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Jason Morgan didn't know why he was here.

It wasn't because of the money. He didn't need the money.

Maybe it was the challenge.

Oh, he'd had plenty of women. It wouldn't be bragging on his part to say they flocked to him on the rare occasions he presented himself to society. He'd never had to actively seduce a woman.

And he had to admit the idea had its temptations.

However, rubbing elbows with society's elite had never been his style. He had always preferred spending his time with the lower classes; they might be blunt and churlish but he'd take their simple companionship over the upper crust's, who made an art of smiling endearingly at you while lodging a knife in your back.

Standing with his back against the wall of a large formal ballroom that was adorned around its perimeter with large vases of fresh cut flowers and swags of lace, he bristled at the chattering flow of conversation around him. Small groups of ladies demurely glided by dressed in their most fashionable dresses complete with matching hats sporting tall dyed feathers. However, he knew despite their seemingly benign appearance, they were little more than sharks in taffeta searching for prey for gossip and maligning.

The men were no better, pompous windbags full of their own opinions. With frills and lace at their collars and cuffs, they stood in groups harrumphing and looking down upon each other. Their every effort working toward inflating their egos and mentally lofting themselves over their peers.

The party and everything involved with it made his skin crawl. He wanted to leave and not spare a glace back. He didn't like Ric Lansing. The man was a snake. He'd realized that fact long before Ric had shown his true colors by making his highly unscrupulous offer, "I want you to seduce my fiancée.".

Jason's lip curled in a sneer. Of course, he told himself, he should be used to it by now. The nobility may believe they were above the common man, but they didn't mind lowering themselves to his level when they needed his help - 'procuring' desired items, warning away rivals, eliminating 'problems', and torching a warehouse or two. Oh yes, they wouldn't get their own hands dirty, but they had no qualms sending him to do it for them.

Lansing was only different because his request was one he'd never been presented with before. Lansing wanted out of his engagement without damaging his reputation. Thus his fiancée had to be caught doing something so scandalous that Lansing could break off with her without censure.

Jason lifted a glass of wine off the tray of a passing servant and let his eyes rove the room. Lansing wanted his fiancée to be discovered in another man's bed. A circumstance so heinous, Lansing would walk away from his engagement not only a free man, but with the sympathy of everyone in high society. His fiancée on the other hand, would be ostracized, cast out and labeled a fallen woman. No one would accept her in their homes or their graces for the rest of her life. Any future of a loving husband and a house full of adoring children would be ripped away forever.

Jason rolled the dark red wine in his glass, watching as it swirled. He'd taken the money Lansing had offered on the condition that he meet the woman before committing to the job. And again he had to ask himself - why?

Frowning, he took a swig of wine, barely noticing its smooth texture and exotically layered flavors. A group of four young ladies strolled by eyeing him surreptitiously. He narrowed his eyes at them, and the four of them broke into a fit of giggles and scurried away.

Watching them retreat in haze of lace and taffeta made his mood sour. Draining the rest of his wine, he put his empty glass on another passing tray and scowled. He didn't want to be here. In fact, he would gladly be anywhere else, even Newgate Prison. At least there he'd have authority and power. Here he was nothing except a lower life form, viewed with nothing more than a condescending curiosity.

And he wouldn't be here, if not for that blasted portrait….

Lansing was right about one thing. In her portrait, Elizabeth Webber was beautiful. Poised with her head gracefully turned to the right, her eyes demurely downcast, she left the viewer with the desire to slide a crooked finger under her chin and gently lift her face so they could discover what secrets her eyes might hold.

He admitted he was curious about her. Not only to see if she truly was as beautiful as her portrait, but also to find out why Lansing was so desperate not to marry her.

Another burst of muffled giggles broke his musing and he lifted his eyes to find the same group of four ladies eyeing him huddled in a protective circle not ten feet from where he stood. When they saw they had his attention, they smiled coyly, not doing anything so forward as waving or speaking to him, but they couldn't have broadcast their interest more openly if they'd indecorously yelled it across the room. His steady gaze brought on a new burst of giggling, which they tried to muffle with hands and handkerchiefs.

Jason growled irritably. He should leave, because the situation was intolerable.

A swell of noise from the doorway dragged his attention away from the gaggle of twittering ladies trying to maintain his attention by batting their eyes at him, and he turned to see Ric Lansing entering the room. Half the crowd moved toward Lansing as if he were a magnet, with partiers talking over each other as they tried to be the first to speak to him.

Through the crowd, Jason could scarcely glimpse the woman on Lansing's arm. And those brief glimpses of mahogany hair and porcelain skin, only fueled his curiosity.

Finally. They were here and he could get this over with. And with a swell of relief he realized he had already made his decision. He wasn't going to accept Ric's offer. Yes, it was mildly tempting and the promised money would increase his already overflowing coffers. Yet, just these few moments enduring the distain of the elite had reminded him how much he loathed it. He wanted nothing to do with a job, no matter how easy or profitable, which would require him to live in the midst of them for an extended period of time. Nothing could tempt him to endure that torture.

He'd meet this Elizabeth Webber as promised, then turn Lansing down and be done with it.

Clasping his hands behind his back, he moved away from the wall and into the crowd, heading steadily toward Lansing. The crowd parted around him, many giving him baleful looks as he passed, but Jason paid them no mind. He had his sights set on Ric.

Ric, looking up and seeing Jason, grinned broadly. "Mr. Morgan." The enthusiasm in his voice was such that it would seem he was greeting a long lost friend, which of course was what he wanted everyone to believe. "It's so good to see you again." Jason found himself forcing a smile as he felt the eyes of the people gathered fall curiously on him. "When I heard you were in the area, I had to make sure an invitation for tonight's ball was extended to you. I'm glad you were able to attend."

Ric paused, obviously leaving an opening for Jason to follow through on their planned ruse - old University friends reacquainting after years of separation. Jason however, felt no compunction to comply and so remained silent at Ric's cue.

However Ric wasn't about to let the silence linger into unease and starting prattling before Jason's lack of response became noticeable. "Let me introduce you." Gesturing to a trim, white haired gentlemen he'd been talking with, he launched into a stream of introductions, each name preceded by a quick flick of his hand as he pointed to each man around him in turn. "Baron Spencer and his son Mr. Lucas Spencer Jr., Mr. Drake, Earl Jax, Prince Nikolas Cassadine, Lord Scorpio, Mr. Taggert, Duke Alcazar, and Mr. Ashton."

Jason met each man's gaze in turn, taking in their names and matching them to faces. He knew most by reputation, although none knew him.

Then Ric half-turned, reaching to draw someone into the circle of people. His grin widened as he, with a hand at her lower back, coaxed a woman into the center of the circle of men. A glint lit his eye, which most would mistake for affection, but as the two men's gazes locked, Jason knew it for something far more sinister.

"I'm most pleased to introduce you to my lovely fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Webber."

Jason found himself staring into the most amazingly blue eyes he'd ever seen. Elizabeth Webber was far more beautiful than her portrait. Her porcelain skin was flawless, so soft and smooth looking it begged to be caressed. Her chocolate brown hair was drawn into a complicated chignon with curling tendrils falling becomingly around her face. She was classically beautiful, fine and delicate as a china doll, with a heart shaped face, high cheekbones, and a thin straight nose that turned up slightly. Her luminous eyes were a deep, rich sapphire that outshone the sparkle of the finest cut gem.

She smiled at him, her eyes glittering with a thousand highlights, and everything else around him fell away. A man could lose himself in those eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Morgan." Elizabeth dipped into a formal curtsey and lifted her hand; which he took, as he stiffly bowed, and drew to his lips to place a kiss on the back of her knuckles. The feel of her skin against his lips made his heart stutter.

"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you." Jason spouted the polite reply as he had a thousand times before, yet never with as much truth as at this moment.

The building could have been collapsing around them for all Jason knew or cared, at this moment nothing existed beyond the two of them. Elizabeth was stunning, yes, but it was much more than her beauty that caught his eye. There was depth in those eyes, hinting at intelligence, cunning, and wit. That depth tugged at him, enticing him to dive in and discover what lay hidden beneath the surface.

Then a flicker of something passed over Elizabeth's face - a something that widened her eyes and sent a ripple of awareness sizzling through his body - and Ric Lansing chose that moment to clap him on the shoulder. "Miss Webber and I will be wed in a month's time. I'd be honored if you would stay for the ceremony."

The moment shattered and Elizabeth blinked, then pulled her hand from his, her gaze falling to the floor as she shrank from him. As she withdrew, Jason watched the light in her eyes dim; and seeing her become somehow less stirred his anger and he had to physically restrain himself from reaching out and punching Ric.

"I do believe I will visit Gram in the tea room and see how she's feeling." Elizabeth smiled this time at Ric and Jason couldn't help noticing how it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Ric nodded and along with the other men in the group, bowed to her as she curtsied. Then as Elizabeth turned to go, their gazes caught, and again Jason saw a flicker of something pass over her face. Then she turned and was gone, leaving him to wonder if he had truly seen what he'd thought, and if he had, what it meant.

Jason watched her walk away, aware of Ric sauntering around to stand just behind his shoulder.

"So Mr. Morgan, do we have a deal?" Ric asked in a voice keyed so low that only he could hear.

Jason's gaze hadn't wavered from Elizabeth and as she reached the door that led to the hall, she paused and cast one last glance back in his direction. Their eyes locked for an instant and then she disappeared into the hallway. Only when she was gone did Jason turn and glare at Ric.

"Yes. We do."

Strolling under her parasol down the main street of Oxford, Elizabeth's gaze drifted over the storefronts while her mind lingered on memories of last night.

Mr. Jason Morgan had not approached her again, but she'd been aware of his presence every moment of the evening. It was if he radiated some kind of energy that made her tingle from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Then there was the one time her gaze had drifted his direction and she'd found him looking at her. Their eyes had locked the briefest of moments causing a sizzle to shoot through her like summer lightening.

It was extremely unnerving.

"Elizabeth, look!" Emily Bowen, her best friend since childhood, squealed in delight and pointed at a bonnet in the milliner's shop window. It was a bright pink confection, cascading with frilly lace and ribbon around its brim with a big pink peony poised on top like a candle on a cake. Elizabeth wrinkled her nose in distaste. The hat was horrid.

"You can't be serious Emily." Elizabeth stared at her friend in mute disbelief. "It's… it's…" she hesitated while searching for a nice way to say she hated the hat, then gave up. "Well, it's ugly."

Emily pouted and tossed her head. "I think it's very pretty."

Elizabeth had just opened her mouth to reply when a woman's scream had the two friends swinging around and gasping in horror at the scene before them.

~*~*~*~

Jason snarled as he tugged his cuff down from where it had crept up his sleeve. He hated suits. He hated them even more on excessively warm summer days such as today. Whoever decided it was best to wear four layers of clothing in the heat was touched in the head.

And knowing he had no one to blame for his situation but himself made his mood that much worse. If he'd refused Ric's offer as he'd originally planned, he would be in comfort today instead of here sweltering in the blazing sun of mid-afternoon. Giving his cuff one last tug, he rolled his shoulders and felt a trickle of sweat roll down his spine.

And yet, seeing her again made it all worthwhile.

Oh yes, his plans had changed once he'd met Miss Elizabeth Webber, and he still didn't quite understand how or why. He wasn't some naïve and inexperienced youth who fell head over heels for a pretty face. Neither was he one who was given to being so overtaken with his passions that he was moved to possess any woman who stirred his loins.

