A Wager for Love by Caroline Courtney Page B

all of ten thousand guineas,” she gasped, outrage overcoming her fear.
    “Perhaps you have a fancy for emeralds then?” asked Lavinia grimly.
    The masked face turned briefly in her direction. “Not your emeralds, Madam.”
    Her cheeks burned afresh at his tone, but she had no time to say more for Lady Elizabeth was asking in bewilderment, “What do you want then?,’ A sudden thought struck her. “Oh never say you are one of those odious Mohocks come to hold us up for a wager?”
    Lavinia felt rather than saw his smile.
    “You are becoming a little warmer, My Lady. However, I fear I cannot waste time whilst we play guessing games, much though I am enjoying our conversation. I shall therefore satisfy your curiosity.”
    Lavinia felt her throat constrict with fear, as she sensed the menacing intent behind the seemingly casual words.
    “It is your cousin I want, and indeed mean to have.”
    Lavinia clenched her teeth on her lip to prevent it trembling, as Lady Elizabeth fell back, her body shaking with indignation. “What manner of robbery is this?” she asked.
    “I shall not go,” announced Lavinia, fixing her eyes on the intruder, determined not to let him undermine what was left of her courage, only to gasp in dismay as the muzzle of a pistol was placed against Lady Elizabeth’s temple, the man’s eyes hardening.
    “Oh, but I think you will, Madam,” said the man softly, this time making no attempt to hide the menace of his words, “otherwise Lady Elizabeth…”
    There was no need to say more. Lady Elizabeth shuddered, her terrified eyes clinging to Lavinia’s face. “Have mercy, Sir, I implore you,” she pleaded.
    The man laughed mockingly. “If you knew me, Madam, you would know better than to ask for mercy. I am not known for possessing such a quality.”
    The dull metal of the pistol glinted malevolently against Lady Elizabeth’s skin, as her tremors grew, and Lavinia’s lips tightened in a hard line. There was no doubt that he meant what he said. He turned again to Lavinia. “Well, Miss Davenham.”
    She avoided his gaze, feeling as though the cold eyes could penetrate her mind and read her thoughts. Holding her head high, she asked coldly, “What alternative do I have?”
    He acknowledged her words with a smile. “None, I fear. It is either me or death.”
    Despite herself she could not repress a small shudder, her eyes widening slightly in horror, but nevertheless she managed to ask stiffly, “And if I choose death?”
    There was a momentary silence and his eyes narrowed. When he spoke again his voice was colder than she had ever heard it before, “That, Miss Davenham, would be exceedingly foolish, both for yourself and for Lady Elizabeth.”
    Lavinia bit her lip, acknowledging to herself the truth of his words; she could not endanger her cousin.
    Seeing Lavinia’s pale, set face, Lady Elizabeth interrupted hastily, “I had heard you highwaymen were vastly chivalrous. Has the honour of two poor females no meaning for you?”
    “None at all.” rejoined the other coolly. “However, if it puts your mind at rest, I mean your cousin no harm.” His teeth flashed in a mocking smile as he caught Lavinia’s contemptuous glance.
    “I don’t understand,” whispered Lady Elizabeth, the terror still plain upon her face, as she glanced nervously at the pistol.
    “All in due time. Lady Elizabeth, and now, Miss Davenham, I fear we are wasting time.”
    “And you have no desire to be interrupted,” she flashed back at him.
    He inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement. “I see we understand one another. Now if you are ready …”
    Temper gleamed afresh in her eyes at this parody of courtesy, and instinctively she shrank back against the cushions but to no avail. An unpleasantly strong arm gripped her firmly round the waist, making a mockery of her struggles. His breath was a cold whisper against her hair, “Come, Madam, you are making yourself foolish and it will accomplish nothing, but