Across the way Lord Applegate gave Harriet an apologetic look. He leaned forward to make himself heard above the lusty verses.

"I hope you are not too offended, Miss Pomeroy. Older generation, you know. Not quite so refined. They mean well."

"Yes, I know," Harriet said with a rueful smile. "At least they are enjoying themselves."

"I thought it best to bring them along tonight. Their presence will lend countenance to our elopement," Applegate explained earnestly.

"The thing is, my lord, as I have tried to tell you for some time, I do not intend to marry you even if we should happen to reach Gretna, which is highly unlikely."

Applegate gave her an anxious look. "I am hoping you will change your mind, my dear. We have several hours left for you to consider the matter I assure you, I will be a most devoted husband. And we have so much in common. Just think, we shall be able to go exploring together for fossils."

"It sounds quite delightful, sir, but, as I keep reminding you, I am already engaged. I could not possibly break my commitment to St. Justin."

Applegate's eyes filled with admiration. "Your sense of honor in this matter does you credit, my dear. But no one really expects you to remain loyal to the man. After all, he is St. Justin. His own reputation precludes him from demanding loyalty and respect from someone as sweet and charming and innocent as yourself."

Harriet, weary of explaining herself, decided to try another tactic. "What if I were to tell you that I am not all that innocent, sir?"

Applegate drew himself up stiffly. "I should not believe it, Miss Pomeroy. Anyone can tell from just looking at you that you are all that is innocent and virtuous."

"Just by looking at me?"

"Of course. In addition, please recall that I have the advantage of having formed an intimate intellectual connection with you. A mind as well informed as yours is incapable of lowering itself to impure thoughts, much less acting upon them."

"That is an interesting conclusion," Harriet murmured. She was about to argue the point when she realized the coach was slowing.

"I say." Lord Fry broke off his song and took another nip from the bottle. "Stopping for a bite to eat, are we? Excellent notion. Could do with a visit to Jericho while we're at it."

"Really, Fry." Lady Youngstreet playfully slapped his hand with her fan and gave him a droll look. "You must not be so indelicate around the young people."

"Quite right." Fry bowed deeply to Harriet. "Apologies, Miss Pomeroy," he said in a slurred voice. "Don't know what got into me."

"I know what got into you," Lady Youngstreet declared gleefully. "A bottle of my best brandy. Hand it over, sir. It is my bottle, after all, and I intend to finish it."

There was a shout from outside the coach. Harriet heard the thunder of horses' hooves on the road. Another carriage was approaching swiftly from behind. It was almost dark now, but she recognized the yellow phaeton and the big horses that suddenly pulled up alongside Lady Youngstreet's coach.

The light, fast vehicle flashed past. She caught a glimpse of the driver. He was wearing a heavy greatcoat and a hat pulled down low over his eyes, but she would have recognized those massive shoulders anywhere.

Gideon had finally caught up with them.

There was another shout from the coachman's box and a string of angry curses as the traveling coach slowed still further.

"Damnation." Applegate frowned. "Some fool is forcing us to the side of the road."

Lady Youngstreet's eyes widened blearily. "Perhaps we are being stopped by a highwayman."

Fry scowled at her. "Never knew of a highwayman who used a phaeton."

"It is St. Justin," Harriet announced calmly. "I told you he would be along as soon as he realized what was happening."

"St. Justin?" Fry looked stunned. 'The devil you say. He's found us?"

"Nonsense. Told no one what was up tonight. He could not possibly have found us." Lady Youngstreet took a deep swallow from the brandy bottle and winked slyly.

"Well, he has," Harriet said. "Just as I knew he would."

Applegate looked rather pale, but he squared his shoulders resolutely. "Do not be afraid, Harriet. I will protect you from him."

Harriet was alarmed by that bold statement. The last thing she needed now was a display of heroics from Applegate. She knew Gideon would not react well to that.

The traveling coach had come to a complete halt. Harriet could hear the coachman speaking in surly tones to Gideon, demanding to know what this was all about.

"I will not detain you long," Gideon said. "I believe you have something on board that belongs to me."

Harriet heard the ring of his boots on the pavement, a sure sign he was not in a good mood. She gave her companions a warning look.

"Please listen very closely," Harriet told the others. "You must allow me to deal with St. Justin, do you understand?"

Applegate gave her an appalled look. "I will certainly not let you face the Beast alone. What sort of man do you think I am?"

The coach door was thrown open. "A good question, Applegate," Gideon said in a dark, menacing voice. He stood there looking thoroughly dangerous. His black greatcoat flowed around him like a sorcerer's cloak. The interior lamps of the coach illuminated his scarred face.

"There you are, St. Justin," Harriet said gently. "I was wondering when you would catch up with us. I vow, I have had a most pleasant drive. Lovely evening, is it not?"

Gideon's gaze raked the occupants of the coach one by one and came to rest on Harriet. "And have you had enough of taking the evening air, my dear?" he asked.

"Quite enough, thank you." Harriet picked up her reticule and made to step out of the coach.

"Do not move, Miss Pomeroy," Applegate commanded bravely. "I will not let this blackguard touch you. I shall defend you with every drop of my blood."

"And it will be my pleasure to assist Lord Applegate in protecting you, m'dear," Fry announced loudly. "We shall both defend you with every drop of Applegate's blood."

"A pair of drunken fools," Gideon muttered. His big hands closed around Harriet's waist. He lifted her easily out of the coach.

"Stop that. Stop that, right now. I will not allow it." Lady Youngstreet threw her reticule at Gideon's chest. It bounced back onto the floor of the coach. "Put her back, you monster. You shall not take her."

"I say. We are saving her from you," Fry explained.

Harriet groaned. "Oh, dear. I knew this was going to be awkward."

"It is going to be a bit more than awkward, Harriet." Gideon started to close the coach door.

"Now, see here," Applegate sputtered, shoving the door open again. He glowered boldly at Gideon. "You cannot just take her off like that."

"Who is going to stop me?" Gideon asked softly. "You, perhaps?"

Applegate looked exceedingly stalwart. "I most certainly will. I am devoted to Miss Pomeroy's welfare. I have taken it upon myself to protect her and I shall do so."

"Hear, hear. Go to it, boy," Lord Fry roared drunkenly. "Don't let the Beast get his paws on her. Protect her with your life's blood, Applegate. I'll be right behind you all the way."

"So will I," Lady Youngstreet declared in ringing, if slightly slurred tones.

"Bloody hell," Gideon muttered.

Applegate ignored the drunken duo. He leaned forward and spoke through the open doorway. "I am serious, St. Justin. I will not allow you to take Miss Pomeroy off like this. I demand that you cease and desist at once."

Gideon smiled his slow, cold smile, the one that showed his teeth and twisted his scar. "Rest assured, Applegate, you will have every opportunity to protest when I demand satisfaction for this affair."

Applegate blinked several times as realization dawned on him. Then he flushed darkly. But he did not back down. "As you wish, sir. I am prepared to accept your challenge. Miss Pomeroy's honor is worth more to me than my life."