No. That was not the truth. She wouldn’t have disobeyed her papa’s orders. She was a dutiful daughter, ever loyal, and would not have done anything to bring about scandal or shame to their family.
Her rioting thoughts caused her breathing to quicken.
Benedict placed his hands on her shoulders. “Are you unwell?”
When she didn’t respond, he gave her a little shake and began to turn her. Emotions crashing like ocean waves, she couldn’t face Thornston. Thankfully, they were announced, and she plastered on a smile for all to see. “Benedict, please help me find Dorinda.”
“Of course. We need to return her fan.”
Was her brother that obtuse, or was he merely covering her peculiar behavior? Leaving Thornston behind would be best. Curse Kilman for not remaining in town.
Benedict murmured, “Not surprising. Surrounded again.”
Elise followed her brother’s gaze across the ballroom to Dorinda, crowded by a bunch of eligible young bachelors. As they made their way through the throng of guests, the muscles in Benedict’s arm repeatedly flexed. Could he be jealous? While her brother may deny an attraction to Dorinda, his body’s reaction told Elise an entirely different story. For when he was near her best friend, Benedict’s irises dilated, the vein in his neck pulsed at a variable rate, and he tended to lean toward her instead of keeping the socially dictated distance between them.
Shoving his fellow peers, Benedict managed to wedge them to the front of the group.
“Elise! When did you arrive?” Dorinda wrapped her hands around Elise’s and pulled her closer to whisper, “I need to escape. Help me.”
Pulling out Dorinda’s fan from her reticule Elise offered it and said, “Perhaps this might help.”
The blush that immediately rose to Dorinda’s cheeks and the sideward glance at Benedict left no question in Elise’s mind that something had occurred between the pair. Her brother had always been circumspect about his attention to her friend. Why had he given her the fan? Was he trying to confirm her suspicions? Or was he finally coming to his senses?
Dorinda reached for the fan. “Oh… thank you.”
“Perhaps, we could take a stroll.” Elise hooked her arm with Dorinda’s and turned to address the gaggle of men, “Please excuse us, gentlemen.”
She had managed to take two steps before Harold was in her path, blocking her departure.
Dorinda spoke first. “Good evening, Lord Thornston.”
“A good evening to you too, Miss Arnet. Lady Elise, may I…”
She didn’t know what to make of her scattered thoughts and emotions. Emotions that she had believed were well in hand but were now conflicted. The scent of Harold had her mind reeling. She needed space. “Lord Thornston, please move. Miss Arnet needs some air.”
Without protest, Harold moved to allow her to pass. Elise didn’t hesitate and pulled Dorinda along with her.
Dorinda snapped open her fan. “Elise, why were you ever so rude to Lord Thornston?”
Elise didn’t have an answer. Her gaze was drawn to two figures looming by the terrace doors. Lord Tallow and Mr. Rollingsworth. The dangerous stares thrown her way left her no doubt that the pair had figured out who had foiled their plans in kidnapping and forcing innocents into marriage. She would not give them the satisfaction of intimidating her. Boldly striding along the dance floor perimeter, she led Dorinda toward the gardens.
Breath soured by liquor, Lord Tallow leaned forward to snicker, “I wouldn’t go far out of sight, my lady.”
Elise whisked past the pair, leveling Lord Tallow with a glare intended to silence the odious man. However, it proved ineffective as Lord Tallow’s evil chuckle floated through the night air, increasing her pulse and pace. Her nerves were already strung tight from her interactions with Harold.
“What did that awful man say to you?” Dorinda stumbled.
With a firm hand, Elise grasped her friend by the elbow. Once Dorinda had found her footing, she rounded to face Elise. Dorinda’s eyes were lit with worry.
In a voice barely audible, Elise confessed, “He gave me a warning to remain in sight of the crowd.”
Dorinda straightened to her full height and demanded, “Why would he caution you so?”
“As you alluded, the man is vile. But it would be wise for us not to venture too far into the gardens.” Ill at ease, Elise pressed her palms to her stomach.
“Elise. Tell me you haven’t done anything to anger the man.”
Not one to lie, Elise avoided making eye contact. “What could a spinster like me possibly do to a peer?”
