For a moment, she considered threatening to scream, anything to coax him into taking her, but then decided it was too far. She could not bring herself to manipulate the man in that way.
There was a hesitation, as if Seth Colborne considered the idea. Then, he sighed loudly.
“I cannot. I am sorry to hear of your predicament, but I could not do it. I suspect you are in your cups. By the time you are sober, it is a request you might regret. I wish you luck, Lady Charity.” A light touch brushed her shoulder. She supposed it was his way of trying to show a mark of respect, rather than bowing this time.
The door handle turned and whipped open, then he was gone. As he left, Charity noticed the scent of the air shifted too. The rich scent of musk and sandalwood faded away.
I knew the air was different in here. I thought it was my senses playing tricks on me.
She backed up, tottering a bit on her feet. The red wine had had an effect on her, but she was still strangely calm as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
I am trapped. I shall have to marry Baron Tynefield after all. And there is nothing left to do.
A frown touched her face. But before it could truly mar her features, a light tap sounded at the door.
“He is back,” she whispered, thinking only of the stranger in her chamber. She hastened to the door and flung it open. “I–”
“Your father has asked me to fetch you.” The sibilant voice had her insides squirming in fear.
It was not Seth Colborne. It was Baron Tynefield.
“I cannot come down tonight. My apologies, but I am unwell.” She tried to shut the door, but she felt it thud against something heavy and then thrust back toward her.
Forced backward, Charity scrambled away as Baron Tynefield barged his way into her chamber. His steps were sharp on the ground as he marched toward her.
“I will not have a disobedient wife, Charity,” he growled.
She reached for her vanity table, hurrying around it to put it between them. The last time she had been alone with Baron Tynefield was in the garden some weeks ago. When they had lost their chaperone, he had grasped so tightly at her waist, it had left her in no doubt about what his intentions were.
“I heard you were in your cups.” Baron Tynefield leered at her over the table. She could smell the stench of scotch on his breath. It seemed she was not the only one. “Perhaps now is a good time to show you what is expected of you when you will be my wife.”
“Leave,” she hissed. “Leave at once.”
A hand reached for her across the table.
Charity veered back, trying to escape its grasp, but it was too quick. The Baron rounded the vanity, taking hold of her wrist and jerking her toward him.
“Release me!” she shouted the words, not afraid to scream now if it would get her out of here. He slapped a hand forcefully over her mouth – quite unlike the stranger had done a few moments before. This grasp was stony and unyielding, his nails digging so tightly into her cheeks that she feared it might scar her.
“You will lay down and take what you have to, as a dutiful wife.” He moved her across the room.
“Hmm!” She scrambled to be free, trying to kick against him. She lashed out with her hands in any way that she could, trying to force him off her, but he was too strong. His great girth of stomach veered over her as she neared the bed. She bit down on his hand, determined to be free, and tasted blood.
“Ah! Hardly obedient,” he scoffed, pulling back his hand. “You’ll learn. You will.” He pushed her onto the bed. “They eventually do,” he snarled.
She reached for the headboard, desperate to pull herself away, but he grabbed her ankle and jerked her down again, so she was flat on the bed.
“No!” she screamed loudly.
There was a sudden thwack, a sound of skin hitting skin. Charity sat up on the bed, scrambling back as quickly as she could until her back hit the headboard. A heavy thud followed, and it sounded as if a large body hit the floor.
“What… what’s going on?” Charity whispered into the darkness, praying that someone would answer her.
The scent returned, the comforting one, of sandalwood and musk.
“He won’t be getting up anytime soon.” It was Seth Colborne’s voice.
“You?” she breathed in astonishment to the air.
