It was becoming clear that the task of
stalking this particular heiress would be the
most exacting hunting he had ever done.
One wrong move, one miscalculation on
his part, and he would lose the game.
How long do you intend to spend
on your adventure this evening, Miss
Huntington?" Lucas kept his tone detached.
Is time a problem for you? Do you have
another engagement planned?" she asked
far too sweetly.
He knew intuitively that she was fishing
to find out if he had a mistress expecting
him later." No, I do not. Lyndwood and
I must secure arrangements to have all of
us taken up by his carriage at a specific
location, and to do that efficiently in the
crowd, we need to decide upon a definite
departure time."
Oh. Yes, I can see that. I would suggest
two hours would be ample time to enjoy
the fair."
Annabella sighed." I am afraid I cannot
stay out that long, Vicky. Mama will be
coming home from the Milricks" soiree in
AT
another two hours and she will expect me
to be in by then."
Lucas hid his relief." An hour then?"
An hour's long enough for me," Bertie
Lyndwood said quickly.
That's probably all the time I should
allow," Annabella said with regret.
Oh, very well." Victoria sounded mildly
irritated but resigned." An hour it is. We
shall have to hurry, though, if we are to
see everything."
Lucas said nothing, but privately he
considered that the next hour was un
doubtedly going to be one of the longest
of his life.
Half an hour later he was confirmed
in his belief. The huge park was ablaze
with lanterns that illuminated a seemingly
unlimited array of stalls selling meat pies
and ale, booths featuring acrobats and rope
dancers, and packed tents featuring puppet
shows and games.
The crowd was a mix of the high and the
low. Servants who had snuck out of their
masters" houses, shopkeepers and their
wives, apprentices and shopgirls, dandies
out for a lark, a few daring members of the
nobility, prostitutes, pimps, pickpockets,
young boys from flash houses, military
men and dockworkers all rubbed elbows
together as they sought the after-dark
thrills of the fair.
My lord," Victoria murmured as they
stopped to buy a custard tart," I know
you are concerned about calling attention
to my disguise."
Concerned is quite an understatement,
Miss Huntington. Those damned breeches
fit you like a second skin," Lucas muttered,
eyeing the smooth line of her hips.
I shall be happy to give you the name
of my tailor. In the meantime, perhaps it
would be best if you released my arm. A
certain man across the way is staring."
Bloody hell." Lucas dropped her arm
as if he had been burned. He felt himself
turning a dull red as he realized what a
stranger would think to see him holding
another gentleman's arm the way a man
holds the arm of a woman." This silly get up
of yours is bound to cause trouble."
No one will think twice about it unless
they see you treating me as though I were
a female." Victoria took an enthusiastic bite
of her tart.
It isn't just the way I treat you, it's the
way you look in those breeches."
Victoria fingered her collar." I thought
the coat hid my figure rather well."
I have news for you. It doesn't."
You're determined to be difficult to
night, aren't you, my lord? Kindly remember
that it was you who insisted on
inviting yourself along on this venture
I am merely the innocent victim of your
blackmail scheme."
Lucas grinned ruefully." Innocent victim.
Miss Huntington? Somehow I feel that
description could never be applied to you.
Whatever else you are, you will never be
anyone's innocent victim."
Victoria surveyed him, considering his
words for a moment." I should probably
take offense at that but I am having far
too much fun. Oh, look, the acrobats
are starting another performance. Let's go
watch them."
Lucas glanced around." I don't see
Lyndwood and his sister."
Bertie wanted more beer. They'll be
back in a moment. Stop fretting, sir."
I am not fretting, Miss Huntington, I am
trying to exercise a measure of prudence.
No one else on the scene appears inclined
to do so."
That's because there's little sport to be
had in exercising prudence. Come, let's
hurry or we won't be able to see the
acrobats."
A short while later Lucas had just begun
to relax and even convince himself they
might all survive the hour at the fair
unscathed when disaster broke out with
no warning.
It might have been the particularly
extravagant fireworks display which started
the small fire. Or perhaps it was the fight
that occurred between two prostitutes who
were demanding payment for their favors
from a soldier. Or it could simply have
been the normal propensity of any large
London crowd to turn itself into a mob
on the slightest pretext.
