Page 32 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke

‘Your family really is a disgrace,’ Thea said. ‘And you have the brains of a feather duster if you think this is going to work. I can’t imagine how you thought up such a scheme, let alone worked out how to abduct me.’

Then she realised.

‘You didn’t, did you? This is your sister’s idea.

Helena wants me ruined. She knows you are going to run away rather than face that young man, so either I end up married to you, which she will greatly enjoy seeing, or I will be ruined, which will please her even more.

She wants to revenge herself on me for thwarting her little scheme with the Duke and she isn’t thinking about your interests at all. ’

Randolph’s face was scarlet, all the confirmation that she needed. ‘Shut up, you bitch.’

‘And how do you intend to make me? Bring in your hired bully boy because you can’t subdue one young woman all by yourself?’

Randolph looked at her through narrowed eyes, then deliberately looked away and stared at the bed.

There was a long silence while Thea’s stomach plunged, then he said, ‘I really didn’t think I was interested enough in you to actively ruin you—skinny redheads are not my fancy—but I have to do something to entertain myself until tomorrow. ’

‘I’ll scream the place down.’

‘Not if you are gagged, you won’t. Or I can let Pitkin have you. He’s not fussy, and it will be a nice extra for him. Amusing to watch.’

Thea felt sick. She thought she might overcome Randolph if he became careless, but she had no confidence she could do anything against the lout outside, let alone both men.

‘Very well. I will be quiet. I won’t say a word. I’ll sit here and behave,’ she said hurriedly. She didn’t have to pretend to be cowed—she felt it, despising herself.

You cannot fight both of them . This is tactics, the sensible way to stay safe, not cowardice.

Randolph relaxed a little. ‘Very wise.’

Thea was beginning to get the feeling that it was not only the threat of being hurt in a duel that frightened him, but any form of conflict.

He would not relish rape, even if he threatened it.

He was quite happy to seduce innocent young women, provided he did not have to face them afterwards, but a struggling, fighting woman was another matter.

‘May I ask one question?’ she ventured.

‘Ask away, just keep that adder’s tongue of yours civil,’ he said. ‘Pitkin!’

The door opened and the big man looked in. ‘Yes, guv’nor?’

‘Have them send up some food and more ale. Go and get some for yourself, but wait and turn the key in the door on your side after the maid’s left before you go.’

‘Aye, guv’nor.’ The door closed.

‘Well?’

‘You say you expect us to be discovered tomorrow morning. What makes you think someone will trace us and, if they do, why they won’t arrive until then?’

‘They’ll be flapping around for an age. Who’ll notice you’ve gone in all that crush? Then we got you out without being seen. It will take them hours to work out what happened. When they do, I’ve left them a clue to follow, but that will take time.’

‘A clue?’

‘Nobody but an idiot would set out on a clandestine journey with as noticeable an assortment of horses in the traces as we did. Yes, I reckon tomorrow morning we’ll see them here.’

‘What time is it now?’

Randolph pulled a watch from his waistcoat pocket. ‘Just on eight.’

As he spoke, the door opened to admit a maid with a laden tray, followed by the pot boy with a jug.

Thea tensed. If she jumped up, tipped the tray over Randolph, ran for the door—

The big man stood there like a boulder. She relaxed again. Not possible, and there was a risk that the maid or the lad might get hurt.

Thea made herself eat and drink, ignoring her rebellious stomach.

She felt queasier when she realised that time was moving on and, sooner or later, Randolph would be wanting to go to sleep.

And there was only one bed, not even a couch.

He might say now that he did not want to ravish her, but she had no confidence that he would still feel like that if he woke in the night and she was there, beside him, on the bed.

At least he was drinking ale and not getting roaring drunk on spirits. Or was that worse? If he was very drunk, he might pass out.

She didn’t know. All she did know was that she was frightened and she wanted Hal. But Hal was not here. He did not even know she was missing.

* * *

Time passed. Pitkin let in the maid to clear their dinner dishes.

‘I’ll bring up hot water, shall I, sir?’

‘No, leave it.’

‘Very good, sir, ma’am.’ The girl cast them a curious look, then left. The key turned in the lock and there was a sound that Thea guessed was a chair being dragged across and placed outside the door.

Randolph produced a pack of cards. ‘Do you play piquet?’

‘I can,’ she said indifferently. Actually, she was quite good at it, the result of playing against Piers, who took the very complex game very seriously.

‘To one hundred points?’ He pushed the pack towards her.

‘Certainly.’ Thea cut and showed the four of clubs then pushed the pack back.

Randolph cut and got the ten of hearts. ‘Your deal.’

‘I shall deal in twos,’ Thea announced and proceeded to do so six times. She spread the remaining cards, the talon , face down on the table.

She picked up her own hand and examined it. As the dealer she must wait for her opponent to make his discards.

Randolph grimaced, then looked at his cards, took out five and discarded them face down, replacing them from the talon.

Thea studied her hand, wondering what was left in the talon. ‘Three,’ she said then dropped them unheeded as there was a bellow of rage from just outside, more shouts and the sound of something heavy crashing against the wall.

The door burst open and three men almost fell into the room.

One was a total stranger, the second was the Earl of Porchester and the third, with blood on his knuckles, was Hal.