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“All you’ll need is a little persuasion.” His hand caught her wrist harder, pressing so firmly that her skin stung.
“Ow.”
“I assure you, I’m strong enough to…persuade you.”His words made her want to wretch, for he was suggesting not to persuade her butforceher.
“If you would excuse me.” She adopted a false smile and stood on his foot. She didn’t care if it was a petulant act, for it worked well to achieve her aim. He released her, exclaiming a little in pain, giving her the chance that she needed to escape.
Abandoning the champagne glass on the table, she hurried across the room, searching for one face in particular. To make sure Lord Rutherford could not follow her too easily, she slipped between the crowds in the ballroom, twisting her path so he could not find her. She hid for a few minutes behind a group of tall ladies with feathers all thrust in their hair then she stood behind a group from the London militia, their red regimentals drawing eyes, so no one saw her.
When she caught sight of Lord Rutherford searching the wrong end of the room, she took her opportunity. Her friend, Miss Caroline Davis, was standing in the corner of the room, sipping slowly from a punch glass. She seemed happy to stay in the corner, observing the room at a cool distance.
“Caroline!” Marina jumped toward her.
“My goodness, you gave me such a fright.” Caroline clutched her glass and her chest, her brown eyes lighting up with laughter in the next second. “I thought I had escaped here to this corner, and yet you find me.”
“You know I’ll always find you,” Marina said to which Caroline laughed.
“I am glad for it, but tell me, Marina, what is wrong?” Caroline reached toward her. “You’re pale, and your hands… you’re trembling.”
“Lord Rutherford.” It was the only answer she had to give.
“Ah.” Caroline nodded. “Has he said more inappropriate things?”
“Just a little.”
“That man.” Caroline cursed under her breath. “Were I a man and twice as strong as I am, I would have thumped him for his words by now.”
“As would I.” Marina sighed deeply and leaned on the wall beside her good friend. “I’m desperate, Caro,” she used the familiar nickname. “I cannot marry him.” A lump formed in her throat at the mere idea.
“We talked of this before. You’d escape if you could, run if you could, but how? You know what your father is like,” Caroline whispered with a kind of horror attached to her tone. “He’d merely find you and drag you back to the church.”
“I fear you’re right.” Marina’s smile began to grow as she became even more determined of her idea. “That is why I have a plan to escape. Rather than simply run, I will make Lord Rutherford give up his suit altogether.” Her courage was building. Either from the fear and desperation to escape the Baron, or the champagne may have helped a little.
“Pray, tell,” Caroline encouraged her on. Marina looked around, checking that no one was nearby before she lowered her voice to a whisper and revealed her plan.
“I must destroy my reputation, Caro. I’ll make myself a fallen woman. The Baron then would surely not wish to marry me then.”
“Marina! Can you hear yourself?”
“Yes, of course.” She shrugged, not bothered by what the result could be. “Listen, I must speak quickly before the Baron finds me again. Lord Frampton is hosting this ball, yes?”
“Yes.” Caroline nodded. “He is so busy with his guests; I do not think we have spoken to him tonight.”
“Barely,” Marina agreed. She glanced across the room, trying to see the Earl. She caught sight of him at a distance, dancing with a young lady. Tall and handsome with a face so pleasant that many ladies stared, it was hardly surprising he had such attention. “He seems a kind man.”
“What are you thinking, Marina?” Caroline asked, warily.
“His bedchamber is upstairs,” Marina whispered. “What if I was to go into his room, undress a little, and wait for him there.”
“Marina!”
“Hear me out, I pray you.” She clutched Caroline’s hand, trying to stop another outburst. “I know it’s mad, wild even, but I’m desperate. If you and others were to ‘accidentally’ come upon us, my reputation would be ruined.”
“You know what would happen then, do you not?” Caroline grimaced. “Lord Frampton would have to wed you to rescue your reputation.”
“Maybe or maybe not.” Marina shook her head, revealing the full extent of her desperation now. “If he were to offer marriage, then I do not doubt he would make a fine husband, but that is not what I intend to gain. I will assure him I do not expect an offer of marriage. My reputation will be destroyed by the gossip that will spread, and the Baron will retract his proposal. Gentlemen’s reputations always recover quicker than a lady’s, so Lord Frampton will not be affected for long.”
“Oh, goodness, Marina.” Caroline offered a sympathetic look. “You are so fearful that it has come to this?”
