The Complete Regency Surrender Collection. Louise Allen

I have your life in my hands. That is rich,’ she spat. ‘I want the life I was destined to have. The life I deserve to have.’

      ‘No one is saying you cannot have it.’

      She shook her head. ‘I cannot have it now. I might have before you arrived, but not now.’

      ‘Why did you do this? Why did you take Miss Vandenberg?’

      ‘You chose an American over me,’ she ground out. ‘An American!’ She licked her lips nervously. ‘It was bad enough when I thought you were going to listen to that harpy of a mother of yours and marry Morley’s brat. But then the ton would have assumed you had finally given in to your mother’s pestering. That chit ranks higher than me. It would not be seen as an insult to my person. But this...’ she waved the pistol towards Katrina ‘...this is an American.’ The final statement was said through her clenched teeth.

      He needed to direct her attention away from Katrina. He took a step closer to Helena. The pistol was back, pointing at his head.

      ‘Don’t. Move.’ She cocked it. ‘No one of worth will want me if they think an American is above me. You don’t understand. You’re a man! You live in your lofty world, with all your money and power. You are free to choose the life you want. You. Have. Everything!’

      At the moment it felt as if he had nothing. He raised his hands in an attempt to steady her.

      ‘You have built a fine life for yourself since Wentworth’s death.’

      ‘I have nothing! I have taken to selling my possessions to pay off my debts. The money is gone and there is no way for me to get more unless I marry well.’

      How could he not have realised she was in such dire straits? ‘But the gambling... I have sat in card rooms with you,’ he muttered out loud.

      ‘I was there to attract men like you! You have reduced me to spreading my legs in search of the money and prestige that already should be mine. Every time I had one of you inside me I earned that title! Every time I waited for you and turned down other invitations I earned it! And every time someone asked if a proposal was imminent, and I had to smile and say nothing, I earned it! That chatterbox Lizzy Skeffington should not be a duchess! I should!’

      All her screaming had made her voice hoarse.

      ‘Surely you could find a husband with a lesser title? There are many wealthy men who would beg to marry you.’

      Her body began trembling with rage. ‘You expect me to marry a viscount or a baron?’ she shrieked.

      He put his palms back up. It was like trying to settle a skittish horse. His brief moment of sympathy at her situation had clouded his knowledge of her pride and her sense of entitlement. Knowing he had once felt affection for her was making him physically ill.

      ‘How will taking Miss Vandenberg help? I still do not understand?’

      She let out a mean laugh. ‘You stupid man—this isn’t about taking her. It’s about killing her. If she is dead you can’t marry her, and my reputation as a desirable woman will be secure.’

      Every bone in Julian’s body seemed to disintegrate, and it was taking great effort for him to remain standing tall and firm. Katrina wasn’t going to die tonight. Somehow he would make certain of it.

      ‘You have it wrong about Miss Vandenberg and myself. We barely speak.’

      Helena’s eyes darted between the two of them and for the first time he could see her confidence waver. ‘You’re lying. I saw her enter the maze at the Finchleys’ shortly before you did.’

      This was all for nothing. Katrina wasn’t even his. And if Julian hadn’t witnessed her being kidnapped he would have been asking Morley for his daughter’s hand about now.

      He shook his head sadly. ‘It was simply a coincidence. I never saw her.’

      He looked over at Katrina, bound in the chair. He could tell she was frightened. So was he. But she was remaining quietly composed, allowing him to try to defuse the situation. He prayed he knew how.

      ‘His Grace is telling the truth,’ Katrina called out, keeping her eyes on Helena. ‘We barely know one another.’

      Helena licked her lips and shifted her feet slightly, staring at Julian. ‘I’ve seen the way you look at her. There is something between you.’

      He shook his head. ‘I find her to be attractive.’ Beyond compare. ‘She is American, so her mannerisms are different.’ And charming. ‘But, as I said, we barely speak.’ But she will have my heart forever.

      Helena’s eyes darted between them again. Her bravado was weakening. But if he grabbed for the pistol it could go off, and the shot might hit Katrina.

      Slowly he held out his hand. ‘Give me the pistol, Helena. No one needs to die tonight.’

      She steadied her hand. ‘I know I will swing for what I’ve done.’

      ‘It does not have to come to that,’ he said reassuringly. ‘Now, hand it to me.’

      Her knuckles whitened around the gun and her face set with determination.

      He motioned for the weapon. ‘As angry as you are with me, you will not shoot me. You are not that evil.’

      Dear God, he hoped it was true!

      Her breathing had become erratic, and in the glow of the lantern he saw tears rim her eyes.

      ‘If I hand you my pistol, what will happen then?’

      He took a step closer. ‘I will untie Miss Vandenberg and the two of us will leave. That is all.’

      From the corner of his eye he saw Katrina look his way. Keep silent, Katrina. Do not say a word.

      He knew he needed to take her back to the ball. If the ton found out she had been kidnapped, her reputation would be beyond repair. He would find a way to deal with Helena later. Debtors’ prison would be enough of a punishment. If he involved Bow Street in this, the kidnapping would be all over the newspapers by morning.

      ‘Give me the pistol.’

      She took two deep, uneven breaths and uncocked the gun.

      He stepped closer and motioned again with his fingers. This time she handed him the pistol.

      Relief flooded through Julian, and it was a wonder he had the strength to hold the gun in his hand.

      He rushed to Katrina’s side and began untying her hands. She rubbed her wrists as he worked on the bloody knot near her ankles. He needed to get her outside before Helena did something else irrational. When the knot was finally free and he had unbound her legs, he stood, ready to take her in his arms. But she lunged for Helena instead.

      Julian grabbed her by the waist before she was able to get close to Helena and pulled her back. ‘We need to leave. Now.’

      She tore herself free from his grip, her eyes drilling holes into Helena. His former lover was sitting on the floor, staring sightlessly at the ground. It appeared the realisation of what had transpired had hit her.

      He needed to get Katrina out of there quickly. Helena was too unstable. He would deal with her tomorrow. They needed to return to the ball.

      Julian tugged Katrina’s arm and together they escaped out into the passageway and to freedom.

      ‘There is a carriage waiting for us above ground,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘I will return you to the masquerade. All will be well.’

      * * *

      In the darkness of the rocking carriage Katrina wrapped her arms around herself, attempting to alleviate the chills that had begun racking her body the moment they left the crypt. All she wanted was to crawl into bed and tuck herself into mountains of blankets. With any luck she could remain there for days, and avoid telling her father about any of this for as long as possible.

      ‘You’re