Snippet #1658890

It was not often that Captain Dashwood LeFevre Mesurier, Fifth Earl of Beddington. Feared swordsman, famed duelist, enfent terible of the poetry world, renowned womanizer, war-hero, crack-shot, carouser, hero of the prize ring, and wit - (a pause is inserted here, gentle reader, lest you should be reading this aloud and need to draw breath) - it was not often that he was nonplussed. But now was such a time...

He stood, helpless. In any second, the rapacious and predatory Lady Charmaine was going to drag him off towards the oleanders - (and even Harry, who knew nothing about botany, knew what that meant!) and there was not a thing he could do about it. Had it been a person of his own gender who was attempting to impose his will, Beddington could have dealt with the situation easily. By means of sword, fist or wit he would have sent his kidnapper packing. But a lady...

It was not done to refuse. And furthermore, how could he do so, without getting Lady Lynette (who was obviously intimidated by her mother) into trouble? Even if he made some attempt to protect her, it could only serve to humiliate his love, by emphasizing that she, a grown woman, could not stand up to her parent.

He stole a glance at Lynette - he sensed that this girl was going to have to make a stand. Either that or slink away defeated - and leave him to the tender mercy of the Lady Charmaine. And his "ghost" was no help - the voice was as silent and helpless as he. Its one phrase:

Shit, that bitch sssoooooo thinks she's a cougar

Did not seem to be of much help, even though Beddington he was on the fringe of being half way to understanding it.

So he stood, helpless, watching developments, feeling the grip of Lady Charmaine on his shoulder like an ague, and trying not to see the look of helpless defeat in Lady Lynette's beautiful eyes.