bits into
little ani*als 'ith practiced s(ill. o )e' proper toys they+d had.
&hey spo(e in 'hispers. &hey al'ays spo(e in 'hispers, probably because &herese Bellaire had
punished the* i) they didn+t.
&herese Bellaire. &he 'hore 'ho had tor*ented !icholas )or )un. he 'ould have no s'eet
ending planned. &hey 'ere to die here, and he couldn+t do a da*n thing about it e4cept pray.
And (eep the children at peace as long as he could.
6e gently touched the hair o) the one cuddled against hi*. &herese had said she 'as Arabel,
!icholas+s child. 6e+d last seen her as a baby, but in the uncertain light he thought she had
!icholas+s eyes. Bear .od, 'hat he *ust be su))ering.
And there 'asn+t a da*n thing he could do to help.
Cittle Arabel had a'a(ened crying and had called )or her *a*a and papa, but she+d cal*ed.
Cord (no's 'hy. 6e couldn+t thin( he 'as a sight to soothe a child. Perhaps it 'as Belphie and
Pierre, 'ho+d hovered, 'hispering their co*)orts and their ad*onitions to be 3uiet.
o she 'as 3uiet, but she stayed close by his side, and the trust pierced hi* 'hen it 'as so
*isplaced. &he child *ight 'ell be stronger than he 'as. 6e+d *ade hi*sel) eat so*e o) the
)ood le)t here, but 'hen had he eaten be)ore that@ :ood had no savor )or hi*, no i*portance.
6is recent li)e see*ed li(e pictures gli*psed in dar(ness. he+d said it had been a year. A year5
&hat he+d been close to death.
6e re*e*bered the battle, but not 'hatever disaster had ended it )or hi*. A bullet in the side and
a hoo) in the head, she+d said. Certainly he had headaches. 6e could re*e*ber the pain so )ierce
that he+d 'elco*ed the drug, begged )or it.
But had it been a year@
And had he really believed he 'as another *an@ 6e couldn+t thin( clearly about it all, but he
re*e*bered a ti*e 'hen everything had been blan(. 6e+d 'elco*ed the )acts she put in his
*e*ory, *eaningless though they had been. -hen he+d begun to doubt, there had been the
children. I) he 'asn+t /o'land, they 'eren+t his. o they 'eren+t his.
6o' could he save the*@
Bid he 'ant to be saved@
6e loo(ed at his bony, 3uivering hand.
6e thought o) his parents, his )riends. 6e thought o) the* )inding hi* li(e this, a 'ea( hus( o) a
*an, already sha(ing 'ith the need o) the stu)) in the bottle she+d le)t.
Perhaps he+d be better dead. But he had to stay alive to ta(e care o) the children.
6e ached )or the laudanu*, but she+d le)t only a spoon)ul, *aybe less. A calculated tor*ent. 6e
didn+t need it badly enough yet. he+d given hi* a lot be)ore she *oved hi* here. Anough )or
deep drea*s, enough )or thought. But all he had 'as in that bottle. ,nce that 'as gone, it 'as
gone, and the need 'ould tear hi* apart. 6e couldn+t let the children see that.
6e 'ould (ill hi*sel) )irst. It 'ould be (inder.
I) he had the strength.
6e loo(ed at the bottle again, could al*ost s*ell the bitter li3uid through the glass. 6e started to
s'eat, belly aching.
!o. !ot yet.
&hey needed to escape.
6e 'ould have laughed i) he+d had the energy. 6e could hardly 'al(. 6e+d chec(ed the space,
cra'ling, s'eating, and aching every inch o) the 'ay. -hen he+d tried to stand, his legs had
buc(led under hi*. Belphie and Pierre had helped hi* bac( to the bed.
&he door 'as solid and loc(ed. I) he could s*ash out the tiny grille, not even Belphie could
escape through it. And he+d be hard"pressed to gather the strength to pic( up the da*n bottle and
pull out the stopper5
Belphie scra*bled to her )eet and ca*e over to hi*, holding the rough doll he+d *ade )or her
one day. It 'as 8ust stic(s and rags, but it had been the best he could do. It 'as their secret,
al'ays care)ully hidden.
>7ariette+s ar* is bro(en, Papa,? she 'hispered in :rench.
6e loo(ed at it as she cli*bed up beside hi*. >I can+t )i4 it no', s'eetheart. &here+s no need to
'hisper. he+s gone.?
Belphie loo(ed up at hi* 'ith huge eyes. >I li(e to 'hisper.?
6e held her close as 'ea( tears escaped.
Belphie loo(ed at Arabel, then put the doll into her hand. >Eou can have her )or a little 'hile.?
Arabel doubtless didn+t understand :rench, but she clutched 7ariette as i) the doll could ta(e her
bac( to her loving ho*e.
Bare leaned his head bac( and did the only thing he still could. 6e prayed.
-hen Clarissa 'o(e the ne4t *orning she 'as thrust abruptly bac( into the horri)ic situation.
he sat up, 'ondering 'here the poor children had spent the night. he loo(ed at the 'indo'
and reali<ed it 'as raining. &hat see*ed suitable. &his 'as the day o) battle. Presu*ably at so*e
point &herese Bellaire 'ould tell the* 'here to send the *oney. &he *oney Clarissa prayed had
been co*ing in through the night.
&hen she 'ould tell the* 'here the prisoners 'ere.
I) 6a'( hadn+t )ound the* be)orehand.
