“Why are you here?” she asked, pulling her hand away from her face. “What do you want?”
“Money, of course,” he said flippantly. “Unfortunately, you did not have the decency to die in the carriage accident, and Granger was a terrible shot. Since you’ve displayed a remarkable ability to avoid death, I have no choice but to resume our marriage. At least until I have recovered all the funds and dispose of you properly.”
His words sent an icy chill down her back. He admitted so casually to trying to kill her and to his intent to be rid of her. She choked back a sob. She wouldn’t allow him to see just how frightened she was, never again.
“You have no money, Lucas, or have you forgotten?”
He slapped her again, splitting her lip this time. “Address me properly or have you forgotten my requirements?”
“No, my lord,” she whispered around her throbbing lip.
“That’s better. You amuse me, Jillian.Youhave no money. It all became mine when you married me. You will turn over the funds that you stole from my estate immediately.”
She laughed mirthlessly. “You spent it all,my lord. Ask your solicitors. Upon yourdeath, I received enough money to settle small amounts on your servants and purchase my townhouse.”
His eyes narrowed in fury. “You lie, bitch. I know about the inheritance you received. I’ve seen your lifestyle, the carriage you purchased, and the clothes you wear. I don’t know where you’ve hidden the money, but youwillhand it over to me.”
“Ask your solicitors if you don’t believe me,” she said tiredly.
“I don’t care what the bloody imbeciles say,” he hissed. “You may have fooled them, but I am not stupid. I know you’ve hidden it somehow.”
“Where are you taking me?” she demanded. They had been traveling for some time now and it was too dark to make out the passing landscape.
“Somewhere private, my love. I wouldn’t want anyone to interrupt our reunion.”
Fear gripped her and she closed her eyes against the temptation to scream. Would Justin come for her? The carriage ground to a halt, and she looked up at Lucas. She hated how pathetic she would sound but she had to try anything to get him to let her go. “My lord, if you were given this money—would you release me? You would have what you most want.”
His eyes gleamed in triumph. “So thereismoney.” He gripped her arm and dragged her from the carriage.
She shuddered as she took in the looming gray house before her. Penroth. The very name evoked images of hell.
“There will be no bargains. You have made me the laughing stock of London with your antics. You will remain my wife until such time as I tire of you.” He dragged her to the door and into the dark, musty hall.
Penroth had been closed up for almost a year. The air was stale, the floors dusty and the furniture all covered with large sheets. Cobwebs hung from the chandeliers and dotted the corners of the great room. A few candles were already lit, a testament to his earlier presence in the house. She shivered involuntarily. The house afforded little protection from the bitter outside cold.
He pushed her up the stairs and into the master bed chamber, closing the door firmly behind them. One oil lamp sat on the small table by the window, the weak light doing little to illuminate the large room.
The candle Lucas held cast an evil light over his face, making him appear even more sinister. He set it by the bed and turned back to face her. “Now, Jillian, tell me what I want to know.”
“There is no money, Lucas, as your solicitors have no doubt already told you, else you would not be acting with such desperation.”
The muscles in his cheek twitched spasmodically. He raised his hand and struck her so viciously she fell to the floor. “You lie,” he spat, standing over her.
“There is no money,” she whispered.
He kicked her in the side and a cry of agony escaped her swollen lips. She closed her eyes against the pain and struggled to keep the nausea at bay. He grabbed her by the hair again and pulled her up.
She stood on shaky feet, weaving unsteadily in front of him. He caressed her cheek, running his fingers along the curve of her jaw. “Where is it? I’ve checked with your solicitors. According to them, you only have a few hundred pounds, yet your lifestyle reflects a more substantial income.Where did you hide the inheritance?”
She licked her throbbing lip, the metallic taste of blood on her tongue. It would be so easy to tell him which bank housed her funds, but it would gain her nothing. No, she would not give in to him. She looked him directly in the eyes. “Go to hell.”
His face contorted in fury and he lashed out, striking her in the face again. She would have fallen, but he caught her, ruthlessly dragging her back to him. Twice more he struck her, snapping her head back with the force of his blows.
She could barely see out of her left eye now. The lid was nearly swollen shut. Her dress gave way as he ripped the fur from her shoulders, and then he tore the bodice. A wave of despair washed over her, and tears burned her eyes.
A predatory smile curved his lips as he reached out and fondled her bare breasts. “Should I send for Wisecoff and Loring? Perhaps they could assist me in changing your mind.”
Her stomach clenched and she shrank back in revulsion. He chuckled softly and continued his assault on her breasts as his other hand went to his trousers.
