Alexander didn’t like it.

They’d only been alone for a minute or so, but the man had said something to Lizzie, though he didn’t know what.

He settled in next to her on the blanket. “Do ye want to tell me what that was all about?” He asked in a low voice, as their respective mothers were sitting on another blanket about ten feet away.

“What do you mean?” She wouldn’t meet his gaze and her tone was defensive.

“What do ye mean, what do I mean? Ye were talking to him. What was said?”

He knew immediately he’d taken the wrong tone with her when her chin lifted, and her mouth pressed into a stubborn line.

“Lizzie …” He said, his tone warning.

After a long moment, her shoulders relaxed, and she reached out and took his hand, which went a long way toward pacifying him.

“It was nothing. Just casual conversation.”

Did she look guilty? Or was that his imagination? He thought to press the issue, but decided against it. He was here now, and he’d not leave her side.

Though naught had been settled, Lizzie was his again, and he was keeping her.

***

that night, after everyone had gone home, and the house was quieting, Lizzie slowly made her way down the servants’ stairs.

This was probably a bad idea.

From years of experience, she knew each stair that creaked, and avoided them.

No, this was definitely a bad idea.

She made her way toward the kitchen, and was relieved to see it was empty.

What would Alexander say about this?

He would definitely disapprove, but, she did need to have this conversation with Mr. Russell.

Perhaps she should have written him a note, explaining her change of heart.

She hadn’t exactly led him on, had she?

She didn’t believe she had. But she did wish she could go back to that day in London, and tell him that her answer would have to be a firm no.

She supposed she felt slightly guilty because she hadn’t refused the man outright. Which, obviously, had given Mr. Russell hope.

She knew it was inappropriate to meet him in the dark. But she also knew they’d never have a chance to speak alone, and, after all, the man had asked her to be his wife. To spend the rest of her life with him.

Surely she needed to show the man some consideration?

“Lizzie?”

Gasping, she spun away from the kitchen door to see Matthew standing at the arched entry in his sleepwear, his dark hair, so like their father’s, drooping over one eye.

“What are you doing?” he wanted to know.

“Nothing! What are you doing?”

“Cook made some apple tarts for breakfast and I’m afraid if I don’t get one now, they’ll be gone before I get up in the morning.”

“Oh, Matthew. Now just isn’t a good time.”

His eyes widened. “Why not? Are you eloping with Alexander?”

She laughed at that. “Mother and father would kill me, as would Alexander’s mother, if we did such a thing.”

“Then what are you doing?”

She hesitated. “Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course, I can.”

She bit her lip, and considered. She was actually glad Matthew was there, as the reality of sneaking outside to meet a man in the middle of the night wasn’t exciting, so much as scary.

If it had been Alexander, she might well feel differently. “You won’t tell Mother or Father?”

“I won’t!”

“When I was in London, Mr. Russell asked me to marry him.”

Matthew’s eyes widened. “Alexander must have gone wild!”

“Alexander doesn’t know about it.”

“Well, you told him no, of course. You can’t marry two men, after all.”

Matthew definitely didn’t understand the intricacies of the situation. “At the time, Alexander and I were rethinking our engagement.”

“You told him yes!”

“No, I just didn’t give him an answer. And now Alexander’s not giving me a chance to talk to him, so I’ve agreed to meet him outside tonight.”

“Lizzie! What would father say?” He hesitated a moment and his eyes grew round. “What would Alexander say?”

“Well we’re never to know what either one of them would say, are we? Because you’ve been sworn to secrecy.”

She drew in a breath. “But I’ll admit, I would feel a little bit safer if you just stayed outside of the door until I come back. All right?”

He rolled his eyes. “Can I have your apple tart in the morning for breakfast?”

It was her turn to roll her eyes. “It’s a deal.”

***

didn’t feel right.

Alexander opened the French doors that led to the garden and took his drink outside. He looked into the distance toward Lizzie’s house.

The family he was staying with, the Covington’s, kept country hours just as the Huntingtons did.

The older couple had no children left at home, and so Alexander had the downstairs to himself, a chance to enjoy the night air.

He sipped his drink, and considered the day. Overall, he was pleased with the way events were playing out. They hadn’t spoken of it, but he and Lizzie seemed to have come to an understanding.

He hadn’t liked that incident with Mr. Russell, and wondered when the man would go home. Home to America, that was. London wasn’t far enough away.

He considered going inside and going to bed because he wanted to be at Lizzie’s early the next morning, but he was unable to relax.

