Page 55 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke
‘What time is it now?’
Randolph pulled a watch from his waistcoat pocket.‘Just on eight.’
As he spoke, the door opened to admit a maid with a laden tray, followed by the pot boy with a jug.
Thea tensed.If she jumped up, tipped the tray over Randolph, ran for the door—
The big man stood there like a boulder.She relaxed again.Not possible, and there was a risk that the maid or the lad might get hurt.
Thea made herself eat and drink, ignoring her rebellious stomach.She felt queasier when she realised that time was moving on and, sooner or later, Randolph would be wanting to go to sleep.And there was only one bed, not even a couch.He might say now that he did not want to ravish her, but she had no confidence that he would still feel like that if he woke in the night and she was there, beside him, on the bed.
At least he was drinking ale and not getting roaring drunk on spirits.Or was that worse?If he was very drunk, he might pass out.
She didn’t know.All she did know was that she was frightened and she wanted Hal.But Hal was not here.He did not even know she was missing.
* * *
Time passed.Pitkin let in the maid to clear their dinner dishes.
‘I’ll bring up hot water, shall I, sir?’
‘No, leave it.’
‘Very good, sir, ma’am.’The girl cast them a curious look, then left.The key turned in the lock and there was a sound that Thea guessed was a chair being dragged across and placed outside the door.
Randolph produced a pack of cards.‘Do you play piquet?’
‘I can,’ she said indifferently.Actually, she was quite good at it, the result of playing against Piers, who took the very complex game very seriously.
‘To one hundred points?’He pushed the pack towards her.
‘Certainly.’Thea cut and showed the four of clubs then pushed the pack back.
Randolph cut and got the ten of hearts.‘Your deal.’
‘I shall deal in twos,’ Thea announced and proceeded to do so six times.She spread the remaining cards, thetalon, face down on the table.
She picked up her own hand and examined it.As the dealer she must wait for her opponent to make his discards.
Randolph grimaced, then looked at his cards, took out five and discarded them face down, replacing them from thetalon.
Thea studied her hand, wondering what was left in thetalon.‘Three,’ she said then dropped them unheeded as there was a bellow of rage from just outside, more shouts and the sound of something heavy crashing against the wall.
The door burst open and three men almost fell into the room.
One was a total stranger, the second was the Earl of Porchester and the third, with blood on his knuckles, was Hal.
Chapter Seventeen
‘She is here, thank God,’ Porchester said.
‘Name your seconds!’Dudley pushed forward, a bristling game cock of a man.
Hal simply said, ‘Thea,’ and held out his hands.
She started towards him, then Linton pulled a pistol from his pocket and pointed it at the three of them.‘Stop right there or I’ll shoot.’
The man was frightened.His finger on the trigger was far too tense for safety and the gun was wavering.The muzzle swung towards Thea and all three men stopped dead.