Althea stirred and s*iled, clearly )ull o) *ore pleasant thoughts. >Clarissa,? she said, turning
sober and sitting up, >'ould you *ind very *uch i) I returned 'ith 7r. ;errall to Buc(lestead
t. tephens@ 6e can+t be a'ay long, you see, because o) the children. And= and I 'ant to go
ho*e. I+* very sorry, but I don+t li(e Brighton very *uch.?
Clarissa too( her hands. >,) course you *ust go. But all the 'ay 'ith only 7r. ;errall@?
he 'as teasing so*e'hat, but Althea )lushed. >I+* sure he can be trusted.?
>Ah,? said Clarissa, >but a chaperone is not to (eep the 'olves a'ay. It+s to (eep the ladies )ro*
leaping into the 8a's o) the 'olves.?
>Clarissa5? gasped Althea. But then she colored even *ore. >I (no' 'hat you *ean. But,? she
added, >it+s not li(e that 'ith 7r. ;errall and *e yet, and I+* sure I can trust hi* to be a
gentle*an.?
Clarissa s*iled and (issed her. >I+* sure you+ll be very happy, no *atter 'hat happens.?
&hey both cli*bed out o) bed, and Althea as(ed, >-hat o) you and the *a8or@ It all see*ed so
strange.?
Clarissa didn+t 'ant to lie. he loo(ed at Althea and said, >I+* not sure you 'ant to (no'.?
Althea blushed again. >Perhaps I don+t. But are you going to *arry hi*@?
>,h, yes,? Clarissa said. >I+* sure I a*.?
As soon as she 'as dressed, she hurried do'nstairs and told 7iss 6urst*an about Althea+s
plans, and that she hersel) 'as going over to the ;andei*ens+ house. he 'as braced )or battle,
but 7iss 6urst*an nodded. >I+ll co*e over *ysel) 'hen Althea+s on her 'ay. &a(e the )oot*an,
though. Just in case.?
o Clarissa 'as escorted all the 'ay, astonished that she had never considered that she *ight be
in danger. A)ter all, she 'as the one 'ho 'as technically in possession o) &herese Bellaire+s
*oney.
he arrived 'ithout incident, ho'ever, to )ind that 'ealth had poured in, but that nothing ne'
had turned up to tell the* 'here the hostages 'ere.
&here 'as a heavy sac( o) 8e'els. o*e 'ere Blanche+s theatrical pieces, but *ost 'ere real. A
great deal o) it had co*e )ro* Cord Arden, including, originally, 'hat Blanche had re)erred to as
Cucien+s nec(lace, 'hich 'as a ridiculously gaudy piece 'ith huge stones in *any colorsJ it had
to be 'orth thousands.
Clarissa s*iled at the )riendly, understanding love that had given the -hite Bove so*ething she
'ould never 'ear but so*ething that 'ould a*use her, and (eep her i) she ever )ell into need.
A strongbo4 had co*e )ro* so*eone in Condon, and *ore )ro* Cord 7iddlethorpe in
6a*pshire. Clarissa loo(ed at it all, re*e*bering 'ith so*e satis)action that all these people
'ould be paid bac( )ro* her *oney.
But then she reali<ed that 'ould *ean that 6a'( 'ould lose 6a'(inville. he could bear that,
but she ached )or the poor people there, and she (ne' the pain *ust be ten ti*es 'orse )or hi*.
Ignoring the presence o) all the others, she 'ent to 'here he sat, clearly )urious at hi*sel) )or not
being able to solve the proble*s singlehandedly. Jetta 'as curled at his )eet. &entatively, Clarissa
put her hand on his shoulder.
6e started and loo(ed up, then covered her hand 'ith his. >-here do 'e stand@?
he s*iled. he too 'anted this clear. >,n our o'n t'o )eet@ I suppose that should be )our. I
*eant 'hat I said about using *y *oney to pay everyone bac(. Aven i) they resist.?
6e turned to )ace her. >I (no'. It+s all right.?
>-hat about 6a'(inville@?
>&hat+s not all right, but i) it+s the price, I+ll pay it.?
he raised his hand and (issed it. >I) you happen to have a ring, I+d be proud to 'ear it.?
6e stood, s*iling, and produced it, slid it on her )inger.
he s*iled bac( at hi*, not teary at all, but )ir*ly happy that things 'ere right. About this, at
least.
>And no',? she said, >please solve all our proble*s, sir.?
6e groaned, but said, >I don+t e4pect al'ays to do *iracles, but in this case I )eel that I+ve
*issed so*ething.?
he sat do'n beside hi*. >-hat i) I go over it@ he snatched the baby )ro* the Court and
brought it to Brighton. Cord Barius and the children had already been brought here by ,ld 7att.
I assu*e he hasn+t said anything@?
>6e+s dead, love. &he alcohol (illed hi*.?
It sent a chill through her. ,ne death could so easily be )ollo'ed by *ore.
6e too( her hand. >he *ight not have *eant to (ill hi*.?
>But she didn+t care, did she@?
>!o,? he ad*itted. >he didn+t care.?
he pulled her *ind straight and tried to help hi* again. >he sent a note=?
But he said, >-ait5 *uggler+s brandy5 *ugglers,? he said to the roo* at large. >,) course5
he+s lin(ed up 'ith s*ugglers. he+s on a boat.?
&he roo* suddenly bu<<ed, and usan said, >I (no' s*uggling.?
>Bo you (no' any s*ugglers here@? 6a'( as(ed.
he pulled a )ace. >!o, but *y )ather+s na*e 'ill count.?
Aven *ore interesting, thought Clarissa. But she 'as )i<<ing 'ith e4cite*ent, too.
>.o out and see 'hat you can learn. Con9?
>,) course I+* going 'ith her.?
