“Lord Eardly, are you harmed.”
“Not at all.” He grinned up at her, and Violet’s blood ran cold.
She now understood the danger Ferrard warned of. Yanking on her arm, she tried to pull away and glanced in all directions, but she was completely alone. With everything in her being, Violet let out the loudest scream she could muster, but knew it was useless as she was too far from both the lighthouse and Laswell to be heard. All she could hope was that some residents were still on the road returning home and had heard her. When nobody came running, she knew that her position was far more precarious as Eardly rose from the ground, grabbed her about the waist, and carried her into the thicket. Heart pounding, Violet kicked, screamed and clawed at him, but it did little good. She’d not let him harm her. She’d fight to the death if she must.
And no matter how much she tried to fight, he only laughed.
Violet stilled but a moment when they neared a carriage that she’d not noticed before.
“Where are you taking me?” she demanded, hoping her voice was firm and didn’t betray her terror.
“Gretna Green, of course. I need a wealthy wife.”
Chapter 26
Emory sleptlittle and spent more time tossing and turning than dreaming. Worry ate at him, and he feared for Violet.
He’d argued with himself several times that the activities he’d seen her participate in the night before were things that she’d done for the past five years.
She was a lady, though far more capable than he’d given her credit.
Yet, she’d been alone, something that was unusual, which she readily admitted.
He should have insisted on remaining by her side.
Except, she didn’t want him. She’d been clear when she dismissed him after their kiss then turned as polite as the staunchest dowager at any ball.
The sun had barely been up an hour and Emory decided to give up on sleep and prepare for his return journey to Sussex. Except, he didn’t want to leave. He wanted to see Violet one last time to make certain that she made it back to Forester Hall without injury. Or that was the reason he gave himself, when truth be told, he simply wished to see her and inquire why she’d turned distant after their kiss.
Did he really want to know the answer?
Was Liam correct that Emory was simply out of sorts because he’d not been rejected before?
As he gained the parlor after descending from the upper level, Emory was drawn to the front of the house at the sound of a door being closed to find his brother turn to him and grin as he held up a bottle of brandy.
“Isn’t it rather early to partake or haven’t you been to bed?”
“Early patient. A residentfell down the stairsand dislocated his shoulder. That is how I usually know when a shipment has come in because I’m often gifted with a bottle along with my usual fee.” He laughed and marched into the library and opened a wall cabinet that contained at least a dozen bottles.
Emory grabbed one from the cabinet. “I think I’ll take this to keep me company on the drive to Sussex.”
“Take two.” Liam handed over a second bottle. “I’ve no doubt more will be delivered before the day is through.”
“Your coffee, Dr. Talbot.” Mrs. Murry entered and placed a tea service on the table. “Breakfast will be along shortly.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Murry,” Liam acknowledged.
A widow of an advanced age, Mrs. Murry had been the maid of all work for decades to the doctor that Liam had replaced and because she was so good at her job, Liam had kept her on. However, Emory wasn’t in the mood to eat anything, and his stomach was tight with worry.
It was ridiculous, of course. Violet knew what she was about. He was simply unused to her ways and the freedom she enjoyed in Laswell. Had anyone else been concerned, they would have not let her go off on her own as she had done.
However, he would not leave Laswell without first calling on Forester Hall to assure himself of her health. Only then could he return to Sussex in comfort. Which meant, he’d not be leaving for hours and after a proper time that he could make a social call.
“Breakfast has been placed in the dining room,” Mrs. Murry announced before she quit the room.
However, they’d no sooner taken their seats when there was another knock at the door leading to the room where Liam saw his patients.
“I’ll see to it, Dr. Talbot,” Mrs. Murry insisted as she quit the room.