Dorinda arched one eyebrow. “Don’t think I’m oblivious to your activities. You may be able to keep them a secret from your brother, but not me.”
At the mention of her brother, Elise searched to see who was within earshot. With no one close, Elise asked, “What do you know?”
“When the gossips first tittered about a lady running about town in men’s clothing and devising clever stratagems to foil the schemes of fortune hunters, I suspected it might be you until they began referring to her as Lady L.”
Dorinda was too clever by a half. While Lady L had assisted Elise in completing and rescuing innocents, Elise had never met the woman. Elise suspected Lady L engaged in far more important activities. Secret activities for the Crown. Or perhaps the Home Office.
Elise raised a hand to her chest. “Me? Lady L? You flatter me.”
The smell of hot putrid spirits filtered through the air, sending a trickle of fear down Elise’s neck and spine. Lord Tallow and his crony wouldn’t attempt to create a scene, would they? The crunch of pebbles had the hairs on Elise’s arms standing on end. She pivoted and came face-to-face with Lord Tallow.
The horrid man’s eyes were ablaze. His irises were enlarged until only a thin ring of blue remained. “Mr. Rollingsworth, look what I’ve found.”
Mr. Rollingsworth? Where was he? Elise turned to warn Dorinda to flee, but she was too late. Mr. Rollingsworth had already wrapped an arm around her friend’s waist and placed a rag over Dorinda’s nose and mouth.
Elise took a step toward Mr. Rollingsworth. “Please don’t harm Miss Arnet.”
She stopped her advance immediately as cold metal pressed against her ribs, and Lord Tallow’s heated breath brushed against the back of her neck.
Mr. Rollingsworth struggled with the weight of Dorinda’s now-limp body.
Lord Tallow said, “Good lord, man, get a proper hold on the woman.” The steel point of Lord Tallow’s pistol lowered slightly. “Lady Elise, if you wish for Miss Arnet to remain unharmed, I suggest you come along with us quietly and without fuss.”
Elise remained frozen. Mr. Rollingsworth let Dorinda’s body slide down his to the ground. He removed his cravat and used it as a gag. With surprising care, he gently rolled her friend’s prone form off the path and under a bush. Poor Dorinda. She would wake in the dark and surely gain scratches and cuts as she escaped the prickly plant.
Mr. Rollingsworth stood and left Elise alone with the wretched Lord Tallow. “What is it to be Lady Elise? Compliance or a fight?”
Every fiber of her wanted to elbow him and attempt to flee. Lord Tallow had a reputation for brutality. “I’ll go willingly.”
She needed to keep her wits about her. She could not afford the same fate as Dorinda. Lord Tallow undoubtedly wouldn’t hesitate to exact physical revenge upon an unconscious woman.
Lord Tallow pushed her to move. When she remained rooted to the spot, he pulled hard, nearly dislodging her arm from its socket. “Don’t make a scene.”
Holding in a scream of pain, she shuffled her feet forward. Her only resistance was to mince her steps as they made their way through the side garden.
Squinting, Elise peered about the gardens. No one was in sight. Where were all the couples and rakes that were rumored to fill the darkened corners? How was she to alert someone?
Spying one of her footmen playing cards with the other servants, she fell to her knees and rippe
d the hem of her skirts.
Hauling her back to her feet, Lord Tallow ordered, “Get up!”
Relief flowed through her as she caught her footman’s gaze. She gave a slight shake of her head as he began to rise. Be discrete and follow. Would he understand her silent plea?
Mr. Rollingsworth, a few steps ahead of them, conversed with Lord Tallow’s driver.
Acting the gentleman he clearly was not, Lord Tallow opened the carriage door for her.
Making a show of lifting her skirts to step up, Elise dropped the ripped material and entered the carriage.
Lord Tallow occupied the rear-facing seat and glared at her. “Rollingsworth, hurry up.”
Mr. Rollingsworth appeared at the coach door, but before he joined them, he stopped and bent at the waist. “Now, what have we here?” The strip of light blue silk dangled before her nose. “Lady Elise, it appears you have misplaced a portion of your skirts.”
