Ravished

Chapter Seventeen

The gossip about the rumored challenge between Gideon and Morland was almost overwhelmed by the gossip about what soon came to be known throughout the ton as the Quarrel.

All of Society, much to Harriet's disgust, appeared to be fascinated by her refusal to talk to her husband. Word spread like wildfire that evening at the ball. The Bride of the Beast of Blackthorne Hall was giving her lord the cold shoulder. Speculation was rife concerning the cause of the Quarrel.

Ultimately Harriet's reasons for refusing to talk to her husband were far less interesting to Society than the fact that the Quarrel itself was proving such delightful entertainment.

Harriet soon learned it was exceedingly difficult to ignore Gideon when he chose not to be ignored. And he seemed to delight in baiting her in public.

She was involved in an absorbing conversation with a group of fossil enthusiasts at the ball when Gideon appeared. He had been mercifully absent all evening until now. But at eleven o'clock he strode through the door and made his way straight toward Harriet. As usual, he did not bother to greet anyone along the way.

"Good evening, my dear," he said calmly as he came to a halt in front of her. "I believe they are about to play a waltz. Will you dance with me?"

Harriet lifted her chin and turned her back to him. She plunged back into the conversation as if her very large husband were not looming directly over her.

The group of people around her made a valiant effort to continue the discussion of marine fossils, but it was obvious no one could concentrate on it now. They were all far too curious about this latest development. Harriet might be able to ignore the Beast, but no one else could.

Gideon did not appear to notice that he had been rebuffed. "Thank you, my dear. I knew you could not refuse a waltz."

Harriet gave a muffled shriek of surprise when Gideon's massive hands closed around her waist from behind.

He picked her up and carried her effortlessly out onto the floor amid a flood of stifled giggles and disapproving gasps. He set her on her feet, took her into his arms, and swept her into the waltz. There was no escape from the gentle prison of his arms.

Harriet glowered up at him.

Gideon smiled down at her. His tawny eyes gleamed. "At a loss for words, my dear?"

She longed to lecture him, but could not. To do so would be to break her vow of silence. There was nothing for it but to finish the blasted waltz. Harriet was acutely aware of the fascinated stares and murmured comments from those around her.

What a delightful tidbit this little scene was going to make for the gossips tomorrow morning, Harriet thought resentfully. The ballroom was already humming with the tale.

One more outrageous act from the Beast of Blackthorne Hall.

Gideon talked casually of everything from the state of the weather to the size of the crowd that filled the Berkstones' ballroom. Harriet glared at a point just past his shoulder as he guided her around the floor.

"I see Fry and Applegate have arrived," Gideon murmured as the music came to an end. "You will have to excuse me, my dear. I have business to discuss with them."

Harriet turned on her heel and stalked stiffly back to join her friends. When she glanced back over her shoulder she saw Fry and Applegate hovering together with Gideon in what appeared to be a very serious conversation.

She was not the only one who noticed the trio. So did everyone else in the ballroom as word spread swiftly of what was happening.

"Rumors of a duel," Lady Youngstreet whispered darkly to Harriet when she returned to her friends. "Fry said it was all very secret, of course. He and Applegate are acting as St. Justin's seconds. Don't suppose you know any of the details?"

"No, I do not," Harriet stated firmly.

Effie came up to her a few minutes later. "The whole ballroom is agog. Is it true? St. Justin is going to fight a duel?"

"Not if I can help it," Harriet muttered.

Effie eyed her narrowly. "What is going on, Harriet? And what on earth was that outrageous business about a few minutes ago? St. Justin picked you up and carried you out onto the floor. Everyone is talking about it."

"People always talk about St. Justin," Harriet muttered. "I need a glass of lemonade. Or perhaps something stronger."

Lady Youngstreet beamed. "Here comes a footman with a tray. I sent for it earlier. Help yourself, my dear."

Harriet picked up the nearest glass, not noticing whether it was champagne or lemonade. She took a sip and stood tapping one satin-clad toe.

Effie frowned. "Try not to cause any more comment tonight, Harriet. There has been quite enough as it is."

"Yes, Aunt Effie."

Effie gave her one last quelling look and vanished into the crowd.

The small group of fossil enthusiasts gallantly tried to restart the conversation. But their efforts were thwarted when Clive Rushton appeared.

