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villages, but rich enough to own a house in town and land in the Colonies. He could keep you well and comfortable if he goes along with my plan. Indeed, with Charlotte’s inheritance, he’ll have his boats, and you’ll have some nice trinkets to wear to the Duke’s Theatre."
    Alicia mulled over what he had said. She looked at the bag of gold, shook it a little, and looked up at him with suspicious eyes.
    "And this young lord," she started: "is he very mean?"
    "He is stubborn, but his lack of fortune indicates that he’s generous to a fault. And the ladies that have wanted him have been many."
    She pursed her lips and the petulance was evident again. Rodney liked looking at the play of emotions on her face. He appreciated her natural beauty more every time he saw her, though her clothing and hairstyle did little to enhance her. The freckles of youth were fading and a freshly scrubbed ivory with a light blush was quickly replacing them. With the proper clothing and hairstyle she could easily be the toast of London. "You’ll find that Geoffrey is desirable and honest, and I doubt he would ever hurt a woman. I will be near at hand to make sure he does not harm you in any way."
    "If we’re found out in this, could we be imprisoned?" she asked.
    "At the very least," Rodney answered with a smile. He guessed that he might succeed in appealing directly to her adventurous heart. The predictability of life here in the country, marriage to a poor farmer or life as a scullery, held nothing for Alicia’s spirit. And London as a place to be abandoned or discarded did not appeal to her, but London with a hundred pounds, a title, and a rich man to look after her for a time was not a bad bargain for a tavern wench.
    She calculated quickly in her mind: if she was careful with her spending, the money would last a considerable length of time; time enough at least, if she was clever, to eventually marry a man of means and secure a decent life for herself. A life that promised more than endless hardship and struggle.
    She smiled wryly. "And what do I say to Armand?"
    "Tell him you’re going to London to dance with the king."
    "And if he is angry?"
    "Shake your gold in his face and laugh. You have the power now, lass. Not he."
    The trust she was tempted to feel for him was now complete. When she was prepared to run away with Culver Perry he had cautioned her to silence. It was later that she realized it was not Armand’s anger he worried over, but the fact that he intended to sneak away from his boarding debt and could not do so in the light of day. If he was truly going to take her away, what difference if Armand was angry? Who would follow Lord Perry to claim her back? She belonged to no one but herself and had, for so many years, been unwanted baggage everywhere she went.
    "When do you choose to leave?" she asked.
    "Two horses stand ready now. We won’t ride through the night, but I reason we should choose another inn." He coughed and cleared his throat, trying to keep the corners of his mouth straight. "We may not be welcomed here."
    Alicia’s smile was bright and the excitement glittered in her eyes. She held up the bag again. "Mine to keep, no matter what? You swear?"
    "On my word. Gather your things quickly. Lord Seavers will be more than a little anxious."
    Alicia retrieved her shoes from the stable and then dashed toward the inn, her bare feet padding quickly and her bag of coin clutched tightly in her fist. She disappeared into the inn and Rodney walked leisurely to where the horses waited. He was standing there when the door to the inn opened and Alicia reappeared. Just behind her was the red-faced innkeeper, and behind him Rodney could partially make out the printed skirts and curls of the three maids with whom Alicia served. Rodney’s round belly shook lightly as he tried to control an outright laugh. Certainly they had run straightaway to Armand when they noticed Alicia making her bundle of belongings to cart