This used to happen quite frequently in the military, before a big battle, or even sometimes before an ambush.

It was just like another sense, one honed in the military. Most men felt it at one time or another. But it concerned him that he’d feel this way out in the country.

Again, he analyzed what had happened between Mr. Russell and Lizzie.

They hadn’t had more than a minute to speak to each other, but could something possibly have happened?

He looked out into the darkness, toward Huntington Hall.

Surely, the man hadn’t had time to set up an assignation? And surely Lizzie would never have agreed to such a meeting?

He didn’t really believe that could be the case, but as edgy as he was, a walk in the darkness seemed like a good idea.

Mayhap he’d throw pebbles at Lizzie’s window again.

Mayhap he could talk her into coming outside for a few kisses?

That settled it. Leaving his glass on a side table, he closed the French doors and then headed out into the darkness.

He was smiling as he walked toward Lizzie’s house.

***

headed out the kitchen door, and glanced back to make sure Matthew was watching.

He was.

She’d gladly give him her apple tart, as just having him there gave her a measure of peace.

She hadn’t walked more than ten steps, when Mr. Russell appeared in the darkness. “Lizzie! I’m so glad you came.”

“Mr. Russell.” Her heart was beginning to pound, which was ridiculous. She wasn’t afraid of the man. Now that she was actually out here, she didn’t know what she been so concerned about.

Mr. Russell had never been anything but a gentleman.

Meeting him like this? Well, perhaps that was questionable, but no doubt he could tell, as well as she could, that neither her father, nor Alexander, would give them a moment together.

After his gracious and honest proposal, she felt she could do no other than explain to him face-to-face.

“I hope it’s all right that I came here from London, that I followed you. I do realize you’ve had a long understanding with Captain MacGregor. But Lizzie, when I spoke to you in London, it gave me hope, and I’m afraid I can’t just let it go without talking to you. I must know how you feel.”

Lizzie hesitated and tried to form a coherent sentence. She was glad for the darkness, as she could feel her face heating, as she prepared to expose her fickleness to the man before her.

“Mr. Russell, I feel so upset over the fact that I have so misled you.”

Mr. Russell stilled in the darkness.

“When I saw you in London, issues were undecided between me and Alexander. I do believe that we’ve come to a new understanding. I intend to marry him, but I do want to express my regrets for leading you to believe that I might accept your suit.”

Russell blew out a harsh breath. “Lady Elizabeth. Lizzie, please. You must hear me out. I’m not unaware of the fact that your families would like you to be together. But I think the two of us would suit far better than you and Captain MacGregor. Can’t you just give me a chance?”

He reached forward and gripped her hands in his. “Please, I know that I have explained my situation to you, and so you know I need to marry an heiress. I want you to believe that you are the girl I would like to be my wife. Regardless of money, position, or anything else, I truly think we would grow to love each other. I find you beautiful, funny, and kind; you are exactly the sort of woman I would like to spend the rest of my life with.”

His earnestness was hard to take. She could have dealt far better with anger, or coldness, over her actions.

But sincerity? It made her stomach ache to have to reject him.

Once more, in the swirling mass of emotion, she thought about Alexander and her life with him, and then Mr. Russell, and the world he would bring her into.

Frankly, it would be exciting. She would love to go to the Americas, and the thought of marrying Mr. Russell, who was good looking, personable, and forthright in a way that tugged at her heartstrings, wasn’t unappealing.

But … Alexander.

As appealing as Mr. Russell was, and he was far more personable than Alexander, it didn’t make a difference.

Alexander had captured her heart, probably shortly after she’d been born.

She remembered the boy he’d been, her companion in mischief. Always strong and in charge. Funny, and ever ready for adventure. She’d followed him everywhere and he’d been her sun, moon, and stars all rolled into one.

The man he’d become was different, and yet at the same time, those feelings she’d had for that young boy had grown too, matured. He was much stronger now. Fierce, stubborn, and yet, with her, soft at times. Was he still her sun, moon, and stars?

She had to admit that he was.

She’d loved him with her young girl’s heart, and she loved him still, as a woman.

Emotions, piercing and sweet, rushed through her, along with clarity, certainty.

She’d never get over that man. If she married another, the rest of her life there would be an empty hole in her heart where Alexander should have been.

He was right. She had always belonged to him. Picturing herself in America without him set up a yearning in her that told her exactly where her heart lay.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Russell. But the truth of the matter is that Alexander holds my heart.”

“Don’t you think that I might win your love if you give me a chance?”