He elbowed his way straight into Harriet's small circle and fixed her with his unsettling gaze. A hush fell over the little group.

"So," Rushton said in a rasping voice. "You have succeeded in marrying the Beast. Congratulations, Lady St. Justin. For you are married to a murderer."

Harriet stared at him in shock. "How dare you, sir?"

Rushton ignored her and the horrified reaction of the small cluster of fossil hunters.

"How long?" Rushton intoned. "How long can you abide fornicating with the demon? How long before the Beast turns on you? How long will you be safe, Lady St. Justin?"

Harriet's hand was shaking with reaction. The glass she was holding wobbled precariously. "Please, sir. 'Tis obvious you are still crazed with grief even after all these years, and you have my deepest sympathy. But you must go away before St. Justin realizes you are talking to me like this."

"It is too late," Gideon said quietly as he materialized at Harriet's side. "I have already heard him."

Rushton's intense eyes swung to Gideon. "Murderer. You killed her. You killed my daughter." His voice rose to the full-throated roar he had no doubt cultivated in the pulpit. "Hear me now. The Beast of Blackthorne Hall will soon take another victim. His innocent wife will be driven to her death just as my innocent daughter was driven to hers."

Before anyone realized Rushton's intention, he grabbed the glass of champagne out of Lady Youngstreet's hand and dashed the contents straight into Gideon's face.

Rage swept through Harriet. "Do not call him a Beast, damn you."

She hurled the champagne in her own glass into Rush-ton's startled features. Then she launched herself at him.

Rushton took a step back in astonishment. He threw up his hands to protect himself.

Lady Youngstreet screamed. So did several other women who saw what was happening. The men stood watching helplessly, their expressions full of horror and confusion. No one moved.

Clearly no one knew the socially correct way to deal with a brawl in a ballroom that had been started by a lady.

No one except Gideon.

He took one step forward and caught Harriet just as she started to pummel Rushton. Gideon was laughing so hard he almost dropped her.

"Enough, madam." Gideon tossed her lightly over his shoulder and held her still with an arm around her thighs. "You have successfully defended my honor. The good Reverend Rushton is defeated, I believe. Is that not so, sir?"

Hanging over Gideon's shoulder as she was, Harriet had a hard time seeing what was going on. She twisted her head far enough around to see Rushton's furious features.

Rushton did not respond to Gideon's taunting. Instead he swung about and pushed his way through the stunned crowd toward the door of the ballroom.

Gideon lowered Harriet to her feet. She straightened her skirts and looked up to find him grinning down at her. His eyes were the color of molten gold.

"Another waltz, madam?" Gideon asked, bowing gallantly over her hand.

Harriet was so unnerved by the events that she went back into his arms without a word.

That night Gideon came to her room after she was in bed just as if everything was entirely normal between them.

The action infuriated Harriet, who had had an opportunity to recover from the scenes at the Berkstones's ball. She turned her back to him as he sauntered over to the bed.

"Did you enjoy the evening, my dear?" Gideon asked as he put his candle down on the end table.

Harriet possessed herself in stony silence.

"Yes, it was a rather tame affair, was it not? Quite dull, in fact." Gideon tossed his dressing gown onto a chair, pulled back the covers, and slid in beside her. He was naked. "You looked lovely, as always, however."

Harriet felt his arm go around her waist from behind. His hand rested on her breast. She tried to ignore it.

"Harriet, did you mean it earlier tonight when you said you loved me?"

That was too much. Harriet forgot her vow of silence. "For goodness' sake, Gideon, this is hardly the time to ask me that. I am furious with you."

"Yes, I know. You are not talking to me." He kissed the nape of her neck.

"No, I am not."

"But did you mean it?"

"Yes," she admitted, thoroughly disgruntled. His hand was sliding along her hip now and his leg was moving between hers. She could feel him searching out her softness. Her back was to him, but that did not seem to be deterring him in the least.

"I am glad," Gideon said. He pushed the hem of her gown up to her waist. "That was all I wanted to discuss at the moment. You do not need to say anything else if you would rather not. I will understand."

"Gideon—"

"Hush." He leaned over her, kissing her throat and the sensitive place behind her ear. His hand moved over her buttocks. One finger slid between the two soft globes.

Harriet shivered, her body warming immediately to his touch. "Gideon, I meant it when I said I was not speaking to you."

