The woman lifted her head. Hereyes, dull and heavy-lidded from pain or lust, stared at Alexandra.
Mr. Runyon followed the woman’sstare. He stopped thrusting.
His breathing came out in gasps. Heleered at Alexandra, white teeth reflecting the light of the moon. His eyesnever left Alexandra’s face as he moved his hips into the woman, gruntingsoftly.
“Care to join us my sweet? Archie canplease more than one, can’t I?” He pushed into the woman and brought the cropback down on her buttocks.
Alexandra ran.
EIGHTEEN
She fled as if the very devil himselfwere chasing her. The image of what Mr. Runyon did to that woman repeatedin her mind. Her skirt caught in the doorway and she jerked it free, notcaring as the fabric tore.
Wildly, she looked around. Was thisthe way she had come? Then where was Zander? Frightened, sheturned, hearing a man’s steps on the walkway leading out of the orangery.He is coming after me.
She ran down the hallway, desperatelysearching for a servant, another lost guest or even the door to theterrace. Bile rose in her throat, halting her progress. She slowedand pressed herself against the wall, panting and wheezing, unable to catch herbreath. A wave of dizziness stuck her and her head lolled back.
“Alexandra?” The silken tonesechoed in the hallway. “Where are you hiding my pet? Myperfect pigeon? Shall we play hide and seek? I adore hide and seek. If Ifind you though,” his voice roughened, “you will pay a forfeit.”
Alexandra looked back the way she hadcome. Nothing moved. Ripples of fear coursed through her. Mr.Runyon hunted her.
A heel squeaked across the floor.”Silly girl. Are you jealous? There’s no reason to be envious,darling. She is just a servant, while you –“ his words belied anevil intent, “are to be my wife. My…property.”
Alexandra’s heart raced. Thehallway tilted. Sconces dotted the paneling of the walls but gave offlittle light. The strains of music from the orchestra could be heard, but weremuted. The last time she had gotten lost during a ball she met SuttonReynolds. Hysterical laughter bubbled out of Alexandra’s mouth. Theoutcome tonight would be very different indeed.
“This is becoming tiresome,Alexandra. Your jealous fit bores me. Stop hiding. I am a man afterall, and I have my needs. Needs I am longing foryouto fulfill.”
The sound of the riding cropslapping against his leg jolted Alexandra out of her immobility. Her gazeswung down the dark hallway, trying to discern a door, a window,anything. Her ears perked up. She could swear she heard the creakof a chair in the silence. Someone was down this hall. She couldrun, she could -
“Alexandra,sweet!” The cropsnapped from behind her. “Do not make me drag you back into the ballroom.Do you like being forced, Alexandra?” Mr. Runyon’s brittle laughter rangin Alexandra’s ears. “Do we need to take a turn around the orangeryso that you may regain your…balance? You are most un-balanced,Alexandra. Pigeon. Sometimes, you even rave nonsense at me.Everyone knows your nerves are…delicate. I’ve made sure.”
He was insane.Oh God, I have toget away from him. Grabbing her skirts, she dashed across the marblefloor, her slippers not making a sound. Her head ached terribly, thedizziness came at her in waves. Her right foot caught on the torn part of herskirt and she faltered. Her foot skidded across the polished marble, herknee slamming into the floor. She sprawled, stunned. The cold marblepressed into her cheek. She tried to keep still, hoping he would think shefainted.
A shadow loomed over her prostate form.“Really, my pet, do you think I would let you get away? You are boughtand paid for. Like the breeding stock you no doubt loved while you playedfarmer at Hermsbut Alley.” He deliberately mangled her beloved home’sname.
“Helmsby Abbey.” A gasping sobescaped her throat. She sounded like a wounded animal. The hallwaytilted again.
“Oh, yes. That was the name.A dreadful hovel, peopled with ancient servants who should have been sent outto pasture long ago. Come, let me help you up.” His words drippedwith false solicitousness. “How you long for your home.Hopefully, you will see it again. Hopefully, your servants won’t starve.There are no guarantees, of course.”
“You-” Alexandra choked out, tears ofshock running down her cheeks. “You said you would buy it for me. Yousaid –“
“That’s right, pigeon. I didpromise it as a wedding gift. Aweddinggift.”
A scorching pain seared throughAlexandra’s chest. “You cannot possibly believe I would still agreeto marry you. You are depraved, you –“ She whispered into themarble floor. She wished to be dead.
“Yes, you will. We’ve beenbetrothed for weeks now and money has exchanged hands. Lots and lots ofmoney. Your uncle is a terrible faro player. It’s simple really.”
Alexandra clawed at the marble, trying tomove herself away from him.
Mr. Runyon slid one foot onto the trainof her dress, pinning her to the floor.
“Lord! You look like an inchworm,my dear Alexandra. As I was saying, your uncle owes me quite a bit ofmoney, but I promised to forgive it all in return foryou.”
At her horrified gasp he continued.“I thought you worth far more than what he owed, pigeon. Your unclesimply doesn’t value you.”
Dawning comprehension settled overher. She had never been free. Odious Oliver had sold her like a prizemare to pay off his debts. Her plan to wait him out had been invain. Her betrothal had been decided before she ever arrived inLondon. Odious Olivergambledheraway?
“I told your uncle I would purchaseHelmsby Abbey from him as a gift to my betrothed. But if you don’tmarryme, your uncle will not only be homeless, which I realize you could care lessabout, but your retainers at that estate as well. I shall throw them outinto the streets and make beggars of them all. I shall burn that pile ofmanure to the ground while you watch.”
