The Pirate's Desire (25 page)

A few days later

Lucinda had anticipated
the masquerade ball for weeks. The thought of dancing with mysterious, masked men had thrilled her. Instead, when she slipped into the ballroom that evening, she found the masks gave the ball a sinister feel, what with a rapist on the loose. Was he one of the gentry? In what costume might a rapist clothe himself?

Lucinda stood near the wall, watching the doings through her gold mask on a stick. Tonight she wore the gold silk gown for the first time, and if anyone asked, said she was Marie Antoinette.

She spotted Timothy Fenwick, who wore a knight’s armor with a sword at his hip. Since their aborted kiss in the garden, he had steered quite clear of her. Lucinda supposed she deserved it. But she’d also noticed that since the kiss, Timothy had gained a new boldness. He asked many girls to dance, and frequently signed Amelia’s card twice.

Perhaps her improper advance had not ruined him, after all.

She involuntarily searched for Riel. It took only a second to find him, for she always possessed an innate sense of his location.

Riel had come as himself. A pirate. He wore a white linen shirt, open below the throat, and it sported loose sleeves, cuffed to a band about his wrists. He also wore a wide belt, a wicked looking dagger, black breeches and his usual black, battered boots. He only lacked an earring.

He certainly did not lack for female attention. Lucinda couldn’t help but notice the bevy of women eyeing him as if he were the first course…or perhaps dessert. The bolder of the bunch fluttered their dance cards beneath his nose. She averted her eyes from the trollops circling him, even now.

“Lucinda.” Jonathon stood at her elbow. His smile curved below his black mask. He’d arrived as a bandito, and looked very dashing, too, dressed all in black, with a saber at his hip. “You look lovely.”

She fluttered her eyelashes, trying to look her part—although she wasn’t quite sure how Marie Antoinette had behaved. “Why,
merci,
Jonathon.”

“May I sign for the first dance?”

“Of course.” Lucinda became aware that Riel watched them. A faint frown drew his brows together. He’d prefer it if she never danced with Jonathon at all. Perversely, she offered Jonathon a bright smile. “I hope you’ll wish to sign for more than one dance.”

Jonathon grinned wolfishly, showing his teeth. “If I could, I would steal you from all others, Lucinda, and keep you for myself. However, with your guardian glaring at me as he is, I will content myself with two. May I have the supper dance again?”

Lucinda grinned. “I would be very pleased.” She did not imagine the frown lowering Riel’s brow as Jonathon took his time over signing her card.

Next, Fredrick stepped up. “May I have a dance, as well?” He sounded faintly surly, but she allowed him to sign, too.

Abruptly, he turned and headed for Amelia, whose brows twitched together. At that moment, Timothy stood by her side. Faintly, Lucinda heard Amelia tell Fredrick, “I told you ‘no.’ Now leave, if you please.” Fredrick whirled and stormed off.

Jonathon had apparently noticed the same scene. “It appears Fredrick has lost the favor of my dear cousin.”

“He dances a bit too close from time to time.”

“He is a knave,” Jonathon said. “Amelia is better off without him. As would you be.”

Lucinda glanced at her card. Fredrick did make her feel uncomfortable. Perhaps she should stop dancing with him, too. “Well, it’s just one dance.” Then she saw the one for which he’d signed. The waltz! It was bad enough to endure that barely appropriate dance with Riel. But Fredrick? She bit her lip. “I suppose I will endure.”

The music struck up, and Jonathon led her onto the dance floor. Lucinda quite forgot all about Fredrick as the night whirled away. At least she forgot about him until late in the evening, when he arrived to claim his waltz.

Fredrick pulled her quickly into the whirling throng and held her much too close. She smelled alcohol on his breath and wrestled to maintain a proper distance between them. Jonathon was right. She’d been foolish to let Fredrick sign her dance card again. No wonder Amelia had denied him a dance. In point of fact, she couldn’t remember Fredrick dancing with many people at all during the last few weeks.

Now she knew why.

Fredrick stepped too quickly to the music. Lucinda dragged her feet a little, trying to slow him down, but he paid no attention. He hustled her toward the far corner of the room. Fury blazed in his small, pebbled eyes and he gripped her hand too hard. He ground out, “Why won’t your friend dance with me?”

