Lisa tried to tug away. “Look, lady, you can ask until the cows come home, and it’s still not going to happen. I don’t know who you think you are, but I don’t answer to you.”

“We’ll see about th—”

“Let go of her, Desiree, or you’ll be answering to me.”

A smirk spread across Desiree’s powdered face as she turned to Bennett. “And if I don’t?”

Bennett placed her hand on the grip of her sword. “Then I’ll ruin your dress…and your neckline.”

“That’s the second time tonight you’ve threatened me, and I really, really don’t like it,” Desiree said, tightening her grip on Lisa enough to make her pale. “So, here’s my counteroffer. Take your hand off that sword, or I’m going to pulverize this woman’s arm before you can pull the blade from that scabbard. And since the four men who are now surrounding us belong to me, they’ll keep you busy long enough so I can drink her dry.”

Peripheral vision told Bennett that Desiree wasn’t lying. Even though she’d seen the men dressed in seventeenth-century garb wander over, Bennett hadn’t paid them any attention. She knew she could best them, draw the sword and kill at least two before anyone could react, but in the mix was a mortal, and it was a mortal named Lisa. Bennett took her hand off the sword.

“Good,” Desiree said, holding her head high. “And now, I’m going to have a taste of your guardian, and you’re going to watch.”

Desiree lifted Lisa’s wrist to her mouth, and then suddenly, she stiffened.

“And this is exactly why I don’t like party crashers. You just know in your heart they’ll never behave like you expect them to,” Max said, standing directly behind Desiree. “And Desiree, in case you’re wondering, that prick in your back is the point of a very long and very sharp dagger, so be a love and release the lady’s arm. Since this is my house, I have more than enough allies here to guarantee you and yours will not leave alive if you don’t do as I ask.”

“As thick as thieves as always, aren’t you?” Desiree said, pushing Lisa’s arm away. “Won’t ever let a girl have any fun.”

“You’re absolutely right, Desiree, because if I were to let a girl have some fun, Bennett would have had your head on the floor by now.” Max looked around and gestured to someone. A second later, Victor was standing at his side.

“Yes, sir.”

“Victor, could you do us all a favor and find Eliza and then escort her, Desiree, and any of the ones that came with them out of my house. If they try to argue, you know what to do.”