His Perfect Bride(44)

"Lady Brianna, where are you going?" a vaguely familiar voice asked. "I believe this is my dance."

Lord Kirkwood growled but didn't slow his pace. She silently prayed the  gentleman would wish to dance with her enough that he would continue to  press.

"Kirkwood," the man said as he grabbed Lord Kirkwood's shoulder. "This  dance belongs to me." The menace in his voice was clear, and Brianna  wondered if she would be moved from one bad situation to another.

Lord Kirkwood jerked his arm from the man, then turned to face him.  Brianna immediately felt her tension ease to see Lord Merrick. Tears of  relief welled up in her eyes, for not only would Richard's friend not  harm her, but he would not leave her either.

"You seem more anxious to dance with her than appropriate. Is Stonemede aware of your desire for his property?"



"If my feelings went in that direction, it would be between Stonemede  and myself," Lord Merrick spat, then turned to her and offered his arm.  "Lady Brianna, would you honor me with this dance?"

"I would be delighted, Lord Merrick," she stammered, unable to steady  her voice. After jerking her arm out of Lord Kirkwood's grasp, she  clutched onto Lord Merrick's sleeve, drawing upon the strength she felt  in him. Each step they took helped to ease her until her hand relaxed on  his arm.

"Are you all right?" he asked quietly, studying her with sadness in his eyes.

"I am now. Thank you."

"We don't have to dance if you are not feeling up to it. I only wanted to get you away from him."

"No, I'm perfectly fine, and I would love to dance with you," Brianna assured, wishing she could pay him back in some way.

As they integrated with the other guests on the dance floor, she saw  Richard watching Lord Merrick, his mouth a grim line. Richard nodded,  indicating some silent communication passed between the men.

As Lord Merrick expertly twirled her around the room, she was surprised  to see his skills had significantly improved since they had last danced.

"I believe I don't need to tell you to stay away from Lord Kirkwood. He is never associated with anything good."

"In the future, you can be assured I will make a point to stay as far away from him as possible."

"I can't believe Richard would even allow you to share one dance with him."

"I'm not sure Lord Stonemede was aware who my next dance partner was. He was not present when Lord Kirkwood approached me."

"I see," Lord Merrick answered with a thoughtful expression.



After that, the conversation only revolved around pleasantries, giving  her more of an opportunity to push aside the encounter with Lord  Kirkwood. After the dance, Lord Merrick escorted her directly to Richard  instead of her mother. Once by his side, she felt right again.         

     



 

"Thank you for the dance, Lord Merrick, and for helping me," she said curtsying.

"It was my pleasure."

"What happened, Greyson?" Richard demanded.

"Kirkwood attempted to take her for a stroll outside, and he was  reluctant to accept her refusal." Lord Merrick's words were proper and  his tone calm.

Brianna was unsure if he downplayed the encounter for her benefit or  Richard's. By the dark look on Richard's face and his clenched fists,  she imagined it was for hers.

"Lady Brianna, are you enjoying yourself, or are you ready to quit the  evening?" Richard asked, his smile not disguising his anger.

"I would like to leave," she responded, then her eyes widened in  concern. "You are not planning to do anything in regard to Lord  Kirkwood, are you?"

"Of course not. Once I see you to your carriage, I intend to call for  mine." He lightly rubbed her arm and then turned to Lord Merrick.  "Greyson, go find Jonathan. I believe the three of us need to have a  talk before I depart."

Lord Merrick nodded, and then bowed to her before setting out on his  task. Richard didn't hesitate to lead them in the direction of her  parents. She had no idea what was going on but lost any desire to be  present long enough to find out, particularly knowing Lord Kirkwood was  out there.

In the carriage, her mother chattered along happily about the night and  the conversations she had or overheard. Brianna could not bring herself  to listen.

"Brianna?" Elizabeth asked quietly. Brianna noticed her mother occupying  her father's attention, so it was an opportunity to speak without being  overheard. "Are you all right?"



