A Lady's Plight (Lords of Sussex) (4 page)

Unaware of the male stalking them, the girls chattered, light-heartedly.

Isabella said, 'I do need some ribbons; they will freshen up a couple of bonnets. Ribbons fray so quickly.'

Phillipa smiled. 'Good idea, Mrs. Wallis has some fine lace. I need to edge one of my morning dresses.'

Pointing to a stand in the farthest corner across the room, Henrietta said, '
Over there by the dressing rooms. Why does Mrs. Wallis keep changing her stands?'

Phillipa laughed.
'To keep us interested, not that she needs to do so. I never tire of shopping.'

Leaving Henrietta to her order, they hurried over to the stand to examine the array of lush silks, rolls of bright ribbons and fine lace. Phillipa lifted up some of the lace. 'This is just what I need; it is the right depth for the hem of my dress. I can leave it on the counter, whilst we shop.' Fingering some of the embroidery silks, she murmured, '
These will brighten the tapestry I am working on. And, I could do with some of these ribbons.'

Isa held up a delicate silk garter edged with the finest lace. 'I declare, Alex would be quite taken with this I think.'

Phillipa giggled. 'Naughty - don't let your Mama see that. I'll see you over at the counter.'

As Isa twirled the garter in the light, a male voice whispered into her ear. 'May have the pleasure of fitting that on your thigh, my lady?'

Gasping, she spun around to see her tormentor, Lord Everard Ladness, the ducal heir to the Normanton seat, towering over her, his handsome face taut with desire. As usual, he was impeccably dressed a la
bon ton
with a high collared cravat, blue silk vest and a darker blue frock coat, his white deer skin breeches contrasting with the dark Hessian boots.

Looking up into his slate grey eyes, she spat. '
How dare you speak to me like that? What are you doing here? You know men are not allowed to—'

'Ha, I spoke sweetly to Mrs
. Wallis, told her I wanted to buy a small reticule for my little cousin recovering from the fever.'

'And she believed you of course. You rogue. How did you know I would be here?'

'I saw your father's carriage, so I followed - it was all so easy.'

'But why, you know I am affianced to Lord Fitzroy.'

'I can't forgive you for that Isabella. Gad, my senses reeled seeing your delicate fingers caress the garter - just as I would caress your tender thigh.'

To her astonishment, he grabbed her gloved hand kissing it fervently.

Pulling it away, she said, 'Let go Sir. What do you think you are doing?'

His handsome features coloured up, as he came nearer. 'Isabella - you know I adore you. Why choose Fitzroy? I worship you - every precious inch of you. I have waited all my life for you. I love you Isabella, adore you. Run away with me.'

Isa held up her hand. 'Stop it. It is my dowry you worship. I am to be married to Lord Fitzroy in five days.'

'Your dowry is nothing to me, and well you know it. I have offered for you three times already, why do you deny me?'

'Because I love Fitzroy. So leave me alone.'

You are mine Isabella
, marry me. Why settle for that wimp of an earl when you can have a duke, a life of unlimited luxury, fine gowns, jewels, travel? I will have you - so why fight it?'

Isa took a step back, hearing the menace in his voice. Angered, she hissed, '
For goodness sake, don't be so theatrical. Just - just go away.'

Seeing her skirts brush up against the door to the dressing room, he looked furtively around him. They were quite unobserved, the nearest shopper being some distance from them. He moved swiftly, pushing her through the door into the little room and stepped in, closing it behind him.

As she went to scream, he kissed her hard, quelling any sound, pinning her against the wall. Even though she beat him with her fists, he held her fast, lifting her, tugging at her skirts. Realizing both his hands were engaged, even though he still had her mouth, she immediately kicked him viciously. Thank God, she wore half boots today. He gasped, dropping her, his lips covering her screams. Seeing his head bend in pain, she fisted her hand, giving him a sharp undercut to the jaw. As his head bounced back, she kneed his crotch. Groaning, clutching his groin, he lumbered back, as the door opened to reveal Alex.

'You scoundrel.'
Grabbing Ladness by his cravat, Alex hurled him to the wall. 'I’ll kill you.'

As Ladness fumbled with the flap, Alex turned to Isa. 'Has he hurt you?'

She shivered, smoothing down her skirts. 'No - he tried, but - no. I - I kicked him.'

'The cur will not live.' Swinging back to Ladness, he said in an icy voice, 'Right, now you're decent; I am taking you out of here, and then I am going to kill you.'

Isa grabbed Alex's arm. 'No - please don't - you will hang Alex - please - don't.'