All he knew was that she wasn't like any other women he'd known. She was a lady raised to be poised, refined and proper. Yet, in their briefest of introductions, something had happened between them. Some kind of connection, attraction or whatever you want to call it, something had sparked between them. It had sizzled like heat through his veins, and from the look in her eyes, he knew she'd felt it too.

Now he had to figure out what was he going to do about it.

Lansing had told him last night that Elizabeth and her friend Emily were planning a shopping trip this afternoon. Jason had decided an 'accidental' meeting would be a good next move. They could meet again, this time under decidedly less formal circumstances.

Jason strode up the main street, rolling his shoulders and rocking his head back and forth to make his suit feel more comfortable. The effort was futile. Trying to look like a casual shopper, he occasionally stopped and peered into a shop window. He'd just turned away from a bakery when he spotted his prey about eight shops down the street from him, where Elizabeth and her friend were peering into a shop window.

Then a woman's scream wrenched his attention from Elizabeth and he swiveled his head to see a woman across the street, one hand over her mouth and the other pointing at something in the road. His eyes followed where she was pointing to see a little girl, not more than three, toddling in the street directly in the path of a speeding carriage.

In that split second of seeing the child, a thousand calculations filtered through his head and horror soured his stomach. He was too far away to reach her before the carriage. Even with a horse, he wouldn't be able to reach the child in time. Then before he could inhale to yell for help, a blur of movement caught his eye and with another churning of horror he saw Elizabeth run out into the road.

Immediately he was moving, throwing all his effort into speed. Yet knowing there was no way he could reach either of them before the carriage mowed them down.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl and he watched perfectly clearly as Elizabeth ran directly into the path of the oncoming carriage, her skirts billowing as she bent to snatch up the small child without breaking her stride. The horses reached her just as she threw herself forward and then she was lost to his sight in a cloud of dust and horseflesh.

With a snap, time reverted back to normal; the carriage sped by him in a pounding of hooves and clatter of wheels. With his heart in his throat and a sick dread turning his stomach, he paused, with breath held, and looked for Elizabeth, expecting to find her trampled body broken, battered and bloody.

Instead she was sitting on the ground, her dress filthy from her roll out of the path of the carriage, cradling the terrified and screaming toddler in her arms. She was rocking and making calming murmurs in the little girl's ear. A woman, presumably the child's nanny, was collapsed in a heap of tears beside Elizabeth, thanking her profusely for saving the little girl's life.

Seeing her released a knot of tension that had screwed his insides around to the point of pain. Relief flowed over him, cool and calming, and the sheer joy he felt made him weak. He found he was perfectly content to simply stand and watch Elizabeth, and enjoy in the fact that she was alive and well.

Then Emily raced past him in a whirlwind of screaming panic and flailing arms, and with a start he realized he'd been standing in the middle of the road gaping at Elizabeth like a smitten schoolboy.

The nanny lifted the girl from Elizabeth's arms and clutched the child to her as if she never meant to let her go again. Then she turned and the two of them hurried away. As Elizabeth watched them go, Emily threw herself down next to her friend, nearly crashing into her as she wrapped both arms around Elizabeth in a crushing bear hug.

"Elizabeth!" Emily cried as tears welled in her eyes. She held her tightly a moment, then abruptly pulled away and smacked Elizabeth soundly on the arm. "What on earth did you think you were doing? You scared me half to death."

Jason watched as Elizabeth's eyes twinkled at her friend. Then as he crouched next to them, Elizabeth cut off her reply and both women's attention swung to him.

Elizabeth's eyes locked with his, and again, a spark of heat flared in his blood.

"Mr. Morgan." Elizabeth blinked and then glanced away nervously. She seemed to struggle a moment for words and then apparently decided to cover her lapse with a fallback into proper etiquette. "I'd like you to meet my dear friend Miss Emily Bowen." Turning to Emily, she continued. "Miss Bowen I'd like to introduce Mr. Jason Morgan, a friend of Mr. Lansing's from university."

Emily started to reply, but Jason held up a hand to stop her. "First we should move off the street. Then," His gaze dropped back to Elizabeth. "I'd like to hear the answer to Miss Bowen's question myself."

He lifted an eyebrow at Elizabeth and she frowned at him, lifting her chin in defiance and staring disapprovingly first at Emily then at him. "I saved a little girl's life." Her eyes narrowed in direct challenge to both of her denouncers. "Do you disapprove?"

The spark of annoyance in her eye and stubborn set of her chin lent a new dimension to her beauty and Jason found himself all the more intrigued by this new facet of Miss Webber.

"Now." She lifted her hands. "If you would help me up please?"

Standing, he took her hands and assisted her to her feet. However, once upright, Elizabeth gasped sharply in pain and tightly squeezed his hands as she shifted her weight off of her right foot.

Immediately Jason's hand moved to her waist and worry furrowed his brow. "What's wrong?"

"My ankle."

Emily fluttered around them like a startled hen, flapping and squawking in concern. "Oh! You need to get home. Your father can send for the doctor once we are there. Do you think it's broken? Oh! Where did we leave the carriage?" She glanced around, didn't see the carriage, yet moved on to her next thought anyway. "Can you walk? No, wait, I can go get it… or no, wait.."

"Emily!" Elizabeth's voice stopped her friend in mind sentence, and Emily wrung her hands as she waited anxiously for Elizabeth's next words. "It's not that bad. With you helping me, we can make it to the stable to get the carriage."

A worried frown creased Emily's forehead. "Are you sure?"

"It's not that far. I'll be fine." Elizabeth reassured her friend. Although Jason saw her force a look of bravado on her face to try to mask her obvious pain.

Emily stepped forward to wrap an arm around Elizabeth's waist, and Jason frowned as Elizabeth released him and settled her arm around Emily's neck for support. It was absurd for her to be walking on a severely turned and possibly broken ankle, and he was about to tell her such when she addressed him.

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Morgan. I assure you Emily and I will be perfectly fine from here." Her eyes held his for a heartbeat longer than necessary and for a moment she again seemed on the verge of saying something. Then abruptly, she turned away and leaning heavily on Emily the two of them began to hobble away.

Jason stood rooted to the spot incredulous at what had just happened. He'd been dismissed, summarily sent on his way. She'd rather hobble around in pain than take his help. He'd thought that obstinate lift to her chin was enchanting, but he shook his head and clenched his jaw in frustration, little had he realized just how stubborn she was.

Pivoting on his heel, he narrowed his eyes at Elizabeth's back and watched as she slowly step-hopped down the street. He could clearly hear her muffled grunt of pain with each step she took.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jason took a long deep breath. She had asked him to leave. According to the rules of their society, he was supposed to respect her wishes and do as she asked. Another whimper reached his ears and he growled low in his throat.

He couldn't do it. He couldn't turn his back and walk away when she was obviously in pain. Sighing, he knew what he was about to do would severely damage his plans for her intended seduction, but at the moment he didn't care. There was no way he could stand by and watch her suffer.

Their progress had been so slow that it only took three strides for him to reach them. At unexpectedly seeing him again, both women's eyes widened. Emily's more with relief. Elizabeth's more with irritation.

He cleared his throat preparing to offer her his help. However, the determined glint in Elizabeth's eye told him that nothing he said would sway her decision. So he skipped asking for permission.

"Forgive me." He said, and then in one smooth movement, he swept her into his arms.

Elizabeth gasped in surprise but the unexpectedness of finding herself in his arms didn't silence her for long.

"Mr. Morgan!" She berated him. "This is highly inappropriate. I insist you put me down at once." Her sapphire blue eyes sparked with anger.

He ignored her, and instead turned to Emily. "Miss Bowen, if you'll lead the way."

"Thank you, Mr. Morgan." Emily dipped into a curtsey, and then shot a look of triumph at Elizabeth.

"Put me down!" Elizabeth said, wiggling in Jason's arms in an effort to escape.

Jason hefted her and held her more firmly to his chest, whispering for only her ears. "If you don't stop squirming I'll toss you over my shoulder and carry you like a sack of feed."

He risked a glance at her and found her face much closer to his than he'd expected, much closer and much angrier. Fire burned in her eyes. "What do you think you're doing?"

With a smirk he echoed her earlier words. "I'm helping a young woman in pain. Do you disapprove?"

She opened her mouth to reply, and then realizing his play on her words, she clamped her mouth shut and glared at him. "You sir, are a cad." She said curtly, although Jason thought he saw a spark of amusement behind her glare. "I swear I've never been treated so unbecomingly in my entire life."

Jason chuckled at her redress. A cad. He'd rightfully been called much worse.

The walk to the stable took only a few minutes and once they'd arrived, much to Elizabeth's dismay, Jason refused to put her down while they waited for her carriage to be readied. The stable boy slid them an amused glance, then scurried away when Jason returned it with a cold glare.

Elizabeth protested the entire time they waited, but Jason ignored her pleas. When the carriage was finally rolled out, Emily climbed aboard first and he, with Elizabeth still in his arms, climbed aboard behind her.

He finally set Elizabeth down on the carriage bench and took the seat across from her for himself.

At seeing Jason in the carriage with his two young charges, the elderly footman gave Elizabeth a bewildered look, which she acknowledged by nodding reassuringly at him. "It's fine Alfred. Take us home please."

In moments the coach was underway, with Emily being uncharacteristically silent and Elizabeth and Jason frowning at each other across the small space.

The silence lingered as the carriage wobbled in its sedate pace out of town. The ride to Pine Grove, the Lansing ancestral estate where Elizabeth and her family were residing until the upcoming wedding, took about thirty minutes and Jason was prepared to spend all of them locked in nonverbal combat with the stubborn woman.

Then she shifted on the bench and inhaled sharply between her teeth when she put too much weight on her right foot.

With an impatient flick of his hand, Jason pointed at her ankle. "Let me see it."

It wasn't a request and Elizabeth bristled under his presumption. "Why should I let you?"

"Because if it's broken you should be taken directly to the doctor to have it set so it will heal properly."

It was the 'so it will heal properly' remark that got her attention, and as obstinate as she was, she was also intelligent. She might fight with him over issues of propriety, but when there was true danger she seemed willing to listen. He watched her roll his comments over in her mind, weighing them for truth, and seemingly found they had merit.

She glanced nervously at Emily, who gave her a wide-eyed 'maybe you should listen' look with a half shrug, and then she pulled her lower lip between her teeth as she pondered what to do. Jason watched her worry her lip, his eyes tracing the erotic curves of her mouth. He forced himself to look away when he realized he was starting to become aroused.

He forced those thoughts out of his head and tried to think of something less stimulating. Nuns. Nuns in their long shapeless black robes and large burly men coming at him with clubs. He let out a long controlled breath and silently cursed himself. What was wrong with him? Here she was debating whether to trust him or not, and he was getting halfway hard simply watching her nibble her lip. He thought he had more control over himself than that.

Then she quietly cleared her throat and his eyes snapped to her to find her staring pointedly at him. By the determined look on her face, he guessed she'd made her decision.

"I'm assuming you know what a broken bone feels like." A round about way of asking a question, but Jason didn't bother nitpicking.

"Some breaks are easy to feel. Others," he shrugged. "Even a doctor would have trouble feeling a minor break. However, I'm not concerned about a minor break at the moment."

From the thinning of her lips, he guessed his answer wasn't what she was expecting. Yet, instead of grilling him for more information on his medical prowess, she simply sighed and straightened her leg. She held her foot at knee height in unspoken consent to his offer.

