‘That dolt? Heavens, no! He was trying his utmost to join the prestigious Odd Fellows Society, and I took advantage of his greed. I told him I would put in a good word for him if he secured an Estate near the southeast coast. He complied and recommended his friend Gibbs.’
A glint of menace flashed in his eyes.
Grace was relieved.
There was no love lost between her and Charles, but at least he was not a complete blackguard.
‘I did try to dispose of Gabriel, you know, but he is remarkably difficult to kill.’
Lord Harry spoke with chilling indifference, casually picking a speck of lint from his sleeve.
‘Perhaps I can still succeed—through you, Miss Skye. When he comes to rescue his beloved spinster, my men will ambush and kill him.’
His gaze locked onto her, a wave of cold terror crashed over her, her limbs stiff with fright.
Grace forced herself to hold his stare. She refused to let him see her fear.
‘You are mistaken if you think the Duke will lift a talon to save us. He does not care for me in the way you suggest.’
Lord Harry chuckled, the sound dripping with amusement.
‘No, but he did offer you a position as his mistress. Oh, come now, Miss Skye—no need to be coy—I was there that night. You and the Duke really should have chosen a more private location for your little argument by the fountain.’
Grace stiffened.
Beside her, Heather turned to look at her, her expression demanding answers.
But now was not the time for explanations.
‘Ah, yes, the rejection,’ Lord Harry continued, smirking. ‘I must admit, that gave me pause. So I tested the waters, spreading a little rumour about you in the ballroom just to see how the Duke would react. To my surprise, he went to great pains to keep your name out of the scandal sheets. No one does that, my dear, unless there is a grande passion.’
His smirk widened. ‘I must admit, it was a toss-up between kidnapping you or Elizabeth. But once you started prying into my affairs, you sealed your own fate. And your sister—’ he reached out and ran a finger down Heather’s bodice.She recoiled,horrified, while Grace seethed.‘—well, she is a delightful bonus.’
Grace curled her fingers so tightly, her nails bit into her palms.
‘I am counting on Gabriel coming for you. And when he does, my men and I will be waiting for him at my Estate.’
Heather’s voice wavered. ‘And if he does not come?’
Lord Harry tilted his head, grinning. ‘There are very wealthy men in France who would pay dearly for someone like you.’
Heather’s breath hitched.
He chuckled.
Heather gasped, her grip tightening around Grace’s arm.
Lord Harry turned his gaze back to Grace, smug.‘And as for you, Miss Skye—I shall keep you close. You are a fool if you think Gabriel is indifferent to you. Perhaps he does not want you as his wife, but he wants you.’
Grace’s heartbeat roared in her ears.
They had to get off this carriage before they reached his Manor.
She needed to distract him.
She needed to stall.
‘Your brother? You let him take the blame for everything.’
