With no other explanation for her assault, Triana tried to move from the chair she was sitting in, but her limbs refused to obey. That was when she realized her wrists and ankles had been restrained with rope. She struggled until her strength depleted, not to mention that every time she moved a wave of dizziness threatened to swamp her from the blow she’d received.
She slumped back against the chair and attempted to stem a flow of helpless tears, knowing that feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t do any good, but panic was quickly welling up inside. She couldn’t fall apart. No matter how desperate the situation, she wouldnotgive up. She had to have faith, just as Travell had said.
She closed her eyes and tried to recall her brief training from Gabriel the night they’d rescued Travell.
“Keep calm and look for clues.”
She began to survey the room as her focus adjusted to the dim light of a flickering lantern by the door. She saw a washstand in the far corner, along with a small desk and a straw bunk, but other than the chair she was sitting on, there was little else.
With a sigh, her gaze fell to the wooden floor and that was when she noticed something odd about the desk. It was bolted to the floor, which only meant one thing — she was on a ship!
As if on cue, she heard the sound of footsteps just outside the door to her cabin and Triana’s her heart began to pound with true fear. She jerked her head toward the sound, and then blinked against the flood of light that came through when it was opened.
“Ah. You’re finally awake. I was starting to think my companion had hit you too hard.” Triana was surprised to find that the voice was feminine. It also sounded vaguely familiar.
It was only when the figure drew closer that Triana gave a gasp of recognition. “Lady Worthington?”
The marchioness breezed into the room, a smile pasted on her face that was more calculating than warm. She was still the perfect combination of poise and grace, as she stood in front of Triana and said simply, “You seem surprised.”
“Are you responsible for my capture?” Triana asked in disbelief.
A light chuckle was followed by, “It was under my orders, yes.”
Triana’s ears started to buzz with alarm, as she asked the single question uppermost in her mind, “But… why?”
“And here I was beginning to think you weren’t as naïve as I took you for.” Cordelia attempted a light tone, but the spiteful inflection in her voice was like a sharp whip, striking at will.
Triana saw the twisted hate in the other woman’s eyes, and in that instant, with Cordelia’s face contorted so menacingly, it was as if Triana were looking at someone she’d never even seen before. Gone was the genteel and striking widow who had the entiretonwrapped around her charming little finger. In her place was an aging woman with lines of strain around her mouth that set her eyes ablaze with malevolence.
“I’ve worked my entire life to get where I am.” Cordelia practically spat the words. “So now that I have the chance to get what I truly desire, no one is going to take it from me. Especially not some little nobody spinster.”
“I don’t know what it is you think I’ve done…” Triana began, but gasped when the marchioness abruptly lashed out and grabbed hold of her arm. Long fingernails bit into her tender flesh, but she wasn’t about to give the woman the satisfaction of knowing that it hurt.
With her green eyes flashing fire, as if she wanted to claw Triana’s eyes right out of her skull, Cordelia hissed, “I’m speaking of Gabriel, you foolish girl!” She released Triana as if she were a disgusting insect, and continued, “And you are going to stay here until he carries through with his little promise to marry me.”
Triana stared at her in horror. “You’re insane,” she whispered.
The accusation didn’t even faze the lady as her furious gaze narrowed to venomous slits. “Am I?” she snorted. “You might wish to reconsider your vote for my sanity, Lady Triana. For I seem to be doing rather well for myself. Not only have my recent investments paid off rather nicely, once I take my place as the Duchess of Chiltern, I will finally have the respect I should have always been afforded.”
Triana’s eyes widened as Cordelia’s underlying words registered with horrifying significance. “You’re behind the smuggling!”
The other woman gave a shrug, as if it were of no consequence that she was a treasonous criminal. “I don’t suppose there’s any use denying it now, for you will no longer be my problem.”
Triana stilled. “It doesn’t matter if Gabriel marries you, does it? You’re still going to kill me.”
Cordelia tilted her head to the side. “I guess you do have a bit of intelligence after all. But don’t look so upset. There are many things in this life worse than death, I can assure you.”
Triana knew any pleas would fall on deaf ears, and she wasn’t about to give the woman the satisfaction of begging for her life. With a proud lift of her chin, she said evenly, “Then I guess I’ll see you in hell.”
Cordelia’s smug grin faltered a bit before her mouth twisted cruelly. “I suppose so.”
With that, she was gone, closing the door behind her. A moment later, the bolt was shot into place with aclank.
***
Ridge watched as Cordelia returned on deck. She strode up to where he was standing with the captain. “Once the shipment heads out tonight, send word to me, but not before. I have a wedding to prepare for.” she instructed Spalling. With a pat to her hair, she added, “Once you set sail, our captive is all yours.” With a malicious twinkle in her eye, she added, “Make sure you gain something for yourself before you hand her over to your men, for I can’t see that there will be much left when they get done with her.”
“Aye.” Spalling gave a greedy chuckle. “I’ll make sure o’ it.”
