His lips curved into an evil grin. “Not yet, you’re not. You caused me quite a bit of trouble, my dear. You owe me.” His eyes raked over her. “I’ve a mind to finish what I started the night you ran off.”
Ella recoiled. “I’m a married woman.”
“Not for long. When we get back to Boston, you will file for an annulment and send it to your rancher. It will be a minor inconvenience while we wait for it to go through, but once it does, we’ll marry immediately.”
“What makes you think I’d agree to such a plan? I love my husband.”
Howard’s eyes glittered. “You will marry me because your family will be ruined and disgraced if you don’t. Including your precious sister.”
“Tori doesn’t care about status.”
“You’d reduce her to poverty and shame for your own happiness?” He shook his head. “And I thought you cared about her.”
Ella lifted her chin. “You don’t have that kind of power over my family. My father…”
“Cheated the wrong people. Oh, they might not know that yet, but I do. I have the documents to prove it. If he doesn’t pay out a handsome sum to refill my unfortunately low coffers, I will release the information to the authorities. Your father will be jailed and your family ruined.”
“Low coffers?” Her mind spun. “You have more money than most families in Boston combined.”
Howard chuckled. “Appearances are a beautiful thing. I picked up a little gambling habit a few years ago. The games didn’t go my way. Hence my need for money.” He loomed over her. “Marrying you assures I’ll get that.”
“You’re already blackmailing Father. Why can’t he just pay you the money?”
“My dear, you’re forgetting that alliances between families are of utmost importance. Your dowry would pay off my debts and leave extra beside. And that’s not counting the money your father owes me to stay quiet about his business exploits.”
“Why me?” Ella hated how her voice shook. “There are other women with more impressive dowries.”
“Ah, but they don’t have the same submissive will as you. Something I prize highly in a wife.” His eyes gleamed. “And your beauty is unparalleled. That alone makes possessing you…desirable.”
He lowered his face to hers. Just before his lips made contact, Ella turned her face to the side. The lingering kiss he left on her cheek turned her stomach. The rough press of his mouth felt like domination. Tears stung her eyes as she thought of Cody and his gentle love.
Howard lifted his head. Lust burned in his gaze. He ran a hand along her side, sending disgusted shudders through her. When he leaned close once more, she froze. “I’m going to the saloon for a few games. It seems there’s a lot of money to be won in this town. Quite a few millionaires, from what I’ve heard. But before I go, I want to leave you with some anticipation.” He sneered, pressing his hand against her hip. “When I get back, we’re going to get to know one anotherveryintimately. We’ll see if your cowboy wants you after that.”
Bile rose in her throat. Howard laughed again. He forced a piece of cloth into her mouth and tied the ends around her head. “See you soon, my dear.”
As soon as the door shut behind him, Ella struggled against her bonds, her movements jerky and frantic. The fabric refused to give. The more she fought, the tighter it got.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Howard would be back, and she had no doubt he’d make good on his threat. She had to get away. But how?
Wind whipped Cody’s face as he and Travis galloped down the trail. Just an hour before, they’d swapped out their horses in Clancy for a fresh pair. As much as it chaffed to leave Preston in strange stables, Cody knew the prudence of not pushing too hard. So now he rode a horse whose name he didn’t know but who flew swiftly over the miles.
How much longer ’til we reach Helena?
Cody swallowed hard. Moisture burned his eyes. His stomach turned each time he thought of Ella alone and afraid with some villain. He pressed his thighs into his horse. The animal responded with a burst of speed.
Tense silence was broken only by the pounding of hooves. Travis kept pace with him. On and on they rode. Stars winked above them, creating an illusion of peace.
Cody’s horse made a strange sound. He slowed his mount. The horse’s sides heaved.
Travis halted beside him. “Let’s give them a rest by that stream.” He jerked his head to the left.
Cody balled his hands into fists. Travis was right. They needed to rest the horses. But every minute they lost was another minute something bad could happen to Ella.
“You won’t do her any good if the horse gets injured and we can’t continue on.”
Blowing out a breath, Cody swung down to the ground. “You’re right.” He led his horse to the stream and patted it. The animal lowered its head to drink.
Cody paced near the bank. His mind filled with images of his wife. He’d failed to protect her. Heavy weight settled in his chest. Was that his lot in life? To fail the women he loved?
