Dark Rider

Cassie and Josette stared at Jared.

He said through his teeth, "Carolyn won't break her word. I've made sure of it."

Josette grunted derisively. Cassie glared at him.

Jared threw down his napkin and stalked out of the room.

"Is he right?" Cassie asked. "Can he control Lady Carradine?"

"She won't hurt Lani in any obvious way." Josette smiled bitterly. "She can be very clever. Never once has she made mention of my birth. She gives little lectures to the other students on the horrors that butcher Napoleon is inflicting on good, honest Englishmen and then turns her back and doesn't hear when they attack me."

"Why don't you tell Jared?"

"I don't whine." She made a face. "And she gives me nothing to grab on to. She's a coward and her cruelty is very subtle. Just once I wish she'd lose her temper and slap me. Jared would never tolerate that, and I certainly give her enough cause."

Cassie smiled. "I'm sure you do." Her smile faded. "I know nothing about your customs. Is Jared right? Is it important that you belong to this ton?"

"Not to me." Josette paused. "But it's true, those ni

"Yours is a very cruel world." Cassie frowned, troubled. "I don't wish this to happen to you, but if that woman hurts Lani, I can't allow it to go unpunished."

"Really?" Josette looked intrigued. "What would you do to her?"

Cassie's expression became grim. "Something very unpleasant."

"Then don't think of me," she said magnanimously. "I'll sacrifice everything, I'll suffer any indignity. Even if I'm cast out, I'll be brave and force myself to stay here in this great barn of a place, exercising the horses. On occasion perhaps a game of chess with Jared. It will be-"

"You're enjoying this too much," Cassie said dryly. "You might be happy cast out from the ton, but Jared would be furious. We must hope it doesn't come to that." She stood up and moved toward the door. "And the easiest way to avoid that happening is to convince Lani not to go."

"Cassie, I don't want to hear any more about it. I'm not afraid of her." Lani added with great firmness, "And for the last time, I won't hide tonight."

Cassie sighed in frustration. She had been trying since the night before to persuade Lani not to go to the ball, to no avail. She had not thought this last attempt would fare any better, but she had tried. "We're here to help Papa, not go to balls. Everything is becoming too complicated."

"Do you forget Charles when you help Josette?"

"I never forget Papa."

"Neither do I. It does no harm to give to a child in need." Lani suddenly smiled and embraced her. "Now, go and get dressed. It's getting late. Bradford said we should leave by seven. What are you going to wear?"

"The white silk." She made a face. "Josette says that, according to Lady Carradine, young, unmarried women should always wear white."

"I know you wish to help Josette, and you always look good in white." Lani turned to the armoire. "I believe I shall wear my yellow gown. I've always liked the color." She glanced over her shoulder with twinkling eyes. "And it will a

"Should you-" Cassie broke off as Lani shook her head. She should have known Lani would not change herself any sooner than she would hide. Cassie hugged her and moved toward the door. "You'll be more beautiful than any woman there."

A moment later she was standing before the armoire in her own chamber looking at the gowns Jared had provided.

The white silk was quite beautiful, the touches of lace at the round neck demure. Just the kind of gown Lady Carradine would approve for a shy young girl. Cassie took it out of the armoire.

As far from black widow's weeds as our island is from this England. "

Lani's words kept repeating in her mind. This island and these people were not her own. Much as she liked Josette, she was not Lani. They had not suffered together, the years had not bonded them. She wanted only the best for Josette, but if there were sides to be taken, she could not ally herself with anyone but Lani.

She shoved the pristine-white gown back into the armoire and reached deep into the rear of the wardrobe.

"Good God." Bradford's eyes widened as she came down the stairs. "Stu

"Then he shouldn't have chosen it." She glanced around the foyer. "Where is he?"

"He went on ahead to Carradine Hall to make sure everything was in order. He asked me to bring you. Lani and Josette are waiting in the carriage." He frowned. "I don't believe he meant that gown for this type of occasion."

She knew the occasion he had meant her to wear it. When she came to his bed. In spite of its simple Empire lines, it was the gown meant for a temptress. The scarlet color alone shouted bold sensuality, the deep square neckline revealed the upper curves of her breasts. "It's what I'm wearing."

"Has Lani seen you?"

"No." She had deliberately delayed dressing until she knew Lani would have no opportunity to find out in advance. "She thinks I'm wearing white. I changed my mind at the last minute."

He took the black velvet cloak she was carrying and draped it around her shoulders, carefully fastening the button at her throat. "Well, let's at least spare Jared the first shock when you walk into the ballroom."

"I can't wear a cloak all evening." Yet she did not want Lani to see the gown until they reached Carradine Hall. She might insist Cassie go back and change. She drew the cloak about her and moved toward the door. "Shall we go?"

"You've been very docile of late." His hand cradled her elbow as she moved down the steps toward the carriage. "I'd be curious to know why you chose this occasion to break the pattern."

The footman opened the door of the carriage. Bradford glanced at Lani, resplendent in her yellow silk gown and white velvet cloak, and then smiled. "Ah, that's it, you're going into battle. I always knew I had a fondness for you," he said in a low tone in Cassie's ear. "I hope a battle won't be necessary, but no one is worth fighting for more than Lani." He helped her into the carriage, then climbed in after her. "It's going to prove an interesting evening."

Lani smiled and reached for Cassie's hand. "You're late. Is all well?"

Cassie clasped her hand nervously. She didn't know whether this was a wise move or not. Jared would be angry, and she might do damage to Josette. It might all be for nothing. Perhaps Lani would not need championing at all. Oh, well, she had made mistakes before, and she would not back away now. She smiled at Lani but did not answer directly. "You look glorious tonight. Like a queen." She said with sudden intensity, "You are a queen, Lani."

Lani chuckled. "You must have been talking to Bradford. He claims I could rule this harsh England."

"It would certainly be a more interesting country if you did." Josette grimaced. "You can't imagine how stultifying this ball will be tonight." She settled back on the seat with a sigh. "Not at all like Jared's and Bradford's parties."

"Which you were never supposed to observe," Bradford said.

Josette giggled and told Cassie, "My nurse used to fall asleep and I'd creep down and watch from the landing until Jared caught me at it one night. He was very angry."

"He would have been angrier if he hadn't caught you at that particular moment. Such parties are not for the delectation of i

"An orgy," Josette confided to Cassie with relish. "Bacchanalian revels. Everyone seemed to be having a perfectly splendid time."

"May we talk of something else?" Bradford asked plaintively. "The subject of my wicked past is making me a trifle uncomfortable. Did you ride Morgana today?"