Harriet's hand was shaking with reaction. The glass she was holding wobbled precariously. "Please, sir. 'Tis obvious you are still crazed with grief even after all these years, and you have my deepest sympathy. But you must go away before St. Justin realizes you are talking to me like this."
"It is too late," Gideon said quietly as he materialized at Harriet's side. "I have already heard him."
Rushton's intense eyes swung to Gideon. "Murderer. You killed her. You killed my daughter." His voice rose to the full-throated roar he had no doubt cultivated in the pulpit. "Hear me now. The Beast of Blackthorne Hall will soon take another victim. His innocent wife will be driven to her death just as my innocent daughter was driven to hers."
Before anyone realized Rushton's intention, he grabbed the glass of champagne out of Lady Youngstreet's hand and dashed the contents straight into Gideon's face.
Rage swept through Harriet. "Do not call him a Beast, damn you."
She hurled the champagne in her own glass into Rush-ton's startled features. Then she launched herself at him.
Rushton took a step back in astonishment. He threw up his hands to protect himself.
Lady Youngstreet screamed. So did several other women who saw what was happening. The men stood watching helplessly, their expressions full of horror and confusion. No one moved.
Clearly no one knew the socially correct way to deal with a brawl in a ballroom that had been started by a lady.
No one except Gideon.
He took one step forward and caught Harriet just as she started to pummel Rushton. Gideon was laughing so hard he almost dropped her.
"Enough, madam." Gideon tossed her lightly over his shoulder and held her still with an arm around her thighs. "You have successfully defended my honor. The good Reverend Rushton is defeated, I believe. Is that not so, sir?"
Hanging over Gideon's shoulder as she was, Harriet had a hard time seeing what was going on. She twisted her head far enough around to see Rushton's furious features.
Rushton did not respond to Gideon's taunting. Instead he swung about and pushed his way through the stunned crowd toward the door of the ballroom.
Gideon lowered Harriet to her feet. She straightened her skirts and looked up to find him grinning down at her. His eyes were the color of molten gold.
"Another waltz, madam?" Gideon asked, bowing gallantly over her hand.
Harriet was so unnerved by the events that she went back into his arms without a word.
That night Gideon came to her room after she was in bed just as if everything was entirely normal between them.
The action infuriated Harriet, who had had an opportunity to recover from the scenes at the Berkstones's ball. She turned her back to him as he sauntered over to the bed.
"Did you enjoy the evening, my dear?" Gideon asked as he put his candle down on the end table.
Harriet possessed herself in stony silence.
"Yes, it was a rather tame affair, was it not? Quite dull, in fact." Gideon tossed his dressing gown onto a chair, pulled back the covers, and slid in beside her. He was naked. "You looked lovely, as always, however."
Harriet felt his arm go around her waist from behind. His hand rested on her breast. She tried to ignore it.
"Harriet, did you mean it earlier tonight when you said you loved me?"
That was too much. Harriet forgot her vow of silence. "For goodness' sake, Gideon, this is hardly the time to ask me that. I am furious with you."
"Yes, I know. You are not talking to me." He kissed the nape of her neck.
"No, I am not."
"But did you mean it?"
"Yes," she admitted, thoroughly disgruntled. His hand was sliding along her hip now and his leg was moving between hers. She could feel him searching out her softness. Her back was to him, but that did not seem to be deterring him in the least.
"I am glad," Gideon said. He pushed the hem of her gown up to her waist. "That was all I wanted to discuss at the moment. You do not need to say anything else if you would rather not. I will understand."
"Gideon—"
"Hush." He leaned over her, kissing her throat and the sensitive place behind her ear. His hand moved over her buttocks. One finger slid between the two soft globes.
Harriet shivered, her body warming immediately to his touch. "Gideon, I meant it when I said I was not speaking to you."
"I believe you." His finger traveled lower and eased slowly into her. He worked gently, drawing forth the damp heat, opening her, making her ready.
"Gideon, are you laughing at me?"
"I would never laugh at you, my sweet. But sometimes you do make me smile."
And suddenly his finger was gone and he was gently, slowly pushing his broad, hard shaft into her.
Even if Harriet had wanted to carry on a conversation at that point, she would have been unable to do so. Pleasure drove out all thought of speech.
The following morning Harriet was scheduled to join Felicity and Effie on a shopping expedition. She was not looking forward to it. She knew Effie would want to lecture her severely about the events in the Berkstones's ballroom.
When a maid knocked to tell her that her sister and aunt had arrived and were waiting for her, Harriet sealed the letter she had just finished writing.
"You will see this gets into today's post, do you understand?" she said to the maid.
The girl nodded quickly and left to find a footman. Harriet reluctantly picked up her bonnet and went downstairs.
When she reached the hall, however, she saw no sign of Felicity and Effie. "Where are they, Owl?"
"His lordship invited them into the library to visit while they waited for you, madam." Owl opened the door for her.
"I see. Thank you." Harriet whisked into the library and saw Felicity and Effie seated across from Gideon. She groaned.
Gideon rose to his feet, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Good morning, my dear. I see you are ready to leave. What time shall we expect you home?"
The campaign of silence was proving extremely difficult to wage, as Harriet had discovered last night. Nevertheless, she was still making the effort this morning. It was, she had concluded, her only weapon for bringing Gideon to his senses.
Harriet looked at Felicity as she tied her bonnet strings. "You may tell his lordship that after we return from shopping I shall be attending a meeting of the Fossils and Antiquities Society. I shall be back home by four."
Felicity's eyes gleamed with amusement. She delicately cleared her throat and turned to Gideon. "Your wife says she will be back by four, my lord."
"Excellent. Just in time for a ride in the park."
Harriet scowled. "Felicity, please tell his lordship that I do not feel like a drive in the park today."
Felicity hid a grin as she looked at Gideon. "My sister says to tell you that—"
"I heard," Gideon murmured, his eyes on Harriet. "Nevertheless, I wish to ride in the park this afternoon and I know she will want to accompany me. I am most anxious to see her mounted on her new mare."
"What new mare?" Harriet demanded. Then she realized she had addressed the question to Gideon. She rounded on her sister quickly. "Ask his lordship about this new mare he mentioned."
"Good grief," Effie muttered. "I cannot believe this. It is ridiculous."
Felicity, however, was enjoying the game. "My sister is curious about the new mare, sir."
"Yes, I imagine she is. Tell her that the mare arrived in our stables yesterday and she will see her for herself when she joins me for a ride in the park this afternoon."
Harriet glowered at him. "Felicity, kindly tell my husband that I will not be bribed."
Felicity opened her mouth to relay the warning, but Gideon forestalled her. He held up a hand.
"I understand. My wife does not wish me to think I am trying to get her to break her silence with the gift of the mare. Please assure her I have no such intention. The mare was purchased before she stopped speaking to me, so she need have no qualms about riding her."