Page 42 of Ravished

"I have received a message that my father has taken a turn for the worse. He has sent for me. I am leaving for Hardcastle House immediately. I do not know when I shall be able to return."

Harriet jumped to her feet and hurried over to touch his arm in sympathy. "Oh, Gideon, I am so sorry. I do hope he will recover."

Gideon's expression did not soften. "He usually does. Shortly after I arrive. This is not the first time I have been summoned to his deathbed. But one never knows when it will be the real thing, so I must go."

"I understand."

"I shall leave you my direction in Hampshire." He stripped off one leather glove and stepped around her to the desk. Picking up her quill, Gideon jotted some lines on the paper she had been intending to use to sketch the tooth.

When he was finished, he straightened, folded the foolscap, and thrust it into her hand. His eyes met hers with unspoken meaning. "You will send word to me at once if there is anything I should know about, do you understand?"

She swallowed uncomfortably, well aware that he was telling her to contact him immediately should she discover she was pregnant. "Yes, my lord. I shall keep you informed."

"Excellent. Then I am off." He pulled on his glove and clamped his hands around her shoulders. Then he drew her close and kissed her with rough urgency.

Out of the corner of her eye, Harriet saw Felicity watching in amazement. She knew what her sister was thinking. Properly bred gentlemen never kissed ladies in public. It was a typical bit of outrageous behavior from the Beast of Blackthorne Hall.

Before Harriet could even begin to respond, Gideon released her and strode out of the study. A moment later the outer door closed and the clatter of his stallion's hooves sounded in the drive.

Felicity stared at Harriet with wide, interested eyes. "Good heavens. Is that the way he kissed you when he ravished you? I must say, it appeared rather exciting."

Harriet sank down into her chair. "Felicity, if you say one more word about that night, I swear I shall throttle you. I advise you to be cautious. Now that you are no longer intending to make a suitable marriage, you are not quite as valuable to this household as you once were."

Felicity giggled. "I shall bear that in mind. All the same, it was exceedingly fortunate that Aunt Effie did not witness that farewell kiss."

At that moment the study door was flung open once again and Effie swept into the room, her eyes stark with shock.

"What is this?" she demanded. "St. Justin was here? Mrs. Stone claims he came to tell you he is abandoning you."

Harriet sighed. "Calm yourself, Aunt Effie. He is leaving to go to his father, who is apparently dying."

"But there has been no formal announcement of the engagement. No notice has been sent to the papers."

"There will be plenty of time for the formalities when he returns," Harriet said quietly.

Mrs. Stone loomed in the open doorway. Her eyes were alight with vindication. "He will not return," she whispered darkly. "I knew this would happen. I told you it would happen. But you would not heed my warning. Now he has left. You will not see him again. Poor Miss Harriet will be abandoned to her dreadful fate."

Harriet glanced at the housekeeper in alarm. "Mrs. Stone, do not dare have a fit of the vapors. I am in no mood for it."

But it was too late. Mrs. Stone's eyes flickered and she collapsed to the floor.

The letter from Aunt Adelaide arrived the next morning. Effie opened it at breakfast and read it aloud to Felicity and Harriet with growing excitement.

My dearest sister and darling nieces:

I am delighted to tell you that I am done with mourning and solicitors. I have at last taken control of the fortune my miserly husband managed to accumulate and I intend to spend it freely. The Good Lord knows I have earned every penny of it.

I have taken a house in London for the remainder of the Season and I want all three of you to join me at once. Do not waste a single moment, as the Season will soon be at its height. Leave everything behind. We shall procure new wardrobes for everyone.

I have drawn up a new will which ensures that Harriet and Felicity will each receive respectable portions upon marriage. In addition, whatever remains of my fortune, should I find I am unable to spend it all before I leave this earth, shall go to my two lovely nieces.

Yrs, Adelaide

Effie raised her eyes heavenward and clutched the letter to her breast. "We are saved. It is the answer to my prayer."

"Good old Aunt Addie," Felicity said. "She stuck it out and finally got her hands on his money. What a wonderful time we shall have. When do we leave?"

"At once," Effie said briskly. "We shall not waste a second. Just imagine. You are both heiresses."

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