Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“Where is she?” Ian loomed over the lady, who had just entered the foyer, having just returned to Trenton House. He had been about to ride to the neighboring estate she was visiting when he had seen the carriage entering the gates. He raised the bundle of letters in his hand. “I know everything about your foul plan, my lady. So do not bother to deny it.”

“Stand down, Trenton,” protested Lord Mastiff, standing in front of his daughter in a protective way. “What the deuce are you doing?”

“Your daughter has been plotting evil,” snapped Ian, feeling his temper about to snap. “She is involved in the abduction of Miss Bomind. I have the proof of it. It is laid out plainly in these letters between her and Lord Eaton—who is her lover.”

Lord Mastiff’s jaw dropped. “That is preposterous! An outrageous accusation!”

Lady Gwen had paled, her eyes flickering desperately, as if she were seeking escape.

“Where is she?” demanded Ian again, advancing toward her. “Where has Eaton taken her? What is he planning to do to her?”

Lady Gwen started backing away, moving toward the door.

“You may as well confess,” growled Ian. “You will be convicted for your role in this. I have all the proof I need of your involvement in writing.” He took a deep, ragged breath. “But if you tell me where Eaton has taken her, I will plead leniency for you to the authorities. I will tell them that you repented and led me to the place Eaton is holding her to rescue her.”

Lady Gwen froze. Her face tightened, her eyes darting wildly, looking like a cornered animal. She was as white as a sheet.

“He… he has taken her to the old hunting lodge near Howard Lake,” she gasped at last. “But you will need to make haste, for he is moving her soon.” She hesitated. “She will be put on a ship sailing to the Far East and sold into slavery.”

Ian reeled back in horror. He pushed her out of the way, running out of the house, toward the stables, jumping on the nearest horse.

“Send word to Captain Redford to meet me at the hunting lodge near Howard Lake,” he barked at the startled stablemaster. “Tell him it is urgent. Go now, man!” He paused. “And send someone to tell the authorities to meet us there, as well.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” replied the man, racing toward another horse.

Ian took off, galloping down the driveway and through the gates at full speed, heading toward the lake. He swore beneath his breath, squinting, as snowflakes flurried around him.

The weather was changing. Another storm was approaching. His heart contorted violently, spurring the horse to greater speed.

Please God, let her be safe. Let me get there before Eaton moves her. I beg of you.

***

“We will have to move now,” growled Eaton, as he walked back into the room. “I wanted to wait until under the cover of darkness, but the weather is changing fast. We might not make it to the docks in time if there is a blizzard.”

Selene gasped in horror, fighting against the tight ropes that bound her. “Please, do not do this!” she cried, her stomach dropping, in a sickening way. “How can you be so abominably cruel as to deny me my liberty in this shocking way?”

His face tightened. He didn’t reply. He just grabbed her, forcing her to her feet, dragging her toward the door. Her head pounded hard and started to spin, but she fought him, every step of the way. There was no way she was going to make it easy for him.

But she knew it was hopeless. A sick dread was steeling over her. She was leaving her beloved homeland forever. She was going to be sold into slavery. It was a fate even worse than death.

She whimpered with terror, offering up a desperate prayer, thinking about the duke, and how he would never know what had happened to her.

He would never know that she hadn’t chosen to leave him and Lenore. He would think that she had simply walked away and deserted them.

Godspeed, my one and only love. You will never know the truth. But I shall love you forever.

***

Ian stopped the horse on the hill, gazing down at the old hunting lodge, waiting for Thomas, who he could see galloping toward him. His heart leapt to see his old friend.

“What is happening?” called Thomas, as he drew close. “The stablemaster told me that Miss Bomind has been abducted!”

Ian nodded. “She is in that hunting lodge,” he said quickly. “Eaton has her, and he is about to put her on a ship and sell her into slavery.”

“Dear God,” cried Thomas, shaking his head in horror. “Why…?”

“We do not have time for me to explain everything now,” interjected Ian. “We need to act immediately.” He stared at the lodge, his eyes narrowing. “We are going to storm the lodge, approaching it from the rear, from different directions, to deal with anyone standing watch. We need to clear the field. You have your sword?”

Thomas nodded. “Yes, of course.”

“Good,” said Ian, patting his own sword in the scabbard at his waist. He only wished he had brought his pistol, but it had been locked in his safe, and in his haste, he couldn’t find the key. “Let us go.”

They dismounted their horses, tethering them to a tree, drawing their swords, creeping down the hill toward the lodge. Ian glanced at his friend. Thomas’s face was intent, his sword held high, ready for action. When they reached the field behind the lodge, they fanned out, securing the perimeter.