Cupping her heel with one hand, he gently eased off her slipper, which he noticed was dyed mauve to match the flowers on her dress. She was wearing white hose and he frowned at having her skin hidden from view. He wanted to see if she was bruising and if so, how badly. However, to ask her to remove the undergarment in his presence would, he knew, be asking far too much.

Instead, he very gently slid his fingers along the sides of her ankle and discovered it was already quite swollen. Then starting with her toes, he checked the bones of her foot and found them all to be fine.

He paused before he began checking her ankle. Lifting his eyes to hers, he tried to give her a reassuring look. "I'll be careful, but this may hurt."

She nodded, clenching Emily's hands to brace herself.

Again, as gently as he could, yet with enough pressure to carefully manipulate her bones, he worked his way around her ankle. She twitched several times, doing her best not to cry out in pain, and each time he looked at her and waited for her nod before he continued.

When he finished with his exam, he let her heel rest in his palm, his fingers wrapped lightly around her ankle. Even with the swelling, it was delicate and the very feminine curve that led to her calf seemed to whisper a silent invitation to his fingers.

He frowned. Maybe he should find a tavern wench on which to slake his lusts. Yet, even as the thought entered his head, he knew it wouldn't work. All the tavern wenches in Britain wouldn't be able to scratch the itch Elizabeth had stirred in him.

"I don't think it's broken." At the relief that crossed her face, he felt compelled to add the bad news. "But it's severely sprained. You will probably be ordered to stay off of it for a few weeks."

Elizabeth snorted in annoyance, a decidedly unladylike response to his prognosis. He found himself chuckling at her again.

"If you are done, may I have my foot back?" There was no longer annoyance in her voice, but now the spark of mischief that had been in her eye worked itself into her words. It was spoken almost as a challenge, and he for half a moment had a mad desire to pull her to him and kiss her.

Fortunately for him, he did have enough sense left about him to let the urge pass. Reluctantly releasing her ankle, he sat back in his seat and watched as she carefully lowered her foot to the floor and wiggled her toes, only to end up grimacing in pain for her efforts.

The carriage slowed and Jason glanced out of the window to see Pine Grove loom in view.

"My shoe please." Elizabeth held out her hand and he returned her slipper. Then bending down, Elizabeth carefully slipped it on her foot.

By then the carriage had pulled to a stop at the front door and while they awaited Alfred to open the carriage door, Elizabeth regarded him with a raised eyebrow. "I suppose you mean to carry me again."

"Either in my arms or over my shoulder. Your choice."

Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully at him. "You wouldn't really toss me over your shoulder if I refused, would you?"

Jason simply leaned forward, keeping his gaze steady with hers. He kept his expression unguarded so she could see the truth written in his expression.

Her lips parted in surprise and before she could recover the carriage door swung open. Alfred stepped to the side, ready to assist the ladies as they descended.

Jason climbed out first. Then turned around and held his arms out for Elizabeth. Elizabeth, balancing in the opening on her left foot, looked at his offered arms with a look of mild annoyance tempered with resignation. As Jason lifted her, he noticed this time she settled easily into his arms and her arm found its way across his shoulders.

Emily took Alfred's offered hand as she descended, and then tucking her hand into the crook of elderly servants arm, she let him lead her up the front steps.

"Reginald, would you please find my father and tell him I need to see him immediately." Elizabeth told the butler as they entered.

Reginald, eyes wide at the highly irregular sight of Elizabeth in Jason's arms, immediately turned and hurried from the room.

"You can put me down now." Elizabeth pointed at a chair along one wall. "I can sit perfectly well."

Jason simply gave her an impassive stare. Both to let her know he was in control at the moment and to rile her up, which he discovered he enjoyed immensely.

And she cooperated perfectly, leveling a frustrated glare at him that showed he'd succeeded in annoying her. "Then exactly where do you plan on taking me?"

Later he couldn't explain why he'd done it, however between that question, the lust humming through his veins, and those sapphire eyes sparkling at him in anger making her look so sexy, he ratcheted his voice down to a gravelly purr. "To bed."

He was rewarded for his audacity with a hot blush staining Elizabeth's cheeks a rosy pink. Her mouth had dropped open, then snapped shut as she stared at him in shock.

Emily, whom they'd both forgotten was in the hall with them, let out a squeal and throwing her arms up practically ran to Elizabeth's father who'd just appeared at the end of the hall. "Mr. Webber. Oh, sir, Elizabeth has been seriously injured. You need to send for a doctor right away."

Mr. Jeff Webber, a man who'd aged gracefully into middle age, keeping his looks, trim body and full head of hair - albeit quite a bit grayer, frowned in concern and quickened his step. Ric Lansing, who was following him, had to suppress a grin at finding Jason holding Elizabeth in his arms.

"Daddy, I assure you Emily is exaggerating." Elizabeth gave her friend an irritated look. "I simply turned my ankle. Mr. Morgan happened to be nearby and was kind enough to assist me home." She gave Jason a look of warning to not expound upon her story.

Mr. Webber shot Jason a quick glance, then turned his attention to his daughter. "Well, then, let's get you to your room and have a look at that ankle." He turned back to Jason. "Would you mind good sir, carrying my daughter just a little further."

"Not at all." Jason addressed the older man.

Hefting Elizabeth, which made her squeak in surprise and lift an eyebrow at him, he followed Mr. Webber toward the stairs. Following them was a company now comprising of Ric Lansing, Emily Bowen, Elizabeth's sister Sarah, several maids and an under-butler.

Mr. Webber guided them up the stairs and to the East wing where the all Webber's rooms were. Once inside Elizabeth's room, Jason went directly to the bed and carefully laid Elizabeth down.

He stood to leave, but before he could make his escape, Elizabeth placed a hand on his forearm. Their gazes held, and a shy smile crept onto her face.

"Thank you."

Her two words were barely audible, but they made his heart expand until he thought his chest would burst. He managed a nod before he backed out of the room leaving her in her family's care.

Pausing outside her door, he realized didn't want to leave. Even though he knew Elizabeth was in good hands and would be well taken care of, he felt a certain sense of responsibility to make sure she was all right. Then he frowned at himself. Feeling responsible for her wasn't part of the plan.

Turning to leave, he nearly ran into Ric who'd been standing, arms crossed over his chest, silently watching him. He gave Jason a wicked smile and slowly shook his head. "I'm impressed, Mr. Morgan. You've gotten much farther than I expected this soon."

The lingering thrum of excitement from Elizabeth's thank you curdled in his stomach. Scowling at Ric, he claimed a step forward and watched Ric's bravado falter. "I need two things from you. First, an invitation to live here until the wedding." Living at Pine Grove full time made sense. Now that Elizabeth would be confined, it would give him ample opportunity to spend time with her.

Ric shifted his weight as he nodded in agreement. "And?"

This time it was Jason's turn to smirk. "Do you own a racing gig?"

He had a visitor.

Ric paused outside the closed salon door and schooled his features. It wouldn't do to enter the room with a self-satisfied smirk on his face. No, this performance called for subtly. Smoothing his jacket, Ric focused his mind, he was going to have to have his wits about him for this encounter.

Once satisfied he was ready to meet his guest, he took hold of both door handles and swung the parlor's double doors open. He could have easily entered through only one, but the grand sweep of both doors swinging wide gave him the showy entrance he liked.

His visitor turned immediately from gazing at the garden through the windows and clasped her hands in front of her bosom. Then meeting his gaze, Alexis Davis smiled broadly and extended her hands in invitation.

Ric abandoned the doors, leaving them open wide, and reached out with both hands as he made his way across the room to Alexis.

"Lady Davis, your visit is a pleasure."

As his hands clasped hers, Alexis leaned forward, presenting him her cheek for a greeting kiss. It was a more European custom, but one Ric had no qualms observing. He leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss first to one of Alexis's cheeks, and then as if they were dancing, they moved so Ric could place a kiss on her other cheek.

"I heard what happened and simply had to come check on Miss Webber." Alexis leaned back, not releasing Ric's hands, but clasping them more firmly with hers. "It sounded simply horrifying. Is she quite all right?"

Ric drew his hands away and gestured her towards an overstuffed chair. "Yes to both. It was horrifying and she is quite all right. Elizabeth was a little shaken by her ordeal but suffered only a twisted ankle, and I am forever grateful it was nothing worse."

He perched on the edge of the chair next to hers, leaving their knees separated by only a few scant inches. Alexis leaned on her chair's arm and propped her chin in her hand. She spent a long moment studying his face before she spoke.

"It must have been very upsetting. I know how important Elizabeth is to you, and to have come so close to losing…"

Lifting a hand warning her to silence, Ric lowered his head and closed his eyes. This was a pivotal moment. Alexis had to believe he was in love with Elizabeth, that the thought of losing her was painful to him, yet not appear so completely enthralled that she believed he would never fall for another woman. Because when the time came, Alexis needed to believe that he'd fallen in love with her. It was a delicate balance of deception and one he wouldn't know he'd achieved until the day he asked Alexis to marry him.

Ric was silently pondering his next words when he felt a gentle pressure on his knee and opened his eyes to find that Alexis had slid her hand onto his leg. His eyes lifted to find hers full of concern - concern and, dare he admit, care for him.

"I am so sorry. I did not mean to disturb you further."

He found it hard to maintain his ruse over the rush of triumph that swelled his chest. Alexis clearly was developing feelings for him. For the first time since he'd started this plan of his, he could sense that ultimate victory was within his grasp. He couldn't slip up now, no matter how much he wished to rush onto the next phase, he had to maintain his act or else all his careful plotting and planning would be for naught.

Ric placed a hand on hers and gave her a very controlled, fleeting smile. "I know you did not. It has been a very sobering experience, coming so close to losing someone you love."

Footsteps from the doorway broke the moment and Alexis abruptly drew back, sliding her hand out of Ric's hold. Clasping her hands in her lap, she fidgeted uncomfortably as if she'd been caught doing something inappropriate.

Irritated by the interruption, Ric turned to the unwelcome arrival and found himself glaring heatedly at Jason Morgan. Morgan's eyes flicked to Alexis and back, yet his face didn't reveal so much as a hint at his thoughts.

Reigning in his annoyance, Ric stood to make introductions.

"Mr. Morgan, I'd like to introduce you to Lady Alexis Davis." Turning to Alexis, he swept his hand toward the man filling the doorway. "Lady Davis, this is Mr. Jason Morgan, an old chum of mine from University. It was he who found Miss Webber yesterday and returned her home safely."

Alexis had stood and gave Jason a nod of the head that he returned in kind. "Mr. Lansing must be very relieved that you were able to help Miss Webber after her unfortunate accident."

Mr. Morgan's eyes narrowed slightly. "What happened was no 'accident'."

"Yes, well, accident or not, it was foolishness on her part."

"Foolishness?" Jason's eyes darkened and the muscle along the side of his jaw ticked dangerously. His words became crisp and hard. "I think what Miss Webber did was extremely brave."

Noticing Alexis's spine straighten and her lips pinch together, Ric took a step forward, insinuating himself between the two before matters could escalate. "I am indeed very grateful to Mr. Morgan for being in the right place at the right time to help Miss Webber. I owe him a great debt indeed, which I hope someday to repay. Now, Mr. Morgan was there something you wanted?"

Jason pulled his eyes away from Alexis and met Ric's. Fury simmered behind those pale blue eyes and sent a shiver down Ric's spine. "Yes, we need to talk."

