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
door." Thought for certain you'd been run
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,
I know my way." Victoria was already
stepping down from the carriage as the
door was opened. She hoped he wouldn't
feel obliged to follow.
" Good night, Vicky," Annabella called
softly." It turned out to be a most
interesting adventure, did it not?"
It certainly did," Victoria replied.
Lucas followed Victoria through the
carriage door." Wait here, Lyndwood," he
instructed over his shoulder." I shall return
as soon as I have escorted our reckless little
dandy back over the garden wall."
Victoria turned toward him in alarm.
There is no need to see me home, my
lord. I assure you, I am perfectly capable
of finding my own way."
I wouldn't hear of it. Miss Huntington."
He must have spotted the new uneasiness
in her because he smiled knowingly.
Excellent," he murmured, grasping her
arm and propelling her into the shadows.
I see you understand me well enough now
to realize that I am not in a good temper. It
is always best not to argue with me when I
am in this mood."
My lord," she began, her chin lifting
imperiously," if you think to hold me
accountable for what happened this even
ing, you can think again."
But I do hold you accountable, Miss
Huntington." He glanced up at the high
stone wall covered with thick ivy." How
do we get inside the garden?"
She tried to retrieve her arm. When he
took no notice of her small struggle, she
gave up and nodded toward the far end
of the walk." There is a way over there."
He hauled her along in the indicated
direction until she pointed out the heavy
vines which concealed a few chinks in the
bricks. Without a word, Victoria wedged
the toe of her boot into the first opening
and grabbed a vine.
Beneath her, Lucas shook his head in
grim disapproval as he watched her climb
the garden wall. Victoria felt awkward and
clumsy under his close scrutiny. She had
not as yet had much practice scaling
garden walls. She could only hope the
fitful moonlight hid the shape of her snugly
clad derriere as she went over the top.
Behind her, Lucas grabbed a trailing bit
of ivy, found the chink in the wall with the
toe of his boot, and followed.
On the other side of the wall, Victoria
dropped lightly to the ground and looked
up to see that Lucas was almost on top
of her. She stepped back quickly as he
dropped down in front of her. She noticed
he took most of his weight on his strong
right leg and did not stumble as he caught
his balance.
My lord," she hissed," y u should
be getting back to the carriage. The
Lyndwoods will be waiting."
I have one or two things to say to
you first." He stood in the midst of
the fragrant, deeply shadowed garden, a
tall, lean, menacing figure as dark and
dangerous as the night.
Victoria summoned up her courage." I
must tell you, stone vale, that I have no
wish to endure a lecture for what happened
this evening. I am already quite aware that
none of us would have been in jeopardy if I
had not insisted upon going to the fair."
In that, Miss Huntington, you are
correct."
The total lack of emotion in his voice
was far more unnerving than a scolding
would have been. But Victoria suddenly
remembered the way he had defended her
in the alley. Impulsively she touched his
sleeve.
I know I am deeply indebted to you, my
lord, but I must tell you quite truthfully
that up until the moment the crowd turned
violent, I was having a fine time. I cannot
remember when I have enjoyed an outing
more." She took a deep breath when there
was no response and rushed on." I would
also have you know, my lord, that I
thought you were quite wonderful. Very
cool under fire, as they say. You got us
free of the mob and I assure you I shall
never forget the way you handled those
two footpads in the alley. For that, my
thanks."
Your thanks," he repeated in a consider
ing tone." I am not certain that is sufficient
reward under the circumstances."
Victoria looked up at him, suddenly
aware that Aunt Cleo's botanical garden
was a very dark and lonely place at this
hour of the night. She wondered for one
awful moment if stone vale was going to
lose his grip on the reins of his temper,
and then she started wondering what she
should do if he did. Belatedly she took a
step back.
My lord?"
No," he said, as if having reached a
conclusion." Your paltry thanks are not
enough for what I have been through and
what I undoubtedly have yet to endure."
Without any warning Lucas's hands
closed around her shoulders, and in one
smooth, swift motion he backed her up
against the garden wall.
Before Victoria could react, Lucas moved
in close, so close that the hard, unforgiving
length of his body pressed against her much
softer frame.
Lucas's booted foot slid between her
legs. Victoria froze for an instant, held
still by the shock of his muscled thigh
alongside her own leg. Her eyes widened
in the moonlight as she looked up into
stone vale's starkly etched face.
You are a hotheaded, reckless hoyden; a
little shrew who is badly in need of taming
before she lands in serious trouble. If I had
any sense, I would end this here and now,"
Lucas rasped.
Victoria licked her dry lips." End what,
my lord?"
This." His mouth came down on hers
with a fierce, plundering heat that made
her fully aware, at last, of the true extent
of his dangerous mood.
She had been prepared for his anger but
nothing could have readied her for the
masculine arousal that poured over her in
a searing conflagration.
stone vale wanted her.
Victoria was momentarily stunned by the
sensual assault. She had been kissed a few
times by daring or desperate suitors and
once or twice because her own curiosity
had gotten the better of her. But she had
never known anything like the rough, deep,
demanding kiss that held her now.
She trembled and her fingers clenched
around Lucas's upper arms. He responded
with a husky groan and then he was
crushing her into the ivy, his thigh forcing
her legs further apart. Victoria felt the small
jabs of the vines and inhaled the fragrance
of crumpled leaves and the musky scent of
Lucas's body. Her head spun as if she were
being whirled about on a dance floor.
When she felt Lucas's tongue slide along
her lower lip, she opened her mouth for
him in the same instinctive, unquestioning
manner in which she had earlier followed
him to safety.
She flinched when his hands circled her
waist, but she did not struggle as she knew
she should, not even when she felt his
thumbs glide up to rest just under the
weight of her small breasts.
My lord," she managed in a ragged
voice as he freed her mouth to catch the
lobe of her ear between his teeth." My lord,
I don't know
that is, you ought not to be
doing this."
I want you to have good cause to
remember me, Victoria," Lucas whispered.
Victoria swallowed hard, trying to collect
herself" I assure you, I am not likely to
forget you."
Excellent."
His teeth grazed her tender earlobe,
causing no real pain but leaving her with a
disquieting sensation of vulnerability. The