Raven's Vow. Gayle Wilson

of a crowded ballroom, Catherine forced her thoughts away from the remembrance of whatever, besides anger, had been in Raven’s eyes that afternoon. She was still not certain of the emotion that had called forth his declaration. Fury at being denied what he wanted, certainly. And at her father’s treatment of his suit. But she had begun to believe that she had seen something else stirring in that blue flame.

      Resolutely she broke off her fruitless attempt to identify that fleetingly glimpsed emotion and tried to focus on what her partner was saying. She wished he’d simply let her enjoy the waltz, but he seemed to think thathe must entertain her rather than allowing the flowing movements of the dance and the pulse of the music to do so. She allowed her lids to close over eyes that were beginning to glaze with boredom, and there appeared before her, in her mind’s eye, John Raven’s face. That had happened far too frequently lately, and she had found herself at too many social engagements unconsciously seeking that dark head which she knew would tower above those of the room’s other inhabitants.

      Guilt, she had finally decided. Guilt over the role she’d played in her father’s brutality that day. By her mockery she had thrown Raven to the wolves when, she knew, she could have handled the situation differently, perhaps even have mitigated the duke’s fury. Apparently she wasn’t going to be given a chance to explain or apologize. John Raven seemed to have disappeared from London as quickly as he had appeared. Unconsciously, she sighed.

      “Bored, my dear?” Gerald asked solicitously.

      Good God, she thought, shocked at that familiar voice. She had changed partners in such a perfect fog that she’d been unaware until that very moment that she was floating across the floor in Amberton’s very capable arms.

      “Tired,” she offered, wondering what she’d said to him before, while she was thinking of the American’s strong features.

      “It’s nearly over. The Season is winding down and—”

      “Don’t,” she ordered with something of her old spirit. “Don’t tell me what’s going to happen after that. I assure you I don’t intend to repeat the argument we had two weeks ago.”

      She began to take her hand from his, resolving, since he seemed determined to remind her, to move away from him. But his fingers tightened over hers, controlling.

      “You really are too accustomed to having your own way. I don’t think public humiliation, my dear, is on tonight’s agenda.”

      She turned in surprise at his unexpected masterfulness. Smiling smugly, he ruthlessly swept her back into the rhythm of the waltz, holding her far closer than was acceptable.

      “Let me go,” she demanded imperiously.

      “Quit behaving like the spoiled chit I called you. We’re in the middle of the dance floor, for God’s sake. Don’t you dare try to walk away from me.”

      Furious, she struggled again, and his fingers ground into hers more strongly, hard enough to bruise.

      “You’ve had your own way too long, my pet. But I think you’ll not find me so easy to deal with as your ever-indulgent parent. You really have no option here, and you must know it.”

      Catherine was forced to realize the unpleasant truth of his assertion. She could literally fight him for her freedom, here under the eyes of the gossiping old tabbies of the ton, or she could give in gracefully and finish the set. She couldn’t imagine what had come over Gerald, but in this instance she recognized the validity of what he had said. As much as she hated the admission, she really had no choice.

      Finally the music ended, and with what she hoped was an icy dignity, she allowed him to lead her from the floor. Still furious, she had said nothing after his unconscionable behavior. She was relieved to find that her next partner was an old and trusted childhood friend, Lord Anthony Dellwood. Gerald released her with what appeared to be satisfaction with his mastery, and she nodded coldly before he turned away.

      “I’m sorry,” she said as soon as Amberton had moved out of earshot, “but I’m feeling a trifle unwell. Do you suppose you might find my father, Tony? I really would like to go home.”

      She dealt charmingly with his expressions of concern and was infinitely relieved when he left her alone in the small sheltered alcove to which he had taken her to wait while he saw to the arrangements. It was not just Gerald’s bizarre behavior, it was everything. The Seasonwas coming to an end, and with its conclusion, her father’s repeated ultimatums for her decision had increased. And the only man with whom she could imagine…

      The thought impacted like fireworks in her brain. The only man with whom she could imagine spending the rest of her life was not Gerald, nor any of the other perfumed and pompous members of her set, but… Surely she couldn’t be contemplating marriage to the coal merchant. The words you belong to me echoed again in her brain, causing their own small explosion of sensation. My God, she wondered, could he possibly be right about that? “The bride was conveyed to her wedding by locomotive,” theMorning Post would say.

      Catherine’s lips slanted suddenly as she remembered Raven correcting her father. She doubted whether anyone else in his very long and noble life had had the gall to point out the duke’s obvious errors to him. No wonder her father had been so furious that day. John Raven certainly did not play by the rules that had been set down for members of this society to follow.

      “I’m sorry, my dear, but your father seems to have been called away. Some unexpected emergency. I’m sure a very minor one, but I’ve ordered your coach brought round and will very gladly escort you home,” Dellwood offered gallantly.

      “There’s no need for that, Tony. You know how short the distance is. And Tom’s perfectly reliable. He’s been in my father’s service for years.”

      “I insist. I’m sure your father would much prefer that I come with you. He probably already made arrangements for you to be conveyed home, and I’ve inadvertently countermanded them. I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen.”

      “And what do you imagine might happen to me between here and home? This is London, you know, not the wilds of America.”

      He laughed cooperatively at her feeble attempt at humor, while she wondered why that particular analogy had leapt into her mind. Obsessed with things American, perhaps? she questioned herself mockingly.

      “I really insist on being allowed—” her escort began, and was quickly interrupted.

      “And I must insist that I’m better off alone. Please. I really am not well, and I’m afraid this pointless argument…” As an added inducement, she pulled her small lace handkerchief from her glove and pressed it delicately against her lips.

      Although still worried about the impropriety of allowing her to depart without escort, Dellwood was forced to agree. As Catherine had logically pointed out, thiswas London. What could possibly happen to the Duke of Montfort’s daughter while being transported to her home by her father’s own coachman?

      The rain that had been a shower at the beginning of the evening had turned into a deluge, but through the solicitude of Lady Barrington’s servants, Catherine was put into the coach, suffering no more than a drop or two spotting the emerald silk. She sat morosely in the darkness of the swaying carriage, listening to the pounding fury of the storm against its roof. She was angered and bewildered by Gerald’s attempt at domination tonight. And, she was honest enough to admit, to herself at least, she was again disappointed that she had not at some point in the evening found two piercing blue eyes meeting hers with unusual directness. She missed the excitement her encounters with the American had added to her existence, and if she were completely honest, she knew that she also missed the man himself. Her lips moved into a slight smile, again remembering.

      The small jolt of the carriage as it drew up to its destination pulled her attention from those memories, and she gathered her skirt in preparation for the descent into the driving rain. The door was opened and an enormous black umbrella held over her to shelter her from the deluge. Hurrying down the steps the coachman had dropped, she ran,