&he t'o *en shared a loo(, then laughed.
&he A*leighs le)t and 6a'( paced. >he+s on a boat, ready to ta(e o)) )or the Continent as soon
as she has the *oney. I+ll go odds she has her hostages on the boat too. !o, not on the sa*e boat
9on another boat. -e need to chec( the )isher*en as 'ell as the s*ugglers. &hey+re not al'ays
the sa*e thing. ;an@ And see 'hat there is that 'e can hire. -e need to be on the 'ater.?
Cord ;andei*en le)t, and 6a'( loo(ed around the roo*. >I 'onder i) anyone but usan (no's
ho' to handle a boat.?
>he+s a s*uggler@? Clarissa as(ed tentatively.
>Just closely connected,? said 6a'( 'ith a s*ile that 'as partly e4cite*ent. >-e+ve cut through
her lines at last. -e+ll have this all tight by evening.?
&i*e returned to creeping in halting steps. Clarissa (ept thin(ing o) the children, 'ondering i)
they 'ere still drugged9'hich 'ould be dangerous9or )rightened, or hungry. I) they 'ere on a
boat, 'ere they sa)e or could they )all overboard and dro'n@ -ere there rats@
he (ne' it *ust be *uch 'orse )or the Belaneys, but they see*ed to have )ound a stoic cal* as
they 'aited.
Con and usan returned )irst. >I *ade contact eventually,? usan said. >I had to persuade Con to
go a'ay. 6e has )ar too *uch o) a *ilitary loo( about hi*. I put the 'ord out and o))ered a
re'ard, but no one 'ould say anything directly. &hey+ll send 'ord here i) there+s anything.?
>Can you sail a )ishing boat@? 6a'( as(ed.
>,) course,? she said, as i) it 'ere the *ost co**on thing.
>-e 'eren+t all raised by the sea, you (no'. -ith any luc(, ;an has )ound us a boat. -e need to
be on the 'ater this evening 'hen the pay*ent is *ade.? 6e loo(ed out o) the 'indo' at the
sea, choppy and gray on this *iserable day. &here 'ere plenty o) boats bobbing at anchor.
Clarissa 'ondered 'hich ones held the villain and the hostages, and 'hat 'ould happen i) they
searched the* all.
Bisaster, probably.
&hen Cord ;andei*en returned. >&he 7retty 8nna,? he said, eyes bright. >I can point it out.?
>-e+ve hired it@? 6a'( as(ed.
>!o. -e+ve hired the Sea!orse. &he 7retty 8nna is probably 'here Bare and the children are.
&he young *an 'ho o'ns it has been acting strange recently. !ot going out )ishing on good
days, disappearing no' and then. &al(ing about traveling. Eesterday he tal(ed to one *an about
selling the 7retty 8nna to hi*.?
>ho' us.?
Averyone cro'ded to the 'indo', and Cord ;andei*en pointed out one s*all boat a*ong *any,
but that one had the dull gli**er o) a lantern, sho'ing that so*eone *ust be on board.
>Can 'e go@? Aleanor as(ed. >!o'@?
But there 'as a ne' (noc( on the door. &here see*ed to be a con)usion o) )ootsteps, then the
door opened. >A *essage )or 7r. Belaney,? the )oot*an announced, the paper on a silver tray.
!icholas strode over to ta(e it.
>And,? intoned the )oot*an, >there+s a *an at the bac( door as(ing a)ter Cady A*leigh.?
usan rushed out, pushing the )oot*an out o) the 'ay. o*eone shut the door on hi*. Averyone
loo(ed at !icholas.
>he *ust have caught 'ind o) our tac(. It+s the 7retty 8nna, no', 'ith 'hatever valuables 'e
have. !o pro*ise o) telling us 'here the hostages are.? 6e loo(ed at Clarissa. >Eou and I are to
ta(e the ranso*, dressed in only the lightest clothes.?
>Clarissa@? said 6a'(. >&hat+s not acceptable.?
>I agree,? said !icholas. >I+ll go alone.?
>!o. I) she 'ants *e, I have to go. -e can+t ris( the children.?
>he probably has no intention o) telling us 'here they are,? 6a'( said. >And 'ith luc(, 'e can
)ind the* 'ith the other boat.?
>Cuc( is not acceptable.?
>Gse so*e sense5 he+ll probably ta(e you as a ne' hostage.?
>I+d die )irst,? said !icholas.
>o you+d be dead. -hat good 'ould that be@?
ilence crac(led.
Clarissa put her hands on his ar*. >6a'(, I have to go. -ith or 'ithout your blessing.?
6e glared at her, but then brought hi*sel) under control. >All right. I go 'ith usan. I+* a strong
s'i**er. I) 'e can close, I can s'i* over.?
>Eou+ll need 'eapons,? !icholas said.
6a'(+s (ni)e appeared in his hand.
!icholas said, >I have so*ething si*ilar upstairs. But Clarissa could do 'ith one too.?
Clarissa shoo( her head. >I can+t use a (ni)e on so*eone.?
>Eou can i) you have to.?
>I+ll get so*ething )ro* the (itchen,? 7aria said and hurried a'ay.
usan ca*e in, bright 'ith e4cite*ent. >-e+ve got her5 he+s paying a* Pilcher to ta(e her to
:rance. 6e has a )ast cutter he clai*s can outrun the navy. 6e 'as ta(en 'ith her char*s, but
he+s beginning to 'onder.?
>Is she on the boat no'@? !icholas as(ed.
>!o. 6e+s 8ust been sent 'ord that she+ll be there in the hour. But,? she added, >he s'ears there+s
no one else on the boat no'. 6e+ll ta(e so*eone o) ours out there to capture her.?
