He coveted a life of privilege in London. Why would he go anywhere else? “You would desert your command?”
“I will not put my life in danger for King and Country when I gain nothing by the sacrifice.”
Blyth slowed her steps as they drew near the crowd that had gathered. Most of the men were in the cavalry with her husband.
John tugged on the rope arm. “Just as I gained nothing by marrying you.”
Except, he could still have far more than he had prior to their marriage. It just wasn’t good enough. Nothing was ever good enough.
All he did was take and take, expecting to be rewarded for nothing, and when things did not go his way, lay all the blame for those failings on her, as if she had control of her father, Napoleon and all of England.
Except he would be disappointed, and likely angry when he realized that he wasn’t gaining as much from her as he likely expected and that is his own fault for warning her as to what he was about because as soon as she was told to pack her satchel, she had been careful to hide the few pieces of jewelry that she brought with her and the little funds that she was able to secretly accumulate on her person.
And, just as she suspected, prior to leaving the tent that they had shared, John had gone through her satchel to discover that it only contained her clothing, cribbage board and cards, and a journal. She wished that she could see his face when he opened her small trunk to find only a few books, mending or clothing too stained and in disrepair to keep. By then, it would be too late for him to do anything about the missing jewels.
The soldiers parted as John led her through the crowd. Blythe’s face burned as the men looked her over much like they would do before purchasing a horse. But she would stand tall and not reveal how truly vulnerable she felt.
He led her up to a platform then tied the rope around a post. Blythe blew out a heavy sigh and placed the satchel at her feet then clutched her hands together so that nobody could see how much they trembled.
Oh, it was so easy to be brave when they were in the tent and she was packing and even when he tied the rope around her, but in this very moment, she was terrified.
One of these men would purchase her. Dread filled her being as she imagined what…
No. She could not think about what would come next or she might very well scream, cry and panic and she needed to remain strong and defiant before those who had gathered and not let them see even a glimpse of weakness.
When Orlando had gone into the stables to examine a burn received by a stable hand, the stable yard had few people about. However, upon his exit found it full of military men.
Was Napoleon near? He could think of no other reason why so many men would be gathered around if they were not going to prepare for war.
“What is happening?” he asked someone standing near.
“There is to be an auction.” The man grinned.
Orlando frowned. “An auction of what?”
“Her!” The man pointed ahead and Orlando focused on what was beyond the man’s index finger and sucked in a breath.
Standing defiantly, midnight hair cascading around her shoulders and rope around her waist was the most beautiful woman Orlando had ever seen.
This also wasn’t the first time he had seen her either.
He first noticed her nearly two months ago when he was passing through the area where the cavalry officers were camped. After that, he made it a point to walk near or through that camp when given a reason and opportunity. He needed to know who she was but it took nearly another month to find out that she was married, much to his disappointment. He had truly hoped that she followed a brother and not a husband, just like his sister, Isabella, had done.
There was just something about Mrs. Clay that intrigued him. Without them ever having once spoken, he was drawn to her and it made no sense whatsoever. He had also decided that this was what it must feel like to be smitten and suffer from longing for someone who would never be theirs.
Foolish, he well knew, but that didn’t stop the increase in his pulse or the fluttering in his abdomen each time he saw her. Except for today his physical reaction was anger bordering on rage directed at her husband.
Her cheeks were devoid of colors, as were her lips and her blue eyes dull. But she had stood tall. Her spine straight and chin lifted. She would not hide from what was happening, nor did she utter a word or beg her husband to reconsider. She had stood there, looking out and over those who had gathered, her eyes fixed on something in the distance, not on anyone there. Perhaps she was willing herself away and Orlando admired her more in that moment than at any other time.
“The woman is being auctioned?” he asked to clarify.
“Clay is done with her and she goes to the highest bidder.”
Disgust filled his being and he looked around to note how many men had gathered to win the wife of another.
“Attention everyone,” Lieutenant Clay called out over the crowd. “Today I am here to auction off my wife.”
Orlando had truly hoped that this was a mistake, but clearly it wasn’t.
