She caught one sentence in a familiar, purring voice: "Set them loose and tie this to the pummel." Then there was silence.
Presently she heard footsteps returning. An indistinguishable murmur from Harper, and the door opened to allow his Grace of Andover to enter the coach. It gave a lurch and rumbled on.
Tracy looked down with a slight smile into the gold-flecked eyes that blazed so indignantly into his.
"A thousand apologies, Miss Beauleigh! Allow me to remove this scarf."
As he spoke he untied the knot, and the silk fell away from her face.
For a moment she was silent, struggling for words wherewith to give vent to her fury; then the red lips parted and the small, white teeth showed, clenched tightly together.
"You cur!" she flung at him in a panting undertone. "Oh, you cur!-you coward! Undo my hands!"
"With pleasure." He bowed and busied himself with this tighter knot.
"Pray, accept my heartfelt apologies for incommoding you so grievously. I am sure that you will admit the necessity."
"Oh, that there were a man here to avenge me!" she raged.
His Grace tugged at the stubborn knot.
"There are three outside," he answered blandly. "But I do not think they are like to oblige you."
He removed her bonds and sat back in the corner, enjoying her. His eyes fell on her bruised wrists, and at once his expression changed, and he frowned, leaning forward.
"Believe me, I did not mean that," he said, and touched her hands.
She flung him off.
"Do not touch me!"
"I beg your pardon, my dear." He leaned back again nonchalantly.
"Where are you taking me?" she demanded, trying to conceal the fear in her voice.
"Home," replied his Grace.
"Home!" Incredulously she turned to look at him, hope in her eyes.
"Home," he reiterated. "Our home."
The hope died out.
"You are ridiculous, sir."
"'Tis an art, my dear, most difficult to acquire."
"Sir-Mr. Everard-whoever you are-if you have any spark of manliness in you, of chivalry, if you care for me at all, you will this instant set me down!"
Never had she seemed more beautiful, more desirable. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, soft and luminous, and the tragic mouth pleaded, even trying to smile.
"It would appear that none of these attributes belongs to me," murmured his Grace, and wondered if she would weep. He had never a taste for a weeping woman.
But Diana was proud. She realised that tears, prayers and all would avail her nothing, and she was determined not to break down, at least in his presence. Tracy was surprised to see her arrange her skirts and settle back against the cushions in the most unconcerned manner possible.