His plan was what Nicholas and she haddiscussed for a long time. Now the pieces were starting to fit.
“What happened? Why didn’t the Rutland’sdie?” She already knew the answer. Delay him as much aspossible.
The Duke of Westbrook drew back his fist andpunched the pillow. Alexandra flinched.
“A delay by that bitch, Abigail. LordRichard and Anthony grew impatient and departed before I orderedthe fire bombs thrown into the laboratory. We were successful indrugging and kidnapping Nicholas and Abigail. Percy and Cuthbertmanaged their seizures. We took them to the docks and I paidanother huge sum to have two ships depart with them…to have themsuffer and die.”
“Who killed Percy?”
“I had one of my men stationed in Boston todo the trick.”
“What about Cuthbert, who killed him?”
As long as she kept up the questioning, shewas safe. He liked bragging about his crimes.
“I had Rachel abducted to lure Anthony to anabandon sea captain’s house. They were tied up and the house setfire but they made a device to escape. Cuthbert failed, so I shothim. I couldn’t have him shooting off his big mouth and directingthe authorities to me.
“I did it all for you, Lucretia,” he saidwith adoration. “So, we could be together.”
Alexandra licked her lips. Her life dependedon her acting ability. “My Lord, I cannot imagine the torment youhave been through all this time”
“But you are not Lucretia. She’s dead. Whoare you?”
His black eye focused on her as he wavedbetween what was real and what was the past. Would he kill her?Think.
“My dear Cornelius, remember that first timewe met when you were attending Cambridge? Remember that lovelyafternoon we laughed and had tea?”
“To think of all the lonely years withoutyou, my darling, Lucretia.”
Alexandra breathed deeply. Her trick worked.“Anthony, Abigail, Nicholas and Duke Richard survived. What is nextfor them?”
“Don’t worry your pretty head. My minddelights with endless possibilities.”
Alexandra winced. The man’s life wasdedicated to destroying the Rutland’s. Lady Ursula Sutherland andWillean paled in comparison for their treachery.
His upper lip curled. “I hate all of them.Why are you marrying Nicholas, Lucretia?”
He started to wave into the present again.“I waited for you to rescue me, Cornelius. I was powerless.”
“That is why I abducted you. It was for yourown good. But you did have devotion to him.”
“You know I was powerless.”
“Such wisdom you’ve gained over your years,my lovely. I confess I am pleased with the way it all has turnedout. I had a note sent to Belvoir for when Duke Richard andNicholas return. They will be frantic. They will not have a verynice end, I think.”
Outrage strengthened her body and voice.“And your accomplice, Lord Drummond, he helped you in all of this?”She wanted to eliminate all possible enemies.
Lord Westbrook shoved her so she fell on thebed. “Oh dear, your poor head must be muddled if you believe Iwould have anything to do with Lord Drummond. He is a fool, but soconvenient to pin the blame.”
He crawled across the mattress until he wason top of her. “How long have I waited to discover what tastyconfection is tucked between your thighs.”
Alexandra did not bother screaming. Herfingers curved into a tight fist and she struck him. The blowglanced off his cheekbone. Westbrook grabbed her wrist before shecould land another blow.
“Nasty bitch!”
She cried out as he squeezed, grinding herdelicate bones together.
“Why are you doing this?” she wailed. “Whywould you want to hurt Lucretia?” It was like another individualhad emerged, a more violent one.
