“To look after my daughter, of course,” he said. “It would not be fitting for her to pay a call upon an unmarried gentleman without a proper escort.”
Juliette sent her father a grateful look. “Now, if you will please bring my husband here, we can sort this out.”
“Can we? And how will we do that? Those crofters you’re protecting were responsible for my wool stores being burned.”
“Just as you were responsible for our house being burned?” she countered. “Whatever happened to your wool was not our doing. You brought it upon yourself.”
Strathland’s face went cold. “I have evidence to the contrary. Your husband was involved in a raid that set the fires.”
“It’s a lie,” she insisted. “We weren’t even in Ballaloch when that happened.”
But from the dark look in his expression, she could tell he didn’t believe her. In his twisted mind, he wanted to blame Paul for all of it. “He will be brought up on charges and held accountable for my losses.” His expression was cool, his countenance bitter.
“Come, Juliette,” her father said. “If he will not release Lord Falsham, then we have charges of our own to press.” He crossed his arms, and Juliette was grateful for his intervention. Though she didn’t want to leave Paul here, it was part of her father’s strategy, and she trusted him.
“You aren’t going anywhere,” Strathland said. “We haven’t finished discussing the terms.”
“You may not have finished, butIhave,” she countered, turning to walk back with her father. Before she moved two steps, she sensed movement behind her. She glanced over in time to see Strathland reach into his coat pocket. A pistol glinted in the light, and he pulled the trigger. Her father crumpled to the floor, blood spilling out from his leg.
She gave a cry and rushed to him, pulling out a handkerchief. Never had she expected Strathland to shoot a family member, and her rage trebled. How could he? She tried to stanch the blood with the handkerchief, but the moment she touched the wound on his left calf, her father lost consciousness. Dear God, was he going to be all right? A rush of panic roared through her. He couldn’t be wounded like this. Not by Strathland’s hand.
“Why would you do this?” she demanded.
“To prove a point,” Strathland said calmly, loading another bullet. “That I won’t allow you to control me in any way.” He stretched out his hand, beckoning to her. “You’re coming with me now. We’re going to speak with the man who calls himself your husband.”
“Heismy husband,” Juliette said, still trying to stop the bleeding. Her mind harked back to the moment when Paul had been unable to save the wounded crofter, and she prayed her father would not meet the same fate. The wound was in his calf, and she didn’t think it was too bad. But the flesh was ragged and torn open by the bullet.
“You made a mistake in marrying Fraser. You belong to me and always have,” the earl said calmly. “And I will no longer allow you to make your own decisions. You will do as I order, if you value the lives of those you love.”
All of the pent-up rage flooded her veins. His arrogance held no bounds. “I willneverbelong to you, Lord Strathland. Never.”
“You will,” he insisted. “Unless you want your husband to die a painful death.” His smug expression revealed his intentions. He fully intended to torment Paul until she did exactly as he commanded.
This man had pulled the strings of her life for so long, forcing her to do his will. She’d lived in the shadow of fear, losing herself and her own dreams. And suddenly, she saw the madness beneath. He thrived upon controlling others, believing it made him superior. But no longer would she play that game.
“No.” She straightened, meeting his gaze fully. “I won’t be used like that. You hold no power over me.”
“Don’t I?” He held up the loaded pistol, nodding toward her wounded father.
No. He didn’t. Strangely, her fear had dissipated. Lord Strathland could indeed pull the trigger. But ending their lives would accomplish nothing.
Slowly, she took a step toward him. “You can shoot me, if that’s your wish. And then you’ll have nothing at all.” Another step forward, until she stood with the pistol pointed directly at her heart. She held her breath, forcing herself to bluff. “I’m not afraid to die.”
It wasn’t true, but if he’d gone to all of this trouble to lure her here, he likely wasn’t planning to kill her. At this moment, she had nothing at all to lose by confronting him. She would fight for her husband’s life.
“I like the way you fight me,” he said, his voice edged with lust. “I’ll let all of them go, if you give yourself over to me,” he said, his eyes burning with madness. “One word… and I’ll take you away from here. We’ll live somewhere far away.”
He believed in that fantasy, of possessing her. There could be no reasoning with a madman. “I know that I can be… intimidating.” His hand cupped her cheek, and his brown eyes darkened with desire. “But it’s only because I am strong-willed. I’ll take care of you, and you, in turn, will learn to love me. Especially when you’ve come to accept your place as my wife.”
The look in his eyes was dangerous, and an unbidden fear took root. His hand moved down to her throat, his thumb caressing.
She said nothing, understanding that his vanity was the key to Paul’s freedom. “Put the weapon down,” she said softly. “You don’t need it.”
“No. I don’t.” He set the pistol down and seized her arm, dragging her to him. He gripped her shoulders tightly, and the shock of his touch reawakened a thousand nightmares through her. Juliette clenched her teeth against the fear, reminding herself that she was not alone. There were others who could help her.
“I took you once before,” the earl said hotly. “You haven’t the strength to fight against me.”
Not then, she didn’t. But she did now.