"I believe you." His finger traveled lower and eased slowly into her. He worked gently, drawing forth the damp heat, opening her, making her ready.

"Gideon, are you laughing at me?"

"I would never laugh at you, my sweet. But sometimes you do make me smile."

And suddenly his finger was gone and he was gently, slowly pushing his broad, hard shaft into her.

Even if Harriet had wanted to carry on a conversation at that point, she would have been unable to do so. Pleasure drove out all thought of speech.

The following morning Harriet was scheduled to join Felicity and Effie on a shopping expedition. She was not looking forward to it. She knew Effie would want to lecture her severely about the events in the Berkstones's ballroom.

When a maid knocked to tell her that her sister and aunt had arrived and were waiting for her, Harriet sealed the letter she had just finished writing.

"You will see this gets into today's post, do you understand?" she said to the maid.

The girl nodded quickly and left to find a footman. Harriet reluctantly picked up her bonnet and went downstairs.

When she reached the hall, however, she saw no sign of Felicity and Effie. "Where are they, Owl?"

"His lordship invited them into the library to visit while they waited for you, madam." Owl opened the door for her.

"I see. Thank you." Harriet whisked into the library and saw Felicity and Effie seated across from Gideon. She groaned.

Gideon rose to his feet, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Good morning, my dear. I see you are ready to leave. What time shall we expect you home?"

The campaign of silence was proving extremely difficult to wage, as Harriet had discovered last night. Nevertheless, she was still making the effort this morning. It was, she had concluded, her only weapon for bringing Gideon to his senses.

Harriet looked at Felicity as she tied her bonnet strings. "You may tell his lordship that after we return from shopping I shall be attending a meeting of the Fossils and Antiquities Society. I shall be back home by four."

Felicity's eyes gleamed with amusement. She delicately cleared her throat and turned to Gideon. "Your wife says she will be back by four, my lord."

"Excellent. Just in time for a ride in the park."

Harriet scowled. "Felicity, please tell his lordship that I do not feel like a drive in the park today."

Felicity hid a grin as she looked at Gideon. "My sister says to tell you that—"

"I heard," Gideon murmured, his eyes on Harriet. "Nevertheless, I wish to ride in the park this afternoon and I know she will want to accompany me. I am most anxious to see her mounted on her new mare."

"What new mare?" Harriet demanded. Then she realized she had addressed the question to Gideon. She rounded on her sister quickly. "Ask his lordship about this new mare he mentioned."

"Good grief," Effie muttered. "I cannot believe this. It is ridiculous."

Felicity, however, was enjoying the game. "My sister is curious about the new mare, sir."

"Yes, I imagine she is. Tell her that the mare arrived in our stables yesterday and she will see her for herself when she joins me for a ride in the park this afternoon."

Harriet glowered at him. "Felicity, kindly tell my husband that I will not be bribed."

Felicity opened her mouth to relay the warning, but Gideon forestalled her. He held up a hand.

"I understand. My wife does not wish me to think I am trying to get her to break her silence with the gift of the mare. Please assure her I have no such intention. The mare was purchased before she stopped speaking to me, so she need have no qualms about riding her."

Harriet flashed him an uncertain glance and then looked at Felicity. "Tell his lordship I thank him for the mare, but I do not feel today would be a good time for me to go riding with him. We would not be able to converse and the ride would be quite tedious."

"She says—" Felicity began.

"Yes, I heard," Gideon said. "The thing is, if I go riding in the park alone today after what happened last night, people will most certainly talk I shall be the subject of a great deal of unpleasant speculation. It is even possible that some will say I am beating my wife."

"Rubbish," Harriet snapped to Felicity.

"I am not so certain about that," Gideon said thoughtfully. "People expect the worst from the Beast of Blackthorne Hall. Beating his wife would be perfectly in keeping with the rumors about him. And after Rushton's dire predictions and accusations last night, everyone will definitely be waiting for the worst to happen. Don't you agree, Mrs. Ashecombe?"

Effie gave him a thoughtful look. "Yes. Very probably. One thing is for certain, there will be no lack of gossip today. What with one thing and another, the two of you have managed to make yourselves notorious."

Harriet gritted her teeth, alarmed at the possibility that he was right. People were always willing to believe the worst of Gideon and he did nothing to stop them. Last night she had actually added to the scandalbroth that always swirled around him. If she was not seen with him today, the rumors of a rift between them would be rampant.

