“Are you, Milton?” She let out her hurt. “Is that why you chose not to marry Annabelle yourself, because you saw in her a woman of greater worth? Is it why you now go out of your way, behind my back, to secure her an honorable marriage, while you had no qualms—no qualms at all, sir—taking me to altar against my will?”
“Have a care, Lizzie.” His gaze darkened. “Because by the time we’d finished courting, I recall you were not as unwilling as you claim.”
“You seduced me, sir.” She grabbed her night-rail from the floor. “And I am appalled to discover how underhanded you have been with my sister too.” She threw the billowy gown over her head. “Not once did you apprise me of matters, or share with me your concerns for Bella’s future.”
Tears began to well in her eyes, and Elizabeth did not know why. She knew only that for Milton to have deemed her opinion, her assistance, irrelevant—unnecessary, even, in steering Annabelle toward a happy match—hurt.
“All my life,” she told him, “I have shielded my sister from men’s baser natures, hoping she might marry a gentleman more worthy than our father. So for you to disregard, nay, discard my help, as if I were an annoyance, animpediment to your plans”—she aggressively brushed back tears—“makes me all the more disappointed in you, sir. Deeply so.”
“Then I am sorry I fail you yet again, wife.”
So nowhispride was wounded?
“But I maintain my intent was and remains honorable in regards to both your sister and yourself.”
“Honorable!” she exploded. “In no way was the manner in which you gained my hand in marriage honorable, Jasper Audrey, and well you know it.”
Their eyes locked as Elizabeth’s pulse hammered in her chest, “Milton!”being bellowed from the bowels of the house, followed by a sudden, shuddering slam and “No, I will see the bastard now!”
Hushed, low voices commenced before heavy steps thudded in approach. “I demand an audience. At once!”
Elizabeth and Milton froze, both straining to discern the ruckus in the hallway.
“Papa?” She ventured toward the door before fists pounded, “Let me in, damn you!” and she jumped back, colliding into Milton’s hard frame directly behind her.
Her husband turned the key and her father tumbled inside, scowling.
“Youlet this happen!” He pointed his finger at the Baron, who took a step back. “Where is she, blast you? Where has Harris taken my daughter?”
Her father’s words chilled Elizabeth’s heart.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Annabelle awoke with a head of lead. She groaned into the warmth that surrounded her, until that warmth stirred.
“Rest, miss. We’ll stop soon for food.”
“Food?” She could barely form the word, her tongue as thick as cotton. “Drink. I need?—”
A flask was placed to her lips, making her splutter at the liquid’s harsh burn. She tried to push it away yet discovered her wrists bound. She opened her mouth to speak butmmphwas all that came out.
“My ears still ring from your screams, my person still bruised by your fists, miss.”
She blinked into a blurry face: Arthur Harris. The blasted man smothered her voice with his palm.
“Mmph!” She blinked again at his blond, handsome self—collar creased below the fresh shadow at his chin—then narrowed her eyes at him.
“But if you are ready to behave like a sane creature and discuss matters civilly with me, I will remove my hand and release you from your restraints.”
She nodded, wary.
His knuckles grazed her jawbone as he let go his hold, allowing Annabelle to find her tongue again.
“Mr. Harris, you will untie me. Now.”
And he did, though the rake seemed to savor the act. He rubbed her wrists back to life, sparking fresh friction, until she pulled them free and roundly slapped his face.
“Ow!”He touched his cheek in shock. “What the devil was that for?”