Shrugging her off, he grasped Ladness by the neck, and threw him out of the room.

Isa cried out after him, 'Alex - no - don't —'

As she sobbed, Phillipa rushed in, taking her in her arms. 'Isa dearest, I am sorry - so sorry. Are you hurt? Did he
—?'

'No - but he might as well as. I am ruined Phillipa. I have lost everything.'

'No - don't say that. Alex loves you. He will not let that stand between you.'

'You know he cannot marry a ruined woman; his family won't let him. I won't.'

Isa cried harder. 'If Alex kills him, then he will hang. Oh God Henrietta - stop him.'

Twirling around, the girl looked through the door. 'They have gone Isa.
Vanished.'

With a flurry of skirts, Mrs
. Wallis arrived bearing a tray of tea, her pale face a shade whiter, her ample chest heaving. 'Oh my lady I am so sorry, so sorry. I only allow the chaperones to stand by the entrance, but he seemed so upset about his little cousin. Oh dear - oh dear.'

Henrietta said, '
He is a liar and a rakehell.'

The poor modiste's hand shook as she gave Isa the teacup and saucer. 'I swear, from this day forward; chaperones will only be allowed to peer through the window. Come my
lady, sip the tea. I do have some brandy if you wish.'

Isa surprised herself by saying, 'I think that would be a good idea.'

Fluttering her hands, the woman hurried away. 'Right away my lady, right away.' She stopped at counter, shouting, 'Mrs. Higgins – Mrs. Higgins, bring the brandy immediately.'

Henrietta stooped, and kissed Isa on the cheek. 'Your day is ruined Isa
—'

'And so am I Henrietta. That devil was intent on having me. Now I am destroyed, my reputation in tatters. I
will be forced to marry him. Oh dear God.'

'Surely, Alex would not allow that? He loves you.'

'What man wants a despoiled woman? I cannot see Alex accepting it. No, Ladness is the devil incarnate.'

She stopped, as Mrs
. Wallis arrived with a small glass of brandy. 'Here you are my dear, drink that down now. I have more if you need it.'

Gratefully, Isa drank the fiery liquid, feeling it almost scorch her throat. Reaching her stomach, it flooded her with warmth. 'Thank you Mrs
. Wallis.'

The poor woman wrung her hands. 'I can never make up for what happened to you milady, but I know one thing; I will pay for your wares today.'

As Isa went to protest, she waved her hands, 'No I insist, you choose your dress designs and cloth and I, and my seamstresses will stitch them in time for when you sail.'

Isa's slender body drooped. 'I fear there will be no dresses now.'

Henrietta peered through the shop to the door. 'Your papa is here.'

Gasping, Isa clutched her chest with fear. She dare not look up at him; dare not. She sullied the whole family - their reputation dirt in the eyes of the
ton.

She heard his footsteps, saw the Hessian boots, then felt his arms around her. 'My dear child - I am so sorry - come - let's get you home.'

Isa stood up, only to fall into his arms sobbing.

Seeing the morning room empty Venetia spoke softly to Isa. 'I received a note from Horatio. Alex and Ladness are at the Boxing rooms beating each other to a pulp. If that is not enough, a duel is arranged for tomorrow morning at dawn - Ladness chose
sabres.'

Isa clasped Venetia's hands. 'I wish to God it would end with the pugilism, but alas, what am I to do? I wish I could stop it. Mama is so distressed. Tell her not of the duel. You know how sensitive she is.'

'You must keep your windows locked Isa. Ladness may well try to abduct you. Horatio writes he is threatening Alex that he will carry you off '

'I have already thought of it. He could well climb the ivy on the trellises.'

'Lord Babbesham kidnapped Lady Cecily. Took her to Gretna Green. Mind you, I think she went quite willingly. Her parents were forcing her to wed that slimy Lord Cosmo Crosthwaite. He is more than forty-five years her senior and suffers from the gout.'

Isa felt a chill run down her
spine, she too was alone in her bedroom except when Alex crept in when he was on furlough. She said, 'Lady Cecily's family are mostly to blame, why couldn't they allow her to choose for herself? '

Venetia nodded. 'Hmm, they were more concerned with marrying her to an
earldom.'

'Lord Babbesham is penniless - lost it all at White's gambling. He knew she was an
heiress. He seduced her and then had the effrontery to break into her bedroom.'

Venetia crossed her arms across her chest. 'Hmm; he has such a silver tongue; he easily persuaded the poor girl to run away with him. The audacity of the man, to think he actually had a carriage waiting. Once married, there was nothing her family could do was there? By law, he now owns her.'