Welcoming the excuse to separate the two, Ric turned to Alexis and bowed. "Please excuse us."

Then following Jason, the two of them made their way into the hall. Ric closed the parlor's doors behind him to insure they wouldn't be overheard.

Jason was still scowling as he turned to Ric. "I can't do the job you hired me to do if Elizabeth is kept confined to her room until your wedding day."

Ric glanced nervously around the hall. He didn't like talking about this particular arrangement in the open. He lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "I'll speak to her father. You just make sure you hold up your end of the bargain."

Jason's eyes shifted to the closed parlor doors and then settled back on Ric. He nodded once, then turned and stalked away. Ric watched him go, wondering about the little scene that had just played out in the parlor. Alexis's criticism of Elizabeth had most obviously sparked Jason's anger. Whether it was simply a fault of the man's personality, he was a criminal after all, or whether it was because of something else - Ric decided he needed to keep a closer eye on Mr. Morgan.

He was far too close to victory to allow it to be stolen from him by a thug gone softhearted over a pretty woman.

~*~*~*~*~

It was only day two of her confinement and Elizabeth was wondering if a person could die of boredom, because if it were possible, her life was in serious danger.

Her sewing was back on her beside table, all the skeins of thread untangled and laid neatly in order. Knowing how long it had taken Alice to fix the mess she'd made, she couldn't quite bring herself to dump it on the floor again.

Alice had also brought her a new stack of books. However this selection was, if possible, worse than the last. If she choose to, she could now read The Proper Methodology and Cataloging of the Breeding of Horses, Cheese Making, or The Evils of Puritanism.

Then to make matters infinitely worse, she'd gotten a note from Emily saying she'd taken ill and couldn't visit.

So after nearly forty-eight hours alone in her room, she was feeling very sorry for herself indeed.

If only she had her sketchbook.

At least then she could while away the hours in pleasant repast.

Alice had dutifully tried to find it for her, searching the room from top to bottom for the missing book. Elizabeth had watched her fluttering around the room all the while feeling decidedly guilty at not being able to tell her maid that she'd accidentally dropped the book out of the window.

She remembered watching the flurry of white pages as the book fell and then heat filled her cheeks as she thought of locking eyes with Mr. Morgan. She shifted uncomfortably in the bed. Why did the simple thought of that man make her so feel so out-of-sorts?

No.

She wasn't going to think about him. She wasn't going to worry about what he was doing with her sketchbook. She wasn't the slightest bit curious about what he thought of her drawings. She didn't care.

Really.

She didn't.

Sighing, she flopped over onto her stomach and settled her chin on the back of her hands. She really wished she could talk to Emily. Emily would tell her how she was being silly and worried over nothing. Then remind her that she would soon be married to Ric and living happily ever after. Elizabeth frowned, why was it that thought made her feel even more glum?

She wasn't going to last a week secluded in her room. She would be completely mental long before then. Maybe if worse came to worse, she could work out an escape plan. Even if it was simply getting out of this blasted room for a few hours then sneak back before she was noticed missing.

The idea perked up her spirits.

It'd be much simpler to pull off if she had a partner in crime. Someone to set up a distraction so her getaway would go unnoticed. Emily would be perfect, but then Elizabeth groaned. Emily was ill.

Maybe a week wouldn't be that long. Then she spotted the book on horse breeding. No, she'd rather go mental than break down and read that.

Then she had an idea.

There was someone else who might help her escape for an afternoon. The only problem was that she was trying her very best not to think about him.

It wouldn't be right.

No.

She didn't dare.

Then she eyed the pile of books again and sighed. Who was she kidding? She already knew what she was going to do.

She was nervous.

Elizabeth covered her face with both hands. That was an understatement. Nervous. She rolled her eyes as she slid her hands down to fist them under her chin. She was very near to exploding with anxiety. She'd jumped at every noise, real and imagined, since she awoke this morning.

It didn't help that she had no idea whatsoever what Jason was up to, or if he was even helping her at all. Part of her half expected him to pop in through the window, pitch her over his shoulder, and rush off down the hall using only speed and cunning to avoid detection.

Earlier that morning Ric had stopped by to speak with her and she'd barely been able to concentrate on his words because she'd been afraid Jason would arrive while Ric was there. She could only imagine the horrible misunderstandings that would have occurred if that had happened.

Ric had come to tell her he was hosting a picnic tea on the south lawn next to the lake. Everyone in the house visiting for the upcoming wedding was invited. It seemed the general mood had taken a decidedly gloomy turn after her accident and Ric thought this might be a good way to lift everyone's spirits. He was more or less asking for her blessing on the event, as he felt guilty that she was not able to attend.

Elizabeth could honestly give him her full blessings and reassure him that it didn't bother her in the least to not participate. He had a duty as a host to entertain his guests and it wasn't his fault she was confined to her room.

It was only after Ric had left that she realized the incredible coincidence of this party taking place the very day she'd asked Jason to help her escape. Everyone, including most of the servants would be out of the house for the afternoon. Could Jason have orchestrated this party as a means to her ends?

Another hour passed with no word from Jason and Elizabeth felt the tension like thousands of little needle pricks, as if every one of her nerves was sparking with anticipation.

She jumped when Alice bustled in with a lunch tray and had to lie back and close her eyes to calm her racing heart. Uncharacteristically, Alice didn't notice Elizabeth's reaction and when she looked to see why, Elizabeth noticed that her maid was visibly distracted. In fact, Elizabeth thought with wonder, Alice almost seemed giddy.

"Alice?" Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow curiously. "Is everything alright?"

Alice nearly dropped the tray when Elizabeth spoke. Then of all things, she smiled quite blissfully.

"It's nothing to concern yourself with Miss." Then she turned just as her cheeks pinkened in a blush.

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. Alice was blushing? This was indeed something to concern herself with, if for no other reason than to find out what could make her stalwart maid blush.

"Alice." Elizabeth drew out the name so it sounded like a plea for details.

The maid stopped fiddling with the dishes on the tray and when she turned to Elizabeth, Elizabeth saw the spirit of a much younger and more wistful woman glowing in Alice's eyes.

"Most of the staff is gone helping with the picnic. One of the under-butlers, Reginald, has asked me if I would do him the pleasure of accompanying him to town."

Then Alice actually giggled.

Giggled.

Elizabeth couldn't believe her ears. Alice was mooning over a man like a schoolgirl. It was rather charming.

"That's wonderful Alice."

Then the maid frowned. "I can't go of course. I told him I couldn't leave you when you were in need of care."

"You must go." Elizabeth gave her maid a hard stare when the woman opened her mouth to argue with her. "I am perfectly well enough to lie in bed all afternoon without you hovering over me."

"But…"

"Not another word. I insist." Elizabeth's face drew into a devilish grin. "Is he handsome?"

"Miss Elizabeth!" Alice's face reddened as a broad smile plumped her cheeks and put a sparkle in her eyes.

"I think that answers my question. Now go! I don't want to see you again before nightfall."

Alice faltered, wringing her hands. Elizabeth could tell she wanted to go, but her pride in her work kept her rooted to the spot. Finally she turned pleading eyes on Elizabeth. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"Alice! I'll be fine. You go enjoy yourself. If I need anything I can always call Lulu."

This reassurance seemed to finally sway the woman and she curtseyed deeply. "Thank you Miss."

Elizabeth laughed at the woman's obvious pleasure and as she watched Alice leave, she really did hope her maid enjoyed herself. She deserved a little happiness in her life.

After Alice left, Elizabeth settled back into her cushions. Another 'coincidence'. How had Mr. Morgan finagled this turn of events? It seems she underestimated the man's ability to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

She barely picked at the food Alice had left for her and hadn't gotten half of it eaten when a light rap sounded on her door.

The noise sent heat racing from her toes to her scalp, leaving a tingling warmth in its wake.

Standing, Elizabeth kept her weight centered over her good foot and with a pronounced limp she slowly made her way to the door. When she reached for the door handle she noticed that her hand was trembling and very nearly panicked. Swallowing hard, she clenched her hand, took a deep breath and centered herself.

Then with courage shored up by nothing more than excitement, she opened the door a crack. Peeking through the opening, she saw Jason standing in the hall looking as calm and collected as if he were doing nothing more dangerous than taking a stroll through the park.

The corner of his mouth hooked into a grin when he saw her. "Are you ready?"

She couldn't help smiling in return. It was all so thrilling. Then she peeked down the hall in both directions to make sure they were alone, before opening the door and limping forward a step.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jason frowned at her and before she could reply, he reached around her to pull the door closed. Then with no further warning, he scooped her off her feet and into his arms.

This time the move didn't surprise her. In fact she'd expected it, and knowing better than to argue the point, she settled her arm across the back of his shoulders and repressed a smile as she gave him a sidelong look.

"There is a parlor down the hall and to the right." She pointed in the general direction of the room. "It has a lovely view of the front lawn and this time of day the sun isn't pouring in the windows, so it's very pleasant."

Jason lifted an eyebrow and chuckled.

"What is so funny?" Elizabeth didn't know what to make his reaction. It was infuriating how this man could throw her off balance so easily.

"If you think I went to so much trouble just to sit in a parlor all afternoon, you are mistaken." As he answered, he began walking in the opposite direction of where she'd pointed.

Her stomach flip-flopped as she realized she had completely lost control of the situation, if indeed she'd ever been in control to begin with.

"Where are you taking me?" She was more curious than worried, but fear mingled thickly with her excitement. What if they were seen?

Jason started down the back stairwell, a narrow, spiral staircase used by the servants, and Elizabeth had to draw her body closer to his to keep her feet from hitting the wall. His arms tightened their hold on her and she could feel the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

"If I told you, it would ruin the surprise." He was wearing a self-satisfied smirk "So you will have to wait and see."

Pulling her lip between her teeth, she wondered what she had gotten herself into. If she were smart she would demand he return her to her room at once. But then, if she were smart she would have never asked for his help to begin with.

But it was too exhilarating, too fun, too naughty. She couldn't turn back now. She'd never forgive herself for turning coward.

At the bottom of the stairs, Jason turned to the door leading outside and her eyes flew wide in surprise. Grabbing a handful of his shirt, she squeaked in protest.

"Outside?"

Infuriatingly, he simply smiled his cocky grin and with his ice blue eyes twinkling, winked at her. "Trust me."

It was way too early in the day for whiskey, but that didn't stop him. Jason needed a drink and he bloody well was going to have one. Leaning forward in the overstuffed chair, he took a long swallow and cringed as the drink scalded its way down his throat.

Then swirling the amber liquid in his cut crystal tumbler, he scowled at the room at large. He felt… unsettled.

And he hated it.

In his career as a 'problem solver' he had done a wide variety of unpleasant jobs. All of which were either immoral, illegal or unconscionable, and yet none of them ever made him feel as uncomfortable as he did right now.

Dangling his glass loosely between his knees, he bent his head forward and pinched the bridge of his nose. The feeling didn't make any sense. He was being paid to have sex with a beautiful woman. Why should that bother him?

Why should he be disconcerted by his desire to kiss that same beautiful woman? He hadn't kissed Elizabeth yesterday only because the timing wasn't right. When laying out his plan of seduction, he'd decided that a certain thing had to happen before they kissed and that key event hadn't occurred yet. Maybe what bothered him was the fact that he'd nearly kissed her anyway, plan or no.