"Very well." Harriet lifted her chin. "Felicity, you may inform his lordship that I shall join him this afternoon for a ride in the park."

"I am pleased to hear it, my dear," Gideon murmured.

Effie rolled her eyes. "I have had enough of this crazed conversation. Let us be off."

"Certainly." Harriet led the way out of the library. She refused to look back at Gideon because she knew he was silently laughing at her.

A few minutes later, when Effie and Felicity were seated across from Harriet in the carriage, Felicity succumbed to a burst of giggles.

"I fail to see what is so amusing," Harriet grumbled.

"How long can you maintain this pose of not talking to him?" Felicity demanded. "I was told on the dance floor last night by several of my partners that there are bets being placed in the clubs. Everyone is trying to guess the exact length of time the Quarrel will last."

"It is no one's business," Harriet retorted.

Effie gave her a severe frown. "If that is the case, you should have kept your Quarrel private."

"It was impossible to do so," Harriet said. "Gideon insists on provoking me at every turn. Just as he did in the library a few minutes ago. He refuses to respect the fact that I am not speaking to him."

Effie eyed her curiously. "You cannot be surprised to learn that Society is finding this all quite fascinating. Your husband has always been a source of gossip."

"I know," Harriet admitted.

"Attacking Rushton as you did last night has just added another dollop of excitement to the rumors."

Harriet scowled. "Rushton called St. Justin a beast again. I cannot abide it when anyone calls him by that horrid name."

"This is the first time we have had an opportunity to see you alone," Felicity said, leaning forward intently. "And I have been dying to know just why it is you are not speaking to St. Justin. Does it have anything to do with these rumors of a challenge we have been hearing? What is going on, Harriet?"

Harriet looked at her sister and her aunt and nearly broke into tears. "You have heard about the duel?"

"Everyone has heard," Felicity assured her. "For heaven's sake St. Justin chose Fry and Applegate for his seconds. Neither one of them could keep silent. They are both far too taken with the notion of themselves as men of the world now."

"It is absolutely outrageous," Effie complained. "A duel is supposed to be conducted in some secrecy, for goodness' sake."

"There are always rumors about duels," Felicity pointed out.

"Yes, but in this case the matter has virtually become a public spectacle. The entire world knows about it."

"Oh, dear." Harriet groped for a handkerchief in her reticule. "It is all so awful I am so afraid St. Justin will be shot or forced to flee the country. And all because of Mr. Morland. He is not worth a duel. I have explained that to St. Justin, but he refuses to call it off."

Effie gazed at her thoughtfully. "Is that why you are not speaking to your husband? You are angry with him for risking his neck in a duel?"

Harriet nodded morosely. "Yes. And it is all my fault, in a way."

Felicity leaned back in the seat. "St Justin challenged Morland because of something Morland said to you? Is that what happened?"

Harriet sighed. "It was a bit more than just an insult, I'll grant you. Nevertheless—"

"How much more than just an insult?" Effie demanded.

"Mr. Morland attacked me, if you must know the truth." Harriet saw the horror in her aunt's eyes and hastened to reassure her. "But there was no great harm done. Except to Mr. Morland. I dropped a rather large stone on his head. But St. Justin refuses to let the matter rest."

"I should think not," Effie retorted. "This news changes everything. Of course St. Justin must do something."

"Oh, Harriet," Felicity breathed. "St. Justin is going to fight a duel over your honor I think that is terribly romantic."

"Well, I do not," Harriet snapped. "I have got to find a way to prevent it."

"He must love you very much," Felicity observed, eyes filled with wonder.

Harriet grimaced. "It is not that at all. It is simply that St. Justin takes his honor very seriously."

"And as you are his wife, your honor is tied to his own," Felicity said softly.

"Unfortunately, yes." Harriet straightened with resolve. "But I will find a way to stop this stupid duel. I have already taken steps."

"Steps?"

"This morning before you arrived I sent for assistance."

Effie stared at her. "What sort of assistance?"

"St. Justin's parents," Harriet said with satisfaction. "I dispatched a note to them informing them that something dreadful was about to happen. I am certain they will help me find a way to end this matter. After all, St. Justin is their only son and heir. They will not want him risking his neck in a duel any more than I do."