Her heart stalled. Mr. Rollingsworth flicked the material in her direction, and it landed in her lap. He took up a seat next to Lord Tallow. How would anyone locate her now? She needed to remain calm. Panicking would do no good. Elise lowered her gaze, clasped her hands together, and took slow, deep breaths. Her heart continued to pound in her chest as if it might explode, and she had to bite her lip in order to prevent it from trembling. She was in real danger.
Harold held his cards fanned out in one hand. Glancing through the entrance to the card room once more, he hoped to catch a glimpse of Elise dancing.
A hand landed on his shoulder, and a winded Mr. Howlington said, “Lord Thornston, His Grace, Fairmont, requests your immediate presence.”
Harold immediately stood, causing his chair to hit Mr. Howlington in the midsection. “Sorry, old chap. Where is Fairmont? What is of such importance that I need to be dragged from the game?”
The concern in Mr. Howlington’s features changed Harold’s tone. “Is it Elise?”
Was she embroiled in a scandal? He should have followed her into the gardens.
Agitated, Mr. Howlington explained, “Isodora couldn’t find Lady Elise upon her arrival.” Glancing about those closest, Mr. Howlington lowered his voice. “Fairmont is now looking for Miss Arnet and Lady Elise.”
Harold lengthened his stride. A wall of guests prevented him from reaching Fairmont with any speed. Nearly bowling over anyone in his path, Harold pushed his way toward the terrace doors.
Stepping out into the cool night air, Harold scanned the gardens. Spotting Fairmont hunched over by a bush. He ran to his side.
Miss Arnet’s voice came from the prickly plant. “Back up. I’ve nearly freed myself.”
Fairmont stuck an arm out. “Love, give me your hand. Let me help.”
Instead of an arm or hand appearing, a bare leg covered in pink scratches along the calf snaked out from under the shrub. Fairmont’s hand latched on to Miss Arnet’s leg, and he began to pull.
“Let. Me. GO.” Miss Arnet’s leg kicked back and sent Fairmont to the ground.
Uncertain how to best assist, Harold stuck out his hand hauling Fairmont to his feet. As they both stood, a bedraggled Miss Arnet shook out her skirts and pulled up her décolletage.
Grabbing Miss Arnet by the arms to gain her attention, Harold asked, “Where is Elise?”
Miss Arnet’s eyes were glassy, and she appeared disoriented.
Fairmont yanked her out of his grasp. “Don’t you touch her!” Protectively, Fairmont wrapped his arms around the woman and rubbed her back in long soothing strokes. Softly, Fairmont asked, “Love, what happened? Do you know Elise’s whereabouts?”
A mix of voices came from behind. A crowd was gathering, but Mr. Howlington was doing his best to keep prying eyes away.
Harold removed his coat and handed it to Fairmont. “We need to leave.”
They couldn’t return through the ballroom; they would have to depart through the gardens. Fairmont gently placed the coat over her shoulders. Placing an arm under her knees, Fairmont picked up Miss Arnet. Harold had never seen Fairmont act with such concern for another. How peculiar.
Rounding the corner, Harold hailed the attention of the footmen milling about.
A footman in livery Harold didn’t recognize approached. “My lord, they went to the south.”
“Who went south?” Harold’s heart beat faster. Don’t say, Elise.
“We sent Ollie to inform His Grace, the Duke of Fairmont.” The confused footman eyed Fairmont, who was still comforting Miss Arnet. Returning his attention to Harold, the footman said, “My lord, Lady Elise was escorted by Lord Tallow and Mr. Rollingsworth into a coach. But when Henry left with the deck of cards and ran to follow them, we knew something was amiss and sent Ollie to get help.”
Lord Tallow and Mr. Rollingsworth—bounders and knaves. Why would they kidnap Elise? He would kill them both if she came to any harm.
Harold’s stomach clenched. “Did you say cards?”
“Yes, my lord. The servants are allowed to partake in a bit ’o gaming—”
“Fairmont, secure a coach.”
Harold’s boots stamped the ground as he ran toward the stables. His stomach clenched, and his breathing became labored. Seeing Harold approach, stable hands scurried out of his way. A handsome Arabian was being made ready, and without hesitation, Harold grabbed the reins and vaulted into the saddle. As soon as they were free of the stables, Harold searched the grounds for signs of which direction Lord Tallow was headed.
