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Tabitha knewthis was only a brief respite. If she stayed, she would hear a great deal more about the situation from her mother in the coming days. As they walked back to the main room, Tabitha wondered why Lord Vance had not called out Lord Claridge. Lord Vance must desperately want to marry her and wished to forgo any hindrances to his plan. Now Tabithahadto leave. But first, she had to find a way to speak with Lord Claridge to make sure he would still assist her. Hopefully, this incident wouldn’t make him reconsider his offer.
Tabitha peeked over her shoulder to see if Lord Claridge was following the rest of the party. He gave her a grin and a wink. Heat flooded Tabitha’s face as she turned her gaze forward. The man certainly was a scoundrel, but a handsome one at that. The feelings that stirred within her bosom both excited and alarmed Tabitha. She’d never had such a powerful reaction to a man before. Then again, Lord Claridge was not like any gentleman she’d ever met.
Keep to the plan.
Yes. There was no time for daydreaming. Tabitha wanted her freedom, and she would get it. All she had to do was get through the next few hours.
Tonight, the Bedfords were hosting a party for her father’s birthday. Tabitha assumed it was also to show to Lord Vance the extent of her father’s wealth. It puzzled Tabitha as to why her mother was so intent on her marrying Lord Vance, of all people.
As she was led into the ballroom, her suitor turned and bowed. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?”
Tabitha curtsied, then allowed herself to be guided onto the floor. The music started, and the couple fell into place with the other dancers. As the quartet struck the first chords, the dancers began to move.
Tabitha felt Lord Vance’s scrutinizing stare during the first few measures of the music.
Don’t give anything away.
She must act normal, lest he suspect she and Lord Claridge had lied about their accidental meeting.
“How are you feeling, my dear?” Lord Vance asked. “You look lost in thought. Already missing your lover?”
Tabitha stiffened, but kept her features neutral. “Of course not, your lordship. As I already told you and my parents, I only made Lord Claridge’s acquaintance right before you entered.” She tried to make her voice sound light, nonchalant, but there was a subtle strain. Did her partner hear it?
He peered at her as the dance steps had her circle away from him briefly.
When she returned, he responded. “Perhaps we interrupted your clandestine interlude. I wonder if you will seek him out later, perhaps after we are wed? But I must warn you, my dear, I expect complete fidelity from my wife.”
He finished just as they switched partners for the next set. It gave Tabitha a few seconds to come up with a retort to the horrid man’s accusations. How dare the man speak of loyalty. He didn’t know the meaning of the word. Perhaps he needed a reminder of his own failings in that respect.
As she circled back towards her partner, Tabitha narrowed her gaze. “I’m surprised to hear you talk of fidelity, sir, since I hear you frequent Madame Raquel’s establishment regularly.”
A shade of red peeked out from under Lord Vance’s collar and his nostrils flared, but he could not reply since Tabitha turned to the gentleman beside her for the next round. When she made her way back, she continued. “I thought marriage was a partnership. If you seek faithfulness from me, shouldn’t I expect the same from you?”
His lordship did not immediately respond. A slight sense of dread nagged at the corner of Tabitha’s mind. Perhaps she had gone too far with her remarks. But if Lord Vance wanted to accuse her of a false affair, then by God, she would throw his own vices back at him.
The dance ended with the couple facing each other. As Vance led Tabitha off the floor, he drew her closer, and with eyes void of emotion, spoke.
“Now listen to me, you little minx.” He tightened his grip on her arm. “If you think I will stand for such audacity, then think again. When we are married, which is almost for certain, you will go where I tell you, when I tell you. And if I want you waiting in my bed with your legs spread, ready to welcome me home every night, then by God, that is where you will be. You will be at my beck and call. A marriage is about a husband having absolute control over his wife. And believe me, Miss Crestwood, you will obey me, or else.”
His stony countenance and sinister tone chilled Tabitha to the bone. The scream she wanted to let out was lodged in her throat. Tabitha tried to extricate herself from Lord Vance’s grip, but it was useless. How could her parents not know the type of monster Lord Vance was? Why would they want to sell her to such a man? It mattered not, because now she was determined, more than ever, to flee that night.
CHAPTER4
Andrew watched Miss Crestwood and Lord Vance dance. And what he saw made him uneasy. Originally, when they’d all left the library, Andrew had planned on getting a drink, but then Miss Crestwood had glanced back at him, as if to reassure herself he had not left her. Her expression had made him rethink his trip to the refreshment table. No doubt, she was worried he would back out of his promise after the fiasco in the library. Or was there something more? She hadn’t looked pleased to go with Lord Vance, and some gut instinct told him to keep any eye on the lovely lady.
Once they’d entered the ballroom, Andrew set up watch on the far side of the room, waiting until it was time to get the carriage. He kept a sharp eye on the couple, who appeared to be in conversation. As the dance progressed, Andrew saw Miss Crestwood growing agitated. She tilted her chin up slightly and clenched her jaw. The lady spoke again. Andrew couldn’t make out her response, but he did witness the shocked look on Lord Vance’s face from whatever she had said.
While the couple went through the steps of the dance, Andrew noted Vance had a scowl of displeasure on his face. When the music ended, Vance grabbed the lady’s arm. Initially, she had a smug expression on her face, as if what she’d said had ended their conversation—to her advantage. But as Vance spoke, whatever he said made the color drain from Miss Crestwood’s face. Was that a slight tremor on her lips? Andrew had seen that expression before. It spoke of fear and helplessness.
Whatever Lord Vance said, they were not words of love or devotion. He appeared close to lashing out at the girl. If there was one thing Andrew could not abide, it was violence against women. Only a coward would do such a thing.
Andrew never took himself for the heroic type, but it seemed tonight was full of surprises. A few quick strides and he was across the dance floor as the couples separated, looking for their next dance partners. He went directly to Miss Crestwood and reached her just as Lord Vance ended their conversation.
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Tabitha was reelingfrom Lord Vance’s chilling response when a voice broke through the haze clouding her mind. It was Lord Claridge, come to her rescue once again.
