“Am I?” Hammerton calmly tapped his forefinger to his right temple. “The mark of a superior mind is flexibility. When that first plan didn’t work, I bided my time, waiting for anotheropportunity. You, with your meddlesome ways, provided another way to get at your brother—and deal with Branford as well.”
His eyes narrowed. “Have you any idea what I had planned for you the night you came running in response to my note?”
Alex decided it was wise to keep him talking. “I imagine that you intended to shoot me dead.”
“Good heavens, no! That would have been a waste of gunpowder.” He chuckled. “I had an expert forger break into your house and copy a sample of your handwriting. He then created a suicide note—trust me, your family would never had guessed it was a fraud. I would have knocked you unconscious and thrown you into the Thames. The beau monde would have heard the sad tale of how Branford seduced and deserted you. Your aunt and brother would have been forced to return to the country and Branford would have finally been shunned by Polite Society.”
Hammerton savored the thought for a moment before adding, “Of course, after a short time, your brother would also have met with a fatal accident.”
Alex sucked in her breath at the sheer horror of the plan. “Why do you hate Branford? What has he ever done to you?”
“People bow and scrape before him. They fear him, but they respect him, just because of his war record,” he said angrily. “YetIam the one who is truly the clever one. They should look up tome!”
“They respect Lord Branford because he has shown courage and honor on the field of battle,” retorted Alex. “Despite what you say, he is a true gentleman, while you are no better than a toad who has crawled out from under a rock.”
He laughed, a malevolent sound that sent a chill through her. “But in the end, you see, I’ve beaten you all.” There was a note of triumph in his voice. “With my careful planning I’veoutmaneuvered even the hero soldier—it was a stroke of genius, was it not, to become your confidant after turning you against Branford?”
When she didn’t speak, he narrowed his eyes. “Well? Answer me!”
“You are a loathsome creature,” she said. “And not half so clever as you think. You’ll see.” Alex wished she believed the last part of her words.
Hammerton’s expression turned ugly. “Shut your mouth! With such a shrewish tongue it is no wonder Branford couldn’t stomach the idea of taking you to his bed—you have none of the charms that a real lady should have.”
“And you have none of the qualities a real gentleman should have. You are not fit to be a part of respectable society.”
Hammerton raised a hand as if to strike her, then appeared to think better of it. “Later,” he said, half to himself. Instead, he contented himself with rummaging in a cabinet until he extracted a length of rope. He jerked her to her feet, tied her hands together in front of her and then shoved her back down in the chair.
“Make yourself comfortable,” he sneered. “We have a while before it is time to fetch you dear brother.” He turned on his heel and left the room.
The door slammed with a thud and the key turned in the lock.
Now that she was alone, Alex allowed her chin to sink in despair.
Simms slowed the carriage.“Looks like we’re coming to our destination, Cap’n.”
“Keep a steady pace,” called Branford in a low voice.
Through the window he studied the entrance to the grounds of Hammerton’s hunting box. The drive was narrow and overgrown, lined on both sides with gnarled elms whose branches intertwined to cast a gloomy shadow over the rutted surface. No building was visible from the road. In fact, there hadn’t been any sign of habitation since passing through a small village some miles back.
A perfect retreat for someone who was elementally evil, he observed.But that was about to change.
After traveling for perhaps another quarter mile, Branford signaled for the carriage to pull over. Simms guided the horses into a small clearing where a copse of tall bushes would screen them from any other travelers.
The earl got out rather stiffly, followed by Justin.
“Keep a sharp eye out,” said Branford tersely to Simms as he thrust his pistols into the pockets of his coat. “Make sure your weapons are primed.”
“Aye, they’re ready.” Simms cast a glance at Justin, who stood in the earl’s shadow, nervously shifting his weight from foot to foot. “Are ye sure that ye don’t want me to go with ye?” He shot a dubious look at Justin. “The lad could stay here and watch the horses.”
The earl allowed a small pause. “No need. I’m confident that Chilton can handle things well enough.”
Justin swallowed hard, trying to hide both his gratitude—and his apprehension.
“Keep watch on the drive,” he added to Simms. “Though I don’t expect trouble, I’d prefer not to have any unwanted visitors.”
Simms nodded in agreement.
Branford turned to Justin. “Ready?”