"How did it go yesterday?" Ric's voice pierced his mental fog and he grimaced. Every day it seemed he hated the man more. Elizabeth deserved better than a husband like him.

"Fine."

"Fine? That's it? That's all you are going to tell me?" Ric leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers on the desk in annoyance.

"Yes." Jason took another swallow of his drink.

"That's not good enough." Ric bolted upright, bracing both arms on the desk as he leaned forward. "I've paid you handsomely. I want to know what is happening."

"That was not a part of our deal." Jason fixed him with a cold gaze. He wasn't angry as much as he was annoyed.

Ric glared at him. "There are only three weeks until the wedding, I want some reassurance you are making progress."

"Get me more time with her." Jason growled as he stood, crossed to the desk and slammed his tumbler down on it. "Then I can reassure you I'm making progress."

Turning his back on Ric, Jason strode out of the room. He wasn't feeling any better about himself and he turned to head for the stables. He'd find no answers there for what troubled him, but he at least could lose himself on the back of a horse, and if he were lucky he could ride fast enough to outrace his thoughts.

~*~*~*~*~

Standing in front of the windows staring blankly out at the gardens, Ric turned Jason's words over in his head. Get me more time with her. He'd been entertaining an idea that would solve that problem. However, he imagined neither his nor Elizabeth's parents would be thrilled with the suggestion.

Pivoting on his heel, he stood for a moment watching his and Elizabeth's fathers laughing together. He despised both of them. They were sentimental old fools and the two of them were responsible for his arranged marriage to Elizabeth. A laughably poor match on his part. He was going to be a Duke someday, sooner rather than later, judging by Trevor's thick hacking cough, and he deserved a better wife than the second daughter of an untitled gentleman.

Well, he would forge his own destiny, despite their best intentions.

"Mr. Webber." Ric neatly tucked his distain behind a respectful façade and meandered his way to a seat near the two older men.

Jeff sat back in his seat and watched him, taking a long pull off his smoldering pipe as Ric settled into his chair.

"There is something that has been concerning me and I need to speak to you about it." Ric feigned deep concern. "It has always been my understanding that women hold their wedding day in the highest regard."

Jeff Webber frowned, as he no doubt wondered where Ric was taking this line of thought.

"I am worried that Elizabeth's injury is going to mar what should be the happiest day of her life." Both men frowned at him, but Ric pushed on. "I want Elizabeth to have the best wedding I can give her. She should be able to walk down the aisle on her father's arm without pain and to dance her first dance as my wife without limping."

Jeff took another pull from his pipe and blew a long stream of smoke as his gaze skipped to Trevor. Jeff's boyish good looks had softened the effects of the passing of years. He lifted an eyebrow at his age-old friend and Trevor with his face a map of deep lines and grooves worn by years of hard living, pinched his lips in a critical frown.

"I'd like both of your permissions to postpone the wedding a month to allow Elizabeth's ankle to heal. She deserves nothing less than the best wedding I can give her and if that can't happen for another month, I am willing to wait." Ric's eyes darted back and forth between the two men. "Of course the wedding guests are more than welcome to stay on until then."

Trevor lifted his glass of cognac and took a sip. Then he eyed his son. "It means that much to you to make her happy, eh Richard?"

And with that comment, Ric knew he'd succeeded.

"You have my blessing, son." Trevor said with exaggerated zeal. Then he thrust his cognac glass toward Jeff. "Now it's up to Jeff."

Jeff was reaching for his glass of cognac and lifting it, mock toasted Ric. "If Elizabeth agrees, you have my blessing as well."

"There is one more thing, sir." Ric scratched his ear and shifted in his seat to appear uncomfortable. "I don't think it's proper for me to keep visiting Elizabeth in her private rooms. With your permission she can use my Grandmother's wheeled chair and we can converse in the upstairs parlor."

"Ah, both noble and chivalrous." Jeff sat back and puffed his pipe. "Of course, you are correct. The parlor would be fine. Let me know how Elizabeth takes the news. Hopefully she'll agree. I wouldn't mind staying here another four weeks enjoying your father's excellent hospitality."

Trevor harrumphed loudly and cast a withering look at his friend.

Ric wasted no more time with the two men. He stood and bowed to each in turn. "Then begging your leave, I'll go speak with my betrothed."

Both men toasted him with their glasses and once beyond their view, a huge grin broke across Ric's face. That went much better than he'd expected. And now he was another step closer to his ultimate goal.

Getting his hands on Alexis Davis's fortune.

~*~*~*~*~

Sitting alone in the parlor, Elizabeth wiped away the tears that threatened to fall. It was stupid. Feeling this way - so completely and utterly confused.

Ric had been waiting in the parlor when Alice wheeled her in. He'd stood and bowed and been the gracious gentleman.

And at seeing him, she'd felt nothing.

Not pleasure at the sight of him. Not a swell of love, or even a yearning of physical attraction.

Nothing…

Except a lingering guilt at having sneaked out for the afternoon with his friend for an innocent afternoon of fun. Ric had always been generous and kind to her; she shouldn't be treating him so poorly.

However, when he'd explained his offer to postpone their wedding, another emotion spilled through her.

Relief.

She'd agreed with his suggestion, and now that he was gone and her wedding was four weeks further away, she felt even guiltier for feeling relieved. Ric wasn't a bad man. He was wealthy and titled, and for a woman of her station, he was a remarkably good match.

So why wasn't she happy?

Well, if she were honest with herself. She'd never been happy about marrying Ric. Content, yes, but happy, no. So why was she now so miserable?

She knew the answer. She simply didn't want to admit to the truth of it. She'd seen a glimpse of a chance at love, and now contentment seemed very hollow indeed.

Yesterday afternoon had been the most fun she'd ever had. Riding with Jason was like nothing she'd ever experienced before. Wild and dangerous, it scared the wits out of her as much as it thrilled her to her core. She'd been so thrilled that she would have let him kiss her. She'd wanted him to kiss her, and for a moment when he'd brought her back to her room she thought he was going to do so.

He hadn't, and she'd been shocked by how disappointed she'd felt. A fact that left her feeling completely and utterly disappointed with herself. She was behaving like a wanton woman. It was disgraceful.

She wished she'd never met Jason Morgan. If she hadn't she wouldn't be so confused and unhappy with her life. Sighing, she shifted in her chair. However, the thought of going back to being blandly content with her approaching marriage wasn't the least bit appealing either.

Through the parlor window Elizabeth saw a man emerging from the gardens and recognized Jason immediately. Her heart leapt in her chest, sending tingles coursing through her, and she wondered how she could possibly wish she'd never felt this feeling.

He'd been riding. She could tell from the way his hair was mussed and his shirt was undone at the collar. The tip of Elizabeth's tongue swept along her lower lip as she watched him run his fingers through his unruly hair. Then he glanced up at the window to her room and something low in Elizabeth's belly throbbed.

He was looking for her.

She smiled as a rush of giddiness washed over her. He was looking for her.

Then just as quickly tears welled in her eyes. It didn't matter how he made her feel. In a few weeks she'd be a bride. The wife of a future Duke.

She would be insane to put her marriage in jeopardy. Wouldn't she?

Yet, how could she not try to figure out what exactly she felt for Jason Morgan? Was it simply lust or could it be something more?

She had to know. When she walked down the aisle to marry Ric, she didn't want to be plagued by doubts of wondering what might have been.

Pressing her lips together in determination, Elizabeth used her good foot to roll her chair away from the window. She didn't know how she was going to do this, but she knew she didn't have much time. So what better time to start than at dinner tonight?

It was three days before it rained.

Three days in which they had tea in the garden. Each time, Elizabeth had been wheeled out in her chair and played the gracious hostess, which left her no time to make headway on her special project.

Dr. Drake had paid her a visit yesterday evening and after an examination of her ankle that had her gritting her teeth in pain, he pronounced that she was healing well. So well in fact, he decreed she could begin walking with the aide of a cane.

She'd been nearly ecstatic to finally be rid of the wheeled chair she'd been trapped in and then this morning when she awoke to the patter of raindrops on her windowpanes, she nearly leapt out of bed in joy. Today was finally the day.

However, the morning dragged by as if it wore leg shackles as she and the other ladies gathered and did needlework while the men smoked their after lunch cigars and drank cognac. Jabbing her fabric without enthusiasm, Elizabeth let the prattle of gossip float over her head. She didn't care a whit about the latest gossip, her mind was far to busy sorting through her plans for the afternoon.

She'd just realized she'd skipped a daisy in her flower border pattern and would have to rip out everything she'd done that morning when Alfred opened the parlor doors and announced in his usual monotone voice, "If the ladies please, the scavenger hunt will begin in the great room in fifteen minutes."

A great deal of excited twittering erupted around the room and Elizabeth's stomach flopped over in a fit of nervousness. After days of planning and waiting with heightened expectation, the time had finally arrived.

As the ladies made their way to the great room, Elizabeth purposefully fell a few steps behind. Thus she entered the room last and was able to garner a seat on the periphery, well out of the bustle of activity.

The men were waiting for them and she had noticed Jason as she'd entered, standing at the rear of the room with his back to the wall and his arms crossed over his chest. His stance and grim expression made him look intimidating and completely non-welcoming. A grin threatened to break over her face. At least she wouldn't have to worry about someone else asking him to be their partner. She doubted anyone would work up the courage.

The ladies began to separate themselves into groups of two or three, drawing several unwilling gentlemen and a handful of husbands into the fray as they did so. Ric, thoroughly enjoying the enthusiasm saturating the room, proceeded to wander among the guests and add his own commentary and advice whether it was needed or not.

A few ladies, including Caroline Jacks, tried to snare Ric into their group but he always graciously refused by insisting that Elizabeth was his partner and simply none other would do. A sentiment that inspired romantic sighs and envious looks in Elizabeth's direction. As she predicted, no one approached Jason, not even Caroline, who seemed for once to be busy fawning over her own husband.

Several servants arrived bearing large wicker flower gathering baskets and began distributing them among the guests. Then finally Ric took the floor, calling for silence as he began spelling out the rules of the game.

In each basket was a sealed list and everyone had two hours in which to find as many items on the list as possible. At precisely four everyone would reconvene in the great room and the group with the most items would be declared the winner.

With everything ready, Ric slung a basket over his arm as offered Elizabeth his hand, which she took as she stood. The murmuring in the room quieted as the final minutes to the beginning of the hunt ticked away.

Elizabeth risked a glance at Jason and found him looking at her. His ice blue gaze sent a shiver down her spine. She lifted an eyebrow in unspoken question and when Jason nodded with the barest of movements, she knew she had nothing to worry about. He did indeed know her intentions and would find a way for them meet.

Then somewhere in the front of the house, a door slammed open, drawing a few startled yelps from the guests. Then the sound of hurried footfalls from the hall attracted everyone's curious attention. Without pausing for formalities, Mr. Wensly, the Lansing's estate manager entered the room. A stocky middle-aged man, the man bustled quickly in, his clothing soaked through and a scowl on his face.

Pulling his sodden hat off his head, he performed a quick bow for Ric. "Pardon the interruption Mr. Lansing, but I need to inform you of a most urgent matter."

Ric, whose smile had melted when he'd seen Mr. Wensly enter, handed the wicker basket to Elizabeth. Taking a few steps towards the corner and turning their backs to the crowd, the two men spoke in low tones. Then when Ric turned back to the room at large, he was also scowling.