>I+ll go,? said Cord ;andei*en, clearly itching )or action.
>And I,? said 7a8or Beau*ont.
usan 'ent out 'ith the* to introduce the*. Clarissa heard her instructing the* not to act li(e
*ilitary *en.
>o,? said 6a'(, >she has the* on the 7retty 8nna. he+ll plan to ta(e the *oney there, then
probably be ro'ed over to the other ship. usan can bloc( that as soon as 'e have the hostages. I
don+t thin( it 'ill be so easy.?
>he+ll ta(e Arabel 'ith her,? !icholas suggested.
>It+s possible. Eou have to (ill her, you (no'. he+s a viper. Eou can+t ta(e her to court, and i)
she gets a'ay you+ll never (no' 'hen she+ll be bac(, *ore venge)ul than be)ore.?
>Eou can+t doubt I 'ill i) necessary.?
7aria ca*e bac( 'ith a hand)ul o) (nives. >Coo(+s in tears.?
&he note speci)ied that Clarissa 'as to 'ear only a dress9no spencer or cloa(. !icholas 'as to
be in breeches and shirt. :e' places to hide 'eapons. !o place to hide a pistol.
oon Clarissa had a narro' (ni)e tuc(ed do'n her go'n in )ront o) her corset, care)ully pinned
in place in a (ind o) sheath. &he heavy linen protected her )ro* the blade, but she could )eel it,
hard and unnatural.
>I still don+t thin( I could use it,? she said to 6a'(, 'ho had put it there 'ithout a hint that he
)ound it arousing.
6e loo(ed at her, all o))icer. >Bon+t let her hurt you 'ithout a )ight. .o )or the )ace. he+s vain.
:or the eyes 'ith your )ingers and nails. I) this 'or(s properly, ho'ever, I+ll be there to ta(e care
o) you.?
6e (issed her )iercely and le)t 'ith Con and usan )or the Sea!orse. Clarissa sa' Jetta strea( to
catch up and hoped the cat truly 'as descended )ro* an ancient Chinese 'arrior line.
!icholas had t'o (nives tuc(ed a'ay. &hey gathered the *oney and 8e'els into a heavy leather
bag.
>-e+ll delay a little,? he said to Clarissa. >.ive the others ti*e. But 'e can+t 'ait too long. All
right@?
Clarissa )elt the electricity o) )ear, and 'asn+t sure i) it 'as bad or good. >Ees. I su))er terribly
)ro* i*patience, though. I 'ant to get on 'ith it.?
>Cet+s go, then.? 6e 'ent to (iss his 'i)e.
As he s'ept Clarissa out o) the roo*, ho'ever, she sa' the e4pression on Aleanor Belaney+s
)ace. he loo(ed as i) she )eared that she 'ould never see her husband again.
Chapter Th$rt*
&he rain 'as a 'eary dri<<le, so)t but chill. &hey crossed the deserted Parade to the sea)ront,
then headed right. >!o' that 'e+re out here there+s no need to hurry. he+s probably 'atching
through a telescope, and i) she sees 'e+re doing the right things, it 'ill be all right.?
Clarissa scanned the choppy gray sea )or 6a'( and usan, but there 'ere so *any boats, and
she couldn+t even tell i) *ost o) the* 'ere *oving or not.
>-hy did Aleanor loo( so very )rightened@? she as(ed. >Bid she thin( 'e+re to be *urdered@?
he 'as proud o) her level tone.
!icholas loo(ed at her. >It+s old history. I got on a boat 'ith &herese Bellaire once be)ore and
she didn+t see *e )or si4 *onths. he thought I 'as dead. -e+re on a basis o) truth, aren+t 'e@
&he truth is that &herese *ight 'ant *e dead, but she certainly 'ants to taunt *e, to )inally
prove that she can 'in. I don+t thin( she 'ishes you har*. I thin( she 'ants a 'itness, and she+ll
be as unpleasant, as le'd, as she can be. I+* sorry.?
>It+s not your )ault.?
>-ho can say@ I) I+d had the sense not to dally 'ith her so *any years ago= 6a'( 'as right,
though. I) necessary, don+t hesitate to hurt her.?
6e stopped and loo(ed out to sea. >&hat+s the 7retty 8nna, and there+s our boat.> 6e pointed to a
dinghy tied up at a 'ooden 8etty.
>All details ta(en care o),? she said, and they hurried in that direction.
Clarissa shivered. In part it 'as because the rain had soa(ed her light dress, and the bree<e 'as
cold. It 'as also because o) that 'aiting boat, because they 'ere 'al(ing a path created by the
evil 7ada*e Bellaire.
he scanned the 'ater again and sa' no other boat s'ooping in. ,) course it 'as too soon.
&heir )ootsteps rattled on the uneven plan(s o) the 8etty, and then they 'ere above the boat, a
rough 'ooden ladder leading do'n.
>Can you *anage it@? !icholas as(ed.
>I+ll have to, 'on+t I@?
>I+ll go )irst,? he said, and cli*bed ni*bly do'n 'ith the bag o) loot.
Clarissa too( a deep breath and eased hersel) over onto the ladder. >.ive than(s,? she said, >that
7iss 7allory+s chool )or Cadies believes in physical e4ercise and 'o*anly strength.?
&he ladder 'as rough beneath her hands, and the 'ind s'irled, see*ing to snatch at her, *a(ing
her s(irts snag on rough edges. he 'ent steadily do'n, letting the )ine cotton rip i) it had to.
Another dress ruined.
