Seraphine swallowed hard. “Highwaymen,” she breathed. “We are being robbed.”
Rosaline gave a frightened cry just as rough voices barked orders outside. One of the outriders protested before the unmistakable sound of a pistol being cocked silenced him. The carriage door was wrenched open with enough force to make it swing against its hinges. A masked rider pointed a pistol towards the interior.
“Out,” he ordered harshly.
Rosaline looked towards Seraphine in terror.
Seraphine squeezed her sister's trembling hand. “It shall be all right,” she whispered, though she scarcely believed the words herself.
The sisters descended carefully onto the dusty road. Two mounted men surrounded the carriage, their faces hidden beneath scarves and broad-brimmed hats. The coachman and a servant already stood nearby with their hands raised. Seraphine's heart hammered painfully as she counted their attackers. Two against unarmed travelers. They had no chance.
Then one of the riders reached up and calmly removed the cloth covering his face. Seraphine stared. Rosaline's eyes widened in horror.
“Lord Pemberley,” Rosaline breathed.
A slow, satisfied smile spread across Augustus's face.
“I wondered how long it would take one of you to recognize me,” he said smoothly as he dismounted. He dusted imaginary dirt from his sleeves with infuriating composure. “Good afternoon, ladies.”
Seraphine felt revulsion crawl through her. “You,” she said quietly.
Lord Pemberley inclined his head in an exaggerated bow.
“My reputation in England has become... inconvenient,” he remarked conversationally. “I shall be departing for the Continent in a month's time.” His pleasant expression hardened. “Before I leave, however, there remains one small matter of unfinished business.”
Seraphine instinctively stepped in front of her sister and Annie. “You have made your point,” she said firmly. “Leave us in peace.”
The Viscount chuckled. “Oh, I intend to leave Lady Rosaline and her daughter unharmed. But not you.”
The smile vanished entirely. “You and her husband wounded my pride.” His eyes glittered with resentment. “I find revenge remarkably satisfying.”
Seraphine lifted her chin despite the fear clawing at her stomach. “If your quarrel is with my husband,” she said steadily, “then seek him.”
“Oh, I fully intend to.” He took another step forward. “But first... I shall ensure he experiences precisely the same helplessness he forced upon me.”
Rosaline's fingers tightened around Seraphine's arm. “You shall not touch her.”
Lord Pemberley drew a pistol. The movement froze everyone.
“You misunderstand your position,” he said quietly. His gaze never left Seraphine. “You are coming with me.”
“No,” Rosaline cried.
Augustus turned the pistol slightly towards her.
“Or…” he continued in the same calm tone, “you may watch me shoot your sister instead.”
The world seemed to stop. Seraphine looked at Rosaline. Then at the pistol. Then back at Lord Pemberley. A terrible calm settled over her.
“As long as you release my sister and her daughter,” she said, “I shall do as you ask.”
“No!” Rosaline exclaimed, clutching her sleeve. “You cannot!”
Seraphine embraced her quickly. “I must.”
Tears filled Rosaline's eyes. “There has to be another way.”
“There is not.” Seraphine gently pried herself free. She turned towards Augustus. “I am ready.”
