“Leave us,” he ordered in a cold voice.
“No, don’t!” Elizabeth pleaded.
They weren’t stupid. They fled. She would have too if he’d given her the option. Hmm, perhaps he was. She ducked and tried to join the fleeing servants. His hand came down on her shoulder just when she thought that she might be able to sneak away.
“Oh, not you, Elizabeth.”
She laughed nervously. “Well, you weren’t specific.” She ducked away from him.
“You went too far, Elizabeth.”
“I-I know,” she stammered as she went back around the table. He followed at a predatory pace. This man was frightening. Why hadn’t she noticed that in the orangery?
He stopped suddenly and looked to his left. “Oh look, it’s laundry day,” he noted in a deceptively bored tone.
She didn’t want to move her gaze away from him, but her eyes wouldn’t listen to her. Of their own accord they followed his gaze to the large laundry tub full of water, clothes and soap.
Before she knew what was happening he had her scooped up in his arms. She tried to squirm her way out of his hold, but there was no give. “Let me go!”
“Of course, my Lady. Your wish is my command,” he said pleasantly before he released her.
“Robert, you-”
Her words were cut off by an intake of cold soapy water. She gasped as she pulled herself up. She was suddenly soaked to the bone and freezing. The large fire several feet behind her did nothing to chase away the chill.
Robert’s smile slowly faded as his eyes narrowed on her dress. She looked down to discover that her light blue gown was now sticking to her and was see through! Her nipples were hard from the cold and were poking against the wet material. She watched as Robert hungrily licked his lips.
She scrambled to get out of the tub and away from that hungry look. She grabbed a dry, crumpled sheet from the pile near the tub and wrapped it firmly around herself, tucking it in above her breasts. He stepped forward almost as if he couldn't stop himself and just as she prepared herself for the worst, his mouth came down on hers.
* * *
She tasted of soapy water and minx. Instead of slapping him like he’d expected, she pulled him closer and kissed him back. Their mouths moved in a perfect dance. His tongue traced her lower lip requesting entrance and she gave it.
Afraid the servants might return at any moment, he opened his eyes to make sure that they were still alone as she turned them around. He still couldn’t believe that she was kissing him after what he’d done to her.
“Anyone coming?” she mumbled.
“No, no one,” he murmured against her lips.
“Good.” She ran her hands down his chest to his waist where she began to undo his trousers. Alarm and joy shot through him. “Minx?” he asked breathlessly as she deepened the kiss. Good God, they were going to make love in the kitchen, he realized with a possessive growl as he took over the kiss.
He felt his pants drop down around his boots the same moment that he felt something hard bump against the back of his legs. She pulled back, smiling seductively up at him. Her hands traced back up to his chest where they flattened.
“I think you need to cool off,” she said as she shoved him.
“Wh-”
Thanks to his pants around his ankles and the edge of the barrel behind him, he lost his balance. He landed in the ice-cold tub of water with his pants around his ankles, making it difficult to climb out.
“I believe now, sir, that we are even,” she said with a curtsy.
“You brat!” he roared.
She stepped back, biting her lip nervously. Perhaps just dumping him in the water would have made them even. Dropping his pants might have been too much. After a short struggle, he managed to climb out of the tub and yank his wet clothes up with great effort. He quickly fastened his pants just in time too since their fathers stormed into the kitchen seconds later. They took one look at the both of them and started laughing.
“Run,” he said in a harsh, cold voice.
“Exactly my thoughts on the matter,” Elizabeth said as she turned and bolted past her father.
“Too far?” her father asked, laughing.
“Yes!” she squeaked.
Robert watched her leave. If he took one step after her, he was sure that he was going to kill her with sex. Even after an ice cold bath his excitement for her wouldn’t diminish. God, she was wonderful and he was going to enjoy getting back at her, he decided.
“I don’t like that smile, Robert. Just promise me that you won’t kill her,” Richard demanded, still looking amused.