Whatever the reason, the conversion of
the throng of cheerful fair-goers into a
wild, unruly human wave bent on causing
trouble happened in less than a moment.
Fireworks burst overhead, people screamed,
curses filled the air.
Horses reared and plunged. A gang of
boys took advantage of the opportunity to
steal a tray of pies, causing the pie seller
to run after them, hurling insults into the
evening air. There were more screams and
another flash of fireworks. Flames leapt up
as a nearby booth caught fire and then all
was chaos; dangerous, terrifying chaos; a
chaos in which people would be trampled,
assaulted, and robbed. Some might even
be killed.
Lucas reacted automatically the instant
he felt the mood of the crowd shift. For
the second time that night he clamped his
fingers in a viselike grip around Victoria's
fine-boned wrist.
This way," he ordered, pitching his
voice to be heard above the din." Follow
me."
What about Annabella and Bertie?"
Victoria cried.
They're on their own, the same as
we are."
Victoria did not attempt to argue
further, for which Lucas was profoundly
grateful. Apparently the lady was capable
of displaying some common sense when it
was called for.
Chaining
her to his side with his grip
on her wrist, Lucas hauled her through
the melee toward the uncertain safety of
the narrow alleys and streets that bordered
the park.
He had known from the start the lady
was going to be nothing but trouble.
The danger, which had coalesced out of
thin air, left Victoria stunned. In that
moment the only promise of safety in the
entire world lay in the iron grip on her
wrist. She followed Lucas blindly, relying
instinctively on his strength and the savage
manner in which he wielded his stick to
forge a way for them through the crowd.
Victoria felt a hand claw at her coat and
realized someone was trying to pick her
pocket. Another hand tried to grab the
inlaid walking stick she carried. Without
thinking, she lashed out with the stout
length of wood, slashing at the grasping
hands.
There was a scream from one of her
assailants which brought Lucas's head
around briefly. With one quick glance he
saw that the would-be thieves had already
released their intended victim.
Good girl." He immediately turned his
attention back to forging ahead through
the mob.
He did not try to work his way back
against the driving force of the crowd.
Instead, Victoria realized, he chose to
ride the human flow, as if guiding a
boat through a strong current. He kept
maneuvering steadily toward the edge
of the wild, churning river, his pace
controlled and strong in spite of his limp.
He did not break out into a mad dash
and thereby jeopardize his balance and
hers. It was obvious he had long since
learned to compensate for the weakness
in his left leg.
Lucas's cool self-mastery amid the chaos
made it clear to Victoria that he was one
of those rare men who did not become
rattled under pressure. She felt safe with
him, even though the mob roiled around
her like a violent sea.
As they reached the fringes of the mass of
shouting, staggering, shoving humanity, the
crowd thinned. Lucas made a calculated
bid to escape it altogether; he had
apparently been watching for his chance.
In what seemed like an instant, he yanked
Victoria into a tunnel of darkness between
two buildings.
Victoria stumbled after him into the
relative safety of the pitch black alley.
Her boots skidded on slime and she caught
her breath against the terrible stench that
welled up from the confines of the narrow
stone walls.
She thought the danger was over until
she heard the crude drunken shouts from
the alley entrance.
Ere now, mate. Bring that light in" ere.
I saw" em go inter this little" hole, I tell
ye. Two of" um. Rich coves, by the look
of em."
Damn." Lucas swore with deadly soft
ness." Get behind me and stay down,
Victoria."
Not waiting for her to obey, Lucas flung
Victoria behind him with such force that
she fetched up against the brick wall of the
alley. She caught her balance and glanced
anxiously toward the entrance just as a
lantern appeared. In its pale light she saw
the faces of two young ruffians armed
with knives. They spotted their quarry and
moved forward expectantly.
What'er ye waitin" for, Long Tom?" the
second man asked his pal in an urgent
tone. Urry up and spice the swells. There
be plenty o" work out" ere for the likes o'
us tonight."
stone vale stood his ground, shielding
Victoria. As she watched she saw him
remove a small, shiny object from his
greatcoat pocket.
Bloody" ell." E's got a pop," the first
man cursed as the lamplight fell on the
pistol lodged in stone vale's hand.
An excellent observation, gentlemen."
stone vale sounded faintly bored." Which
of you would like to test the accuracy of
my aim?"