The erratic beat of his heart pounded in his ears. When Harold’s muscles tensed, the Arabian’s head shook, and its ears swiveled. He’d best rein in his emotions, or he would be tossed.
Harold rounded the estate.
Miss Arnet’s pretty face appeared as he drew up to the coach window. “My lord, Elise rescued Lady Esme from Lord Tallow’s clutches at an inn called the Lone Dove a year ago.”
The Lone Dove. What a peculiar inn to conduct such nefarious affairs. Not known by many, agents of the Home Office often frequented the inn. On the odd occasion, the office to the Crown had sought out Harold’s assistance to train agents in hand-to-hand-combat skills. Skills Harold had picked up from his tour in the Orient.
Harold nodded. “Follow the trail marked by playing cards. I’ll meet you there.”
He urged his mount forward. While Lord Tallow and Mr. Rollingsworth had headed out before him, their coach would be restricted to the streets. The Arabian was his saving grace. The beautiful beast would allow him to arrive at the inn first.
Chapter Six
Elise lunged for the door. Her fingers were mere inches from the handle when Lord Tallow’s meaty grip caught her around the throat. He threw her against the seat, knocking her head hard against the coach wall. Stars appeared in her peripheral vision along with Lord Tallow’s hand just before it smashed against her cheek.
I will not give up. I will escape. Elise straightened her arm out to right herself as she was jostled against the coach wall. Steady. Pain rocked her body as his knee slammed into her ribs, stealing her breath. Twinkling lights appeared again. This time Lord Tallow’s fist connected with the corner of her eye. She shook her head. He wasn’t done. His knuckles came crashing down on her. Blood pooled in her mouth. Elise spat at her tormenter.
Lord Tallow wiped the spittle from his face. “Ah. Lady Elise, you are a feisty piece of flesh. I can’t wait to have you alone.”
Elise burned with rage. She’d claw his eyes out before she let that happen. To her disgust, the more she fought, the brighter Lord Tallow’s eyes became. He enjoyed beating women. It was like a game of cat and mouse for the man. Elise could not match his reach or strength. Bells ringing in her ears, Elise sagged against the seat. She needed to devise another strategy.
With one eye swollen shut and the other seeing double, Elise tried to focus. “What do you want with me?”
“I would have thought you had already figured that out.” Lord Tallow wiped the blood from his knuckles. “Mr. Rollingsworth requires funds and a wife
.”
“Why me? My brother will not agree to such a match.”
“Oh, but he will have no choice after what I have in store for you.”
Elise couldn’t prevent the shiver that physically wracked her body. Whatever Lord Tallow had planned, Elise was not going to enjoy it.
A heavy cloak landed upon her lap. The strong odor of poor personal hygiene mixed with alcohol and tobacco surrounded Elise, and bile rose in her throat.
“Put it on and pull the hood down to cover that beautiful face of yours,” Lord Tallow snickered.
Pushing the offensive garment to the floor, Elise raised her chin to meet her tormentor’s eyes. Her head snapped back. Lord Tallow’s ring slicing her skin open. She blinked until her vision cleared. Raising a hand, she wiped away the warm blood that trickled down her face.
Mr. Rollingsworth caught her by the chin and forced her to look at him. “Lady Elise, you would be wise not to antagonize him further.” The man’s gaze roamed over her face. He released her and sat back, giving his head a shake.
She would not stop fighting.
The carriage rolled to a stop, and Mr. Rollingsworth exited, hauling the coat with him. Lord Tallow pushed her out of the coach and to the ground.
Mr. Rollingsworth made a show of covering her. “My lady, you must be careful. Let me assist you.”
Elise clawed at the dirt. Maybe she could blind one of them, but could she outrun Lord Tallow in her current condition? Calculating her odds to be dismal at best, she uncurled her hands and pushed herself up onto her knees.
She spotted the inn’s intricate sign. They had arrived at the Lone Dove. Elise desperately searched the courtyard. No one was about but Lord Tallow’s men.
What were the chances that the mysterious Lady L would be inside? Slight at best. Elise had sought out the lady’s assistance in dealing with Lord Tallow a year ago, but with no prior warning, Lady L and her team were unlikely to come to her rescue.
Desires of Lady Elise Page 5