Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Five minutes earlier

Edward was minding his own business, strolling through town, when he saw her. There was no denying that Celestina's disappearance had irked him. Why, he'd worked so hard on ensuring she landed within his reach for so many years, and for her to simply vanish … why, it had bothered him no end.

But it had been so long since he'd last seen her. Months, even. He'd spent a long time searching for her and had paid much money to investigators but … nothing. She'd vanished so successfully that he had almost given up looking for her.

So when he spotted her trailing behind the two ladies in the street, looking for all the world like their words weighed her down, he wasn't entirely convinced she was real. There was a brief moment when he thought he was imagining. After all that searching, it had been as easy as turning up in town.

He grinned to himself. Well, well, well. She thought she had escaped, but he had her now, and she would be his, no matter what. He followed them, watching carefully. The ladies in front kept glancing over their shoulders, shooting words at Celestina that only seemed to pain her. Edward would have pitied her, except the further down she went, the easier it would be for him to secure her as his wife. The easier she would be to control.

To make his luck even brighter, after a few minutes, she turned from the ladies and marched away. He chuckled to himself. Clearly the foolish woman was still trying to convince herself that she was strong and capable. He would have to show her otherwise.

He watched as she approached him, her head down in shame, and just as she was about to pass him, he stepped out into the road. She bowled into him with a gasp, her slight frame warm against his body. He grinned again, sucking in air between his teeth.

"Goodness, Celestina!" he said with a kindness he didn't feel. "It's been too long. How are you?"

Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice, and she recoiled from him. He thrilled at the fear and disgust that flashed through her eyes. It always excited him. There was something about suppressing a confident, beautiful woman that entertained him no end, and Celestina Courtenay would be no different.

"Edward!" she cried. "What are you doing here?"

"I had a little business in town. Nothing to worry your pretty head over." A flash of insolence. Good . "It is good to see you, though," he continued. Very good, indeed. "I've been looking for you. Ever so worried, I've been. You really oughtn't disappear from your old friends like that. I have been terrified that something awful had happened. Join me for tea?"

He knew instantly that he'd been too forceful. He prepared himself to reach out and grab her, to restrain her. How he'd love to hear her yelp of surprise.

"Another time, perhaps, Mr Willoughby. I really ought to go."

She pushed past him faster than he had anticipated, and though he reached out for her, she slipped from his grasp. He couldn't very well give chase, not with so many people around. He ran his tongue over his teeth as he watched her go.

"You're going to regret your little shopping trip, my dear," he muttered, his eyes on her retreating back. "For I've got you now."

He watched until she was swallowed entirely by the bustling street, and then he turned to think about his next steps. His mind whirred once more with plans, the excitement of the hunt pulsing through his veins.

He made his way down the street, striding confidently, making people jump out of the way. Then, he spotted the two ladies Celestina had been with, and he had an idea. It was obvious enough that they weren't friends, and he had no doubt these ladies knew nothing of him. They would be the perfect people to probe for information.

"Excuse me, My Lady," he called, jogging to catch up to them.

They were giggling between themselves, the sound high above the general chatter of the street.

"My Lady!" he called again. Eyes turned to him, curious onlookers wondering what was going on. All but the two ladies in question. He sneered. The women of the ton held a special place in his mind for their stupidity and lack of awareness. They deserved everything they got.

"My ladies, if you don't mind," he said one final time. He reached them, turning to stop just in front of them.

They blinked moronically at him as if they'd never before seen a man. But when he looked closed, he realized he recognized one of them, and his grin widened.

"I thought it was you, Lady Rebecca. How wonderful to see you."

"I-I'm sorry," Lady Rebecca said, frowning at him. "Do I know you?"

He chuckled modestly. "Mr Willoughby," he said. "I do a lot of business with your uncle. I have seen you at his home many times."

"Ah yes," she said, though he could tell she was uncertain.

He sneered again, irritated that she found him so forgettable. He would have made his point quite clear, too, but he knew he needed her favour.

"Is there something I can help you with, Mr Willoughby? You see, my friend and I are shopping and—"

"Friend?" He turned and smiled at the second lady as though he'd only just noticed her. "Ah. How do you do? Mr Edward Willoughby, at your service."

"Lady Arabella," she replied with a slight and unconvincing smile.

"Such a pretty name for such a pretty lady," he said.

"Thank you," Lady Arabella replied, that flash of fear in her eyes exciting him almost as much as Celestina's had. He stored away the image in his mind, ready to be replayed later.

"As I said, Mr Willoughby," Lady Rebecca continued, but Edward cut her off.

"Actually, I saw your friend scurrying away, looking rather upset. And being the consummate gentleman I am, I just wanted to ensure everything was all right. I do hope she wasn't hurt."

"Celestina?" Lady Rebecca asked.

"Is that her name?" Edward lied. "She looked dreadfully bothered by something, and I thought perhaps I might offer to get her home safely. If only I knew which direction she was headed."

"Why, she'll be heading back to Exeter House, of course," Lady Arabella said with a snort of humour.

Exeter House?

"Yes." Lady Rebecca held herself tensely, her shoulders squared and her mouth pinched closed.

She may have disliked Celestina, but Edward thought she disliked him even more. But it was too late now. He had the information he needed, and all thanks to her pretty little friend.

"Does she live with the Duke of Exeter?" he asked, both surprised and annoyed at himself for not working it out sooner. He should have suspected it after catching them together at David Courtenay's old home.

"Works for him, you mean," Lady Arabella said.

"If that's all, Mr Willoughby?" Lady Rebecca said, clearly eager to be away from him.

He grinned again. "That's plenty. Thank you both for your time. It's most gracious of you."

As he returned to his own carriage, it was with a lighter, happier air. Finally, things were starting to go his way, though he could have kicked himself for not realizing the Duke of Exeter had something to do with it.

But an employee?

The very thought made him throw his head back and laugh out loud despite the strange looks he received from passersby. He'd always known her as graceful and elegant, and he knew how much she'd hate being under someone's control.

"But fret not, pretty one," he muttered as he climbed into his carriage and tapped the roof with his cane to indicate he was ready. "You will always be under someone's control from now on."

He rubbed his hands together in glee. It was time for the blackmail to begin in earnest. He would threaten to reveal all her husband's dirty dealings—all entirely fabricated, of course—unless she paid him with cash.

Or herself.

An image of her on her hands and knees, scrubbing the stone floor of his kitchen, flashed into his mind, and he sneered. He would turn her into the perfect wife—obedient, quiet, and subservient.

"I am tired of waiting for you to choose me, Celestina," he said. "So I'm going to take you instead."