“Loosen your grip, sir.” Lucinda was tired of fighting the devil. “In fact, release me at once. I am finished with this dance.”

“Not until you answer my questions.”

Lucinda twisted her hand, trying to free it, but Fredrick only squeezed harder. The bones in her hand squished together, turning her skin white. Pain skewered up her arm and tears sprang to her eyes. “Stop at once! I will not answer until you behave with decorum.”

He jerked her closer, and growled in her ear, “Why won’t Amelia
dance
with me?”

His breath smelled quite unpleasant. Of alcohol and stale kidney pie. Lucinda gritted her teeth. “Because you are a lout!” She stamped hard on his toe. Unfortunately, he wore boots and she, only thin satin slippers.

Now his fingers pinched deep into her waist, and she involuntarily cried out in pain.

He snarled, “You two tramps think you’re above me. Is that it? You think I’m dirt beneath your fine shoes.”

He was hurting her. Blood pounded in Lucinda’s head, and fear tainted her bravado. He’d steered her near the door to the garden. What did he intend to do? How could she escape him?

If only she could reach the butter knife she’d strapped to her shin! But lacking all other recourse… No help for it. Lucinda must employ the method her father had taught her to disable a man. She hauled back and kneed him in a most tender location.

Her thick skirts and petticoats likely softened the blow, but Fredrick still blanched and doubled over. Unfortunately, he did not loosen his grip. He recovered quickly and continued to drag her toward the garden door.

“Stop!” Lucinda dug in her heels. Unfortunately, the loud music and even louder chattering voices swallowed up her cry.

The door drew closer and closer. A tall, dark form stepped in their path.

“Release her,” Riel said through his teeth.

Relief shot through Lucinda.

After an indecisive moment, Fredrick thrust her free and she staggered into Riel’s hard, solid body. “Keep your trollop,” Fredrick spat. “No doubt she is soiled goods.” His narrowed, pig’s eyes glared at her. “Or if she isn’t yet, she will be soon.”

Fear curled in Lucinda’s stomach.

Hatred blazed from Fredrick’s eyes, and she pressed backward, unconsciously seeking Riel’s protection. His hands curled around her arms, securing her close against him. He said, “Is that a threat, Fredrick?”

The stocky blond man took a step backward, evidently not liking the look on Riel’s face.

“She’s fast and loose. You know it and I know it, Montclair. Girls who wander about in gardens ask for the most base of attentions.”

In a flash, Riel put Lucinda behind him and had Fredrick by the cravat. He jerked the younger man up on his toes. Fredrick’s eyes fluttered wildly, and then narrowed with malice. “Release me!” he sputtered.

“I will release you when you understand one thing. Unless you like pain, you will steer clear of Lady Lucinda.”

“You’re threatening me bodily harm?”

“I am promising it.” Riel smiled. “And I also promise I will relish administering it.” He jerked Fredrick up a notch higher. “Is that clear?”

Purple flushed Fredrick’s face. “You will regret humiliating me. Both of you will!”

“I have not heard your answer.” Riel’s knuckles were white at the other man’s throat.

“I will not offer her another dance. You may be sure of that.”

Riel released Fredrick with a thrust, which sent him staggering back two steps. “I will hold you to it.”

Fredrick strode away, shaking with palpable rage. Others who had stopped dancing to watch the interchange began to whisper among themselves. A few ladies tittered, which likely did not improve Fredrick’s disposition.

Lucinda found herself trembling. Riel turned to her, and his hard look softened. “Are you all right, Lucy?”

“I…I’m fine.”

“You do not look fine.” Riel took her hand and led her to a vacant chair near the wall. He saw her seated, and when she refused a glass of punch, sat beside her.

Arms crossed, Lucinda watched Fredrick lurk near the alcoholic punch bowl across the room. “He’s horrible.”

“Forget him, Lucy.” Riel’s voice brought her attention back to him. “You are safe, and I will make certain you remain that way.”

“Thank you, Riel.” Tears prickled her eyes, but she blinked them back.

“You are sure you do not want a drink?” He put his hands on his thighs, as if ready to rise immediately to do her bidding.