“I promise, my Lord,” he said. That was the only promise anyone would get from him where Elizabeth was concerned.
His father slapped Lord Norwood on the shoulder. “At least our time here won’t be boring.”
Richard laughed in agreement as they left the room, leaving Robert to plan his revenge.
* * *
“That’s lovely, my Lady,” Jane, her maid, said.
Elizabeth looked her dress over. The neckline was low, but not too low to cause a scandal. She liked the color, light green. It reminded her of Robert’s eyes, which was not the reason she chose to wear this dress, not at all. She hated the man after all.
It was his fault that she’d been forced to hide in her room for the last week, pretending to be sick. She would have stayed longer if her father hadn’t put his foot down and called her a coward. She was not a coward. She just wasn’t foolish enough to come out and face a madman waiting to kill her. Self-preservation was at fault here.
She had to go out tonight anyway. It was the Blackward’s annual ball and her mother would never forgive her if she missed it. It was one of the more popular balls, and only the elite were invited. No one dared miss it, or they risked being snubbed next year.
At least for tonight she was guaranteed a Robert-free night. Earlier, Jane told her the gentlemen were all going to their clubs tonight, saying something about a card game. Good. That meant she would be able to enjoy a few hours without living in fear.
For the past week she’d thoroughly inspected all her food for anything nasty that he might have added before she ate it. She also checked her bath water to ensure there wasn’t any dye waiting to turn her blue. The man was devious after all.
She quickly made her way downstairs while keeping an eye out for traps. Her nerves were frayed. Damn that man. As soon as she was downstairs and she was positive that he wasn’t waiting for her, she went straight to the protective bosom of her mother and Lady Bradford, who were waiting patiently in the foyer. Heather was already gone. She was now officially a spinster. It was a shame and, although it was her future as well, she would never be anyone’s companion. She would be her own master.
“Shall we go?” she asked with a forced smile as she rushed them out the door.
“You’re certainly excited tonight,” her mother noted approvingly. Normally it was like pulling teeth to get Elizabeth out of the house for one of these affairs, but tonight she welcomed the safety that a ball offered. In fact, she fully planned on staying until they kicked her out.
She waited anxiously as her mother and Lady Bradford climbed into the dark carriage with the help of a footman. Her job, in her mind at least, was to keep a lookout for Robert. He was sneaky after all.
“Lady Elizabeth?” the footman said, waiting patiently for her to climb in as well.
“Thank you, Anderson,” she said, accepting his help. Once inside the dark carriage she immediately saw the other two women sharing the bench riding forward. With an inward sigh, she sat down on something rather firm and warm that definitely didn’t feel like a bench.
“I believe this seat is taken, Lady Elizabeth,” Robert drawled, startling her and making her jump off his lap. Somehow she tripped over her skirts in the process and would have landed on her mother and Lady Bradford if he hadn’t reached out and grabbed her by the waist. Before she could swat his hands away, he planted her on the seat beside h
im.
“What are you doing here?” she rudely asked, not really caring if she offended him.
“Elizabeth!” her mother hissed while Lady Bradford was trying her best to hide a smile.
“I’m here to escort two very beautiful women to the ball,” he said, winking across the carriage and making the other women giggle. He slid a sideways look her way and grinned.
She was beyond annoyed, but the other women didn’t seem to notice or care. That was fine. She could sit here and ignore his very warm body and the way he made her body tingle with anticipation of his touch. Once she was at the ball, she would avoid him all together.
Well, it would have been easy to ignore him if he hadn’t started to use his weight to push her against the wall. “Stop it!” she hissed.
“Stop what?” he asked innocently.
“You’re pushing me.”
“You must be imagining things. I haven’t moved.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. We’re almost there anyway.” He pushed her again. She ground her jaw and accepted it. If this was his idea of revenge, then it was pathetic. She’d let him have it. It was simply childish. He’d certainly lost his touch over the years.