Frowning, Isa said, 'They should change the laws, we are but chattels to be bartered for, or married to settle some gambling debt.'

Rising and going to the window, Isa looked out into the night. She shivered as she peered into the darkness, who knew what lurked out there. 'At least Cicely's father tried to pay Babbesham off, offered him a large sum of money, but the rascal, would not have it - not with an estate in the offing.
It's so sad for Cicely; the bounder used her dowry money to install his mistress in a fine house in the town, whilst poor Cicely is already increasing.

Venetia rose from her chair to join her at the window. 'I hear his doxy insisted on three thousand pounds down and then eight hundred a year.'

Isa grimaced. 'She even had him sign a contract. Honestly, why do these men need mistresses?'

'Well, the Prince Regent has a score of them.'

'I hear Prinny is still in love with Mrs. Fitzherbert. Tis a strange relationship, on and off. I hear there is another reconciliation.' Pacing the pattern in the fine Aubusson carpet, Isa said, 'Oh Venetia what am I going to do? I wish I could stop it. That devil will run Alex through if he sees an opening.'

'Take heart, as I said Alex is a fine swordsman.'

'I know, but I hear Ladness plays dirty.'

'Horatio is Alex's second; he will watch him closely never fear. Lord Vaughan B
ruges, Henrietta's beau is the other second.'

'Oh dear God.
Whether he wants me or not, I am determined to be there.'

Venetia exclaimed, '
No you can't - Alex would be furious, besides; you would put him off his stroke if he knew you were watching. Think of that Isa.'

'We can hide; it is taking place at the far end of the meadow, just before the Ha
Ha. There is a large copse nearby which will be ideal.'

'Then I shall come with you.'

'Really?'

'Yes, I cannot let you go there alone. You've had enough frights for the time being.'

That night, as Isa laid waiting for him, she mulled over the day - a disaster. Neither Alex nor Horatio returned for dinner. The evening meal was abysmal, the silence broken only by papa's knife scraping on the porcelain plate, as he cut into the pigeon pie. Venetia, pale and withdrawn, ate sparingly whilst Letitia her eyes huge, patted Isa's hand in comfort. All Isa could think of, was Alex; there was no word from him. What was going on? Did he still want her? What did he really feel? As she ruminated, she heard the wall panel slide open and his voice, 'Isa - my darling.'

Her heart full, she saw the bruises blackening his face, his left eye bloodshot and nearly closed. She raised herself on her elbows. 'You're hurt?'

He shook his head. 'Not nearly as much as that blackguard.'

'So you are not angry with me?'

He approached the bed, 'Angry? With you? Never. With him, yes, I am enraged - he will surely die. No-one touches you, my beloved - no-one, let alone one with the intent to…' He stopped, and sat on the bed gathering her into his arms.

Nuzzled against his muscled chest, she burrowed her cheek into the bristly curls. 'I thought you would not want me anymore.
Your family?'

'Ssh, you know my father is dead and mama grieving. My sisters rely on me for protection. So still your fears. We shall wed.'

'But what of the
ton?'

'Many owe me at cards; I hold the deeds to their lands and their fortunes. They have too much to lose my dear. Few would dare to go against an
earl of the realm. And if some fool tries….' His eyes glittered.

Isa shivered; she knew his reputation.
A reformed rakehell, his sword a killer.

'I thought you would not want me anymore - now that
—'

'Want you? I burn for you.'

'So you are not repulsed that he—'

'Isa my love, even if he'd harmed you, I would still want you. You are my love; you own my soul; without you, my life is worthless. You are not an object Isa; you are a living body with a heart that beats for me, a soul entwined with mine.'

Startled, she drew back; she did not deem this Corinthian rogue of hers to be a poet. She smiled, reaching up to stroke the stubble of his night beard. 'Indeed you would shame Byron with your words. I shall write them down and treasure them.'

Looking down, he rubbed his thumb across her lips. 'He shall not live to touch you again. At dawn, I will run him through.'

'Oh Alex - please - I implore you, do not take his life. I could not live with that. Maim him yes, but don't - don't—'

He sighed, stroking the dark locks, drinking in the soft peach of her cheeks against the alabaster skin. 'Your wish is my command. Really, Isa you are too soft hearted; he does not deserve your pity. So come - never - ever think that I could do anything other than love you.'

He caught her expression. 'My pet, what is it?'

'Oh it's just
….'

He knew she was still hurting, still fearful that he thought her soiled. He had to rouse her from it. She
must not for one moment feel guilt. She was his Goddess with not one flaw.