“No.” She put her hand over his to forestall him. “I’m fine.” Then she realized what she had done. His hand felt very large beneath hers, and she felt the firm texture of his skin and the few short dark hairs that roughened the back of it.

“I’m sorry!” she whispered, snatching it back.

“You have not offended me, Lucy.”

“But it is most inappropriate.”

The black eyes smiled a little, holding hers. “I think we are beyond trivialities like that, don’t you?”

“It is not right for us to become too close.”

“We are bound together by your father’s covenant. We are…bound…to become close.”

Lucinda looked down, remembering their stolen kiss in the garden, and the chaste one in his house the other day. Alarmingly, she wanted to feel his arms around her again, holding her close to him. And she’d like to experience another of his kisses, too.

Hot color burned her cheeks, and she looked quickly away, hoping he would not notice. The music whispered to a halt, and matrons gathered up their wraps. Was it already time to go?

The band struck up a new, lively tune, and Riel’s hand closed over hers this time. “I believe this is my dance.”

“Of course.” Lucinda stepped into his arms a trifle too willingly. She relished the feel of being near him…of feeling his muscles play beneath her fingers, and she enjoyed the sure touch of his hands upon her, minimal as that contact was. They glided effortlessly together, and the soft strains of the music wove around and between them, seeming to knit them together as one.

Was Riel holding her a little too closely to him? Lucinda did not care. In fact, unable to help herself, she edged the barest fraction nearer. A whiff of the clean, masculine scent that was Riel filled her senses. The fine linen of his shirt felt thin, compared to the jacket he usually wore, and touching his shoulder felt almost as if no barrier existed between her fingers and his bare skin at all. Confusion and a flame lit inside her at the thought.

What was wrong with her? Had she lost her senses? She had felt none of this when dancing with other men, not even Jonathon.

Here, at last, was the magic and the excitement she craved. But it was with Riel. Her heart pounded faster, and for a second, she imagined the impossible…if Riel were her suitor. The breath caught in her throat. If he pursued her, would she deny him?

No.
She felt his warm breath at her temple, and for one wild, fierce moment, she longed for him to be the man to court her. For him to be the man who pursued her with his whole heart, and with all of the strength and determination that were only Riel.

Lucinda shifted in his arms as panic slid through her. What was she thinking? She couldn’t have these kinds of feelings for him!

“Lucy?” He frowned. “Are you all right?” He looked over her head, apparently scanning the room. “Did you see Fredrick?”

Fredrick? That disagreeable young man couldn’t be further from her thoughts. Instead, the tall man before her filled every corner of her mind and heart. “No,” she whispered, and pulled back the instant the music stopped.

Riel watched her with a concerned, quizzical expression. That couldn’t be helped. Better that, than let him know what she’d truly been thinking.

“I…I believe I am tired. I would like to take my leave now.”

He inclined his head, still obviously trying to figure out what was wrong with her. He extended his arm. With grace, she accepted it, and felt the hard muscles of his forearm through the fine cloth. Lucinda said her goodbyes, and walked beside him for the door and down the steps to the lamp lit street. She felt intensely aware of the man at her side.

Fredrick bumped her arm hard, on the way down the stairs, and Lucinda almost felt grateful for the flash of rage she felt, for it turned her mind away from her disturbing guardian.

Fredrick disappeared into a carriage. The horses clopped down the street. A new thought entered her mind, and her eyes narrowed. Those women who had been abducted…had they spurned their suitors? Had they been raped by a malicious, rejected man such as Fredrick? She would put nothing past that man. Malevolence lurked in him. Fredrick was a man to watch.

* * * * *

A few more weeks whirled by, and once again, Lucinda tried her best to avoid Riel. Her burgeoning feelings for him would not do. In the mornings, when he came down for breakfast, she wanted to linger and talk to him. She did not. At supper, when he tried to engage her in conversation, she was polite, but left as soon as was decently proper.

She did
not
have any sort of romantic feelings for Riel Montclair. She needed to find an eligible man to marry, and fast. And her disturbing guardian was certainly not him.

At this rate, the Season would end before she found a husband.

Sophie didn’t talk much anymore, but one afternoon she patted Lucinda’s hand and urged her to come closer. In a breathy whisper, she said, “Have…you…fallen in love…yet?”