was temptation which wove through the heated air. She'd have to marry him, and she wanted him, now. Hunger. She hadn't recognized it before.
She backed away.
"Amy," he said and held out a hand.
She turned and fled.
She did not look, just ran, gasping. She collided with a hard body. Hands grasped and steadied her.
"Miss de Lacy," said Lord Randal. "Are you all right?"
Amy collapsed against him, heart thudding. "No."
He held her for a moment, then pushed her gently away so he could look at her. He was very sober for one so lighthearted. "What has happened?"
Amy took a deep breath. She knew what he thought. "If I said Harry and I had... committed an indiscretion, you'd say we had to get married, wouldn't you?"
"The world would."
"You wouldn't?"
His earlier somberness had gone and he looked, if anything, amused. "It would depend, I suppose, on the indiscretion, the consequences, and the feelings you share."
She might have known she'd get no sane answers from these people. They were all mad. Amy turned away. "Nothing happened," she said flatly.
"That is a lie."
She turned sharply, guiltily, "What do you mean?"
He just smiled, shook his head, and gently rearranged her bodice. "Let me escort you out of here."
She went willingly. Perhaps once out of the strange world of narrow green paths she could find sanity again.
In a little while he said, "This wasn't planned, Miss de Lacy."
"What wasn't?"
"Today. I admit we connived a little to bring you and Harry together at the ball. We all thought you'd both be better to get one another out of your systems. But today, well it was Rowanford's idea to invite you, and he was supported by Clyta. Now I think I see why. I noted the way you've tried to help her. Thank you."
"She's my friend. She'd do as much for me."
"We all would," he said gently.
Amy looked at him in surprise and swallowed tears. It was all too much. "I am an unscrupulous fortune hunter, Lord Randal. Your kindness is misguided."
He smiled with amazing sweetness. "I don't think so."
They had reached an exit, and they passed out into open spaces and clean air. Amy shuddered as reality invaded and cooled her senses, opening the way for the enormity of what had happened. Lady Templemore was nearby and she hurried over.
Lord Randal spoke first. "I think Miss de Lacy would appreciate returning to the house, Emily, for some peace and a cup of tea."
"Of course. Miss Frogmorton is already there with a cool cloth on her head. The maze does not usually have such a dramatic effect."
"Are the others still inside?" he asked.
"I think so."
"Then I had best go and find Sophie. I'm sure the rest will manage with ease."
"Do you imply Sophie will be having the vapors?" queried Lady Templemore skeptically.
"Of course not," he said with a smile. "I just miss her."
With that he disappeared back into the maze, and Amy followed her hostess toward the house.
"You look a little pale, dear. I do hope it wasn't the maze. It can upset some people. I confess at first I found it strange, but now I like it. It's like entering a separate world."
"Yes, it is," said Amy, adding to herself, An extremely dangerous one.
Amy took tea with Lucy and Lady Templemore, and the others gradually drifted in to join them. Everyone else seemed to have had a merry time, and Clyta and the duke had clearly had some satisfactory encounter there. They both looked dazed but happy. Clyta had found the ladies' prize - a silver fob - and given it to Rowanford without hesitation.
Harry came in last. He had already resumed proper dress and looked sober. He had found the gentlemen's prize, perhaps because none of the others had bothered to look. He considered the ladies thoughtfully, then presented it to his hostess.
She unwrapped the small package to reveal a gold frog brooch with green eyes, which were presumably emeralds. It was a valuable piece but very ugly.
Lady Templemore laughed at her husband. "What a wonderful way of trying to get rid of it, Ver, but you see, it simply won't go away."
"We'll try again," he said with a grin. He explained, "It was given Emily by an eccentric Italian acquaintance of mine, and she's afraid she'll give birth to frogs if she wears it."
The lady protested and there was considerable banter. Lucy looked as if she'd like to faint, and Amy was shocked at the casual way Lord Templemore referred to his wife's condition. No one else