At the botto*, !icholas gripped her 'aist and eased her into the s'aying, bouncing boat. 6e
settled her on one bench, then too( the other and s'ung the oars over the 'ater.
he clung to the sides, )eeling sure it 'ould tip 'ith the ne4t 'ave. >I+ve never been in a boat
be)ore.?
>&here are 'orse things,? he said 'ith a s*ile, and started to pull.
>I can+t s'i*, either.? &he boat buc(ed, and she held on tighter, deter*ined not to screa*. -ere
they *a(ing any progress against this rough 'ater@ And ho' 'as everyone else@ &he children.
Cord Barius. 6a'(.
:ro* above, the sea had see*ed choppy. :ro* do'n here, the 'aves see*ed huge.
>6a'( said he 'ould swim in this@?
>6e+ll be all right,? !icholas said, ro'ing in an easy rhyth*. >6e said he is a strong s'i**er,
and I don+t thin( he+s the boast)ul type.?
A 'ave slapped and drenched her hand. &hey 'ere getting nearer to the 7retty 8nna, but not
3uic(ly enough )or her. A viper 'aited, and perhaps a test o) courage, but it loo(ed so *uch
*ore solid than this s'aying, bouncing little boat.
!icholas+s drenched shirt clung to his body, a body, she noted, as 'ell *ade as 6a'(+s. It
pleased her, but it didn+t e4cite her. Please, .od, let 6a'( be sa)e. Please, .od, let the* save the
children and Cord Barius.
Please, i) that+s 'hat it ta(es, let the :rench'o*an have the 8e'els and *oney, and go. .o )ar,
)ar a'ay. he (ne' 6a'( 'anted her stopped, but Clarissa 'as 'ith !icholas in si*ply 'anting
this over.
>Bo you see anything@? !icholas as(ed.
Clarissa snapped out o) her thoughts and loo(ed at the boat, t'enty )eet a'ay. >!o sign o)
anyone.?
>Ieep loo(ing.?
he scanned the si*ple boat 'ith the s*all shedli(e roo* and a tall *ast. A lantern bobbed, but
the vessel loo(ed co*pletely e*pty. I) !icholas 'as right that &herese Bellaire 'anted to gloat,
she had to be there so*e'here.
&heir boat 8arred against the 8nna, and !icholas tied it up close to a ladder. >I+d better go )irst,?
he said.
>!o,? said a )a*iliar :rench voice. >&he girl )irst, 'ith the ranso*.?
Clarissa started to sha(e and tried desperately not to. A)ter a shared loo( 'ith !icholas, she put
the satchel across her chest and gripped the ladder. It 'as harder going up than do'n. he )elt
heavy, and her hands 'ere aching 'ith cold. he *ade it, though, and scra*bled over the top to
tu*ble a'('ardly onto the dec(.
he struggled to her )eet. >I+* here,? she said, 'ishing her voice didn+t sha(e. >-ith the *oney.?
he heard a sound and 'hirled, but it 'as only !icholas beside her.
>&herese@? he said, sounding co*pletely at ease. >At your service, as al'ays.?
A 'o*an duc(ed out o) the s*all covered area. he 'ore an enco*passing cloa(, but Clarissa
could hardly believe it 'as 7rs. /o'land. &he s(in 'as clear, and even glo'ing in the chilly air.
&he eyes see*ed huge, the lips )ull and red. In a chilling 'ay, she 'as very beauti)ul.
>!ic(y, darling,? she said. And he+d been right. he 'as gloating. Clarissa )ought a desperate
battle not to loo( around )or the Sea!orse, 'hich carried usan and 6a'(.
&he 'o*an stepped a little closer, and a *an e*erged behind her. A handso*e *an. Eoung, but
tall and strong, and 'ith a pistol in his hand.
>&hese the ones, then@? he said in a local accent. >&he ones 'ho stole your *oney@?
>Ees,? she purred. >But they have returned part o) it, so 'e need not be too harsh. Co*e )or'ard,
*y dear, and give *e the bag.?
Clarissa shrugged it o)) so it 'as in her hands, then 'al(ed )or'ard. he suspected 'hat 'as
going to happen here. -hen she got close, the *an 'ould grab her and !icholas 'ould be at the
'o*an+s *ercy.
he dropped the bag on the dec( a )e' )eet )ro* the :rench'o*an+s )eet.
&he dar( eyes narro'ed. >Bring it to *e.?
>-hy@ &hat+s it. &a(e it and go.?
>I) you don+t bring it to *e, I 'ill not tell you 'here the children are, 'here Cord Barius
Bebenha* is.?
>Bo I care@? Clarissa as(ed, dra'ing on e4perience o) the *ost silly, heartless schoolgirls she+d
ever (no'n. >Eou+re ta(ing *y *oney. Eou say it+s yours, but it+s *ine, and you+re stealing it.?
&he young *an started to spea(, and &herese hissed at hi* to be silent. >It is mine. I 'or(ed
hard )or that *oney, and you did nothing. !othing5 Eou didn+t even (ill Beveril. !o' pic( up
that bag and bring it to *e.?
>7a(e *e.?
&herese s*iled. >a*uel, shoot the *an.?
&he young *an blanched, but his pistol rose.
Clarissa snatched up the bag )ro* the dec(.
>&hat+s better,? said &herese. >Eou see, it does not pay to )ight *e. Eou cannot 'in. Bring it
here.?
Clarissa 'al(ed )or'ard as slo'ly as she dared, 'illing 6a'( to appear. he 'as about to put
the bag into the :rench'o*an+s hand, 'hen the *an said, >6ere5 -hat+re you doing@?