The rumors of the duel and the Quarrel and Harriet's attack on Rushton were not only titillating the ton. Harriet discovered that afternoon that they were also the talk of the Fossil and Antiquities Society meeting.

Fry and Applegate, both looking solemn and extremely important, assumed the stature of Dashing Men of Action the moment they walked into Lady Youngstreet's drawing room. Everyone edged close to the duo in hopes of picking up a crumb of information.

"Matter of honor," Fry declared in grave tones. "Cannot discuss it further, of course. Very serious matter. Very serious indeed."

"Absolutely cannot talk about it," Applegate said. "Quite certain you all understand. Can only say St. Justin is dealing with this as a gentleman. Afraid I cannot say the same about the other party involved. Refuses to see us or name his seconds."

Harriet, who was sitting on the sofa, overheard Applegate's remark and brightened slightly. She wondered desperately if that meant Morland would manage to find a way to call off the duel. Perhaps he would send his apology to Gideon. She leaned forward, straining to hear more from Applegate.

Unfortunately, Lady Youngstreet chose that moment to sit down beside her. She gave Harriet a droll wink. Harriet realized she had already had a nip of her afternoon sherry.

"Well, well, well, my girl," Lady Youngstreet said grandly. "That was quite a production you staged last night. Flew at Rushton like a little tigress, you did."

"He called St. Justin a beast," Harriet said defensively.

Lady Youngstreet tilted her head thoughtfully to one side. "Do you know, I was never particularly aware of Rushton until lately. Don't believe he had the blunt go into Society much. But one sees him everywhere these days, doesn't one?"

"Yes," Harriet muttered. "One does."

The more people talked about the duel, the more ominous and inevitable it all became. It was clear to Harriet that her campaign to change Gideon's mind by refusing to speak to him was not working. She wondered gloomily if she should drop the tactic.

He did not even seem to notice her anger.

That afternoon when he helped her mount her beautiful new mare, he conducted a pleasant, one-sided conversation just as if Harriet were responding normally.

"Well, then, what do you think of her? The two of you make an excellent pair." Gideon tossed Harriet lightly up onto the saddle and then stepped back to admire the sight of her perched on the mare. He nodded his satisfaction. "Stunning, in fact."

Harriet, dressed in a ruby red habit with a perky red hat on her thick hair, could hardly keep silent. The little Arabian was truly beautiful. Harriet had never in her life ridden such an elegant horse. She patted the sleek neck in wonder.

Gentle, intelligent, and well-mannered, the mare pranced cheerfully along beside Gideon's massive bay stallion. The Arabian was clearly not the least intimidated by the bay's size.

Harriet was acutely aware of the stares as they rode into the park. She knew she and Gideon probably made a riveting couple, not only because of the gossip that surrounded them, but because of the picture they made together on horseback. A knight astride his destrier on an outing with his lady on her palfrey, she thought whimsically.

Harriet was so struck by the image that she almost broke her vow of silence to tell Gideon about it. Her lips parted on the words and then she firmly sealed them.

Gideon smiled blandly. "I know this business of being silent must be extremely hard on you, my dear. And completely unnecessary. You have said yourself I am inordinately stubborn. You are not likely to change my mind with your silence."

Harriet glowered at him and knew he was right. The man was impossibly stubborn. She gave up the campaign of silence with a sense of relief mixed with annoyance.

"You are correct, my lord," she said crisply. "You are extremely stubborn. But you do have excellent taste in horses." She smiled happily down at her beautiful mare.

"Thank you, my dear," Gideon said humbly. "It is always nice to know one is useful for some purpose."

"I have a great many purposes for you, my lord. But you will not be of any use to me at all if you get yourself killed in this stupid duel." She turned to him impulsively. "Gideon, you must not go through with this thing."

Gideon's mouth curved. "You are certainly persistent, madam. I will tell you once again there is nothing to concern you in this. Everything is under control. Try to have some trust in your poor husband."

"It is not a question of trust, it is a question of common sense." Harriet gazed straight ahead over her mare's ears. "Allow me to tell you that you are not displaying any at the moment." A sudden thought struck her "Gideon, is there something going on here I do not know about? Are you by any chance concocting one of your mysterious schemes?"

"I have a plan, my dear. I usually do. That is all I am prepared to say at the moment."

"Tell me about it," Harriet demanded.

"No," said Gideon.

"Why not? I am your wife. You can trust me."

