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“I learned today that my activities have come under scrutiny. It won’t be long before it’s realized that the money I’ve been raising for Belgium has gone to support Germany’s needs. You see, I believe the kaiser and his allies are certain to win this war.”

Leah tried to push him away. “Your family . . . mother.” It was all she could manage to say.

“My mother died a year ago. My grandmother too. They refused to cooperate with the Germans. I warned them. They were fools.”

Leah’s knees weakened. Randolph lifted her in his arms and carried her into a small room off the dining area. He placed her on the sofa there and put a pillow under her head.

“I won’t hurt you. You must know that. I would never be like those cads who use women and discard them. I am a gentleman and have my standards. I will, however, make it impossible for you to refuse my proposal. You will stay the night here, and come morning my staff will find you and presume that we’ve been together. You will tell your parents that we are in love, and they will demand I do the right thing, which of course, I will. And to save your reputation and Turner House, you will marry me.”

“No,” Leah said, her head lolling from side to side as if to stress her answer. “I won’t.”

He knelt beside her and gently brushed back her hair. “Yes, you will. Or you’ll see your family destroyed. I need them to keep me out of trouble. If they tell authorities that I have their backing, no one will accuse me. And if they won’t . . . well, I won’t go down alone.

“I have letters that have been carefully altered to show your family supported the German cause through my connections. That they are deeply involved in aiding and abetting the enemy of America’s allies. The letters will be proven to be genuine. As America goes to war, those letters will condemn them and their reputations will be ruined, their businesses confiscated. Your entire family will fall into poverty as word gets around that they have done much to see Germany rise to success.”

The words were starting to make no sense to Leah. She knew she was in trouble, but whatever Randolph had given her was too strong to fight. She heard a thumping sound and wondered if Erik had come. Was it knocking or the beat of her own heart? She tried to call out, but nothing came as she faded into the darkness.

21

“Good evening, Dr. Sjolander,” Randolph Vanhoutte said in a rather formal tone. “I’m afraid I have no time for you this evening. Perhaps you could make an appointment with my assistant, and we could meet another time.”

“I’m here for Leah.”

“I’m afraid you’re too late. She’s already gone.”

“No, she hasn’t,” Erik insisted. He brushed snow from his coat and let it settle on Vanhoutte’s waxed floor. Taking the man by surprise, Erik pushed his way into the house. “Where is she? I demand you take me to her now.”

Vanhoutte moved to stand directly in front of him. They were pretty evenly matched in height and size. “You need to leave, Doctor. Leah is soon to be my wife and has no interest in you.”

“Leah is going to marry me, not you. She came here tonight to refuse your proposal. She asked me to come for her, and here I am.”

“She changed her mind.” There was a smug expression on Vanhoutte’s face. “She asked me to dismiss my staff so we could spend the night together.”

Erik tried to move past him, but Vanhoutte would have nothing to do with that. He took hold of Erik and pushed him back toward the door. “I must ask you to leave.”

“I’m not going without her.”

Vanhoutte pulled back and sent his fist into Erik’s midsection. For a moment, he was unable to draw air and gasped as he fought to recover.

“I can’t have you ruining my evening, Dr. Sjolander.” Randolph grabbed Erik’s collar as he continued to fight to breathe. Pushing Erik toward the door, Vanhoutte chuckled. “I know you must be disappointed, but after all, I knew her first. She’s been a part of my life since she was quite young. She grew up with me, and I’ve watched her blossom into a beautiful woman. I’ve long had plans for her, and you won’t interfere in that.”

Erik finally caught his breath and without warning turned on his heel and delivered the same kind of blow to Vanhoutte’s gut. The man grunted and fell back. He wasn’t nearly as incapacitated, however, and charged at Erik. Luckily, he was able to move out of Vanhoutte’s way at the last minute.

“Where is she?” Erik demanded. He sent another blow, this one against Vanhoutte’s jaw. The man went crashing back into the door. “Leah!” Erik called out. He listened for a moment, but there was no sound.

Vanhoutte took that moment to throw himself against Erik. They went to the floor, and Erik rolled to the right, hoping to rid himself of the man’s hold. He was much stronger than Erik had ever anticipated. This wasn’t going to be an easy fight.

Somehow, they were back on their feet, and the fight continued. With a hard left to Erik’s face, Vanhoutte seemed to gain the upper hand. Erik fought off the dazed feeling that settled over him momentarily. A surge of strength poured into his body as he threw Vanhoutte to the ground.

Erik staggered back as his opponent rolled away and got back on his feet, this time a little slower than before. Erik’s only thought was of how to defeat the man. He rushed him, sending a hard right fist into the man’s nose. Blood immediately poured, and Vanhoutte fell backward onto the floor, moaning.

He looked to be done in, so Erik left him there and began to search the house. He found a dark and empty front room and moved on. The dining room was arranged with a table full of food and an ample fire burning in the hearth. Again, the room was void of people.

Erik stepped into the butler’s pass to the kitchen and felt certain he wouldn’t find Leah there. He backed away and moved across the dining room to an open door. The room was dimly lit and cold. He spied Leah on the sofa and immediately went to her side.

“Leah. Leah, wake up.”

She rallied a bit, opened her eyes, and stared at him. Her expression was blank. Then she closed her eyes again. Erik sat her up so he could get her to her feet. Just then he heard a noise behind him, and Vanhoutte charged toward him with something in his hand. Erik barely had time to move before the man brought a statuette down like a club.