Tying the horse to a convenient bush at the bottom of the steps, Augustus Shackleford was determined to waste no more time and puffed and panted his way up to the front door as quickly as he was able.
However, it was another half an hour before Grace arrived in the small drawing where the Duke’s butler Huntley had placed him and more reluctantly, Freddy, who’d refused to remain outside in the cart. By the time the Duchess arrived, the Reverend was in no mood to be courteous.
Clambering to his feet, he began the conversation with, ‘And don’t think you’re going to wheedle your way out of this one my girl. I am entirely certain your note was a complete Banbury story, and it simply won’t do.’ Then drawing himself up, he puffed out his chest and bellowed, ‘Indeed, Iinsistyou enlighten me this very second as to what the devil has happened to your deuced sister.’
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, stubble it father,’ was Grace’s mild retort, entirely taking the wind out of his sails. ‘Of course, I knew you wouldn’t fall for such a plumper. I’ve been expecting you since dawn.’
∞∞∞
They rode with only brief stops for most of the day. During that time, Gabriel had no opportunity to speak with Hope, and on the few occasions he was freed to take care of his needs, she remained firmly in the grip of one or the other of their abductors. They had been thrown a hard chunk of stale bread to break their fast, together with a few sips of brackish water, but that had been hours ago, and Gabriel was very concerned as he regarded Hope’s drawn weary face. She wasn’t accustomed to hardship such as this. He was undoubtedly faring better due to his misadventures in Spain.
As dusk began to fall, to his relief, their captors finally decided to stop for the night. This time however, there was no hut in which to shelter, and Hope’s pinched face and persistent shivering spoke of someone nearing the end of their endurance. Somehow, he had to get her away from these bloody miscreants.
Seated on ground he looked around him. At first, he thought it unfamiliar, but the more he studied the land, the more convinced he became that they were near to Northwood Court. If he was correct, there was a village just over the hill, back the way they’d come. It would take a mere pair of hours to walk there. He glanced over at a silent Hope, seated across the clearing. She was staring dully at the ground. Did she have the stamina for such a hike? Mayhap after a few hours sleep. He decided to take a chance.
‘As you can see gentlemen, my companion is suffering severely from the cold. If you would allow her to sit next to me, our proximity will engender some warmth into her body.’ He gritted his teeth at the expected lewd response and wasn’t disappointed.
‘I got more ‘n you’ll ever ‘ave to warm the bitch’s bones,’ leered one, while the other chuckled and spoke directly to Hope. ‘Come an’ cuddle up wi us darlin’, we’ll keep yer nice and cosy.’
‘If you wish to use her as extra bargaining power with my cousin,’ Gabriel countered icily, ‘you would do well to ensure she does not contract a fever. A dead hostage is no use at all and may well land you in deeper hot water.’ He paused for a second before adding, ‘As will rape.’
Gabriel knew he was taking a risk by baiting them so, but he had to convince them to allow Hope to share his body heat. He recognised she was on the verge of collapse. ‘My hands are tied behind my back, for pity’s sake,’ he bit out when they failed to move. ‘You can tie us both to that deuced tree if you wish, but if you do not allow her to share my warmth, I believe she will die this night.’ Hope looked up at the word die and for a second the indifference in her expression sent chills shooting down his body.
Fortunately, a few seconds later, one of them shrugged and going over to Hope pulled her roughly to her feet. He tied her hands in front of her, then all but dragged her over to where Gabriel was seated. ‘Any ‘avey cavey business and I’ll bloody finish her meself,’ he snapped, throwing her to the ground. Almost instinctively, Hope shifted towards the Viscount, seeking the meagre warmth of his body. A few seconds later, the second rogue came over and threw some more bread at them. It was so hard, the pieces bounced off Gabriel’s chest and landed in the mud at his feet. ‘Don’t eat it all at once,’ their captor sniggered.
Biting back a scathing response, Gabriel leaned towards Hope who hadn’t shown any reaction to their paltry meal. ‘Can you reach it?’ he asked gently nodding towards the now filthy hunks of bread. At the sound of his voice, she looked over at him. ‘We both need to eat Miss Shackleford. It’s hardly the finest fare, but at this stage anything in our bellies is better than nothing.’
She regarded the bread silently for a second, then bent forward and gathered up both pieces in her cupped hands. Turning back to Gabriel, she held out her hands to him. ‘Dinner is served my lord,’ she whispered drily, ‘and I think, given the circumstances, you may now call me Hope.’
At her words, Gabriel felt a surge of relief so strong, he almost groaned. Indeed, when it was followed by an even stronger upwelling of affection, he had to stifle an almost desperate need to lean forward and kiss her.
‘Hope,’ he amended, unable to contain an almost boyish grin. She was going to be alright. He had feared her too far into the megrims to pull herself back, but he should have realised she was made of sterner stuff.
‘Food for the gods,’ he murmured wryly, biting into the dry crust she held to his mouth and chewing determinedly.
‘Provided they’re not very hungry,’ responded Hope, half-heartedly taking a bite of her own piece.
For the next few minutes, they concentrated on getting the stale bread down. Hope alternated between feeding the Viscount and herself, much to the ongoing amusement of their kidnappers who watched them sniggering.
‘Pay them no heed,’ Hope murmured when the Viscount’s fury seemed to be getting the better of him. ‘They are looking to goad you into doing something foolish. You must know that my lord.’
‘I do,’ he replied ruefully, ‘and Gabriel please.'
Hope smiled at him. It was such a small thing, but her face seemed to light up and his heart thudded hard inside his chest. It was the strangest feeling and one he was entirely unfamiliar with.
For the first time he believed he knew what it meant to be in love. Despite knowing Hope Shackleford for mere days, the thought of losing her filled him with an agony that was beyond physical. Her safety had become paramount. Somehow, he would help her escape from this hellish mess and then he would free himself from his murderous uncle and cousin once and for all.
Somehow.
∞∞∞
‘I’m actually surprised you waited until this morning father,’ was Grace’s matter of fact comment as the Reverend remained staring at her nonplussed. ‘I had half expected to see you last night, but then I’m relieved you waited until after Nicholas had left. We’d have had the devil’s own time convincing my husband to allow us to spy on Admiral Atwood’s house.’ She bent down to fuss the foxhound who was capering delightedly around her feet.
‘I’m not surprised,’ Reverend Shackleford snorted in response, ‘I’ve never heard such a bottle-headed idea.’
‘Nicholas and Malcolm are headed to Northwood Court,’ Grace explained impatiently. ‘They have quite rightly sent messages to Adam and Roan requesting they meet them there.’
‘Why the deuce have they gone to Northwood Court?’ interrupted the Reverend wondering what the devil his daughter was prattling on about.
