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holding tightly to one of Hetty’s hands.
    Dropping all pretense of politeness, Avery snapped, “I mean your heavy hand with whatever you put in my wine last night—and your lovely niece’s non appearance. I do believe that my message included all the ladies.”
    â€œTess isn’t feeling well. She can’t leave her bed,” Hetty said.
    â€œIs that so?”
    â€œYes, why would we lie?” Meg demanded gamely.
    â€œWhy indeed,” Avery said dryly. Ignoring them for the moment, he crossed to the bell rope that hung against the wall and rang for a servant. Almost immediately Lowell answered the summons.
    Bluntly Avery asked his butler, “Have you carried out my requests?”
    A not-very-nice smile creased Lowell’s dour features. “Yes, sir. I have.” He glanced at the two women. “They ain’t nobody in them rooms. They’re empty. The chit ain’t nowhere in the house or stables. She’s gone.”
    â€œAh, and have you taken care of everything else?”
    Lowell nodded curtly. “Except for me and Coleman, all the servants have packed and left for the unexpected holiday you so kindly granted them.”
    A smile that sent chills down the backs of the two women crossed Avery’s face. “Thank you, Lowell. That will be all.”
    Avery waited until the door had closed behind his henchman before he turned to the ladies. “And now,” he said coldly, “suppose you tell me precisely what happened last night and where Tess is hidden.”
    Hetty met his gaze squarely. Lifting her chin, she said, “She is gone to London. To her uncles.”
    â€œI see. A rather sudden trip on her part, wasn’t it?”
    â€œWell, what did you expect?” Meg asked rashly. “You planned to dishonor her and force her to marry you! But thank the Lord, she’s managed to escape you!”
    â€œOh, I doubt that,” Avery said silkily. “What do you think the reactions of Baron Rockwell and his esteemed brother will be when I tell them that Tess and I have already been intimate? That this silly flight of hers is nothing more than a lovers’ quarrel, hmm?”
    â€œThat’s a black-hearted lie!” Hetty burst out indignantly. “Alexander would never believe you!”
    â€œAh, but I wonder if the rest of society would be so understanding....”
    In her great agitation, Hetty rose to her feet. Bosom heaving, she spat, “Alexander would never allow you to say such things. You’d find yourself on the dueling field if you dared to spread such lies!”
    Avery looked bored. “But then, of course, the reason for the duel would have to be explained, wouldn’t it?”
    Hetty’s defiance crumpled and she sat back down, her face drawn. “You wouldn’t,” she said shakily. “You wouldn’t dare.”
    â€œWouldn’t I?” Avery replied almost cheerfully. “Oh, but I would indeed. I think that you ladies had better resign yourselves to the fact that I intend”—his eyes glittered—“for Tess to become my wife, one way or the other....” He smiled at their defeated faces. “I will leave early tomorrow to call upon the baron and his brother. While I’m gone, I’m afraid you ladies will have to make do with the services of Coleman and Lowell.” His voice grew hard. “You will, of course, be locked in your rooms, and I wouldn’t count on anyone releasing you—Lowell and Coleman are quite capable of dealing with any intruders. You may wish me a speedy trip.”
    Hetty’s violet eyes almost purple with rage, she rose to her feet and said fiercely, “What I wish, sir, is for you to go to the very devil!”
    Â 
    Unaware of the events taking place at Mandeville Manor, Tess had taken stock of her present situation and found it not exactly pleasant. Aside from the bodily discomforts—and there were many