(1992) Ravished by Amanda Quick

Author:Amanda Quick [Quick, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, love_history
ISBN: 9780553293166
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 1992-07-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Gideon concealed his surprise when Felicity Pomeroy and her aunt were shown into his library very late in the afternoon. Neither lady looked happy, he noticed as he rose to his feet. And Harriet had not accompanied them.

He sensed trouble.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” he said as they sat down across from his desk. “To what do I owe the honor of this unexpected visit?”

Effie glanced at Felicity, who nodded encouragingly. Effie turned back to Gideon. “Thank heavens we have found you at home, sir.”

“I intend to dine in tonight,” he murmured by way of explanation. He folded his hands on the desk in front of him and waited patiently for Effie to get to the point.

“This is a little awkward, my lord.” Effie cast another uncertain glance at Felicity, who gave her another brisk nod. “I am not precisely certain we ought to have troubled you. It is rather complicated to explain, you see. However, if what we believe has happened has, indeed, occurred, we are all facing another disaster of monumental proportions.”

“Disaster?” Gideon arched an inquiring brow at Felicity. “This is a matter that involves Harriet, then?”

“Yes, my lord,” Felicity said firmly. “It does. My aunt is obviously reluctant to explain, but I will get straight to the point. The plain fact is, sir, she has disappeared.»

“Disappeared?”

“We believe she has been kidnapped and is at this very moment being spirited off to Gretna Green.”

Gideon felt as if he had just stepped off a cliff. Of all the things he had expected to hear from these two, that had not been one of them. Gretna Green. There was only one reason why anyone went to Gretna Green.

“What in the name of hell are you talking about?” Gideon demanded very softly.

Effie flinched at the harshness of his tone. “We do not know for certain that she has been kidnapped,” she said hastily. “That is to say, there is a slight possibility that something of the nature is afoot. But even if she has gone north, it may transpire that she has done so quite willingly.”

“Nonsense,” said Felicity. “She would not have gone willingly. She is determined to marry St. Justin, even if he has been exhibiting her to Society as if she were an exotic pet.”

Gideon scowled at Felicity. “An exotic pet? What the devil is this talk of a pet?”

Effie turned to Felicity before the girl could answer. “She is with Lady Youngstreet, Felicity. And while Lady Youngstreet is known for her eccentricities, I have never heard of her kidnapping anyone.”

Gideon held up a hand. “I would like a clear and succinct explanation, if you please I think you had better go first, Miss Pomeroy.”

“There is no use pretending or trying to put a polite face on it.” Felicity looked straight at Gideon. “I believe Harriet has been kidnapped by certain overzealous members of the Fossils and Antiquities Society.”

“Good God,” Gideon muttered. His mind instantly conjured up an image of the worshipful glances he had caught Applegate giving Harriet. How many others in the Society had succumbed to her charms? he wondered.

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