"I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"You seemed a little shaken earlier, and when we were leaving, I noticed Richard not acting in his normal manner."

"In what way?" Brianna was instantly concerned Richard would speak with  Lord Kirkwood, and she could not have that. From what she saw of the  man, he was malicious and would not hesitate to cause harm. She would  never forgive herself if anything happened to Richard, especially if he  acted on her behalf.

"It's hard to explain. I'm not sure if he was angry, or agitated, or if I'm making a fuss out of nothing."

"What exactly did you observe?"

"Well, he didn't make eye contact with anyone, and his smile didn't  reach his eyes. It was also obvious he wanted us to leave quickly."

"I'm not sure what he was thinking exactly. I only hope that . . ." Brianna trailed off, not wanting to upset Elizabeth.

"You hope what?" Elizabeth's eyes were pleading, her concern for her brother obvious.

"I hope it's nothing." Brianna's smile was met with suspicious eyes, but  it was too late to disguise her worry to spare Elizabeth some anxiety.  "We are being rather silly. Richard can take care of himself, and,  regardless, what could happen at a ball?"

"You are right," Elizabeth conceded. They passed the rest of the  carriage ride listening to her mother's ramblings, as Brianna tried to  remind herself there was no reason to worry about Richard.

The next day after luncheon, Brianna still had not heard from him, and  she began to agonize again. Considering the way they departed the  previous night, she had expected him to contact her earlier this  morning. The lack of response was concerning, for if something happened  to him, she would not be able to bear it.



Her mind continually thought of the horrible things that could have  befallen him. Gazing out her bedchamber window, she tried to push the  miserable thoughts aside. Part of her hoped she would see the Stonemede  carriage making its way down the street.

Leaving the window, she threw herself down on the bed and clutched her  uneasy stomach. Would her child grow up never knowing his father? The  knock at the door startled her, and she jumped up so fast, she worried  she would have to make a dash for the chamber pot.

"Please come in," she called out, attempting to keep her voice calm.

"Lady Brianna," the downstairs maid said as she entered. "This note came  for you. It was not mentioned who sent it. Only that it was urgent."

"Thank you," Brianna uttered, taking the letter in her hand.

Turning away, she heard the door click, but at the moment she could not  care less who was in the room. The uneasiness in her stomach increased  until she had to drink some of the water mixture from Madam Hershal to  alleviate it.

Taking a deep breath, Brianna opened the missive with shaky fingers and read the words written in a scrawling hand.

Lady Brianna Denton,

If you wish to protect your betrothed, the Marquis of Stonemede, or if  you care about your family's reputation, you will come to me now. My  address is on the enclosed card. Make sure to come alone and don't  notify anyone, or you will not like the consequences.         

     



 

The letter slid from her fingers and the sick feeling returned as she  crumpled to the floor. Although the missive was not signed, nor was a  name listed on the card, she knew who sent it. Richard must have  attempted to speak with Lord Kirkwood last night and had gotten himself  captured in the process. It also explained why he had not contacted her  this morning.



Determination raced through her veins. Clutching the card in her hand,  she raced out of the bedchamber and down the stairs. She felt as though  she were in a tunnel, for the only thing she saw was her destination.

"Brianna, what is wrong?" Elizabeth asked, tugging on Brianna's arm when  she didn't respond. Brianna slowly turned her head to look at  Elizabeth.

"Nothing is wrong. I simply need some air," Brianna answered then turned to move forward.

Elizabeth stopped her again. "Who sent the missive? Was it Richard? Is he all right?"

"It was not from Richard. It was from . . . a friend of mine."

"Oh, all right. Well, I need some fresh air as well. I shall come out with you."

"I'm sorry, but I would prefer to be alone at the moment. Perhaps we can go out together another time?"

Brianna made another move toward the door, but Elizabeth blocked her.  She could tell the girl would not let her go easily. Unfortunately the  letter didn't give her a time limit, and she had no idea how long she  had left. Richard needed her, and she refused to disappoint him.