“Not in this weather.”
He shrugged. “But the fresh snow will cover our tracks. So shall we?”
On the words ‘shall we’ the door behind her flew open, and before she could scream, he pushed her out into the frigid night air, his grip on her arm vice like. She bit his hand to scream, but he shoved his cravat into her mouth. The cold hit her like a fist and she knew she’d freeze to death if he hadn’t brought wraps for her, carriage or no carriage. The only thing calming her was he needed her alive—at least until he had his money.
That thought and the chill seemed to chase away her fear. She had to escape before he got her in any conveyance he may have standing by. She’d play scared and helpless until the perfect opportunity to escape came her way. She refused to think about what would happen to her if she did not escape. Trello would find her. She just prayed it was before Lord Fallon ruined her.
Blade wandered out to the ballroom, excitement raging inside him. In less than an hour he would get down on one knee and pledge his love for her, to all those present and he prayed she would not throw it in his face. But she deserved to have a public declaration of his love, or how else would she believe him? What had Harriet told him? To be brave. He’d never considered himself a coward, but her words had the ring of truth to them.
Well, he’d show her he could be brave too, and vulnerable, and so in love with her it hurt.
He was no longer scared to open his heart. Having it ripped to shreds once before was no excuse. He’d been foolish, and he’d made a mistake in picking a woman who was empty inside. Harriet wasn’t empty. She embraced life and cared for nothing but family and friends.
Harriet had let herself be vulnerable. She’d told him what was in her heart, with no thought to her pride. She’d told the truth and demanded he face his feelings for her. She wanted love—wanted his love, and by God, she deserved a man who loved her. She deserved his love and he would freely give it to her.
The idea of her marrying any other man set his teeth on edge. He rubbed his chest. He wanted her and no one else.
Soon he would know if he had left his declaration too late. He hoped it didn’t spoil Christmas for everyone. He hoped that they would remember this Christmas forever. For the right reasons. For what could be a better present than the gift of love?
“Your Grace, have you seen Harriet?” He looked at Ariane as she stood before him, chewing her bottom lip and wringing her hands. “I haven’t seen her for almost an hour. Kingsley and I have looked everywhere.”
The back of Blade’s neck prickled. His gaze swept the room She was not here. “She can’t have just disappeared.”
Just then Trello arrived. “Funny thing. Lord Punting just told me he’d seen Lord Fallon here. But I was sure we did not invite him.”
Blade’s blood turned to ice in his veins. “Fetch your brother. We have to search the house.” He smiled reassuringly at Ariane while inside he trembled. “I’m sure she’s simply taking some time to herself,” but he could see Ariane didn’t believe him.
Blocks of ice. Her feet were like blocks of ice, and she could not feel her toes. He must have parked the carriage a long way away from the house, as they had been walking for some time. Maybe he hadn’t expected the snow to fall so heavily. She knew exactly where they were. They were near the hot pools. If she could slip away she could hide in the maze of rocks until someone noticed she was gone. She knew her way around the rocky outcrop and she could easily lose him. Hopefully, the steam would save her from freezing to death.
She heard a horse neigh and understood the carriage was likely hidden within the corpse of trees up ahead. It was now or never. Fallon stumbled over a rock and his grip lessened. With one almighty elbow to his ribs and a giant shove, she broke free and ran as fast as she could over the snowy ground. It was rough going because she could not feel her feet. She lifted her skirts and her legs flew over the ground. Thank God Lord Fallon was short, for her strides matched his, but fear gave her wings and she could run faster.
She made the safety of the rocks and skirted around to a place in the rocks that gave her several escape routes. Listening to his bumblings as he hunted for her, she hoped the heated steam would warm her. Her teeth were chattering, and she wondered if he could hear them. She’d have to play hide and seek with Lord Fallon until rescued. To run across open land back towards the house would give him the chance to catch her out in the open. The cold would soon overtake her. Already her body felt numb.
She stayed hidden and listened as Fallon stumbled around cursing her and his money issues. Why wouldn’t he just give up and leave her alone? Then she realized he was dressed in a warm jacket and boots. But if she stayed here any longer, she’d faint from the cold. Already her limbs were trembling.
She rounded another rock and looked towards the house. She’d have to risk it. If she delayed any longer, she wouldn’t make it. She waited until he was on the other side of the rocks and made a dash for it. She no longer cared about the cold, or her numb limbs. She felt no pain as she stumbled over the hard ground, her slippers almost shredded.
She had one major fall and when she stood up her hand caught her dress and it ripped down the front, her bosom barely contained by her shift under her corset.
To her relief, he still hadn’t realized that she’d made a run for it. And if she didn’t die of cold, she’d make it back to the house before he could catch her.
Chapter Eight
“She’s not in the house, I tell you.” Blade paced the drawing room, oblivious to the ballroom noise. His heart was beating so hard in his chest. What a bloody fool he’d been. He just might lose her.
If Fallon had abducted Harriet, he’d kill the man and then he’d marry Harriet, scandal or no scandal. He loved her.
Of course he loved her. He’d known that all along. There had never been any other woman he’d wanted to be his wife. He was simply too scared to admit it.
Now his cowardice may cost him his happiness. He gazed at the mistletoe hanging over the door and wished he could hold Harriet in his arms under it and kiss her for eternity.
“We have looked everywhere.” Ariane had tears in her eyes.
“If that young lady has run away.”
“Papa, Harriet would never run away from anything.” Diane sat holding Ariane’s hand, fighting back tears too. “Something is afoot.”
It was afoot all right, and Blade was certain Lord Fallon had everything to do with it.
Trello entered. “I’ve searched the stables. No horses are missing.” He glanced at Blade with fear in his eyes. “Father, Ariane and Diane should go back to the ball. Kingsley will watch over you. Philip, Blade and I will take some men and search further afield.”
“If she’s outside, she could freeze to death. Why would she go outside?” Ariane wailed.
Kingsley pulled Ariane into his arms. “The men will find Harriet. We must return to the ballroom and act as if nothing is amiss. We don’t need her reputation bandied about. There is enough gossip already.”
With that the women and Lord Kingsley returned to the ball, leaving the men alone.
Blade rounded on Harriet’s brother. “It’s Fallon, I tell you. You heard the rumor too, Trello. He’s desperate for money.”