“I won’t take His Grace’s children. Just your daughter, Josie.” Duncan shifted from foot to foot, not looking at Josephine.
“Fine, you imbecile, just my daughter…and Lady Julia.” Josephine said the last part as if toying with a trapped prey.
Julia went cold all over. She had no desire to go with that horrible woman, but if she were with them, she could protect Emily. At least the boys would be safe at home.
“I don’t want to go with them, Aunt Julia. Aunt Livie will miss me.” Emily trembled behind Julia’s skirts.
“It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.” She crouched down and smoothed back the girl’s white-blonde hair, her mind instantly thinking of Henry and the happiness they shared.
He would come for her.
“I don’t want Emily to go.” Teddy clutched the little girl to him.
“Stay here, Teddy. Once we’re gone, go get help,” Julia whispered urgently to the little boy who nodded through tears.
Duncan walked over, grabbed her arm, and pushed her toward Josephine then picked up Emily. “You’re going to be with your mother now, little one.”
“She’s not my mother,” Emily cried in a weak voice.
“Give her the brat. I need you free in case we have company,” Josephine commanded.
Duncan passed Emily over, and Julia held the little girl tightly. “We’ll be fine. We just have to stay calm. Can you do that for me?” Julia forced a smile, hoping to soothe the little girl. She’d already been through so much.
Josephine jerked her head toward the door. “If you scream, I will kill you.”
Fear gripped Julia. Small bumps pebbled her flesh, and she held Emily closer, needing to protect her. Josephine meant the threat, but Julia would not let her win. She swallowed her terror and kept a vigilant eye as they left the nursery. As soon as an opportunity to escape presented itself, she would take it.
They moved down the stairs without seeing anyone. The family quarters were empty. Practically every servant was assisting with the ball, but she hoped a stray person would appear. Then again, Josephine would not hesitate to use the revolver on anyone who intruded on her plan. The woman was focused on getting revenge, but why?
“Why are you doing this, Josephine? We both know Emily is not your daughter.” Julia hoped to delay their journey through the large home, wishing that Henry would come. Once they reached the streets of London, it could take Henry years to find them, if ever.
“I lost everything because of that brat, your cousin, and that whore.” Josephine sneered and poked Julia in the shoulder with the revolver. “I shall get my revenge on all of them, including my oaf of an ex-husband. I have a buyer for the girl. You see some men have a very particular taste—”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Julia whirled around and locked eyes with the heartless bitch behind her.
“I would dare, and I will add you to the deal for another thousand pounds.”
“You’re despicable.” Julia’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t allow this evil woman to sell Emily. She had to do something.
“Thank you. I would’ve killed your saint of a cousin if Duncan hadn’t botched the carriage accident.”
“You tried to kill Livie, again?” Julia growled, wanting nothing better than to attack the vile woman. But she couldn’t while holding Emily.
Livie was the one person that had never did anything mean to anyone. She loved with her whole heart, and this woman tried to take her from this world. Julia saw red. She wanted to murder Josephine Middleton.
“Don’t think about it.” Josephine pointed the pistol at Emily’s head.
Julia clutched the little girl to her and whispered in her ear, “When I put you down, I want you to run.”
Emily nodded, and Julia knew that she understood.
“I need a moment.” Julia bent down and placed Emily on the floor. “Run!”
As soon as Emily’s little feet touched the upholstered carpet, Julia lurched forward, attacking Josephine. She frantically went after the hand holding the gun, needing to disarm the hateful woman.
Julia clawed the flesh that gripped the revolver. She pushed Josephine into the wall, causing several paintings to fall around them. Hope sprang in her that someone would hear the commotion and come.
Henry would come.