Ian’s blood was pumping so hard it sounded like a river rushing through his veins. Thank God for his friend, who knew combat, just as he did. His eyes scanned the horizon anxiously, noticing the gray clouds moving overhead, at a rapid pace. There was no sign of other riders. Where were the authorities?

His gaze turned to the lodge again. He could hear movement inside. A feminine whimper. His heart gave a sickening, frantic lurch.

It was her. He could feel her presence.

I am coming, Selene. I will save you, even if I lose my own life in the process. I swear it.

***

Selene fought desperately as Eaton dragged her toward the waiting carriage. She had managed to almost unbind the ropes tying her hands together behind her back. Her heart pulsed with fear. She only had one chance, and she had to act before he bundled her into the carriage.

I will wait until he is distracted, for even a moment, then I will free my hands and push him. It might buy me enough time to run away.

Her eyes flickered, taking it all in. Eaton had two men who were helping him, who were both standing beside the carriage, with grim looks on their rough faces. She tensed. She must escape them, as well. She would have to run like the wind.

She freed her hands at last, but kept them clasped behind her back, her heart pounding hard. Eaton turned his back to her, opening the carriage door. She dropped the ropes, freeing her hands, pushing him hard in the back. The man staggered, falling against the carriage, cursing loudly.

Selene turned to run… and then, like a vision of avenging angels, she saw the duke and Captain Redford advancing, swords drawn and glinting in the muted light.

The captain took on Eaton’s men with a growl. She gasped, veering out of the way, as the duke grabbed Eaton, slamming him against the carriage, his sword against his chest, ready to strike.

“Do not move an inch, despicable vermin, or I will cut you into pieces,” snarled the duke, in a menacing whisper. “It is over, Eaton. Your obscene plan has been foiled. You are done.”

Selene gave a fractured cry, her hands flying to her mouth, slumping to the ground in relief and joy. Her breath was coming in short, sharp gasps. She stared at the duke, her mind spinning.

He came. He has saved me. My prayers are answered.

She heard the sound of thundering hoofbeats approaching. In a daze, she gazed up. It was five men in military uniform, their swords drawn. The authorities had arrived.

It was over. The ordeal was truly over.

Shaking, she got to her feet, stumbling a little. The authorities were dismounting, taking over, securing Eaton and his men. The duke was walking toward her.

“You came for me,” she whispered.

His dark eyes were glowing with a light she had never seen before. He nodded, his eyes raking over her. Slowly, he reached out a hand, stroking her face tenderly.

“I came for you,” he whispered. “You are safe now.”

The world started to spin. Snowflakes were fluttering onto her face, cold and wet.

She saw his eyes widen in alarm as he rushed toward her, catching her in his arms, before she fell to the ground. Wearily, she placed her head against his chest, hearing his strong heartbeat, smelling his familiar scent of sandalwood and leather, before it all faded to black again.

***

Selene’s eyes fluttered open, gazing around. She gulped. She was lying in an unfamiliar bed with the blankets drawn high around her body. A grand, four poster bed, in a huge, ornate room, with green silk wallpaper. A large fire was flickering brightly in the fireplace, filling the room with warmth.

It is so beautiful. The most beautiful room I have ever seen in my life.

Her eyes drifted toward the windows. Snowflakes were falling outside, fluttering and twirling in the air, like delicate fairies dancing.

The door opened, and she turned her eyes toward it. It was the duke, walking toward her, his eyes filled with concern. Her heart leapt wildly.

He knelt beside the bed, taking her hands in his own, staring at her with such luminous feeling that she could barely breathe.

“You are safe now,” he whispered, his eyes roaming her face. “Eaton and his men have been arrested. They will never bother you again.”

Selene felt her bottom lip begin to tremble, as the horror of the experience flashed before her eyes, in excruciating detail.

“Thank you,” she whispered, trying not to burst into noisy tears. “You saved me, Your Grace. I can never repay you for your kindness to me.”

“Do not thank me,” he said, in a harsh whisper, frowning. “For I am the reason that you were abducted, Selene.” He hesitated. “It was Lady Gwen and Eaton. They planned it all.”

“I know,” she whispered, her heart fluttering. “He told me everything.” She stared at him. “Do not blame yourself. You cannot control the minds and hearts of evil people. I am just so grateful that you came for me.”

His face contorted with emotion, his hands tightening on her own, squeezing them. They stared at each other, lost in each other’s eyes.

The door opened and a maid walked into the room. The duke let go of her hands, standing up, smiling hesitantly at her, before leaving the room.

Selene blinked back tears, turning her head on the pillow. He was so brave and strong. She had thought she couldn’t love him anymore than she did. But now… now, she knew that she had been wrong. So very wrong. The love was so powerful she thought her heart would burst with it.

A single tear trickled down her cheek. If he could never love her in the same way, somehow it didn’t matter. She would always love him, even if they could never be together… and that must be enough.