All eyes in the room were focused on Ric, but his were only on Elizabeth. "I'm sorry but there is a matter I need to give my immediate attention. However I can't leave you without a partner for the scavenger hunt." He turned to the guests. Several hands went up, no doubt with offers to be Elizabeth's partner, but Ric's eyes stopped on his friend hovering in the back of the room. "Mr. Morgan, you are partner-less. Might I impose on you to take my place so Elizabeth may participate in the hunt?"

Elizabeth felt herself flush and her thoughts tripped over themselves in their rush through her head. This was more than she'd hoped for, but it was so horribly improper. She had to say something to stop this, or else she and Jason would be the next bit of juicy gossip running through the grapevine. Everyone in the room was watching and she knew she had to be very careful about what she said and how she said it. "I dare say Mr. Morgan is not the least bit interested in scavenging." She turned to speak directly to Jason. "Do not feel obligated on my account."

Mr. Logan Hayes, a young buck who was the son of the town magistrate, snickered. "I don't know about you Mr. Lansing, but I wouldn't trust leaving my beautiful fiancée in the care of an unattached man, even if he was a friend." Then he waggled his eyebrows at Miss Lulu Spencer, making her break into a fit of giggles.

Ric took offense to Logan's jest, and managed not only to reply to him, but made sure everyone else in the room understood as well. "Well, unlike your caliber of friends, Mr. Hayes, I trust Mr. Morgan implicitly. We have known each other for years and there is no one I would trust more to protect and assist my beautiful fiancée, than him." Ric had let his gaze sweep the room as he spoke and ended looking directly at Jason.

Jason bowed at the compliment. "I would be honored to escort Miss Weber during the hunt. If she will have me, that is."

Elizabeth nearly gasped. His words, although seemingly innocent, implied so much more. She dipped into a curtsey. "Thank you."

Thus decided, the game began and the groups set off in various directions.

Once alone in the hallway, her hand tucked into the crook of Jason's arm, Elizabeth was suddenly nervous which really was perfectly ridiculous if she thought about it. Hadn't they had a perfectly enjoyable afternoon together just a handful of days ago? But on that day she hadn't admitted she was attracted to him and set herself on a course to find out if he was attracted to her.

Really, she must be barking mad to try to do what she was doing. What she ought to do was sit out the day's activities in the safe, Jason-less confines of the parlor, but if she did that, she would look back for the rest of her life and wonder what would have happened if she'd taken the chance.

So there would be no sneaking away to hide from life, she would take a chance and discover where it led her. Thus decided, she broke the seal on the scavenger list, unfolded the paper and held it out so both she and Jason could see it. Fifty items were listed in a neat column and as her eyes skimmed the list, she couldn't help the giggle that burbled up her throat and escaped her lips. It was a challenging list to say the least.

"A peacock feather?" Elizabeth shook her head. "Who on earth would have a peacock feather lying around?" Her tone became sarcastic. "I'm sure Caroline does. She probably has a whole headdress of them."

"You don't like Caroline?" Jason looked at her with a teasing smile creasing the corners of his eyes.

Elizabeth pressed her lips together and gave him a sideways glance. It went against her strict upbringing to directly cut someone, even when they so obviously deserved it. "Duke Jax seems to see something good in her."

Jason leaned close to her ear and lowered his voice, "I'm sure it was something he discovered while in her bed."

Gasping so hard she choked, Elizabeth began coughing in a most unladylike way. Tears were rolling from her eyes before she finally caught her breath. "Mr. Morgan!" Somehow she simply couldn't be angry with him, despite his being so highly improper. "You are a very wicked man."

He seemed to take her statement as a compliment and his teasing smile widened into a wicked grin. "You have no idea." His voice was low and raspy, as if he were sharing a dark secret, and it sent a sizzle of awareness down her spine. Feeling herself slipping into dangerous territory, Elizabeth quickly turned the conversation back to the game.

Pointing to the first item on the list, she tipped her head to the side to glance up at him. "I know where the silver spoons are kept. Are you ready for the hunt?"

It may have been her imagination, but when Jason nodded his head, there was an almost predatory gleam in his ice blue eyes. "I am always ready for the hunt."

In the first half hour of the game, they had found only six items: a silver spoon, a sewing needle, an inkwell, a book of poetry, a ladies hair comb and a jar of mustache wax. The latter being her father's that she pilfered from his room.

They had crossed paths with other groups several times and Elizabeth noticed with annoyance that everyone else had more items in their baskets than she and Jason did. It was very easy to lay the blame to her slow pace and limp, instead of on the time she and Jason spent in conversation rather than seeking out items on the list of objects.

Currently they were looking for a red candle, which Elizabeth thought could be found in the dining room butler's pantry. Every year Pine Grove was elaborately decorated for Christmas, which included a complete switch from white to red candles to properly light the holiday. At the moment, Jason was leaning casually against the door jam, basket slung over his arm, while Elizabeth was searching wooden storage bins on the lowest shelves for candles.

She had managed to glean a few tidbits of information about Jason over the course of the afternoon. He preferred coffee over tea, didn't like cigars, and had made a disgusted face when she'd asked if he enjoyed attending the parties of the ton.

However, the most conversation she'd gotten out of him was when she'd asked about his riding skills. It seemed he had a passion for speed and went on several minutes talking about varieties of horses and gigs, and how the differences in each affected the speed and agility of the ride.

Reaching down and pulling out a bin, she discovered yet another stash of white taper candles. Frowning she shoved the box back into place and took up the conversation where she'd left off - just having discovered that Jason lived in London.

"I would think the country is quite boring compared to London." She didn't look up from her task as she moved to check the next box.

"It is different." She could hear him shift position in the doorway and looked over to see that he was now standing as opposed to leaning. He tipped his head to the side when he saw she was looking. "It is quieter." Then he quirked a smile. "And the scenery is more beautiful."

Elizabeth felt herself blush. "Mr. Morgan." She regressed to using his formal name. "You flatter me." Then she lifted an eyebrow at him. "Or is that what you say to all the ladies?"

They both held their gaze, each daring the other to look away first. Elizabeth absently reached out for the crate she knew was in front of her and grabbed it to slide it forward as she had the others. However when she did, pain shot through her finger and she gasped out loud as she yanked her hand back.

The pain was gone in an instant but Elizabeth hissed when she saw a splinter in her finger. Then without her having heard him move, Jason was next to her, a look of worry drawing his eyebrows together as he took her hand in his and examined her finger.

"It's just a splinter." Elizabeth said, acutely aware of the touch of his hand, the gentleness of his long fingers as he turned her hand to put the splinter into the light. He was so close she could scarcely breathe. "I should have been more careful." She hoped he thought the wobble in her voice was due to pain.

Without releasing her hand, he stooped and took a swatch of fabric out of the basket at his feet. Sliding the sewing needle out of the fabric, he turned to Elizabeth. "Would you rather, or should I?"

Elizabeth looked up at him and pulled her lower lip between her teeth as she contemplated his question. She knew she could easily remove the splinter, but keeping him close to her was far too tempting. Besides, she trusted him. He'd proved how gentle he could be when he'd examined her ankle, and she didn't doubt he would be so now.

"Please."

Elizabeth watched him as he set to work; concentration creasing his brow as he ever so delicately worked the sliver of wood out of her finger.

"There." He said when he'd finished. "Better?"

He was still so close he filled all her senses, and he was looking at her with such concern, it made her heart lodge in her throat. She was getting into dangerous territory again, where she wasn't in complete control and faintly she heard warning bells going off in her head.

She ignored them.

As much as she knew she should move away from him, she couldn't. She didn't want to.

"Thank you." Her voice was little more than a breathy whisper.

He was still holding her hand and as their gazes held, he moved first. It was the slightest of movements, his fingers simply tightened around hers, but it made the very air thicken around them. Desire burst through her in a flood of heat that stole her breath away.

Elizabeth tightened her fingers around his and as she did, Jason's eyes darkened and his gaze became hungry, like a wolf who had spotted its prey. Her knees weakened under that gaze and a tremble coursed through her, making her shiver with pleasure.

Then he was leaning forward, his head tipping to the side, and she lifted her chin, her eyelids half closing as he drew near. A burst of voices and laughter suddenly filled the hallway and Elizabeth leapt back, her eyes wide in shock at what she'd nearly done. The group of scavengers; Maxi, Lulu, Logan and Cooper, by the sound of their voices, turned into the dining room without looking in the pantry and seeing them.

Mortified at her actions, Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to look at Jason and wanted nothing more than to escape his presence.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled. Then she dodged around him and ran.

The tavern was small, but what it lacked in size it more than made up for in odor. The room's stale air was heavy with the stink of sweat, ale, cigar smoke and fresh manure tracked in from the stables.

To Jason the smell was merely a minor nuisance to be endured to get what he wanted.

And the first thing he wanted was to get drunk.

Sitting at a table in a corner of the room, Jason caught the attention of the barkeep and signaled for a drink. His ride here from Pine Grove had not drained all his frustration and his eyes roved the bar looking for someone to take his aggravation out on.

Unfortunately for him, business this evening was slow. There were only a handful of customers, all of whom were either too aged or too worn down by life to provide him with a suitable distraction.

The barkeep sauntered to his table and deposited a tankard of ale in front of him. The man turned to leave but Jason held up a hand to stop him. Pulling a bag of coins from his coat, he handed the man two. "Bring me a plate of whatever you're serving tonight and a bottle of your best whiskey."

The barkeep grunted, then shuffled back behind his bar and disappeared through a door into what was most likely the kitchen.

Jason lifted the tankard of ale and downed half of it in one long swallow. Then wiping the foam from his lips with his shirtsleeve, he glowered at the world at large.

He had followed Elizabeth to her room with every intention of convincing her to continue the scavenger hunt with him. He'd been prepared to say whatever he needed to say to get her to believe he was sorry for what had happened and reassure her it wouldn't happen again.

However, when Elizabeth had opened the door and peered up at him, he'd seen that she'd been crying. Her eyes were red and puffy and pain shone in those brilliant blue depths, and seeing her so upset was like being sucker punched in the gut.

He had hurt her.

Badly.

Then she'd started to close the door on him. He'd managed to stop her, but the way she'd looked at him in that moment, as if she were hoping for him to make her better, made something in him ache. The devil in him saw her vulnerability and knew he could pull her to him and kiss her and she would come willingly. Yet, he couldn't do it. He couldn't bring himself to do something he knew would only hurt her again.

One of the tavern's serving maids sidled up to his table with a plate of food in one hand and a bottle of liquor in the other.

Jason sat back in his chair and sized her up. She was maybe in her early twenties with blonde hair, a narrow face, and heavy breasts. Just the type of woman he liked. Her brown eyes were locked on him and a suggestive grin spread over her face.

Leaning down as she placed his food and drink in front of him, she gave him a lavish view of her ample bosom, which was framed by a neckline so low it showed a hint of the pink curve of her nipples.

"G'day sir." Her voice, thick with a working class accent, was low and provocative. It was a ploy used by many of her particular trade to heightened a man's interest and create a feeling of intimacy between the two of them.

She was the second thing he'd come for.

A trollop to expend his frustrations on.

He fished a coin out of his pocket making sure to jingle it against several others to let her know he had more than enough to pay for her services and thus securing her complete and undivided attention for the evening.

Her smile widened at the sound and she brazenly slid her tongue across her upper lip.

"You have a name?" Jason placed the money on the table letting his gaze linger on her generous bosom.

"Carly." She leaned in as she talked and ran a hand across his chest. "but for two of those coins, you can call me whatever you want."