Clarissa turned to see that !icholas had un)astened the )lap in his breeches and 'as undoing the
dra'ers beneath. >&his is 'hat you 'ant, &herese, isn+t it@?
&he :rench'o*an see*ed trans)i4ed. !ot by the sight9Clarissa could tell that9but by
satis)action. >Ees. trip.?
!icholas continued to un)asten his clothing, slo'ly, seductively. Clarissa reali<ed she 'as gaping
and loo(ed 3uic(ly at the young *an. 6e 'as red")aced. 6e suddenly 8er(ed the pistol up and
ai*ed it.
Clarissa s'ung the heavy bag and (noc(ed the 'eapon )lying into the sea.
a*uel ho'led and rushed at her. he dodged, )ell, and 3uite by accident slipped behind
7ada*e Bellaire so he ran into her.
6e ho'led again, staggering bac(. Clarissa sa' blood.
>,a)5? the :rench'o*an spat, a bloodstained (ni)e in her hand.
!icholas had a (ni)e out too, and Clarissa sa' a boat s'eeping close, sails )ull. It loo(ed as i) it
'as going to crash into the*. !ot 'ith the children surely here5
he scra*bled up and ran )or the shed, but she 'as grabbed and hauled bac(. he sa' the (ni)e
in 7ada*e Bellaire+s hand and (ne' she should be terri)ied. he thought she heard so*eone
bello', >Clarissa5?
6a'(.
.o )or the eyes. he scratched the 'o*an+s )ace as hard as she could.
&he :rench'o*an shrie(ed and Clarissa 'as )ree. he ran, but tripped over the bag o) treasure.
&hen 7ada*e Bellaire 'as co*ing at her again, livid scratches on her )ace, a )ace ugly 'ith
)urious hate.
!icholas 'as running )or'ard, but the *an a*uel, blood still strea*ing do'n his side, thre'
hi*sel) at hi*.
It all see*ed slo', but Clarissa did the only thing she could. he thre' the bag.
It hit the 'o*an, staggering her, then )ell, spilling gold and 8e'els.
7ada*e Bellaire )ro<e )or a *o*ent, staring at it. Clarissa )u*bled )or her (ni)e, catching it on
every edge, it see*ed, as she struggled to get it )ree.
&hen so*ething 8arred the boat, and 6a'( landed on the dec(. 6e grabbed the 'o*an+s ar*, but
she t'isted, (ni)e lunging. A blac( shape )le' through the air at her )ace, and she screa*ed.
6a'( tore the spitting cat a'ay, trapped the 'o*an in his ar*s, turned her=
And thre' her, suddenly li*p, over the side.
-hen he turned bac(, the (ni)e 'as gone.
It 'asn+t 3uiet. &he 'ind rattled the assorted bits o) the boat, and the 'aves slapped hard at the
sides. But the people 'ere silent, even the young *an, a*uel, 'ho+d been )ighting !icholas in
the cause o) the 'o*an 'ho had stabbed hi*.
>-hat have you done 'ith her@? he cried, and staggered over to loo( out at the sea.
6a'( and !icholas loo(ed at each other.
>he 'as beauti)ul to *e once,? !icholas said, )astening his clothing. >But than( you.?
a*uel 'as 'eeping.
But then a )aint voice cried, >Papa5? and !icholas ran )or the shed that *ust contain the steps.
Clarissa 'atched in a da<e as the A*leighs cli*bed over the side o) the boat. &hey *ust have
ro'ed over. usan began to do things to the boat, but her husband raced belo'.
Clarissa loo(ed at 6a'(.
6e said, >Ees, I (illed her. I+* sorry i) that upsets you.?
>I+ll gro' accusto*ed.?
6e pulled her into his ar*s. >.od, love, I pray not5?
&hey clung together as things happened around the*, and then !icholas 'as on dec(, a 'an
child clinging to hi*, and the boat 'as under one sail and *oving care)ully to'ard the 8etty.
Con brought the other t'o children up, and they huddled close to each other, but Clarissa
separated )ro* 6a'( and sat do'n to hold out her ar*s. A)ter a *o*ent they ca*e )or'ard.
6a'( sat beside her, and soon Belphie 'as in her lap, Pierre in 6a'(+s.
>7rs. /o'land,? 6a'( said gently to the* in :rench, and their eyes dilated. >he is dead. he
'ill not return.?
&he t'o children loo(ed at each other, and the boy said, >Papa@?
Clarissa bit her lip.
>Eour papa 'ill be )ine,? 6a'( said, but he gave Clarissa a helpless loo(.
he *outhed, >Perhaps 'e can ta(e care o) the*@?
6e s*iled and nodded.
&he boat bu*ped gently against the doc(, and 6a'( and Clarissa scra*bled o)), each 'ith a
child. he, )or one, 'as deeply grate)ul )or a solid sur)ace beneath her )eet. Aleanor 'as already
there, and !icholas put Arabel into her sha(ing ar*s, then held her close. Blanche 'rapped a
cloa( around the* both.
7a8or Beau*ont and Cord ;andei*en ran up and helped carry Cord Barius gently o)) the boat.
&hough it too( three *en, it 'as clear that he 'eighed little.
&he children pulled a'ay )ro* Clarissa and 6a'(+s ar*s and pressed close, 'hispering, >Papa,
Papa,? and he touched the* 'ith his tre*bling hands, telling the* in :rench that it 'ould be all
right. &hat all these people 'ere their )riends. &hat he 'ould *a(e sure they 'ere all right.
