am far more restricted than Lady Rycott.
I must always be conscious of what people
will say. I am still at an age when I must
have a care for my reputation. But Isabel
Rycott can ride in an open carriage with
Edgeworth and dance with him tonight
and let him take her home after the
Athertons" party, and no one will pay
any heed. It's not fair, Lucas. Not fair
at all."
Pray don't take a notion to marry me
and then murder me in my bed so that
you may enjoy the freedoms of wealthy
widowhood."
Victoria
laughed
softly.
I
would
not
think of it. Even the prospect of being a
free and wealthy widow is not enough of
an inducement to lure me into marriage."
Lucas eyed her thoughtfully.
If our
interview is finished, we had best part.
We've been riding together for some
distance and we certainly wouldn't want
anyone to speculate unduly on our as
sociation."
No, you are quite right." But for a
moment Victoria longed to have the
freedom Isabel Rycott did. She was
not in the least anxious to say good
bye.
One moment, Lucas. About our
next adventure. I really must insist on
something a little more exciting than
Vauxhall or another restaurant. I shall
be waiting in my aunt's garden tomorrow
night after the Chillingsworm party and I
shall be expecting to be taken to a gaming
hell at the very least."
stone vale's brows rose at her tone of
authority.
Your wish is my command,
Vicky. But in the meantime, I shall look
forward to seeing you this evening when I
attend Grimshaw's lecture."
Victoria grinned.
Are you really in
terested in agricultural improvements in
Yorkshire?"
Is that so amusing?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
No. I
suppose not."
Lucas tipped his hat to her.
Be warned,
Vicky. You still don't know everything
there is to know about me. Good
afternoon." Before she could respond,
he had turned George's head and was
cantering down the path. Victoria stared
after him until Annabella Lyndwood called
to her from a short distance away. Shaking
off an odd emotion she could not identify,
Victoria went to greet her friend.
The night after Grimshaw's lecture
Victoria slipped cautiously through the
darkened town house and out into the
conservatory. Pale moonlight pierced the
windows, turning the array of exotic
plants into a strange and forbidding
world.
Victoria was growing accustomed to the
eerie jungle that was the conservatory at
night. She hurried down one aisle and
let herself out into the garden. The night
air was chilled and the grass was damp
beneath her booted feet. She hesitated,
searching the shadows for Lucas. As usual,
she did not spot him until he moved.
Lucas stepped away from the shelter of
the wall, a dark and forbidding figure
dressed chiefly in black. His Hessians
gleamed faintly in the moonlight. His face
was in shadow. Victoria caught her breath
at the sight of him and anticipation rushed
through her veins, leaving her trembling
with excitement.
Lucas held out his hand. Smiling in
welcome, she put her fingers trustingly
into his. As she did so, Lucas tipped up
her chin with his other hand and kissed
her; a quick, hard, possessive kiss. It was
just the sort of kiss she knew she ought to
protest but which instead always left her
hungering for more. These stolen moments
of fleeting, sultry passion were creating a
sense of strong frustration within her.
The carriage I hired for the evening is
waiting around the corner," Lucas said as
he dropped lightly down beside her on the
street side of the wall.
Hurry. I don't
want anyone to see us near your aunt's
garden."
You worry too much, Lucas." Nevertheless,
she made haste to where the dark
carriage was waiting and quickly leapt
inside.
Lucas was right behind her, taking his
weight, as usual, on his right leg as
he came through the door. In the dim
moonlight she saw him wince as he took
the seat across from her. His hand went
to his thigh and absently rubbed it.
Does your leg hurt?" Victoria asked,
concerned.
Let's just say that I am aware of it
occasionally."
And this is one of those occasions?"
Yes. Don't fret about it, Vicky."
She bit her lip.
I heard from a friend
that you were wounded on the Peninsula.
Is it true?"
His eyes met hers in the shadows.
I feel
much toward that subject the way you do
toward your stepfather."
Meaning you don't discuss it?" she said.
Precisely."
Dear God, Lucas, it must have been
terrible for you."
I said I do not discuss it." He stopped
massaging his leg.
Now do me a favor and
pay attention. You are going to get your
heart's wish this evening. We're going to
a certain establishment that can only be
classified as a gaming hell. I do not dare
try to get you into one of my clubs. There's
too much chance someone would recognize
you, even in your disguise. In any event, I
would certainly be obliged to explain you
and I can't."
A thrill shot through her.
A gaming hell.
Lucas, this is wonderful. How exciting. I
cannot wait."
Lucas sighed.
I wish I could share your
enthusiasm. Vicky, these places are run
with only one object in mind and that is
to separate the client from his blunt. To
that end there is a great deal of drinking
and wenching."
Will it be dangerous?" she demanded,
growing more excited by the minute.
Lucas gave her a disapproving look.
Things do not often turn violent inside the
establishment, largely because it would be
bad for business, but there are occasionally
problems when one leaves."
What are you talking about?"
It is not unknown for someone who has
suffered heavy losses to attempt to recover
them with the aid of a knife or pistol. It
is also not uncommon for the management
to employ a certain type of debt collector
who meets one outside in an alley," he
explained.
Victoria's eyes widened.
Oh."
What I am trying to say is that we must
take care. I must have your word that you
will do exactly as I instruct at all times.
We will take absolutely no chances," Lucas
ordered.
Lucas, you are far too anxious about
all this. Try to relax and calm yourself.
I assure you, I will behave sensibly." She
smiled brilliantly.
Lucas studied her smile for a moment
and groaned.
Something tells me I am
going to regret this night."
Nonsense. We'll have a marvelous
time."
One of these days, Vicky, we really must
discuss my end of this bargain."
She stilled, suddenly very alert.
You
said you would be content with whatever
I chose to pay."
It was Lucas's turn to smile. Victoria
shivered and turned her attention to the
view outside the carriage. The streets may
have been dark, but they certainly were not
empty. They were filled with an endless
line of carriages carrying the members of
the ton to and from their interminable
round of parties. The streets would be
busy until dawn when the elegant vehicles
would be replaced by farmers" carts and
milk wagons.
Twenty minutes later Victoria felt the
rented carriage draw to a halt. She peered
out excitedly and saw a dingy, unpromising
establishment with a broken sign hanging
over its front door. She glanced at the
faded lettering on the swinging sign.
The Green Pig?"
The name does not exactly whet one's
enthusiasm, does it?"
Do not sound so hopeful. I am not
about to change my mind at this juncture."
Somehow I didn't think you would.
Well, onward then, if you're determined
to go through with this."
If the outside of the Green Pig could be
described as dingy, the inside could only be
called sordid. Everything appeared to have
been decorated in red at one time, but the red
velvet drapes and carpets had turned
dark and sooty and indelibly stained from
years of rough wear and tear. The roaring
blaze on the hearth cast an evil light over
the entire scene, making the interior glow
like the hell it was called.
Victoria stared about in amazement as
she followed Lucas toward the bar. She
had never seen anything like this in her
life. The shadowy room teemed with men
from every walk of life, all intent on the
next roll of the dice or turn of the card.
Dandies and coachmen and professional
boxers rubbed shoulders as they crowded
around the tables. The tinkle of dice and
the accompanying shouts of triumph or
groans of despair created a continuous
din. Tension, nervous excitement, and
male sweat thickened the air, especially
around the green baize tables where players
stood three and four deep. Barmaids
circulated through the throng, using ale
and overflowing bosoms to coax reluctant
players back into a game.
Lucas thrust a tankard into Victoria's
hand.
Camouflage," he muttered.
It will
look odd if you are not drinking. But have