"It is not a matter of trust." Gideon smiled briefly. "It is a matter of common sense."

Harriet frowned at him. "You do not think I can keep a secret? I am insulted, sir."

"It is not that, my dear. It is just that in this instance, I am convinced it would be best if no one besides myself knew what was planned."

"But you have taken Applegate and Fry into your confidence," Harriet protested.

"Only partially into my confidence. Forgive me, my sweet. But I am accustomed to dealing with things on my own. It is an old habit."

"You have a wife now," she reminded him.

"Believe me, I am well aware of that."

Two evenings later when Harriet entered the Lambsdales' ballroom, she heard the buzz of anticipation and knew she was in for more of the maddening gossip. It was starting to make her frantic.

There had been no sign of Gideon's parents yet. She was beginning to wonder if her message had gone awry or if the animosity between Gideon and his father was so great that the earl would not deign to come to his son's assistance even in a matter of life and death. Or perhaps the earl was not feeling well enough to travel.

There were all sorts of explanations, but the end result was that she was dealing with the disaster of the impending duel alone.

And she was making absolutely no progress trying to break down Gideon's stubborn, autocratic insistence on handling the thing by himself.

Harriet was standing with a small group of friends from the Fossils and Antiquities Society when Felicity found her.

"Applegate and Fry have arrived," Felicity announced. "I saw them a moment ago. I believe they are looking for your husband."

Lady Youngstreet's eyes took on an air of excitement. "This is it, then. Fry said they were going to track Morland down this afternoon one way or another and force him to agree to a time and place."

"Oh, dear," Harriet said, feeling helpless.

"I daresay I have never heard of a duel taking place amid so much publicity before," one of the other members of the group muttered. "Very odd."

Sir George, an expert on femurs, looked grave. "They will have to be cautious or the authorities will discover the time and place. Arrests will be made."

"Good God," Harriet whispered. She was momentarily staggered by the notion of Gideon in prison.

Felicity patted her arm reassuringly. "Do not worry, Harriet. I do not believe St. Justin would have started this unless he knew how to finish it properly."

"That is what he keeps saying." Harriet stood on tiptoe to see if she could spot Gideon. His size usually made it quite easy to find him in a crowd.

He was standing on the far side of the ballroom near the windows. Harriet thought she could just make out the top of Lord Fry's bald head next to him.

A ripple of conversation washed over the crowd. It began at the far side of the ballroom and crested like a wave in Harriet's direction.

The murmur of voices grew louder as the wave rolled toward her.

"What is it?" Harriet asked Felicity. "What is going on?"

"I do not know yet. Something has happened." Felicity waited expectantly.

Sir George assumed a worldly air. "Expect the location has been established. Probably agreed on pistols. No one uses rapiers anymore. Much too old-fashioned."

"May as well hold the thing in Drury Lane and invite the tow," Lady Youngstreet observed.

Harriet clutched Felicity's arm. "What am I going to do? I cannot allow St. Justin to fight this duel."

"Wait and see what happens," Felicity advised.

The roar of conversation was closer now, almost upon them. A few words could be heard clearly.

"Left for the Continent…"

"… Not a word to anyone…"

"Even his own staff did not know…"

"A damnable coward…"

"… Always said he was too handsome for his own good. Obviously no backbone in the man…"

Someone leaned over to speak to Lady Youngstreet. Lady Youngstreet listened attentively and then turned to make the announcement to the small group gathered around Harriet. Everyone waited breathlessly.

"Morland has fled to the Continent," Lady Youngstreet stated. "Packed his bags and vanished in the middle of the night. Did not even inform his staff. His creditors will be pounding on his door in the morning."

Everyone broke into excited conversation. Harriet felt dazed. She tried to catch Lady Youngstreet's attention. "Do you mean there will not be a duel?"

"Apparently not. Morland has turned coward and fled," Lady Youngstreet said. "St. Justin has driven him right out of the country."

Sir George nodded, looking wise. "Always said St. Justin had plenty of gumption. Had to have it in order to put up with the sort of thing he's faced during the past few years."

"Obviously the things that were said about him must have been lies," Lady Youngstreet declared. "Our Harriet would never have married him if he had not been a man of strong character."

The other members of the group murmured agreement.

Harriet was so relieved, she barely heard what the others were saying. "Felicity, there is not going to be a duel."

