So that was his game. “Why do you think he is not fetching the police? You did kidnap me after all.” Adele was quite impressed with how reasonable and calm she sounded, despite the churning going on in her belly.
“You came willingly. And I told him not to.”
“Oh, well. Unassailable logic.”
Before she knew it had happened, she felt the sting of his hand slapping her face. She nearly toppled over onto her side but managed to stay sitting upright.
“He’ll come,” Collingswood said. “Those imbeciles he spends time with, Waring and his other school chums, will likely come with him.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Ah, there they are now.”
Adele squirmed against her bindings again. She watched Collingswood leave the room. Did he not have servants? It didn’t appear so; she hadn’t seen a soul except for Collingswood since they entered this house.
There was a bit of a ruckus outside the door to the parlor, but Adele couldn’t see what was happening from where she was sitting. She tried to scoot closer to the door and caught the profile of a willowy man with curly hair—the Marquess of Beresford. Why was he here?
“Now, before you become violent,” Beresford said, “I am to tell you that His Grace has sent me as a delegate of sorts. I am to negotiate with you for the release of the duchess.”
“Why you?”
Beresford stood tall and proud and said, “I am a neutral party. I could best argue dispassionately for an agreeable solution to this spot of bother.”
Collingswood practically growled, “Why didn’t that coward Swynford come himself?”
“Couldn’t be bothered. Don’t believe everything you read in the scandal sheets, Collingswood. There’s no love match here. Swynford married her out of pity. He had ruined her, after all. Aristocratic men never know when to keep it in their breeches.”
Adele felt crushed, until she realized this might be a ruse. She knew Hugh too well to believe he didn’t value her. He’d said he loved her, in fact, and she’d believed him. Beresford acting as though none of that were true must have been the first volley of the war to rescue her.
That also meant Hugh could be walking into certain danger. Collingswood had a gun tucked into his breeches. It was hidden by his coat now, but she’d seen him put it there.
She cursed silently and pulled at her bindings again.
“Let me see the duchess so I can make sure she’s all right,” said Beresford.
“She’s fine. What are you trying to tell me?”
“Swynford is not coming. He values the land in Kent more than he does his wife. Have you any idea what that tract is worth?”
“You’re jesting.”
“Come now. You know how ruthless the Baxter men can be. You are one yourself, are you not? Trust me, I spend enough time around Swynford to know that all he cares about is money and power. His ruthlessness is how he became so successful. And he doesn’t want a slimy eel like yourself to have that land. I believe those were close to his exact words.”
While Beresford continued to talk, Adele leaned to the side to try to hear. She nearly toppled over, the bindings keeping her from being able to balance her body well. A noise off to the side distracted her. She turned and saw Owen creeping into the room.
“We have to get out of here,” he whispered. “Come on.”
Adele turned to show Owen her tied hands. “I haven’t been able to stand.”
Owen nodded and walked forward on tip toes. The floor creaked, but Beresford’s voice had grown quite loud, so hopefully Collingswood didn’t hear. Owen helped Adele to her feet but didn’t untie her hands. He led her toward the back of the house, but when they were nearly there, Collingswood shouted, “Stop!”
“I didn’t think it would be that easy,” muttered Owen. “Well, time for Plan B.”
Collingswood pulled out his gun and pointed it at Owen. Adele’s heart leapt to her throat. She didn’t know if Collingswood had the courage to use the gun or not, but she didn’t want to take any chances. “Please be calm, my lord,” she said, sounding as serene as she could.
“No. Swynford will surrender that land to me, or I will kill you! Then I will go to his house and killhim. Then it willallbe mine, as it always should have been.”
While Collingswood’s focus was on Owen and Adele, Beresford crept back toward the door. Since there were no servants to stop him, he slipped out the front door of the house. Adele wondered if he was running out on them now.