The first young man into the alley
slithered to a halt and his companion
piled into him. They both toppled into the
muck. The lantern fell to the ground, glass
shattering in a shower of small sparks. The
weak flame continued to flicker a moment
longer, casting strange, menacing shadows
over the tense scene.
Bloody damn" ell," the first man said
again, clearly frustrated." Ye try to make
a decent livin" and look at what" appens."
He found his balance and scrambled back
toward the alley entrance.
The other would-be footpad needed no
further encouragement. There was a clatter
of boots on stone, muffled curses, and a
few seconds later Victoria and Lucas had
the alley to themselves.
But Lucas wasted no time. His long
fingers clamped around Victoria's wrist
once more and he hauled her through
the dark alley into the next street.
The mob had not yet spilled over in
this direction, and they were met with
blessed silence. Victoria tried to slow
her step in order to catch her breath
but stone vale refused to stop, and she
stumbled obediently after him, panting.
Lucas, I must say, that was very well
done of you back there in the alley."
Lucas tightened his grip on her wrist.
It would have been entirely unnecessary
if you had not taken it into your head to
attend the fair tonight."
Really, Lucas, must you"
We can only hope Lyndwood's coach
man followed orders," Lucas interrupted
as he continued pulling Victoria along at
a rapid pace.
I'm worried about Annabella and Bertie,"
Victoria got out between sharp, strained
breaths.
Yes. So you should be."
Victoria winced, aware he had no
compunction about pointing out her guilt
in the matter. The worst of it was he was
right; this had all been her idea.
Mercifully, stone vale said no more as he
guided her around the corner and into the
street where the coachman had been told
to wait in case of emergency. Victoria saw
the familiar lines of the Lyndwood coach
pulled up in front of the tavern and she
heaved a sigh of relief when she spotted
two people inside.
They're here, Lucas. They're safe."
Victoria flushed as she realized she had
unthinkingly been using stone vale's given
name since the excitement started.
Yes. It appears we are to be favored
with some luck tonight, after all." He said
nothing else as they neared the carriage.
Good God, we were worried about you,"
Lyndwood said, pushing open the carriage
down by the mob. Hurry. We don't want
to hang out in this street for long. No
telling when the crowd might take a notion
to come this way."
Rest assured, Lyndwood, I have no
intention of dawdling." Lucas tossed Vic
toria up into the carriage and followed
quickly, slamming the door behind him.
The carriage took off at once and none
too soon. In the distance the shouts of the
mob filled the night air.
Victoria looked anxiously at Annabella.
Are you all right, Bella?"
Annabella clasped her friend's hand.
I.
I'm fine. Bertie and I were on the fringes
of the crowd when the trouble broke out.
We managed to get out of the way almost
at once. But I was so worried about you
two. You were right in the heart of the
throng, were you not?"
It was a near thing," Victoria said. A
wave of euphoria was washing over her
now, rapidly replacing the tension that had
gripped her a moment earlier." We were
accosted in an alley by two men intent
on robbing us. But stone vale produced a
pistol and stopped them instantly. He was
magnificent."
Good heavens," Annabella whispered,
shocked.
Damme, stone vale." Lyndwood frowned
with obvious concern." A near thing, is
right. Neither of you was hurt, I take it?"
We are both perfectly fit, Lyndwood, as
you can see." Lucas dismissed the inquiry
with a deceptively neutral tone." Although
Miss Huntington's disguise appears to have
suffered somewhat."
Victoria belatedly checked her hair and
realized something was amiss." Oh, dear,
I've lost my hat."
You are extremely lucky not to have lost
more than a hat, Miss Huntington." Again
stone vale's voice seemed far too calm.
Victoria slanted a sidelong glance at his
hard profile and realized that Lucas was
in a blazing fury. For the first time since
the riot had erupted around her, she felt
a trickle of genuine fear.
Lucas glanced out at the empty side
street as the carriage drew to a halt.
You intend to be set down here. Miss
Huntington? We are nowhere near your
front door."
It will do," she said calmly, collecting
her handsome walking stick.
And how do you intend to get into
the house if not through the front door?"
stone vale asked, annoyed.
I shall go over the garden wall and
back through the conservatory, the same
way I left earlier. Don't worry, my lord,
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