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undoubtedly take place to her reputation. She
could only hope that Mama had had the good sense to act as if all
were well. A masquerade helped, of course. So many people and such
confusion. It was possible her absence would not be noted among
such a crowd by any but those who were actually looking for
her.
    She might be able to slip back home without
anyone being the wiser. Apart from her family, of course, and they
would not be speaking of it.
    The journey had been uncomfortable and she
had been relieved when the carriage had finally come to a stop. She
was sick of breathing in the scent of old oranges and dried fruits,
which was what the sack on her head smelt of. The aroma reminded
her of Christmases past, happier times for them all. It did not
help her state of mind at all. To make matters worse, her domino
had worked itself free during the rough handling she had received
and was pressed uncomfortably against the side of her head. It was
extremely irritating.
    She had heard the door open and the carriage
springs dip as her abductor had climbed in.
    ‘Well, now,’ that familiar voice had said
heartily, ‘I think the time has come for us to talk. My apologizes
for the – ah – unusual manner in which I brought you along -’
    ‘Unusual!’ Isabella had
squeaked incredulously, ‘sir, you have abducted me!’
    ‘It’s not that bad. I… I merely wished to
get you alone. So I could explain my intentions.’ He had sounded
decidedly flustered. ‘Dammit Miss Piedmont, I didn’t know what else
to do. There are always a swarm of fellows hanging about you and
you’re constantly guarded by that dragon of an aunt – not that I’m
saying she’s a dragon, I’m sure she’s perfectly charming! – that I
decided to just… you know, step away from the pack, so to speak and
run my own race.’
    Those words had illuminated the situation
perfectly and Isabella had felt her ire rise. Once again, she had
suffered from mistaken identity. The fool had thought he was
abducting Alora Piedmont, the heiress she had been hearing about
since arriving in London. He had ruined the wrong female!
    ‘What an absolute idiot you are!’
    ‘Oh, I say,’ he’d protested, ‘I knew you
wouldn’t be thrilled. Harry said that a gel likes a bit of pomp in
these matters but we can do all that kind of frippery stuff later,
surely.’
    ‘Take this sack of my head immediately!’
    Perhaps there had been something in her
voice, for he had complied. Cold air had struck her warm cheeks and
Isabella had drawn several long, sustaining breathes. She had the
satisfaction of watching the man’s face change as he stared at her
and the growing look of horror in his eyes merely confirmed what
she already knew; the fool had made a dreadful mistake.
    ‘But you’re not Miss Piedmont!’
    ‘So very true. And now, having discovered
your error, you can do me the very great service of taking me
home.’ Although really, Isabella dreaded to think of the commotion
she would discover.
    The young gentleman was
still struggling with the knowledge that he had made a serious
error in judgment. ‘But how can this be? It ruins every thing.’
    It was then that Isabella realized that she
was dealing with a fellow well into his cups. It should have
occurred to her before then, as his behavior was extraordinary,
even by London standards.
    ‘It certainly ruins everything for me,’
she’d agreed tartly, ‘and I would appreciate it if you return me
forthwith before the situation becomes even more untenable.’
    ‘Yes, but who are you?’
    ‘Miss Isabella Hathaway. And you, sir?’
    ‘Stornley,’ he’d told her, rather
forlornly.
    Stornley… The name was familiar and after a
moment, she had it. The Earl of Stornley had been pointed out to
her across several herbaceous borders in Kew Gardens three days
before.
    ‘A likely prospect, that,’ her Aunt
Geraldine had told her thoughtfully. ‘There’s something peculiar
about the estate but he has excellent