“The chamber pot is in that corner,” the lieutenant growled. “Go get it.”
Rebecca’s sobs turned louder as she did as the man instructed. For a moment, Emmie almost felt sorry for her.
“Where shall I take her?” Rebecca asked in a compliant tone.
“Behind that stack of crates will work just fine.”
A strong hand grasped Emmie’s arm and yanked her up. She almost couldn’t stand, and so stumbled when they started walking. She feared she would fall into some object and not be able to brace herself with her hands tied behind her. But thankfully, she made it to their destination without any problems.
“I shall allow you only five minutes to take care of things, then I’ll be back.”
“Thank you, sir,” Emmie answered. “You are most gracious to allow me such luxury.” She ground her teeth through the outright lie.
Chuckling, Lieutenant Mercer moved away from her and Rebecca, and then the door closed. Emmie breathed a relieved sigh.
“I know this menial task is not something you usually do,” she told Rebecca, “so if you will untie my hands, I’ll see to my womanly needs by myself.”
“As much as I would like to comply, I fear it would take me five minutes just to untie you. So, I must help you as much, as I hate doing so.”
“I thank you,” Emmie whispered.
Within minutes, Emmie felt much better. After she was finished, and she stood, Rebecca helped put her clothes back together.
“I know who you are, Miss Crampton.”
The other woman gasped as her hands stilled. “How do you know?”
“Although we have not talked much, I still know your voice. And I feel I must let you know, you are in danger if you stay here.”
“You know nothing,” Rebecca snapped.
“Yes, I do. I know the lieutenant isn’t going to release you, even if he gives you the money. Greedy, controlling men like that are not nice, and they never follow through with bargains they make. You need to escape, Rebecca. Get away from him and tell your father what you have done so he can protect you.”
“Quit trying to frighten me.” Rebecca shoved her.
Emmie stumbled, praying she wouldn’t step into the chamber pot. Thankfully, she didn’t. “Miss Crampton, I’m not trying to frighten you. I’m telling you the truth.”
“What do you know, anyway? Nothing! You are a pampered daughter of an earl and have no idea about things like this.”
Emmie now wanted to slap the woman herself. No, she’d let Lieutenant Mercer do it—little good it would do, anyway.Rebecca was hardheaded and wouldn’t believe anyone. “Fine. But if we both live through this, I expect to hear an apology from you when you realize I’m right.” If Lieutenant Mercer didn’t kill them both first.
“Just hush up and let me take you back to your chair.”
Rebecca tugged on Emmie’s arm. She followed, trying to keep up with Rebecca’s quick steps as they moved back to the chair. When Broderick’s cousin pushed Emmie, she feared she would fall once again, but thankfully, the chair stopped her, and she was able to sit. Seconds later, Rebecca’s fingers gripped Emmie’s shoulders painfully.
“This is a warning,Lady Sarah—if you do happen to live through this, you had better not tell my father that I was the one who turned Broderick in. Know this now: I will deny it until I’m old and gray. And my father will believe me over you, anyway.”
She was unbelievable. Rebecca was acting more like a pampered, spoiled child than a grown woman.
“If your father will believe you over me, then why threaten me at all?”
Rebecca growled and slapped Emmie across the face. Her cheek stung for a moment. She wouldn’t give Rebecca a reply. It wasn’t worth the breath, anyway.
Lieutenant Mercer returned and tied her feet back to the chair. Tears stung her eyes, and she prayed that God would send someone to rescue her. Anyone but Broderick. If he came, he’d be killed, and she couldn’t live knowing he’d risked his life for her.
*
Broderick blew outa breath. Time was wasting away, and he was frustrated beyond belief. Perhaps he needed to be the one to findhis crew. He alone couldn’t capture Mercer, especially since the man obviously had others helping him.