“We’re here!” Lady Bradford said cheerfully. Good. The faster she was able to get away from him the better.
Robert jumped out to help the other women out of the carriage first. When it was her turn, he held his hand out for her and she reluctantly took it. Once down she straightened her skirts and froze. Was there a draft?
Chapter 14
“Elizabeth! Back in the carriage at once!” her mother hissed.
“What?” she mumbled as her mother and Lady Bradford practically shoved her inside. She fell back on the seat. When she looked down she couldn't help but gasp in shock. There was a long tear down her skirt right on the side where Robert had sat, showing her leg in all its glory. Her eyes shot up to his. He looked very amused and a bit smug.
“We’ll have to go home and change,” Lady Bradford said, sounding disappointed.
Elizabeth held up her hand. “No, please. I refuse to wreck everyone’s night over my carelessness. I must have caught the dress on a nail, a very sharp one from the looks of it.” Her gaze shot to Robert, who looked oddly triumphant. “I apologize,” she said tightly.
“Are you sure?” her mother asked, looking torn between going with her and enjoying the ball of the year.
“Yes, I’ll be fine. Please go on. I’ll return as quickly as possible,” she said quietly. She was upset, but she didn’t want Robert to know. This was her favorite dress. Well, it hadn’t been a week ago, but that was not the point. He was going to pay for this.
Robert was the last one to move back. “Enjoy your evening.” He winked before turning to leave. Oh, she would enjoy it all right. She started plotting her revenge as soon as the carriage rolled away.
She was just formulating the perfect plan for revenge when the carriage came to an abrupt halt, sending her flying forward into the opposite seat. “Henry?” she called to the driver, worried that something had happened to the kind man that she’d know since she was a child. A gunshot rang out followed by another. “Henry!”
Seconds later the door jerked open, drawing her attention to the man standing there smiling at her. “Good evening, my dear, pleasant night for an elopement, isn’t it?”
Oh no, not him. She thought she’d rid herself of him last year when he’d been chased out of London by debt collectors. This was very bad. He was the worst sort of fortune hunter there was. He was also cruel and known to do whatever it took to get what he wanted and right now he wanted to force her into marriage. She was left with no other recourse but to pull back her fist and let it fly and that’s exactly what she did.
* * *
Robert couldn’t keep the satisfied grin off his face as he paced the ballroom. He ignored the eager widows sending him inviting glances, eager to share his bed, the bored wives sending him similar looks, the husband hunting school girls willing to do anything to be settled and kept an eye on the entrance, anticipating Elizabeth’s arrival.
He couldn’t wait. He was so damn giddy. This was going to be priceless. He almost wished that he could have seen her face when she realized that her wardrobe had been completely cleaned out except for a brand new gaudy looking gown that was hideously puke orange. She'd have no choice but to wear it and make his night. Life was good.
As he walked past the entrance steps to the ballroom a commotion in the foyer broke out. Footmen came running as they yelled for more guns. Robert didn’t think, he just ran. Something in his gut told him to move his ass and he did.
“Get them in the study and place a man at the door!” Lord Blackward ordered. "Get every man armed and call the magistrate. Someone go to Whites and get Lord Norwood immediately!”
“Get a surgeon!” a man yelled from the study.
Dread filled him. He ran past the footmen and a stunned Lord Blackward and followed the trail of blood soaking the expensive rug into the study. He saw her bloodied light green skirts almost immediately.
“Oh please, God, no,” he mumbled as he rushed inside
* * *
“Henry, relax!” he heard Elizabeth say.
“Are you okay, my Lady?” Henry asked, trying to sit up on the dainty couch.
“Yes, you did a very good job,” Elizabeth said, giving the servant a warm reassuring smile as she fussed over him.
As soon as he was close enough, Robert grabbed her by the shoulders and dragged her to her feet so that he could look her over. The front of her dress was covered in blood, but he couldn’t see any obvious wounds.