Jason reached into his pocket, pulled out another coin and laid it next to the first. Then watched with satisfaction as Carly pulled a key out of her pocket.

"Room three upstairs. Come up when yer ready."

~*~*~*~

She'd seen him leave.

Not long after he'd left her doorway, she'd been watching from her window and had seen him go to the stables, then ride out on his horse.

That had been hours ago.

He hadn't been at dinner and Elizabeth could only guess that Jason hadn't returned yet. Not that she should care. She frowned as she reminded herself again that she didn't care what Mr. Morgan did. She really, really didn't.

Her vision blurred and she blinked back the tears welling in her eyes. So what if the words were empty. She sighed sharply, surely if she said them enough, she would start to believe them.

Dinner had been a quiet affair. With the foul weather, no guests lingered and only the family ate together. Even now, gathered in the sitting room, they were a quiet lot. There was a group playing whist in the corner, Ric was speaking with his father and she sat alone by the fire reading.

Reading and wondering where Jason was and what he was doing.

She hadn't asked about his absence, it would have been forward of her. When Ric had inquired about the scavenger hunt, she'd replied with the vaguest of answers. "Yes, she'd had a good time." "Yes, Mr. Morgan was a suitable host." "No, he did not need to send for Dr. Drake, her ankle was feeling much better, thank you."

Worrying her lower lip, Elizabeth glanced at the clock on the mantel. It was finally late enough for her to excuse herself for bed without being rude.

Marking her place in her book with a ribbon, she set it on the table next to her and stood. "I beg your leave to retire for the evening. I am quite weary from this afternoon."

Ric stood, crossed to her and offered her his elbow. "Let me escort you to the stairs."

Elizabeth could think of no reason to refuse him, so she simply curtsied and took his arm.

Once out in the hall, Ric slid his hand over hers and smiled at her. "Are you sure I don't need to send for Dr. Drake?"

"I am fine." Elizabeth looked up to find Ric looking at her in concern and wondered to herself why she did not feel for him like she felt for Jason. Ric was a decent man, honorable, wealthy, titled and reasonably handsome. There really was no reason she shouldn't desire him.

He pulled her to a stop as they reached the bottom of the stairs and taking her hands in his, he turned to her and gazed into her eyes.

"Elizabeth, the reason you didn't finish the scavenger hunt, was it really due to your ankle, or did something… else happen?"

The bottom dropped out of Elizabeth's stomach. Did Ric suspect something untoward? Had he guessed from her behavior that she'd nearly betrayed him?

An urge to bolt for the safety of her room gripped her, but Elizabeth stood firm, managing to smile casually even though panic rose in her throat. "Nothing untoward happened. There was nothing except my ankle."

Ric looked relieved and for an awful instant Elizabeth wondered if Jason had told him what had happened and that was why he'd left and not returned. However, if Ric knew she'd nearly kissed his friend, he did not act as such. A grin lifted the corners of his mouth and he reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "I had worried that Mr. Morgan had done or said something to offend you."

"Mr. Morgan behaved the perfect gentleman." Elizabeth's insides knotted painfully as she struggled to remain outwardly calm. "It was very gallant of him to suffer the game on my account."

Ric's grin widened into a smile. "I am very glad to hear you enjoyed yourself."

Elizabeth squeezed Ric's fingers and released her hold on his hands. "Good night."

Ric bowed. "Good night."

Making her way up the stairs Elizabeth managed to hold herself together until she was in her room. Then once the door was closed behind her, she barely made it to the bed before she began trembling.

She'd lied to Ric. Outright, straight-faced lied to him. Her stomach grew queasy thinking about it. She had nearly kissed Jason, her fiancée's friend, and yet try as she might she could not regret it.

Even standing next to Ric and seeing the concern on his face for her, did not change her feelings on the matter.

She'd fallen in love with Jason Morgan.

~*~*~*~

Turning away from the stairway, Ric gritted his teeth and frowned.

So, Mr. Morgan had behaved the perfect gentleman. Ric snorted, anger simmering just under his control.

It seemed he needed to have a conversation with Mr. Morgan because he wasn't paying the man a fortune to behave the perfect gentleman. He'd paid the man to ruin Elizabeth's reputation and he expected to see results.

Maybe Mr. Morgan needed a bit of a reminder concerning the details of his job. Ric had been very tolerant of Jason's attitude up until now, but no longer.

When Jason returned, he was going to discover that it wasn't wise to displease a Lansing.

Author's Note: It was pointed out to me that I have introduced the character Carly twice in the story. First as Caroline Jax and then as Carly the bar maid. This was a complete oversight on my part and after smacking myself in the forehead and grumbling at my faulty short term memory, I decided to leave things the way they were. Both characters play only small roles and, begging the readers indulgence, please think of Caroline Jax as LW's Carly and Carly the bar maid as SBr's Carly. I hope this doesn't create too much confusion.

Thanks and Sorry,
R

Jason sank into the steaming bath and groaned. His head still throbbed and despite a dip in the lake on his return to Pine Grove, he still stank of manure.

Much of last night was a blur, but this morning's encounter with Ric was as clear to him as if it'd been burned into his mind. Fury surged through him as he remembered.

Rape.

Ric had told him to rape Elizabeth and when Jason very pointedly refused, Ric had threatened to find another man to do it if Jason couldn't complete the job.

Grabbing the soap and a washcloth, he worked up a lather and began scrubbing himself.

He was in an impossible situation. If he didn't seduce Elizabeth and thereby ruin her life, Ric would hire someone to rape her. Either way Elizabeth was going to be devastated.

And the part that really rubbed him raw was the fact that there was nothing he could do to stop it from happening. Ric had evidence against him and if he tried to thwart Ric's plans directly, he had no doubt that evidence would immediately be used to send him to the gallows.

Jason had no desire to find himself facing the hangman's noose.

He needed to find a way to take down Ric that wouldn't be linked to him. The problem was that there was precious little time to make and implement a plan before Ric got tired of waiting for results and did something to harm Elizabeth.

Quickly dunking his head and then shaking the excess water from his head, Jason smoothed his hands over his wet hair and growled low in his throat. He hated being caught in a trap, but until he had the upper hand, the only way he could protect Elizabeth was to keep doing the job he'd been hired to do.

~*~*~*~

The afternoon was perfect.

The sun was shining in a clear blue sky, a light breeze kept the heat at bay, and the flowers were a rainbow chorus of color.

In fact the only blotch on the moment was the man whose arm she was holding.

Elizabeth slid a sideways look at Ric and pulled her lower lip between her teeth. What on earth was wrong with her? He was being a perfectly charming gentleman. It was not his fault she was attracted to another man. She should not think of him as a blotch or a disappointment.

Their conversation had been by and large benign. They'd discussed the weather, breakfast, dinner, and plans for tomorrow afternoon's tea. Ric had talked about his horses and their fathers' love of cigars. She had mentioned her art and her hope that her friend Emily would be well soon.

"How is your ankle?"

"Very well. Thank you." Which was true. After her sprint to her room yesterday that had left her in pain, she'd been afraid she'd reinjured it. However, this morning it hadn't hurt in the least.

"Here." Ric gestured with a sweep of his hand to a bench under an arbor, "Let's sit and rest a while."

Elizabeth glanced at the arbor and the bottom fell out of her stomach. It was the same bench where Jason had hidden her when they'd returned from their stolen afternoon ride. Uncomfortable at the unbidden memory, Elizabeth sat and coiled her fingers together in her lap.

Ric sat close to her yet without letting any part of his body come in contact with hers.

Then he simply watched her.

The swollen bruise blazoned across his left cheek was very disconcerting and Elizabeth could only bear up under his gaze for a few seconds before she had to look away. He'd explained that he'd gotten the bruise this morning during his ride when his horse had lost its footing in the wet grass and lurched sideways, sending him face first into a tree branch.

Clearing her throat, Elizabeth snuck a glance at him. "Was there a particular reason you invited me for a walk this afternoon?"

He smiled charmingly at her. "Do you realize that if we hadn't changed our wedding date, we would be married right now?"

Yes, she'd been perfectly aware of the fact, and his bringing it up made her slightly nauseous. However she smiled politely and nodded. "Yes. Do you regret putting off the wedding?"

"Only in that it is taking me that much longer to call you my wife."

His smile seemed pleasant enough, but for some reason it made Elizabeth uneasy. She turned back to the scenery in front of her. "This is a lovely spot. Would you mind terribly if I did some sketches?"

"Not at all."

Reaching into the basket she'd been carrying, Elizabeth pulled out a sketchpad and a tin box of charcoals. She was at least thankful that Ric was indulgent of her hobbies. There were men who would not be as kind.

Ric settled back on the bench as she sat forward, bending over her sketchbook. Glancing between the paper and the garden, she began drawing and very quickly lost herself in her art.

So much so that she lost track of what was going on around her until she heard Ric clear his throat rather loudly. Looking up she discovered Reginald, one of the under butlers, standing silently at Ric's side.

"I'm sorry to disturb you. Reginald has brought news of an unexpected guest that I must attend to. Would you like to return to the house with me or remain in the garden?"

It was not a difficult choice. "By your leave I would prefer to remain here and finish my drawing."

Ric stood and bowed to her. "Then I shall return as soon as I am able."

Watching him go, Elizabeth tried to analyze her feelings for the man and felt ashamed for discovering that she mostly felt relieved that he was leaving.

Sighing, she pushed away the feelings. She didn't want to deal with them now. Now she only wanted to lose herself again in her sketching.

Focusing on reproducing the arc of a stem or the ruffle of a flower petal, she drew and smudged and shaded and lost all track of time. So when she finally heard the crunch of footsteps approaching, she assumed it was Ric returning from his meeting.

Only when she lifted her head, she found herself staring at Jason.

He cut a handsome figure in his black breeches and jacket, and as their eyes met, his burst into a twinkling of merriment. Elizabeth's stomach flopped over and suddenly she felt completely out of sorts.

"Good day Mr. Morgan." She had no idea how she got the words out without stuttering.

Jason's head cocked to the side and his grin widened. "You have charcoal smudged on your cheek."

Elizabeth started to reach up to wipe her cheek but as she did, she realized that her hands were black with charcoal. Groaning as she splayed them in front of her, she shook her head and sighed. "It would seem more than just my cheek needs cleaning."

"Come with me then." Jason held out his hand for her and after setting her sketchbook on the bench, she reached out and placed her hand in his. A sizzle of awareness shot up her arm as her fingers slid over his and she pulled her lower lip between her teeth to suppress a grin.

He led her around a winding path to a small fountain where a pudgy garden nymph was continuously pouring water from an urn into a pool lined with rocks. Releasing her hand, he pulled a white handkerchief out of his breast pocket and soaked it in the stream of water.

She reached to take it from him, but he held up a finger to signal her to wait. "First, your cheek."

He stepped closer and Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. He was much, much to close, this wasn't proper, and yet, she did nothing to stop him.

Jason slid a hand along her jaw and around her neck until he was cupping the back of her head. His thumb brushed her cheek as he gently tipped her head a little to the side. Elizabeth's heart fluttered in her chest and she had to resist an urge to lean closer to him.

His clear blue eyes settled on her cheek, which he daubed lightly with the cool cloth, wiping away the charcoal. When he finished, his eyes lifted to hers and Elizabeth was lost. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, and as his thumb caressed her cheek, she was helpless to keep from turning into his touch.

