“Let me go, let me go!” Rowena’s voice hollered in desperation.
“Rowena,” he called up the stairs. “I am coming for you!” He did not know how he was to defeat the man who was guarding her, nor the other servants who were certain to have been instructed to prevent her from leaving. It did not matter. In this moment, all that mattered was that he got to her. Once they were within proximity, they would find a way. They always did.
Christopher raced passed a young girl and took the steps two at a time until he was on the second-floor landing.
The man-mountain had lifted her to her feet and was holding onto her arm.
“Let go of her at once. I, Christopher Newmont, Duke of Westmond, order you to let her go immediately or I will bring the entire Peerage down upon you and all you hold near and dear.”
“You will give no orders, not in my house. Not to my servants.” The voice of an older woman came. A moment later, he saw her. She was an elderly, short woman, dressed in a sapphire-blue dress that was from a much earlier time period. It was set with a variety of diamonds, giving her a majestic appearance. The Dowager Duchess of Thornmouth, no doubt.
“You will pay for this. You will pay for what you have doneto Lady Rowena.”
“That’s ‘Your Grace’ to you. I am the Mother of the Duke of Thornmouth, and I will be addressed by my proper title.”
He stared at her for a moment and noted the resemblance. She even had the same, odd twitch in her mouth as her son.
“Your Grace, then. You will pay for what you have done, regardless of your title and station. And so will your son. Now, let her go. Let her go at once and I will request that the punishment will be lighter than it otherwise will certainly be.”
She tilted her head backwards and laughed.
“I think not.” She then turned to somebody behind her. “Hector, Peter, take His Grace into our safekeeping. My son will be returning shortly, and he will decide what to do with him then.” Her gaze then fell to the young maid who’d followed him up. “Take her, too.”
“Your Grace, please!” The girl’s voice was pitiful.
“You need not beg for my forgiveness this time, Sabrine. You have betrayed me more than once this day and I will not forget it. Not after everything I’ve done for you. Take her back to her chamber. Lock the door.”
Two young men stepped forward, looking from the maid to Christopher and back. The uncertainty on their faces was evident. They knew well that taking a Duke into their custody was not only boorish, it was unheard of, and might indeed bring grave charges against them in the future.
Taking advantage of their hesitation, Christopher shook his head at them. “You must know what an unsavory man you work for. And evidently his Mother is much the same. However, you do not have to do this, men. Step away. Let me take my bride and leave. I will ensure no punishment will be bestowed upon any of you.”
The two men hesitated and looked at one another. A pinch of hope instilled itself into Christopher’s body when–
“Your bride!” A familiar, deep male voice came from behind him and Christopher rolled his eyes.
Of course, he would show up right now. Christopher darted around to look into the face of none other than the Duke of Thornmouth himself.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” he spat at him at once. “Trying to force a young woman into marriage by kidnapping her? That is below even you.”
“Is it now? I am simply trying to claim what I was promised. I am trying to save the woman I love from the spell you have placed upon her. I am trying to restore her to the lady I knew her to be. You have turned her beautiful head around and confused her. Damaged her. I intend to undo all of that. And when I am done, she will wed me gladly. And thank me for my patience.”
“He has placed no spell on me, only helped me see. Helped me stand up for myself,” Rowena shouted. “It is you who has damaged me. You who kidnapped me and left me alone, locked in a windowless dungeon.”
A look of genuine regret crossed his face. The glare on his face was replaced by a mild smile. He raised his hands as if asking forgiveness.
“I am sorry for any inconvenience I have caused you and any suffering I may have instilled upon you. It was not my intention. However, over the past few days, you have misunderstood me and my intentions numerous times.” He shook his head. “I was only trying to do what is best for you, for me, and for your friend.” Suddenly, his expression changed from kind to furious once more as his head whipped around to look at Christopher.
“If it weren’t for you, all would be well. Rowena and I would be wed without any of this upheaval. Elizabeth Carmichael would be at her position in Bedfordshire, learning her proper place. Servants belong with masters. That is how it has always been. We look after them, and in turn, we have their loyalty. You have interfered with that.”
“I asked your help and you refused to give it. What kind of man does such a thing?” Rowena hissed.
“Now, I will not have my son spoken to in such a manner,” the Duchess made her presence known.
“Mother,” Thornmouth said impatiently. “Please, return to your chamber. You do not need to witness this. Peter, go with her and make sure she is safe.”
The Duchess wanted to protest but Thornmouth’s glare stopped her. Without a further word, she left, accompanied by one relieved looking footman.
“Now, old as my Mother may be, she is right. It is unseemly for you to address me in such a manner, Rowena. However, that will soon be remedied. I know you are well aware that a wife belongs to her husband and must do as he commands. A husband knows best. And if he,” he glared at Christopher, “had not interfered, you’d not have forgotten it.”
