Alexandra walked carefully up theaisle. Lord Atkins’s stare bored into her back. What a rudeman! His actions towards her were much too familiar.
“Ladies,” Lord Tasterly said from upahead, “let us sit.” He directed Miranda and Lady Atkins into a row ofseats.
Lord Atkins moved swiftly from behindAlexandra and put himself next to Lord Tasterly, seating Alexandra next to theaisle and furthest away from the other two women. He waited untilshe was seated and said, “Dunforth, I’m certain I’ve heard the name bandiedabout.”
Alexandra gave Lord Atkins a confusedlook. She was certain they had never met. He didn’t look theleast familiar. If his sister was a friend of Miranda’s, possiblyAlexandra had been introduced to him.
“Lord Atkins, I am at a disadvantage.Have we met?” Alexandra’s mouth was dry as cotton and it gave her voice araspy quality. She was terribly thirsty. She could do with a cup oftea. Lord Atkins made her very uncomfortable.
Lord Atkins leered at her. Heassessed her bodice with shocking frankness. “Oh! But I knowyou.” He whispered into her ear. “I’ve met your uncle at the gamingtables. What a terrible faro player he is, but you likely knew that.I’m a business associate of Mr. Runyon. His eyes roved over her body,resettling on her bosom. “You don’t look the type, truth be told.”He smacked his lips.
Alexandra pursed her lips. “And what typeis that Lord Atkins?” Her temples throbbed. She waited for hisanswer even though she wanted to sprint as fast as she could from thisdisturbing conversation.
“The type that Mr. Runyon likes.” Hewinked again. “You’ve the look of an innocent about you. I mustsay, I find it quite desirable as well. That bodes well for any futureacquaintance, don’t you think?
Alexandra sat, stunned intosilence. What did he refer to? The words and tone spoke ofdepravity, as did the way he continued to look at the tops of her breasts. Theurge to flee became stronger. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, LordAtkins. I find your tone overfamiliar.”
“No need to be distressed, MissDunforth.” His fingertips grazed her knee.
Alexandra jumped. She shrank backfrom Lord Atkins.
“I meant no offense.” His voice wassmooth and reassuring. “Mr. Runyon and I have similar tastes.There’s no need to pretend shyness around me. You should look on me as afriend. I would certainly never betray Mr. Runyon’s confidence.” LordAtkins’s stare, his eyes like black pebbles, hardened on her.
What did he insinuate?Her hands trembled. “If you don’t mind, Lord Bishop is walking towards thepodium and I would like to listen to his lecture.”
Lord Atkins chuckled softly. “Asyou will, Miss Dunforth. It wouldn’t do for the others to get wind ofanything would it?” He threw a look at Miranda. “Especially LadyReynolds, the daughter of Mr. Runyon’sdearcousin.” He turned and facedthe podium.
The dread Alexandra felt, the smotheringfeeling of despair, reared up again inside her. Her hand twitchedin her lap. Anxiously, she stood, her knees nearly bucklingunderneath her.
Lord Atkins didn’t spare her aglance. She saw the hint of a smile on his lips. Her distressamused him.
Miranda’s head peeked around LordTasterly. “Miss Dunforth? Are you going somewhere? Lord Bishop isabout to begin.”
“I simply need refreshment. Mythroat is quite dry. I believe I saw a lemon ice vendor in the atrium. Ishall return promptly.” Her voice stammered out of her, sounding gutturalas she choked on her words. Dread and despair mixed until it formed alarge stone sitting in her chest. If she stayed, she would not be able tobreathe. Lord Atkins’s comments made her ill. Doomed. Trapped likesome wild animal. Perhaps she could catch a hackney outside.Home. Tea. She wanted nothing more.
Miranda rose to accompany her.
Alexandra put up a hand to stayher. “I’ll just be a moment, Lady Reynolds. Please don’t fret.”Alexandra flicked a glance at Lord Tasterly who was watching Lord Bishop mountthe podium. “Besides, you’ll miss the lecture.”
Miranda sat back down. “I don’tknow where Cam is. If you see him, tell my brother I’ve saved him aseat. She patted a chair to her left.
Lord Tasterly turned his attention fromLord Bishop. His pleasant expression disappeared and his facepaled. “Lord Reynolds is joining us?”
“Yes of course. You didn’texpect us to be without escort did you?” Miranda gave a shy chuckle turningfrom Alexandra.
It was all the distraction Alexandraneeded. She stood and fled down the aisle. Sliding through thewalnut doors at the end of the room, she found herself back in thefoyer. Sun shone through the skylight above her. Devoid ofthe crowd, the foyer was quiet, even peaceful. Now, she need only avoidLord Reynolds.
Alexandra turned towards the mainentrance. Lord Reynolds may be lurking just outside. Her gazeflicked to the right. A sign for the Ladies Necessary Room satprominently displayed, so she turned. Miranda would search for her thereif Alexandra did not return to the lecture hall. The corridor to the left had asign posted before it. ‘Exhibition of the Flora and Fauna Discovered byLord Bishop.’ She spun on her heel and made for the exhibition. Aback entrance could be found there. She would make her escape and hail ahackney.
Her temples ached. She needed hertea. Lord Atkins’s words rang in her head. Miranda’s painedexpression in the carriage flashed before her eyes. Her thoughts jumbled.She could not make a connection between the two incidences.
Turning the corner, the familiar muskysmell of animals and hay assailed her nostrils. The aromacomforted her. Calmed her. If she closed her eyes, she couldimagine herself in the barn at Helmsby Abbey. Tears welled in hereyes. She wanted to go home. After her marriage, Alexandra intendedto take the first coach to Hampshire. Mr. Runyon promised.
Alexandra marveled at the transformationof this section of the Exhibition Hall. Plants abounded from variouscorners, their pots cleverly hidden to give the appearance of walking into ajungle. Rich, earthly aromas filled the air. The hall was deserted. Accordingto the pamphlet, Lord Bishop would lead a guided tour into this part of theexhibition after his lecture. Alexandra moved forward, taking a deepbreath. The urge to flee lessened.
A loud screech made her jump.Clasping hands to her heart, she laughed at her own foolishness. Thescreech came from the cage before her. Cautiously, so as not to startlethe inhabitant of the cage, she tiptoed closer.
A mass of palm fronds wiggled back andforth, quivering as if someone or something hid behind them. The frondsjiggled wildly, batted by an unseen hand.
