Page 78 of Lady Arabella’s Reluctant Hero

The tiniest hint of anger laced his voice, but it was enough to make her shiver.

"And by the way you ran to her…" He glanced sideways at her. "One might think you were up to something."

Arabella lifted a shoulder. She wasn't even sure he could make out her features in the shadows, but she did her best to keep her expression composed as she replied. "She offered me a place to stay. After what happened at the Adelphi, I needed⁠—"

"And Lord Alderton?" His grip tightened on her arm. "How does he fit into your new circle of friends?"

"Lord Alderton was a convenience. You know that." She made herself look at him, ignoring the wild way her heart hammered at the mention of John. "In fact, you're in part to blame. All those rumors started because⁠—"

"I don't care about your precious reputation, darling." His fingers bit into her arm. "I'm asking about your new and sudden friendship with the duchess and those close to her."

He finally came to a stop. And much as Arabella blinked and focused, she could make out little of where they were other than the high hedges that surrounded them.

She supposed it didn't matter precisely where they were. All that mattered was where they were not. And that was at the supper box where Blackwood, Gage, and their men had been waiting.

A wave of hopeless fear threatened but she fought hard against it.

Now was not the time to give up. She still had allies helping her. And she still had her hand to play. If she could buy time until they found her, there was still hope.

Her thoughts were scattered, but she forced herself to think. And as she met his cold, calculating eyes, she knew what to do.

After all, nothing was more believable than the truth.

"The duchess wanted information about you." Her tone wasn't exactly meek, but she didn't try to hide her fear. "She approached me, but… I didn't tell her anything. I promise."

Pierce studied her. She could see him turning it over, his nostrils flaring and his grip still too tight on her arm.

"What did you tell her?" he asked.

She let out a huff. "Nothing she could use. I'm not stupid, James. I can't have anyone finding out about the marriage." She let her voice crack, just slightly. "You made sure of that, didn't you?"

That seemed to satisfy him. Or at least, it softened the hard edge in his eyes. He'd always liked her best when she was desperate.

"And yet you made me track you down in the country." His voice had a sickening chiding tone, like a father taking his daughter to task. "That wasn't very obedient of you, wife."

Wife. She had to swallow hard against a wave of nausea. It wasn't true, she told herself. She knew that now.

But he'd always thrown that word at her like a weapon whenever she dared talk back, and he wielded it now without mercy.

"But I came back," she said. "When you asked me."

His laughter was so genuine, it caught her off guard. "Yes, you ran back to me quickly, didn't you? And now here you are. At Vauxhall, just as I asked. Like a good little girl."

She had to look away to hide her anger, making a show of taking in their dark surroundings. "I thought we were meeting at a supper box." Her tone was petulant, like the spoiled, lonely young lady he'd first met years ago.

"Yes, well, there was too much of a crowd there." His fingers dug into her arm again, so sharply she winced. "Including the dowager duchess's friends. Tell me, pet. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

She shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Her expression was blank when he studied her. If he believed her or not, she couldn't say.

"So what now?" she asked.

"Now?" Pierce smiled. "Now we discuss your next assignment."

But then she heard it. A snap of a twig nearby. Then a shuffle as someone moved near the hedges.

It could have been a stranger, or maybe even one of Pierce's men. But Arabella felt a spike of hope that Blackwood or his men had found her.