“Where are you hurt?” he demanded. When she didn’t answer him fast enough he shook her and yelled it. He hadn't realized his hands were trembling until he saw her shaking.
“M-my hand hurts, that’s all,” she promised. She showed him the back of her hand. It was already swollen. His eyes moved to her messy hair, a few cuts on her bare shoulder and to where her dress was ripped, exposing too much cleavage for his sanity. He removed his jacket and placed it on her shoulders.
“What happened?” he demanded.
She dropped back to her knees, pushing her arms through the sleeves so she could tend to Henry. “I’m so sorry, Lady Elizabeth. I didn’t know what they was about until it was too late.”
“Shh, nonsense. You did a fine job, Henry. A fine job. Now you just relax and let us help you.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. Robert could tell the man was in a great deal of pain, but didn't want to distress Elizabeth any further. “Get him some brandy,” he barked out at a footman. He looked back at Elizabeth. “I. Want. A. Name,” he bit out each word evenly.
“Edward Thompson, he’s been after m’lady for a while he has. Tried to take her tonight. She put up a fight, she did,” Henry said proudly, answering him before Elizabeth got a chance.
He knew the bastard. They'd attended school together. He was also a dead man. No one touched his minx and lived. He grabbed a gun from a passing footman and extra shot. “Lord Blackward, would you happen to have a good horse that I could borrow?”
“Robert, what are you doing?” Elizabeth asked.
“I’m going to kill Edward Thompson, of course.”
* * *
“Are you sure this is where he is?” Lord Blackward whispered over his shoulder.
Robert nodded to the older man. “You heard the landlady. He’s here.”
“How do you want to handle this?” Lord Blackward asked. He was practically on top of Robert. He had to shift again and step aside just for some breathing room.
“Have your men block the front and back doors. We’ll go in with a few men and grab him.”
“You weren’t serious about killing him, were you?” Lord Blackward asked, shifting nervously.
Robert double-checked his gun, making sure that it was loaded and ready. “If he tries to flee, I’ll shoot him dead before he can so much as take a step outside. Other
wise, I’m sure Lord Norwood would like to handle the matter personally. The man did try to abduct his daughter after all.”
“Right, right. Let’s go.” Lord Blackward nudged him. Robert led the way into the small rooming house.
“This way, sir,” the landlady said, gesturing for the men to follow her to the second floor.
“Knock on the door,” Robert ordered softly.
A loud whimper was the answer. After a slight pause, Robert opened the door. Holding his candle high along with his pistol, he walked into the room. The smell of fresh vomit and sweat reached his nose, nearly making him gag.
The whimpering continued. He looked at the cot only to find it empty. More light filled the room as men entered behind him, making the room nearly as bright as day.
“Good lord!” Lord Blackward gasped.
Edward Thompson lay on the floor, curled up into a ball with both hands clutching his groin. “She…wouldn’t…stop…..kicking…..” He vomited again. Every man in the room shifted and absently covered his own groin at the announcement.
Robert couldn’t believe his minx had taken this large man out. Worse, he couldn’t believe she was capable of this type of retaliation. Even after all the years of bullshit that he’d put her through, she’d never once went to kick him in the bullocks. Thank God for that!
The man was openly weeping now.
“What should we do?” Lord Blackward asked, shifting anxiously.
“Haul him in. Normally I would say that he’s suffered enough, but if she’s made him into a eunuch he’s going to want to kill her. Better leave this to her father and the magistrate to handle.”
“He’s crying,” Lord Blackward said in disgust.
“I know.” Robert bent over Edward, keeping his back to the rest of the men. “Edward, you tried to kidnap Lady Elizabeth?” he asked with barely restrained fury.
Edward nodded frantically. “I’ll admit it! Please just get a surgeon. I don’t want to lose my balls!”
Robert rolled him over. “This is for Elizabeth,” he whispered before he punched the man squarely in the jaw, breaking it with an audible crack and knocking the man out cold.
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