She was quite sure they were about to get the news of last night’s events now.

“It’s starting. Shall we?”

Lisa forced a smile and accepted Lord Pembroke’s arm, assuring herself as she went that all would be well. He would hardly try to drag her kicking and screaming from the dance floor. And, hopefully, the dance would be over before Robert returned to the room.

“Are you sure you are feeling well, Miss Madison?”

Lisa glanced up and managed a smile. “Yes. I . . . well, actually no, not really,” she said, thinking she’d found a way to avoid this dance after all. “Perhaps I should skip this dance, my lord.”

“Yes, of course,” he said, all solicitous at once. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised if you’ve been ill for the last day and night. Perhaps you shouldn’t have even come tonight.”

“No, I probably shouldn’t have,” Lisa agreed as he began to lead her from the floor, but even as she said it, she realized that was a mistake. Her dance card was full. How would it look if she were to dance with everyone else after claiming she didn’t feel well enough to dance with him? Lisa was so vexed at the pickle she’d somehow got herself into that it wasn’t until a cool breeze brushed her cheek that she realized he’d led her outside on to the terrace. Damn, this was worse than dancing with him. Robert would be beyond furious with her.

“I thought some fresh air would help,” Pembroke said with concern, apparently noting her dismay. “You have a full dance card and some gentlemen aren’t as understanding as myself about these things and might insist you dance. Perhaps some fresh air will help you through the rest of the night.”

“Oh, I—Yes, of course. Hopefully it will help,” she ended lamely, glancing nervously about and relieved to see that they were not alone on the terrace. She was less relieved when he began to lead her to the stairs down into the garden, however.

“Oh, my lord, I don’t think we should venture far. My sisters will worry,” she said anxiously, dragging her feet.

“We won’t go far,” he assured her soothingly, urging her along. “There is a bench just there and I thought you might do better to sit quietly for a bit and breathe deeply. It might make you feel better.”

“Oh.” Lisa bit her lip and glanced from the house to the bench he was gesturing to. It was close enough she could see it, but it was in shadow. It was possible he planned to knock her out and cart her off, or simply drag her off as the man last night had tried to do. Although it would mean getting her over the wall surrounding the large gardens. But the man last night hadn’t seemed worried about dragging her out a window and down a tree.