An Unwilling Conquest Part 58

"Might as well reap the rewards of being so early--we can snaffle two helpings of kedgeree."

Still frowning, Harry followed him to the door. An hour later, Lucinda swept down the main staircase, Agatha, dourly protective, three steps behind. An incipient frown tangled Lucinda's brows, put there by Melthorpe, who had knocked on her door while they had been packing with a breakfast tray and a message that his lordship would hold himself in readiness to take leave of her whenever she was ready. Then, a few minutes ago, When Agatha had opened her door, it was to discover a footman patiently waiting to carry her bag to the carriage.

For the life of her, she couldn't understand how they had known she was leaving.

It was all most confusing, a situation not helped by the skittering, totally uncharacteristic panic that had laid seige to her confidence.

As she set foot on' the last flight of stairs, Lord Aster Icy strolled out of the dining-room. Harry followed in his wake, a sight that made Lucinda inwardly curse. She switched her gaze to her gloves, tugging them on; when she lifted her face, it was set in determined lines. "Good morning, my lord.

I'm afraid I must depart immediately."

"Yes, of course--I quite understand." Alfred waited by the bottom of the stairs, his most charming smile in place.

Lucinda struggled not to frown.

"I'm so glad. I have enjoyed my stay, but I'm sure it's for the best if I leave this morning." She avoided looking at Harry, standing behind his host.

Alfred offered her his arm.

"We're quite devastated to have you leave, of course, but I've had your carriage brought around."

Beginning to feel distinctly distracted, Lucinda put her hand on his sleeve.

"How kind of you," she murmured.

From beneath her lashes, she glanced at Harry but could make nothing of his urbane expression.

"A pleasant day for a drive--hope you reach your destination without any fuss."

Lucinda allowed his lordship--expatiating in similar, totally inconsequential vein--to lead her down the steps.

As he had said, her carriage awaited, Joshua on the box. Lucinda paused on the last step, turning to her host as Agatha slipped past. Calmly, she held out her hand.

STEPHANIE LAURENS 19S.

"Thank you, my lord, for a most interesting stay--even if it was so short."

"Delighted, m'dear, delighted." Alfred bowed extravagantly over her hand.

"Dare say I'll see you shortly in London." As he straightened, his gaze met Harry's over Lucinda's shoulder.

"In the ballrooms," he hastily added.

Lucinda blinked. Then she turned to the carriage, and discovered Agatha, her expression thoroughly disapproving, up beside Joshua on the box. "Here-- allow me."

Before she could do a~Nothing about her maid's unexpected position, Lucin~la found herself handed into the carriage. Deciding that rapid departure was undoubtedly her wisest course, she took her seat by the window and settled her skirts. She could get Agatha down once they were clear of the drive.

Lord Asterley spoke through the window.

"Do hope you enjoyed your stay. We'll look to see you again next--' Abruptly he caught himself up, a comical look on his face.

"Ah--no. Not again."

"Quite," came in clipped accents from behind him. HIS lordship quickly stepped back. Lucinda, features rigidly impa.s.sive, drew breath to farewell her predatory protector--only to see Harry nod to his lordship and calmly climb into the carriage.

Lucinda stared at him.

Harry smiled a touch grimly, saying, sotto voce, as he moved past, "Smile sweetly at Alfred--or he'll be even more confused."

Lucinda did as she was told, plastering an utterly famous smile on her lips.

Lord Asterley stood on the steps and waved until the curve of the drive hid them from sight.

As soon as it did, Lucinda rounded on Harry.

"What do you think you're doing? Is this another of your forcible repatriations?"

Harry settled his shoulders against the seat.

"Yes." He turned his head to look at her, brows rising arrogantly.

"You aren't going to tell me you belonged at Aster Icy Place-- are you?"

Lucinda blushed, and changed tack.

"Where are we going?" She had not left Aster Icy Place in an unfashionable rush solely because of the activities of its guests. After last night, she had no idea how Harry now viewed her, despite what she had sensed, despite what she now hoped.

Undermining her confidence was the realisation, the cast-iron certainty, that if he wanted her, she would go to him--without any marriage vows--without any vows at all. She had intended to rush back to the safety of Em's side, where her own weakness would be bolstered by Em's staunch propriety.

She had never before run from anything or anyone-- but what she felt for Harry was not something she could fight.

Her heart thumping uncomfortably, she watched, eyes wide, as he sat back, laid his head against the squabs and stretched his long legs before him, crossing his booted ankles. He closed his eyes.

"Lester Hall."

"Lester Hall?" Lucinda blinked--not Lestershall, his own house, but Lester Hall, his family home.

Harry nodded, settling his chin in his cravat. "Why?"

"Because that's where you've been since yesterday. You left town in your carriage and drove there, with your maid and coachman. I followed several hours later in my' curricle. Em and Heather will be following in Em's carriage this morning--Em was indisposed yesterday. That's why they didn't accompany you."

Lucinda blinked again.

"Why did I go and leave them behind?"

"Because my father was expecting you last night and you didn't want to disappoint him."

"Oh." After a moment's hesitation, Lucinda asked,

"Is he expecting me?"