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Deerhurst caught her eye roll and, with a glower, continued with his speech.

“Lady Matlock has bemoaned your involvement with her son to all that could hear. I, always willing to lend a hand, have offered to help her rid her son of his distraction. Should it be revealed that you are compromised by another man, he would quickly abandon any thoughts of pursuing your ill-advised courtship.” Taking another step forward, he leered down at her.

“Don't make the mistake of underestimating Lord Matlock,” Catherine rebuked Lord Deerhurst with a glare of her own. “Or should I say Colonel Fitzwilliam, as he was referred to by those who served alongside him. He is not the sort of man you are familiar dealing with.” Catherine’s hand had never come out of her reticule, which was of benefit because she had several important things in the bag.

Among her belongings, she carried a few pounds, a handkerchief, a packet with a needle and thread, and, most notably, the bronze penknife given to her by Theodore.

Ignoring Catherine’s statement altogether, Deerhurst continued to close in on Catherine.

“I will get five thousand pounds from Lady Matlock for helping to free her son. Then, between your dowry and whatever money I can bleed off that prig Darcy, it will set me for years. I will have enough funds to settle my debts and restore our family estate.” With a swift movement, Deerhurst reached out and undid the ribbon on Catherine's bonnet, pushing it back to expose her hair.

“Everything is falling into place like a beautifully wrapped gift, and I love opening my presents.”

Catherine remained still while her fingers moved urgently around her bag.

“I am neither a gift nor yours. I believe you should leave before you find yourself in a position you regret.” Sweat trickled down her brow as Catherine bided her time.

She would only have one chance if she was to attempt what she had in mind.

Hands worked their way into her hair and started to knock her pins free.

“There is nothing about to happen that I will regret.” Dropping to a knee, he crouched before her.

Gratefully, Catherine recognized that his attention was too much on her cleavage to notice anything else. Having worked the sheath free, Catherine gripped the penknife in her hand like a lifeline as she began to pull her hand free of her reticule. “Life can surprise you.”

When Deerhurst’s large hand moved to try to rip the front of her gown, Catherine brought her penknife around and plunged it into his thigh.

A high-pitched screech burst from his mouth as Catherine shoved him back and jumped to her feet.

Taking a few steps away from his shrieking form, Catherine first strived to get out of his reach.

She had hoped that if she aimed for his leg, he would not be able to pursue her, and it looked like she might be successful in her plan.

“Mistress, we must run.” Lambert appeared out of nowhere and began tugging on Catherine’s arm.

Wordlessly, Catherine nodded her head, eager to get away from the despicable person who had threatened her so.

Gripping Lambert's arm in her own for support, she rushed with her out of the group of trees. They had not taken a dozen steps before Catherine found herself bouncing off the solid form of a person she hadn’t seen while looking back over her shoulder.

A strong hand gripped her arm to prevent her from falling.

“Miss Catherine, are you well? We heard a scream.” Mr. Burgess's voice brought Catherine around to the fact that she had run into friends. Glancing around, she spotted Selene not far behind him.

“Deerhurst,” was all Catherine managed, finding she could not begin to explain what he had been attempting. She pointed behind her to where she could see his form, still trying to get up.

“Burgess! What are you doing? Unhand her!” Theodore came rushing up with young Timmy trailing behind him. Both looked rather concerned.

Selene quickly intervened on behalf of her younger brother. “He was only trying to help her and prevent her from falling. Save your male aggression for the true villain in this situation.” She pointed to the injured Lord Deerhurst sniveling on the ground by the tree.

As Theodore approached Catherine, he took her into his arms. He clasped her to his chest for a long second before pushing her back and inspecting her face with concern.

“Kitty! I know that I have so many apologies to make, but first, I must know, are you all right?” Theodore’s shaking hand ran through Catherine’s mussed tresses before moving to frame her face in both of his large hands.

“I will be fine. I stopped him before he managed to do what he wished.” Looking behind her, Catherine shuddered, seeing Deerhurst glare at her from the ground. Turning to Theodore, she gave a feeble grin. “Have I told you how grateful I am that you got me that pretty little penknife?”

Theodore glared at the miscreant. “What were you thinking trying to accost Miss Catherine, Deerhurst?”

Catherine may have found Deerhurst’s sneer more intimidating if she was not being held so comfortingly in Theodore’s embrace.

With a toss of his head Deerhurst barked, “You may be an earl, but I do not have to answer your questions. Thanks to that wanton chit, I am in rather urgent need of assistance.”

Theodore gave Catherine one last squeeze before stepping back.

“Kitty, my dear, would you mind going with Lambert and Miss Burgess? I think I must have a conversation with the idiot viscount.” The tone of voice he used made Catherine think the conversation might involve more than simple verbal communication.

“Do not think you must hold back on my account. He deserves much for his assumptions and ill-advised behavior. He believed that if I was compromised, you would abandon me without hesitation.” Glaring at the man, Catherine scoffed, “Apparently, he was under the impression that he could pay off his debts by ruining and then marrying me.”

“ What ?” A fierce growl escaped Theodore as he moved away from Catherine and toward the man who had intended to harm her.

Deerhurst, despite his inability to stand, mustered a snarl as he forced himself onto his knees. “She should not have crossed me. I told her she would regret it.”

“Such the gentleman,” Selene’s commented as she drew close to Catherine and put her arm around her friend.

Catherine leaned into her friend with gratitude for the emotions she had gone through were exhausting.

It was as if she had walked through a maze of emotions, starting with depression, then fear and anger, only to now settle into contempt.

“My choice to not dance with you remains unchanged. Are you beginning to regret your actions as you realize that trying to exploit me was a poor choice?”

“I would say so. If he has not, I am more than happy to explain how it is not wise of him to target you, or frankly, anyone else.” Theodore rolled his neck and squared his shoulders.

Deerhurst moved his hand to hover over the blade in his flesh. He curled his lip at it, as if it was the embodiment of all the ills in his life.

Watching the man's hand hover dangerously close to the small blade, Theodore spoke up. “I would not remove the knife if I were you. We need to summon a physician before we remove it. We also need to get a magistrate. There will be consequences for your actions.”

“You cannot tell me what to do!” Reaching down, Deerhurst yanked the blade out of his thigh. When blood started gushing from the wound, his eyes rolled back into his head.