"Yes, I know." Felicity laughed. "You can stop quarreling with St. Justin now. It is all over. And if I am not mistaken, I believe your husband has managed to wipe the stain off his honor in the process. Quite remarkable."

"There never was a stain on his honor," Harriet said automatically. "It was all just gossip."

"Yes, well, that is apparently everyone else's opinion now, too." Felicity smiled. "Amazing how swiftly Society can do an about-face, is it not? Everyone prefers to back an obvious winner. St. Justin is going to wake up tomorrow morning and discover that he is all the rage."

But Harriet was no longer listening. She saw the crowd part and realized that Gideon was striding toward her through the huge throng. Several people attempted to speak to him, but Gideon looked neither to the right nor the left. His gleaming gaze was fixed on Harriet and it did not waver as he came to a halt in front of her and took her hand.

"I believe they are about to play a waltz, my dear. Will you favor me with this dance?"

"Oh, Gideon, yes. " Harriet cried softly. She rushed into his arms.

Gideon laughed exultantly as he swept her out onto the dance floor.

A long while later, seated in the carriage on the trip home, Harriet confronted Gideon. It was the first time she had had him alone all evening.

"Is it truly over, Gideon?"

"It would appear so. It took some work for Applegate and Fry to discover what happened to Morland, but they finally tracked down the facts this evening. I think they were quite disappointed to learn that he had fled the country. They had been looking forward to fulfilling all their duties as seconds."

Harriet eyed him intently. "Tell me, Gideon, is this the way you planned it all along? Did you know Morland would run away rather than face you in a duel?"

Gideon shrugged. "It was a distinct possibility from the start. I knew him to be a coward."

"You should have told me, Gideon I have been so worried."

"I could not be certain it would work out this way. Which was why I did not confide in you, my dear. I did not want to raise your hopes. There was still the chance that I would actually have to meet him and I knew the notion upset you."

Harriet was torn between relief and anger. "I do wish you would discuss things with me, my lord. It is very annoying to be kept in the dark."

"I did what I thought was best, Harriet."

"Your notion of what is best does not always coincide with mine," she told him forcefully. "You are far too accustomed to acting without bothering with explanations. You must learn to curb that tendency."

Gideon smiled faintly. "Are you going to spend the rest of the night lecturing me, my dear? Personally, I can think of other things I would rather do."

Harriet sighed as the carriage came to a halt in front of the townhouse. "If I were not so terribly relieved to know you are safe, I vow, I would lecture you all night and straight through until morning."

"But I am safe," Gideon drawled softly as a footman opened the door. "And you are relieved. So we shall skip the lectures and go to bed, hmm?"

Harriet threw him a wry glance as she was handed down. Gideon stepped down behind her, took her arm, and guided her up the steps. He was still smiling.

The door opened and Owl appeared. His dour face looked even more grim than usual. "Good evening, my lady. Your lordship."

Harriet eyed him warily. "Has someone died, Owl?"

"No, madam." Owl looked at Gideon. "We have guests."

"Guests?" Gideon stopped smiling. "Who the hell is paying us a visit at this late hour? I have not extended an invitation to anyone."

"Your parents have arrived, sir."

Harriet was delighted. "Wonderful."

"My parents," Gideon exploded. His eyes darkened with anger. "Bloody hell. What the devil are they doing here?"

Owl switched his gaze to Harriet. "I am told they received an invitation from Lady St. Justin, sir."

"Yes, indeed." Harriet ignored Gideon as he turned on her, his face set in lines of growing fury. "I invited them because I thought they might be able to assist me in stopping the dreadful nonsense with Mr. Morland."

"You invited them? Without my permission?" Gideon asked in a dangerous voice.

"I did what I thought was best, my lord. If you do not confide in me, you cannot expect me to confide every little thing in you." Harriet hurried past him up the steps to greet her in-laws.

The Earl and Countess of Hardcastle were seated in the library in front of the fire. They had been supplied with a pot of tea. They both glanced up with expressions of alarm and anxiety as Harriet rushed into the library.

The earl glanced first at Harriet and then he looked past her at Gideon. He scowled at his son, who returned the look with an equally fierce expression.

"We received a note," Hardcastle said gruffly. "Something about events of a dire nature that threatened scandal, bloodshed, and possible murder."

"Hell," said Gideon. "Harriet always did have a way with notes."