Jason's eyes darkened and the intensity in that gaze made her knees weak. As that gaze dropped to her lips, Elizabeth quivered in the expectation of a kiss.

Only it didn't come. Jason frowned and turned his head to the side, releasing his hold on her before stepping away.

The move left Elizabeth bewildered.

"I should go." He turned to leave and Elizabeth panicked.

"Jason."

He stopped, keeping his back to her and she fumbled for something to say.

"Will you be at dinner this evening?"

He turned his head toward her. "Yes."

"Would you favor me with a round of cards after dinner?" It was desperate and smacked of impropriety, but she didn't care.

Jason lifted his eyes to hers and heat radiated through her as their eyes met.

"I would be honored."

Elizabeth couldn't sleep. She couldn't even relax.

Her body was still tingling from the look she'd exchanged with Jason over the chessboard. It was unbelievable how a simple look from him could make her body quiver and throb, and create a need twisting inside her that begged to be quenched.

She was quite powerless to either fight or ignore the feelings coursing through her.

Pacing across her room she paused to peer between the curtains and across the courtyard. She knew which room was Jason's, second floor fifth room on the outer side, a position that made it impossible for her to see but she looked anyway. Looked and wondered what he was doing.

Checking the time on the mantel clock, she saw it was eleven ten. Everyone would have turned in for the night. The halls would be empty except for the rare servant.

Elizabeth chewed her lip. What she was thinking was inconceivable. No lady would even consider such a thing. To be discovered would be ruin.

But if she knew only how Jason felt. Really knew for sure if what she wanted wasn't possible then she could deal with her feelings and get them under control. If she could only ask him one simple question…

Closing her eyes, her hands fluttered to her throat and she pressed her lips together. She couldn't. She shouldn't.

But she knew she would.

It was amazing how calm she felt having made the decision.

Turning, she padded over to where her robe was draped over the back of a chair and slipped it on over her nightgown. Then she kicked off her slippers, she would walk quieter without them. Her hand paused by the candle, but a moment's reflection made her reject it. She could find her way well enough and the light would only draw unwanted attention.

Her resolve fortified, Elizabeth silently turned the doorknob and opened her door just wide enough to peek into the hall. It was dark, silent and empty.

With one last deep breath, she slipped out of her room.

The house was cold and silent around her. The darkness pressed in on her and made her pull her robe tighter around herself. Concentrating on being as quiet as possible, she made her way through the house toward the west wing.

Once she thought she heard a noise, a squeak or maybe a footstep and it made her pause. She stood peering into the darkness and listened. However, she didn't see or hear anything else and told herself it was only her imagination.

Stealing her way down the west wing hall, she counted doors until she came to the right one. She didn't let herself pause, if she'd paused she would have talked herself out of this foolishness and since she had come this far, she meant to finish this.

The knock was barely audible and Elizabeth held her breath, wanting both to run away before he answered and to knock again to hurry him along.

Then the door opened and her conflicting feelings deepened exponentially. She really, really, really shouldn't be here.

Jason was shirtless, wearing only sleeping pants, his eyes wide in surprise at finding her outside his door.

Before she could speak, his expression morphed to alarm and he stepped into the hall, looked both ways and then pulled her into this room, shutting the door behind them.

"What are you doing here?"

There was an edge in his voice that made Elizabeth gape at him in surprise. This wasn't what she'd expected and already having been thrown off balance from the shock of seeing him half naked, she struggled for words.

"I…" She twisted her hands together and averted her eyes. She couldn't think while staring at his chest. However, to her misfortune, her eyes fell on his bed, sheets pulled back and rumpled as if in invitation.

"Do you realize what would happen if someone saw you coming here?"

Closing her eyes, Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply… yes, she very well knew what would happen if she'd been caught and yes, she'd taken that into consideration before she'd come, and yes, maybe it was foolhardy, but it had made sense at the time… and she really wanted to explain all of this, but again only got out a word before he interrupted her.

"I…"

"Did anyone see you?" His anger seemed less directed at her than it was for her.

"No." Elizabeth faltered under Jason's worried gaze. She had taken a huge risk and frowned at being reminded of the repercussions of her decision. "At least, I don't think so."

Jason's face softened and he sighed. Bracing a hand on his hip, he scrubbed the other over his face, his ice blue eyes gazing into the distance as he thought. "We need to get you back to your room before you're discovered."

"But…"

His gaze flicked to her and her heart somersaulted in her chest. She'd come this far, risked so much; she was going to finish what she'd started. Swallowing nervously, she shifted her weight to her other foot and found she couldn't look at him as she asked what she'd come to ask. "I need to ask you a question."

Jason was silent and her eyes flicked back to him. Elizabeth swallowed nervously and forced the words out.

"Is there any reason I shouldn't marry Ric?"

Silence filled the room, neither of them moved or spoke in the wake of those hushed words. Elizabeth could hear her heart beating in her ears and she held her breath, waiting for his response, for something… anything.

Jason stared at her, his eyes wide and full of emotions she couldn't decipher. Whether it was horror, surprise, shock or something else, it wasn't the answer she was looking for and she felt the floor fall out from under her. She'd been wrong. He hadn't felt for her like she'd felt for him.

Backing toward the door, Elizabeth's hand floated up to partially hide her face and the tears that rose in her eyes. "I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry."

Before she could turn to leave, Jason grabbed her arm. Firm but gentle, he held onto her, refusing to allow her to leave.

"Elizabeth…" His voice was husky with emotion and she risked another look at him.

His eyes had softened, opening a world of emotion to her. He seemed to hesitate, as if there were something he wanted to say but couldn't.

"It would be wrong for me to…" His voice cracked as his words trailed off. Yet despite his protest, he stepped closer, his gaze not wavering from hers. Elizabeth trembled as his fingers slid upwards along her arm to her shoulder. She didn't move, she couldn't breathe. She was completely at his mercy, and as his fingers slid along her cheek, she turned into his touch, her lips parting, her body craving more.

"I couldn't…" He was shaking his head, but there was hunger in his eyes, darkening them, making her feel naked under that stare. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating off of his body and in her chest, her heart raced.

"Jason." It was nothing more than a whisper. A plea, urgent and burning with need. Need that demanded fulfillment now. It was all the encouragement he needed.

His hand clasped the back of her head and pulled her to him. His lips crashing into hers, demanding, hungry, he ravaged her mouth and she molded her body to his, arcing into him even as he wrapped his arm around her and flattened her to him.

He kissed her like she'd never been kissed before. Recklessly, urgently, dangerously. She moaned when his tongue invaded her mouth and slid over hers. Then he pulled away and Elizabeth whimpered at the sudden loss of him. His hands slipped her robe from her shoulders, leaving her in only a thin nightgown and instead of pulling her to him again; he swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.

Laying her on the bed, Jason moved over her, holding his weight on his arms as he stretched full length over her and slowly lowered himself until his lips touched hers. Keeping his weight on his elbows, he kissed her slowly, deeply.

Elizabeth's entire body throbbed with need and she wrapped her arms around him and tried to pull him to her. When he didn't move, she arched her body upwards to brush her breasts against his chest. Jason groaned at the touch and moved his mouth to her throat, using his tongue to trace downward, dipping into its hollow before reaching the edge of her gown.

Elizabeth gasped, her hands clutching at him as each new touch sent waves of never-before-imagined pleasure through her. She wanted more. She wanted to feel her skin against his, to be naked in his arms and have him love her fully.

As he undid the first button of her gown she let her hands roam down his back, feeling the taut muscles trembling under her fingers. He undid more buttons until her bodice fell open with a flick of his fingers.

She knew she should be embarrassed being so exposed but she wasn't. She was eager for his touch. Cupping her breast, Jason ran a thumb over her nipple making her gasp, and then stroked it with his tongue before taking it into his mouth. Elizabeth cried out in pure bliss as a spear of erotic heat shot directly down to her womb, making her lift her hips to his.

She felt him, long and hard, cradled against her thighs and she gasped. Jason slid a knee between her legs, easing her gown higher as he lowered his hips to hers. Even through the fabric of her gown and his pants, she felt the heat of his hardness press against her delicate flesh while his mouth and tongue worked sweet torture on one breast and his thumb stroked the other, making Elizabeth nearly incoherent with pleasure.

Whimpering, she begged for more. "Please. Yes."

A crash echoed through the room and Elizabeth screamed. The door had being thrown open and in its opening stood Ric, Trevor, Jeff and Stephen.

Jason leapt up, positioning himself in front of Elizabeth as she sat up, pulling her bodice closed and shoving her skirt down while trying to stay hidden behind Jason's body.

Mortification crushed her like wheat under a millstone and she fumbled as she tried to button her bodice with trembling fingers.

Loud, angry voices filled the room and as the accusations flew, Elizabeth wanted nothing more than for the floor to open up and swallow her whole. All of those men, her fiancée, her future father-in-law, her brother and her own father had all seen her half naked nearly making love to a man who wasn't her husband or fiancée. If they'd been five minutes later she had no doubt they would have found her naked and making love with Jason.

Her face burned with humiliation and tears streaked down her cheeks. How could she have been so stupid?

Then the room grew silent and Elizabeth had never heard a silence so thick with anger. Then she heard her name.

"Elizabeth!"

It was her father. Groaning, she curled in on herself, not wanting to face him.

"Wait." This time it was Jason. "Let her put on her robe."

There was more silence and Jason shifted, then half turned to hand her the robe.

Their eyes met for a moment and in his she saw guilt and remorse. He spoke to her in a whisper. "You don't have to face them now if you don't want to. I can make them leave and you can deal with them later."

His offer that made her feel even worse, as she realized that she not only managed to completely ruin her life but Jason's as well. He hadn't come to her. She'd come to him and forced him to act on an attraction that he hadn't meant to act upon.

She had brought all this on them both.

Pulling on her robe and tightly securing it around her, Elizabeth shook her head. "I'll be fine."

Then climbing off the bed she stepped around Jason and was met by four angry faces. She lowered her gaze in shame. She couldn't face them.

Of the four, Ric was the hardest to face. The pain and betrayal on his features tore at her heart. True she didn't love him, but he did not deserve to be hurt this way.

Ric was the first to speak, but not to her. "My friend." Scorn dripped off his words. "I trusted you!" Then he was flying across the room, fists raised, drawing back and punching Jason across the jaw.

Elizabeth screamed and she started toward the two men, but Stephen leapt forward and pulled her away.

Ric landed another solid blow to Jason's stomach and Jason went down on one knee. Bleeding from the corner of his mouth, he glared at Ric defiantly, but didn't move to defend himself.

Ric backed away, turning to face Elizabeth. The anger melted from his expression and was replaced by anguish, and Elizabeth broke into tears.

"I'm so sorry." Her voice wobbled and broke, and Ric looked away as if he couldn't stand the sight of her, turned and pushed past everyone to barrel out of the room.

Trevor gave her a disappointed frown and without a word turned to follow his son.

Stephen was as stiff as a statue as he held onto her shoulders and Elizabeth could feel his disapproval like a cold wind blowing over a snowdrift. She sagged against him. She'd made such a colossal mistake and now so many people were suffering for it.

Jeff, his face drawn into a deep frown, turned to face her and she shrank even further in Stephen's arms. "Stephen, take your sister back to her room and make sure she stays there. I'll deal with her soon enough."

Elizabeth blinked at her father in surprise, but he turned to frown at Jason who was now standing and watching them warily.

"I need to have a few words with Mr. Morgan first."