“My lord,” she said, trying to ease away by leveraging her arms against his chest. “This really isn’t proper.”

“I know, but I can’t help myself,” Pembroke sighed, squeezing her closer still despite her efforts. “I find myself quite overcome in your presence, Lisa. May I call you Lisa?” Before she could reply, he continued, “I have never encountered quite such a lovely creature as you in my life. The things I dream about doing to you.” He released a gusty sigh, and then added, “Of course, I would be most pleased if you would consent to be my wife too.”

“Er . . .” Lisa said, still struggling to put some space between them. Honestly, she was beginning to have trouble breathing with his pressing her so tightly to him and she began to worry that perhaps that was the point. Smothering her into a faint, perhaps, and then dragging her off to ravish and marry. Mrs. Morgan did say that the suitor wished to do both.

Good Lord, she never should have come out here with him. The thought was enough to send panic through her, followed closely by a sudden rush of strength that caught Pembroke by surprise and allowed her to break the embrace. She almost sent him crashing to the ground in her fervor to be free, but he managed to save himself. By the time he regained his balance and straightened, however, Lisa was on her feet and hurrying back the way they’d come.

“Miss Madison!”

“Miss Madison.”

One call came from Pembroke behind her, but the other came from in front and Lisa chose to turn her attention to the one in front, beaming a relieved smile on Lord Tibald as she recognized the man walking down the steps toward her.

“My lord,” she greeted the newcomer a little breathlessly as she paused before him. She took a quick nervous glance over her shoulder to see Pembroke hurrying toward them, and skirted around the other man, toward the stairs.

“Go ahead,” Tibald said gently, giving her a gentle push. “I shall handle him. He had a bit too much to drink before the ball and is notoriously difficult when in his cups.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Lisa said with relief and hurried up the stairs and across the terrace. She had nearly reached the doors when a dark shape swooped out of the shadows, caught her arm in a steel grip and urged her along the terrace to the doors of a dark room. Lisa was so taken by surprise, she didn’t even scream or struggle until it was too late and she was being bundled into the lightless room.

“What the devil did you think you were doing? I told you not to go near Pembroke and yet I return to have Suzette tell me that you were dancing the waltz with him. Only you weren’t anywhere on the dance floor; you’d allowed him to take you outside.”