All her new dresses were lovely.Miss Chance had somehow divined the exact styles that suited Tessa, without making her feel uncomfortable or as if she were playing a part.
She felt, for the first time in her adult life, like herself.
Dressed again in her street clothes, she put on her hat and gloves and said, “Ready, Bragge?”The carriage had been sent for.Thanking Miss Chance and her assistants again, Tessa and Bragge stepped out onto the pavement to enjoy the fresh spring breeze while they waited for the carriage to arrive.
Wheels rattled over cobbles, and without warning two men jumped out of a shabby carriage.One of them knocked Bragge into the gutter while the other shoved a bag over Tessa’s head.She screamed and struggled, but the sound was muffled, and before she knew it, she was picked up and flung into the vehicle.It moved off with a jerk.
She struggled, and received a blow to the head that left her dizzy.A rough voice said, “Shut your mouf if you value your life.”Rough hands tied her wrists together.
The bag smelled musty and dusty and she wanted to sneeze.She could hardly breathe.They’d twisted something around her neck to keep the bag fastened tight.
Who were these men?What did they want?
The vehicle rattled along at a fast pace, swerving and bumping.Tessa rolled back and forth, struggling in vain to keep herself stable, until a pair of boots landed on her stomach, keeping her relatively still.Though less comfortable.
“What do you want?”she said through the bag.
“Shaddup.”He kicked her.
“Where are you taking me?”
“I said, shaddup!”He kicked her again, harder this time.It really hurt.She subsided, her head and now her ribs aching, dizzy.She was dizzy but her brain was whirling with questions.What on earth was going on?She was being kidnapped, but for what reason?Ransom?And by whom?
There was only one answer: Edgar
Marcus thought he was half-way to America, but he must be mistaken.It seemed Edgar had decided to return and try one more time to marry her off.Ooohh, it was just like him, she decided, her fear turning to fury.
Her ribs ached from those kicks.Yes, he was angry with her for escaping him and causing him so much trouble.
It felt so much like something Edgar would do.When they got to wherever the kidnappers were taking her, they would probably be met by a minister and Sir Henry Lester.Or some other rich, ancient groom.
Of course it was Edgar.Who else would want to kidnap her?
Chapter Twelve
Marcus was about toenter the front door of Alverleigh House when his carriage pulled up, the door flew open, and before the groom had time to let down the steps, Bragge, his aunt’s dresser, jumped unsteadily out and staggered toward him.She looked dusty, disheveled and very distressed.