She hated to hurt another human being, but he just wasn’t letting it go. Perhaps he was fighting for his future, and she could understand that. But she just wanted to turn around and go back in the house now.

“Mr. Russell, you are a charming, agreeable, and handsome man. You will soon find another lady, the perfect one for you.”

“Thank you, Lizzie. I believe I will too.” Mr. Russell took a step forward, startling her out of the perfect world she was creating for them all, and back to reality.

Again, she was glad her little brother was watching, keeping her safe from a distance.

Because, she suddenly didn’t feel safe.

He took another step and this time, Lizzie took a step back. “Mr. Russell?” There was alarm in her voice, and she hoped it was enough to remind him of his manners.

She took another step back and rushed into speech. “I just wanted to tell you in person, and I’m afraid my response is final. I have appreciated your friendship over the season, and I wish you nothing but the best in future.”

His large body moved closer in the darkness. “I’m glad to hear you say that. Because, I do want the best in my future, and I believe that means you.”

As alarm flared within her, he reached for her, bent down, and threw her effortlessly over his shoulder in one smooth move.

“Mr. Russell! What do you think you’re doing?”

He was walking fast, almost running now as she was jostled against his shoulder.

“Mr. Russell, stop! Matthew!” She yelled out into the darkness.

She could hear Matthew calling after them, and then she was inside a carriage, and being bound with a rope faster than she could have believed possible.

“I’m sorry, Lizzie. This isn’t the way I wanted it to be, but make no mistake, I do believe you’ll be happy with me someday. Hopefully sooner rather than later.”

Unable to believe this was truly happening, she simply gaped as he shut the door. A moment later the carriage rocked as he jumped on top, and urged the horses into the darkness.

Alexander was going to kill her.

***

Alexander approached the house, mayhem seem to be breaking out on the lawn.

He rushed forward, and grabbed one of the servants by the arm. “What’s happening?”

“Miss Elizabeth has been taken.”

“Taken!” But even as he said the word, he knew what had happened.

“Mr. Russell came by and forced her into a carriage. Young Matthew witnessed the entire event.”

At that, he headed toward the young boy, who was talking to his parents. “She told me it was a secret! I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone! But he took her!”

Alexander put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and turned him. “Did ye see which way they went?”

“Toward London.”

He turned to Lord Huntington. “I need a horse.”

Lord Huntington ran with him to the stables, where the groom was already saddling horses.

“Good man.” Alexander fit his foot in the stirrup and settled on the horse. He didn’t wait for Lord Huntington.

He urged the horse out into the darkness and down the long drive. They couldn’t be that far ahead, but he knew from past experience that Mr. Russell drove like a madman.

He hoped the man would be more careful in the dark, but Alexander didn’t have that luxury.

He urged the horse on, and sent out a silent prayer that there wouldn’t be a rut or hole in the road that injured the animal. He also couldn’t help but remember his own father died from being thrown from a horse.

When he caught up with Mr. Russell, he was going to thrash him within an inch of his life.

***

wasn’t sure whether to be angry, or scared.

She felt a fool.

She’d been so concerned about Mr. Russell’s feelings, about doing the honorable thing, that it hadn’t occurred to her to protect herself!

So much for trying to do what was right!

The carriage was going so fast that Lizzie was literally in fear for her life. She knew he was a good driver, but when you couldn’t see the road?

Through the wildly waving curtain, she could see he’d lit lanterns, but surely that wasn’t enough to see the road?

He was risking his life to take her as a wife?

He was risking her life, as well. Twice over because Alexander was going to kill her when he found out she’d met the man in the dark.

She knew he wouldn’t understand.

Even she thought she was a fool at this point.

She bounced around on the floor. As he’d bound her hands behind her back, she couldn’t keep her balance, and fell back on her knees.

What did he think was going to happen?

She wouldn’t marry the man.

Or, would she?

Alexander didn’t know where she was. No doubt Matthew would alert the household, but it would take time to engineer a rescue.

By the time that happened, she’d have been out overnight with Mr. Russell, and would be obligated to marry him.

Her family could not sustain another scandal. Especially one of that magnitude.

And Alexander wouldn’t want a wife with such a besmirched reputation, would he?

She wondered if her father would even go get Alexander, or would simply come after her himself, trying to avoid the scandal that was sure to follow.

She worried about him on these roads at night.

If her father was hurt, she would never forgive herself.

She thought of Alexander’s disappointment in her, and called herself all kinds of fool.

No, Mr. Russell might know exactly what he was doing.

This time tomorrow, she just might be his bride.