"Of course he will, goose! That is part of the game. But what harm will it do? Your purpose is merely to convince Lord Stanton that his way of riding roughshod over you is abominable and entirely undeserved. I think a little flirtation will suffice admirably."
Caroline's smile was so innocent that Brie couldn't help laughing. "You are incorrigible, cousin. Not to mention devious. I hope you're around to advise me if your little plot goes awry. Stanton doesn't strike me as the type to allow some designing female to practice her arts on him. But I suppose I can at least humble myself enough to make an apology. I owe it to Julian to be civil to his guest, at any rate. We could always leave a little earlier for London if I find myself in a scrape."
"Well, it was just a misunderstanding, after all. Stanton is sure to let it pass. Actually he rather surprised me, getting so angry at you. When he first arrived, I thought he looked quite like he wanted to kiss you."
"He wouldn't dare try that again," Brie muttered.
Caroline's eyes widened. "Do you mean he already has?"
Brie shot her cousin a quelling glance. "I assure you, Caroline, I do not go around hitting perfect strangers without some provocation."
"There is no need to be nasty, Brie. I only want to help. And my plan will work, you'll see. Now come, I want to see your wardrobe. We have to choose your most becoming gowns in case Lord Stanton should call."
Brie reluctantly allowed Caroline to take the lead, but it was several days before she had an opportunity to speak to Stanton, and then it was under circumstances Caroline would not have approved.
The weather took
a dreary turn and it rained incessantly. During that time, Brie dutifully obeyed Caroline's strictures, dressing her part to perfection and even allowing her cousin's maid to tend her hair. But her meek acceptance was not destined to last. On the first day that rain no longer poured from the skies, she rebelled against her confinement, leaving the house early to avoid her cousin's watchful eye.
It was a miserable morning, for even though the rain had ceased, dark clouds obscured the sun, wrapping the countryside in a bone-chilling gloom. The ground had frozen hard, and even the puddles in the rutted roads were glazed with ice.
Brie rode one of her favorite hunters, but a long gallop did little to lift her spirits. When she returned to the stables, she ordered Julian's bay saddled, deciding to brave the south field for the first time since her disastrous encounter with Stanton.
She was relieved when she met no one along the way. The Expedition, however, brought a return of memories she would rather have forgotten. And for some reason, she couldn't dispel the notion of being watched by hidden eyes. The prickling sensation running down her spine made her glance frequently over her shoulder as she was making her way home. When she heard the distant staccato of hoofbeats, she drew up abruptly, her heartbeat quickening.
Although chiding herself for being a coward, Brie urged the bay off the road behind a bordering yew hedge which, in its overgrown state, sheltered her from view. She had no idea how long she sat waiting for the rider to pass, but she could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage. Jester also sensed the tension in her body and pricked his ears forward in nervous anticipation, his muscles quivering. When a huge black stallion suddenly materialized through the hedge, he shied in terror.
Brie caught a glimpse of the stallion, but she was too busy clinging to Jester's neck and trying to control the frightened horse to wonder at this seeming piece of witchcraft. When the bay at last came to a trembling halt, she looked up to find Dominic observing her.
The first thing she noticed was the elegant cloak and fashionable beaver hat he wore. The second was the deadly- looking pistol he had trained on her. Brie froze when she saw the pistol, while her throat constricted in fear, preventing her from uttering a sound.
The silence mounted, making the air between them vibrate. Dominic watched her intently, his gray eyes cold and alert, and several uncomfortable moments passed before he slowly slipped the gun back into his belt.
Brie let out her breath in a rush, but when she found her voice, it sounded weak and trembling, even to her own ears. "I would count the score even, my lord, for I am unarmed. I was not planning to attack you, whatever you might be thinking. I was trying to avoid you."
Dominic merely sat there regarding her, one hand loosely holding the reins, the other resting on his thigh. "Is that what you were doing, lurking behind the bushes?" he said finally.
Brie couldn't tell whether it was amusement or annoyance she heard in his voice, but his question made her bristle. "I wasn't lurking! Devil take you! You gave me the fright of my life. Did you truly mean to shoot me?"
"The thought had crossed my mind, Miss Carringdon." The words were said with a hint of sarcasm, but his lips twitched as if he were repressing a smile.
Brie stared at his handsome, enigmatic face, trying to guess what was going on behind those cool gray eyes. Then she remembered the odd sensation that had disturbed her earlier. "Have you been following me?" she asked suspiciously.
Dominic's lips twisted in a smile. "No. Did you wish me to?"
"Of course not! I just—" She broke off, realizing he would think her imaginings foolish. He was already grinning at her in that mocking way that made her want to slap him.
"You just . . . what, mademoiselle?" Dominic prompted. When Brie refused to answer, he urged his stallion nearer, until he was directly beside her. "I had thought this road was public domain, but perhaps I should have asked your permission before making use of it."
Brie's anger was rising rapidly. "Certainly you don't need my permission, my lord—though I doubt that would have made the least difference to you. It was just that you frightened me."
"I must beg your pardon, then. It was not my intention to frighten you or to make you avoid my company."
Brie eyed him warily, wondering at his sudden amiableness. She couldn't tell if Stanton were sincere or if this were merely another of his taunts. Then Dominic suddenly smiled one of his sweet, angelic smiles. It surprised Brie greatly, making her blink.
"I would not quite call it even between us," he said smoothly, "but it might be wise if we agreed to start over. I am willing to forget our previous encounters if you are."
That her enemy was the first to offer the olive branch did not ease Brie's conscience. She hesitated, chewing on her lip. "But I cannot forget, my lord," she said at last. "I still owe you an apology. Please let me say that I am truly sorry for what happened. In all honesty, though, I didn't realize the condition of my blade. I . . . I suppose I got too caught up in the heat of the moment. I hope you will believe that I didn't really mean to harm you," she concluded lamely. She lowered her eyes then, for Dominic's gaze had suddenly become quite piercing.