The Art Of Retaliation (Work In Progress)

Chapter Five

When I opened my eyes again my face was bathed in warm sunlight. I could breathe easier and I felt comfortable. I believed myself alone until I heard movement from the chair next to my bed and a short unmistakable male cough to attract my attention. I turned quickly and found myself reeling with fear when my eyes beheld the figure sitting in the chair.

'Lord Simon, what are you doing here?' I reprimanded attempting to lift my drowsy body up in bed.

He sat in the chair previously occupied by Lord Ramsay. The insufferable man bore an elegance to slouching that I had never seen befit a gentleman so well. He was a handsome, reckless fellow with short wavy chestnut hair and blue eyes. It was not too much of a surprise to understand why he engendered so much female interest in his figure. But he was a danger to all women for he would badly ill use them. Lord Simon seemed to change women as often as he changed carriages and residences, which was too many times for the sake of sense.

He took what he wanted when he wanted. Then he was bound to discard it once it gave him no more pleasure, such was his wilful behaviour. He had no family or friends to advise him of his conduct and he gave free reign to his passions to the detriment of others. He pursued my affections with a wanton desire. I had failed to be beguiled by his false promises of love, marriage and worship and this only seemed to make him all the more determined to possess me as his wife.

On our last meeting at Countess Dufresne's ball in London he had informed me that there was no boundary or limit in his resolve to make me his intended. I feared crime was also to be one of the weapons he would employ against me. Not even my brother's words of warning that he would see him off had detracted Lord Simon's eagerness.

'I see you are awake, Lady Dashwood. I trust you are feeling better? I do hope so because we have much to talk about.'

He stood up as I eased myself up and back against my pillows. I contemplated rushing from my bed and locking myself in the dressing room for safety but then I was not a coward by nature and I had little energy to complete the feat. Instead I stiffened my weak body and addressed him boldly.

'We have nothing to talk about, Lord Simon. I believe I made that perfectly clear at our last meeting,' I told him haughtily.

He laughed and moved closer to the bed. His tall frame, comparable only to Lord Ramsay's came to tower above me. I refused to look up at him.

'Yes you did and rather robustly for a small delicate woman like yourself,' he smiled gently his blue eyes twinkling with some wistful mischief. 'But I have high hopes of changing your mind.'

He came to sit down on the bed next to me. I gave an involuntarily indignant cry and turned to rebuke him in the strongest of terms available to my sex.

'I will not allow you to ruin me, sir.'

He stared at me for a moment and I fancied I actually saw hurt in those alluring eyes of his. He was a good actor. He placed his arm across me and leaned closer. I could not move away from him. Although I trembled I forced myself to look up at him with angry narrowed eyes.

'Is that what you really believe? That I would show you such ill treatment? You do me an injustice, Lady Dashwood,' he told me softly, disbelief at my accusation weighing heavy on his words.

'I speak only the truth. You have ruined many a woman, sir.'

He gave a laugh and sat back.

'I have not ruined any woman who did not want or ask to be. Nor have I ever forced a woman to do anything she did not wish to do. You should not chide me so. I admit I may have been reckless with some affections but I cannot be accused . . .'

'I have heard many stories . . .'

'And they are all fantasy, I can assure you,' he said with seriousness.

Once more he leaned in towards me.

'Why do you shiver, Lady Dashwood? Surely you cannot be afraid of me? You are quite safe.' He smiled as though he took enjoyment from my fear of him. 'I confess I have a respect for you that I have never felt with any other woman.'

'Really, sir. I cannot believe you. I do not think you know the true meaning of the word.'

Once more he laughed.

'I should be insulted, Lady Dashwood, but I cannot help but admire your fire,' he teased. 'You are quite a catch for a wife. I warrant even Lord Ramsay himself desires you despite his kidnap plot. But he shall not have you. I am here to offer you rescue.'

I pressed myself back into my pillows as he leaned in close against my face as though preparing to take the liberty of kissing me. There was to be no escape. I closed my eyes and felt his lips descend upon my own first with gentle persuasion and then fervour when I would not respond.

'You are a stubborn, wilful woman,' Lord Simon told me as he brushed my lips with his own once more. 'Some may say you are cold and without a heart,' he told me with harsh impatience. 'But I do not believe it.'

I felt him place his arm around my back and lift me up. My struggles were weak and pathetic after my illness and there was little help in screaming when he covered my lips with his own to silence my protest. I began to fear for my life such as it was at that moment as he began to search for his pleasure elsewhere upon my person. He held my breast through my nightdress with a tightness that brought tears to my eyes.

'Surrender yourself to me or I will make you,' he fiercely ordered. 'I will not wait for Peter Ramsay and his plot to ripen any longer. You have kept me waiting too long. I no longer have patience for your games.'

'Then you'll have to force me. I will not give you the satisfaction of becoming yours willingly.'

My last comment did nothing to ease my situation but to earn me the punishment of a painful slap against my face. Still I continued to refuse even knowing what my fate was to be.

I did not hear the door open but heard a feminine cry of horror and shock ring out startling us both from our struggle. I turned to see Louise rushing away from the open door after dropping some fresh linen towels. This did nothing to dissuade Lord Simon's behaviour but only served to intensify his demand. He pulled back the covers and sought the end of my nightdress. I fought hard hoping now that someone would come to my aid. I could hear shouting and a commotion outside my door as I begged Lord Simon to stop.

Not long after, Lord Ramsay entered my room accompanied by his brother Patrick. To my relief Lord Ramsay and his brother wasted no time in coming to my aid. They reached down to take hold of Lord Simon with force. But Lord Ramsay was to go further. His eyes were dark and thunderous as his countenance was full of volatile temper and disgust. I gave a jump when his fist struck Lord Simon's jaw and nose drawing blood.

Lord Simon fell sharply against Lord Ramsay's brother Patrick who steadied him. He glared at him and wiped his mouth.

'I thought you didn't care about her? She was just a means to getting your sister back? You said I could have her.'

Lord Ramsay was breathing hard.

'No I said you could have her for a wife if her brother didn't return my sister.'

'What's the difference. We both know he isn't going to come back. For all we know they have eloped and are now married. Just give her to me and get your revenge or do I count you as a rival for Lady Dashwood's affections after all?'

'Get out. If I find you in her room again or anywhere near her, I will make you regret the day you were born. Do you understand?' Lord Ramsay shouted making me jump once more.

'I think I have my answer,' Lord Simon snapped wiping his mouth with the back of his hand once more. He began to walk towards the door but stopped to address Lord Ramsay again, 'You won't have her. She is mine and I will take severe action against anyone who attempts to take her from me.'