A blac( cat 'ound around )ro* 6a'( to child to child to child=
And Clarissa 'ept. he 'ept )or love, and courage, and trust, and hope. he 'ept )or 'eariness,
cold, and death. he 'ept in 6a'(+s ar*s as he led her a'ay )ro* horror, bac( to the
;andei*ens+ house.
And the Bu(e and Buchess o) Eeovil 'ere there.
At the sight o) her son, the duchess hal) )ainted, and then cra'led to hi*. &he du(e 'as pale and
tre*bling, but he helped her to sit up, and gripped his son+s hand. Belphie and Pierre 'ere
tuc(ed close to Cord Barius, as i) they+d never leave. Clarissa didn+t thin( they 'ould accept any
other ho*e, or that Cord Barius 'ould easily let the* go.
he heard hi* struggle to say, >It+s opiu*, 7a*a. I+* addicted to opiu*,? and his *other say
that it 'as all right, that he 'as ho*e no', and she 'ould *a(e sure it 'as all right.
Clarissa turned to 6a'(. >-e+re ho*e no',? she said. >And I believe it 'ill be all right.?
>Eou have *y sole*n vo' on it, *y love. 7arry *e, :alcon.?
>,) course.?
6eaven suddenly see*ed possible, but it 'as rather alar*ing, even so, 'hen a (noc( on the door
produced the Bu(e and Buchess o) Belcraven. li*, cool, and elegant, the du(e raised his
3ui<<ing glass and loo(ed at her. >I hear alar*ing things o) you, young lady.?
Clarissa couldn+t help it. he curtsied and said, >Probably all true. I+* delighted you+re here,
your grace. Eou+ll *a(e it easy )or *e to *arry 7a8or 6a'(inville as soon as possible.?
>I gather that is a necessity.?
>Co*pletely,? she said. &he duchess laughed and ca*e over to hug her.
&he du(e+s lips t'itched, and he loo(ed around. >:ro* the general tone, I assu*e the valuable
ite*s I+ve brought are not necessary. &he /ogues rule the day again@?
>And the .eorges,? said 6a'(, stepping )or'ard to bo'. >Eou doubtless have *isgivings, your
grace, but I hope you 'ill consent to our *arriage. I 'ill do *y best to *a(e her happy.?
>As I 'ill do *y best to ensure that you do, sir. And *y best is very )or*idable indeed. In
*o*ents, I 'ish to see you to discuss the *arriage contract.? 6e then 'ent over to tal( to the
Eeovils and congratulate the* on the return o) their son.
&he legal discussion did not ta(e place in *o*ents. A doctor 'as su**oned )or Cord Barius,
and roo*s 'ere arranged )or the Eeovils at the ,ld hip. ,nce the doctor assured the du(e and
duchess that it 'as sa)e, they all le)t, Cord Barius on a stretcher, t'o 'ai)s attached. Clarissa
recogni<ed that Belphie and Pierre had chosen their o'n ho*e. urprisingly, Jetta had too. he
leaped onto the stretcher but eyed the children, as i) they 'ere her ne' charges.
All 'ho had been on the 'ater 'ere da*p and 'ent to change. Clarissa hated to leave, even )or a
*o*ent, but 6a'( escorted her bac( to Broad treet )or a dry dress, and then brought her and a
relieved 7iss 6urst*an bac(. Althea and 7r. ;errall had apparently only 8ust le)t. Clarissa chose
to 'ear the crea*"and"rust dress she had 'orn that )irst day on the teyne, the one 'ith the deep
)ringe. he grinned at 6a'(, and raised the s(irt a little to sho' *ore o) her striped stoc(ings.
6e shoo( his head, but his eyes sent another *essage.
he could 'ait. !o' all 'as certain, she could 'ait to lie again 'ith hi* na(ed in bed.
Bac( at the ;andei*ens+ they )ound everyone in the riotous high spirits o) relie). &he ladies 'ere
adorning the*selves 'ith the 8e'elry, real and )a(e. Clarissa ac3uired a tiara, and 7iss
6urst*an didn+t co*plain 'hen !icholas pinned a gaudy brooch onto her plain go'n. he had
Arabel in her ar*s by then, and the child, beginning to blosso* again, reached )or it 'ith
delight.
!icholas laughed and gave his daughter Blanche+s nec(lace, 'hich *et 'ith her rapturous
approval. Clarissa noted a shado' on hi* at ti*es, ho'ever, and re*e*bered hi* saying, >he
'as beauti)ul to *e, once.?
he (ne' the death 'ould not rest easily upon 6a'(, either, though it could not be the )irst ti*e
he had (illed. It 'as his 'ay, she 'as sure, to deal 'ith such proble*s by hi*sel), but in ti*e it
'ould be her blessing to share the* 'ith hi*.
&hen they all sat at the dinner table, 'ith candlelight shooting )ire )ro* thousands o) pounds+
'orth o) 8e'elry.
6a'( rose again, ho'ever, and raised his glass. >&o )riends,? he said, >old and ne'. 7ay 'e
never )ail.?
Averyone dran( the toast, and then !icholas stood to propose one. >&o the /ogues, 'ho in the
end, at least, never )ail. Bare 'ill be 'hole again.?
Con rose to add to it. >-ith the help o) the .eorges.? 6e grinned. >An interesting alliance,
'ouldn+t you say@?
>&he 'orld is doubtless tipping on its a4is,? *ur*ured the Bu(e o) Belcraven, but 'ith a s*ile,
and he dran( the toast along 'ith everyone else. 6e even proposed one hi*sel)9a slightly
naughty one about *arriage, 'hich *ade his duchess blush.
