“Who are you?” she cried out. “What do you want with me?”
She was dragged into the bushes and struggled with her kidnapper. When he didn’t answer, she screamed. The person stopped, stood her upright and shook her hard, which jerked her head back and forth violently.
“Listen, my dear. I swear to you right now if you scream once more I will kill Lord Trey personally, and anyone else who comes to your rescue. Do you understand?”
She inhaled sharply. “Oh, no! Alex?”
“Yes, my dear. Did you miss me?”
Darkness surrounded her because of the covering. The heavy scent of horse stung her nose and made her gag. Her heart beat in a fierce rhythm. This couldn’t be happening. “Alex, if you let me go, I promise to have Trey’s solicitor stop investigating you. You will be free to do whatever you wish.”
A deep chuckle rattled through his chest. His head pressed against hers, and the strong scent of alcohol wafted through the material of the blanket.
“I told you once that you would be my wife. Do not doubt me again. Your lover’s life is at stake. If you want him to live, you will follow my instructions.”
“Please, Alex. Let me go. I don’t love you,” she sobbed.
He yanked her, making her stumble into him as he led them away from the estate. “You will change your feelings eventually. I have faith you will find the love we once shared.”
She didn’t know how long they walked, but her feet hurt and her body ached from his abuse. But she didn’t dare scream again. Alex was able to forge the betrothal agreement, so what else could he be capable of? She shuddered to think. Would he indeed kill Trey?
Finally, he stopped and lifted her onto a hard surface. She rolled on uneven boards. Broken pieces pierced her skin and she whimpered. Nearby, a horse snorted. It felt as if she’d been put in a wagon.
“Alex? What are you doing with me?”
“I’m taking you to our love nest.”
“Release me at once, Alex. I mean it.” It was hard to be firm with him when her voice shook.
He laughed. “I will remove the horse’s blanket as soon as we arrive at the inn.”
“What inn? Where are you taking me?”
“We are on our way to be married, my dear. We will stop at an inn to rest the night. By this time tomorrow, we’ll be at Gretna Green where we’ll be married.
Chapter Forty-Four
Trey and Nic’sbusiness lasted longer than anticipated. He told Nic to spend the night and they would continue their dealings in the morning. As Trey climbed the stairs to his bedroom, his heart wrenched with worry. It had hurt to see the pain of doubt fill Judith’s eyes, but he didn’t dare tell her the truth. Not yet. How could he tell her about the newest findings of good ole Alexander Cutler? Trey couldn’t.
Not when Alex was being investigated for murdering Judith’s parents.
Agony twisted Trey’s stomach. Her parents’ death was still too recent. Judith continued to mourn for them. Opening old wounds would be painful, and Trey couldn’t allow her to suffer in such a way. Not until they knew for certain if Alex had done the crime.
Trey stopped at her bedroom door and knocked softly. When no answer came from the other side, he grinned. She must be asleep. He’d wake her up in a very enjoyable way.
He opened the door and walked inside, but came to a quick halt. The bed was empty. Could she be waiting for him in his bedroom? He didn’t know why, but anticipation had him rushing down the hall and into his room. He stopped again when his bed lay empty, too.
Had his mother occupied more of Judith’s evening? He doubted it, especially because she was so exhausted when he talked to her earlier.
He left his room and practically ran down the stairs to the drawing room. Empty. He hurried to the dining room. Empty.
Growling, he dragged his fingers through his hair. Where was she?
“My lord?”
He jumped and turned toward one of his mother’s servants. The older man wore the black and white uniform, holding out a folded piece of paper.
“My lord, I was instructed to give this to you.”
