Alesbury was first to reach the mews behind the Edgerton townhouse, but Edgerton was quick on his heels and gave orders to saddle two stallions. It didn’t take long before the two men were galloping out of London on the Great North Road to Scotland.
After traveling for more than an hour, Alesbury pulled back on the reins, and Edgerton pulled up beside him.
“Why are you stopping?” he demanded. “We need to make haste if we’re to catch them.”
“I fear that we’ve been duped into thinking Carlisle’s taking her north. He may have her in London still and merely be waiting for her disappearance to become known. What better way to force her into marriage than to have gossip spread that he spent the night alone with her?”
Edgerton rubbed his chin, thinking over Alesbury’s words. Alesbury was a seasoned spy, and his theory could very well be correct. “You may be right, although I’m loath to give up looking for her in this direction.”
“We would have overtaken their carriage by now. We need to get back to London. He’s hidden her somewhere, and if he’s hurt her in any way, I’ll kill him. That’s my betrothed he’s kidnapped.”
“Betrothed?”
“Yes, we’d planned to tell you once she returned to the ballroom. We must find her. She’s my heart and soul.”
“I understand. Let’s find Bishop—he’s been watching Carlisle’s warehouse at the docks of late and may have seen him,” Edgerton said. The two men turned their horses around and raced back toward London.
VIOLET TRIED TO OPENher eyes, but she felt adrift in a sea of nothingness. She struggled to regain consciousness and was sorry when she was finally able to open her eyes fully. What had happened to her? Where was she? She lay on a hard cot, and the pungent smell of the Thames invaded her senses. When she tried to sit up, she found that her wrists were bound. A squeak escaped her lips as the precariousness of her situation became clear. Why would someone take her?
“I see you’ve finally awakened,” said a voice over her shoulder. “You’ve been out for more than three hours, and it’s been quite unappealing waiting for you to awaken.”
She turned her head to see who was talking to her, but she couldn’t see anyone. The darkness inside the building was near complete. “Who are you? Why have you brought me here?”
“So many questions,” the voice said, coming closer with a candle that spread weak light to reveal Lord Carlisle.
“Lord Carlisle?”
He gave her an exaggerated bow. “At your service, my lady.”
“What have you done? What do you mean to do to me?”
“Patience, my dear. All will be revealed in good time.”
“I’m not your dear,” she said, trying to keep the panic from her voice. “How dare you address me so? Untie me at once or you’ll suffer my brother’s wrath.”
Carlisle laughed. “Oh, I fully expect to suffer Edgerton’s wrath, but it will be to no avail. Once word leaks out that you spent the evening alone with me, you’ll be ruined. I’ll be sure to confirm the story, and you can expect a wedding to follow shortly thereafter. You’ll agree to be my wife, and there’s nothing Edgerton can do about it if he doesn’t want you to be scorned by Society.”
“I’ll never marry you!”
“Oh, I believe you will. Your brother has ruined everything for me, and now it’s his turn to suffer at my hands. What do you think the scandal will do to your sisters’ future prospects? Do you wish to bring ruin upon them as well?”
“You vile man! You don’t have to do this. My brother will pay you.”
“There’s no amount he could pay that would be sweeter than this.”
“You’ll not get away with this. Alesbury will find me.”
“Oh, now it’s Alesbury who’ll rescue you, is it? You think he’ll want you after I’ve enjoyed the pleasure of your sweet body? Somehow, I think not. Men are fickle that way.”
Violet shivered at Carlisle’s lust-filled look and tried to melt against the wall behind her. “Please reconsider. My brother will pay whatever you demand.”
“I have no need for a ransom. Your handsome dowry will soon be mine and having me as a brother-in-law is the best revenge against Edgerton I can think of. Can you imagine a dinner engagement with all of us present together?” Carlisle chuckled. “Oh yes, this is the perfect way to make your brother pay for the harm he’s caused me this past year.”
Tears leaked from Violet’s eyes as Carlisle closed in on her. She was ruined and about to suffer Carlisle’s lust. There was no escaping her horrible fate.
Please find me, Alesbury, my love.
Chapter 18
