“And Mother?”
“Will be ecstatic that you’ve landed one of Ravensdale’s sons.” He laughed. “Oh, Tabitha. Father never should have gone on so much about this duchess business.”
Jules had seen it too?
So Bethany was right. Something in Tabetha’s chest released and in that moment, she wanted nothing more than to find Stone and beg his forgiveness. He was the only person in the world for her! She loved him!
My husband.
“Now off to bed.” He released her, stepped back, and dropped an arm around Charley’s shoulders. “We’ll watch until you’re inside with Emily. Because, in case you didn’t realize it, you’re wearing your night clothes in public.” He leaned close to stare into her eyes. “Who are you and what have you done with my fussy little sister?”
“Go to bed, Westerley.” She poked him in the shoulder and then pivoted away, eager to sleep on a mattress, with a roof over her head, preferably with her husband. If only she knew where to find him. Perhaps if she went downstairs—
“Don’t go traipsing around looking for him, Tabby,” her brother warned, almost as though he could read her mind. “Just stay put in your chamber, can you do that?”
She scowled over her shoulder, pretending not to know what he was talking about. “Take good care of my cat tonight.”
“Goodnight, Tabetha.”
She shook her head. “Goodnight, Jules.”
She opened the door of her chamber and stepped inside. Her first thought was that Stone would be angry that it hadn’t been locked. Her second, that Emily must be asleep already.
Not a single candle remained lit.
Which was odd… The door clicked behind her.
She glanced around, and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Emily was sitting on a chair tucked in the corner, tied up and gagged, staring at her with eyes that were terrified but also apologetic.
“What—? Who—? Oh, Emily—” A foul-smelling hand covered her mouth, cutting off her words, and a massive arm trapped her from behind. “Mmph…”
Tabetha kicked out behind her. She might as well be a rag doll.Damned Culpepper.This had to be the work of his men.
She arched her back and twisted with even less effectiveness.
“Hold still or I’ll have to hurt you,” a menacing voice rasped into her ear. “Where’s the cat?”
Unable to answer, she shook her head. One scream. She needed to let out one scream.
Charley and Westerley were one wall away, and she’d be rescued before these thugs knew what happened.
And if they ran, Stone would catch them downstairs and beat them to a pulp.
Unfortunately, the man’s meaty hand didn’t budge. She inhaled through her nostrils, willing herself not to panic.
“I don’t see it,” the second thug growled. “Forget the cat. What Culpepper really wants is the dowry.”
But she was already married!
Tabetha slammed her head backward and the man behind her cursed. She slammed it again. He removed his hand and she gasped for air so she could scream.
She wasn’t quick enough.
A foul-smelling cloth was stuffed inside her mouth, causing her to gag and choke when the villain tightened it and then tied it behind her head.
Tabetha struggled frantically but was no match for Culpepper’s men. Holding her down, they bound her arms and legs and then dragged her to the window.
“I told you not to fight me.” The man’s gaze landed on her ominously.