By the ti*e the dinner 'as over, the du(e re*ar(ed that no one 'as in a state to dra' up legal
agree*ents, and *ade an appoint*ent the ne4t day at the ,ld hip, 'here he, too, had roo*s.
Clarissa insisted on being present. 6e gave in in the end, but insisted on seeing Clarissa and 7iss
6urst*an bac( to Broad treet.
>-e+ll have no *ore i*propriety, Clarissa,? he said on leaving her there.
he 8ust s*iled. >I 'ill try, your grace, though I+* not sure it is in *y nature.?
he slept deeply and late, a'a(ening to an e4traordinary sense o) cal*9li(e the cal* o) the sea
on a per)ect day, all the po'er o) the oceans still beneath it. he brea()asted 'ith 7iss 6urst*an
and told her the details she+d *issed. 7iss 6urst*an 'as astonished to )ind that she+d been
regarded as a 'arder, but rather a*used that she+d been thought to be part o) a 'ic(ed plot.
6a'( ca*e to escort Clarissa to the ,ld hip. &hey strolled along the 7arine Parade, by a cal*
sea touched to blue by the s(y and sunshine.
>Bo you thin( su**er is here at last@? she as(ed.
>"arpe diem,? he replied 'ith a grin.
he s*iled bac(. >I pro*ised the du(e to try to behave. -e can *arry soon, can+t 'e@?
>&oday 'ould not be too soon )or *e, love.?
>,r *e. But, 6a'(, I 'ould li(e a village 'edding li(e 7aria had. Is it possible@?
6e too( her hand and (issed it. >I 'ould give you the stars i) I could. A village 'edding is surely
possible.?
&hey entered the hotel in per)ect har*ony, but Clarissa )ound that she had to )ight to give hi*
enough )or his )ather to )ully restore .aspard 6all.
>&hin( o) it )ro* *y point o) vie',? she said. >I 'ant our ho*e to ourselves. I) 'e give your
)ather enough *oney, perhaps he+ll leave i**ediately to ta(e up the 'or(.?
>An e4cellent point. 6a'(inville,? said the du(e, >consider it settled. In strict legality, all the
*oney should go to your )ather. I) you present di))iculties, I *ay *a(e it so.?
6a'( rolled his eyes, but surrendered. >&he rest o) the *oney is Clarissa+s, ho'ever. I 'ant it
retained under her control. ,nce )ree o) debt, the *anor 'ill provide )or us.?
Clarissa didn+t argue e4cept to say, >Eou (no' I 'ill spend so*e on our co*)orts and pleasures.
But I do 'ant to use *ost o) it )or charity. It has a dar( history. I thought perhaps a charity school
in lade+s house.?
6a'( laughed. >A 'onder)ul idea5 6e+ll doubtless have to sell it to us cheap as 'ell.?
>o@? Clarissa as(ed 6a'(. >-hen do 'e *arry@ I a* ready to )ly.?
>It is )or the lady to say, but the license 'ill ta(e a )e' days.?
>A 'ee(, then, i) all can be arranged.?
6e stood, bringing her to her )eet. >It 'ill all be arranged 'ith 6a'(ish per)ection. &o do it,
though, and to retain *y sanity, I+* going to leave.? Ignoring the du(e, he (issed her. >-e have
no need to sei<e the day, love. -e have the pro*ise o) per)ect to*orro's.?
>Alliteration@? she *ur*ured, and he 'inced.
6a'( 'al(ed out o) the dar( church into sunshine, and into a sho'er o) grain and )lo'ers
thro'n by his boisterous villagers. Averyone s*iled at a 'edding, but he could see that these
s*iles re)lected delight o) an e4traordinary degree. !ot only 'as the Eoung 3uire9 as they+d
decided to call hi*9*arried, but the ,ld 3uire had already gone. 6is )ather had leased a house
near to .aspard 6all and le)t 'ithout a hint o) regret.
&he village 'as )ree o) lade, too, and the threat they+d all sensed )ro* hi*. 6is house 'ould
soon be Clarissa+s to do 'ith as she 'ished. &he *ost i*portant repairs to the cottages 'ere
already in hand, 'hich 'as also providing necessary 'or(.
6e loo(ed at his bride, glo'ing 'ith her o'n per)ect happiness as the villagers 'elco*ed her as
one o) their o'n. 6e said a prayer to be 'orthy, to be able to create the happiness neither o) the*
had ever truly (no'n. It should be easy. he+d had her *odiste recreate the si*ple crea* dress
that had *ar(ed their adventures, and she 'as 'earing a si*ilar hat and )ichu. 6e could hardly
'ait to strip it o)) her, in the *anor, 'hich sat contentedly 'aiting, open"'indo'ed in the sun.
6e turned )ro* that9it 'ould 'ait9to accept the congratulations o) ;an and Con. usan 'as
de)initely 'ith child, and no' 7aria had hope. It 'as possible that Clarissa 'ould also have a
child in nine *onths. A ne' threeso*e to run 'ild around the area.
Gnable to bear to be apart, he retrieved his bride )ro* a*ong bea*ing villagers and dre' her in
)or a (iss.
>.ive than(s,? he said, 'ondering ho' soon he could s'eep her laughing into his ar*s and carry
her upstairs to a bed covered 'ith s*ooth sheets )resh )ro* hanging in the sun. >-e have hope
o) heaven.?
>Alliteration5? Clarissa pointed out, 'ith a t'in(le in her eye that told hi* her thoughts 'ere
per)ectly in accord 'ith his.
Anough5 6e pic(ed her up and spun her around and around. &hen, >An8oy the )east5? he called,
and ran )or their ho*e.