Chapter 25

Early that morning, bathed and dressed from her old closet, Emmaline anxiously awaited her father"s return. With no knowledge of what might have happened and no real way of finding out besides going down to the docks herself, Emmaline had no way to calm herself.

And so, she paced up and down her old chambers, glancing out of the windows at every opportunity, until Jane—sitting on the bed with no real understanding of what was going on—said, "I am sure he will return soon."

Emmaline wrung her hands together. The joints of her fingers and toes ached with tension. She had been clenching her hands and wriggling her toes all night, desperate to know what was going on.

"He should have been back hours ago," Emmaline insisted. Only then did she stop pacing and look to her sister. "Maybe I should get in a carriage and go down there."

Jane scowled at her. "I know papa lets you in on business matters sometimes, but had he wanted you there, he would have taken you."

Emmaline groaned deeply. She couldn"t stay there a moment longer. She needed to stretch her legs, get out of the house, do something.

Wordlessly, she grabbed her shawl off the back of the chair beside the vanity table and started toward the door. Jane was on her feet in an instant, blocking the way.

"Where are you going?"

"To walk in the garden," Emmaline said. "I cannot stay inside a moment longer or I shall suffocate. Either step out of the way and come with me or I shall have to move you."

Jane"s eyes widened. Emmaline fought the guilt in her stomach. Perhaps some of the devil had rubbed off on her.

She was most relieved when Jane stepped out of the way and gestured her forward.

As they walked, the house was eerily quiet, almost as if the whole building were holding its breath.

They saw not a soul on their way to the gardens and though Emmaline was relieved not to have to speak to anyone, it was a little anxiety inducing.

She was much happier when they exited the patio doors out onto the terrace and the sound of birdsong and buzzing bees hit her ears. The breeze that rustled through the leaves of the tree at the center of the garden was most enticing and she wandered down the terrace steps, hoping to sit upon the bench at the base of the tree.

"Emmaline, will you ever tell me what is going on?" Jane asked as she struggled to keep up with her.

Emmaline longed for the peace she found beneath that tree, the same peace she had found in the secret garden built by Alex"s mother, and she did not stop until she reached the bench.

Without sitting, she turned to her sister and said, "I fear that if I tell you something may go wrong, and I cannot risk that."

Jane scowled at her. Crossing her arms, she pulled her shawl tighter. Emmaline had to admit there was a chill on the breeze. She could only hope that was not a sign of things to come.

Sighing, she dropped down onto the bench and said, "Sit with me."

Jane half-stepped toward the bench only to pause, her face growing so pale that Emmaline thought she might faint.

"Jane, what is the matter?"

Rising to her feet once more, Emmaline rushed to her sister and clutched hold of her shoulders. Her sister was frozen, staring past Emmaline as if she had seen something hair-raising.

"Jane!" Emmaline shook her. She half-turned to get a look at whatever had spooked her sister so, but suddenly Jane was gone from her hands.

Her sister's scream was blood-curdling.

Ever the calm one, Emmaline fought panic as everything went black. The stench of the sack placed over her head was gut-churning even as thick, muscular arms wrapped around her.

Alex? She thought for only a second. Surely even he would not be ruthless enough to be this violent towards her.

As she was yanked backward against the chest of someone she could only assume was a man, Emmaline was absolutely certain that it was not Alex. Though he was tall and imposing, muscular and strong, this man made her feel as if he were going to squeeze the life right out of her.

No amount of struggling could free her. She tried to scream for her sister, tried to get her to tell her she was alright, but the sack filled her mouth the second she opened it.

Then she was hoisted up and flung over a shoulder as if she weighed little more than a doll. The ground felt sickening far away. Still, she struggled, trying desperately to free herself as the person carrying her picked up speed. Heavy breath told her the man was a great deal too heavy to be doing this sort of carrying but before she knew it, she was being hoisted once more, this time off the man"s shoulder.

"If you know what is good for you," an oddly familiar voice growled in her ear. She felt soft cushions beneath her, and another warm body pressed against her as the carriage she had been bundled into hared away, its wheels pounding the pavement. "You won"t fight me. Do exactly as I say and when all of this over you can forget all about the Black family and go back to your own."

Against her better judgment, she whimpered, "Frederick?"

The only answer she received was a knock upon the head.