by Allison, Kim
Relieved, she leaned back in the chair to relax and calm her tattered nerves. Her hand idly went into the drawer and she casually searched through the remaining contents within to make sure she hadn’t missed anything else. Still a little shaky, she lifted what appeared to be the last document only to find underneath, a folded parchment carelessly shoved to the back of the drawer.
Elyssa hesitantly and with a foreboding premonition, opened the document. Immediately fear and dread returned, because at the bottom was Percy’s scrawled signature. Her world seemed to cave in and her head spun as she read the damning words. She had found Percy’s final will.
Everything was left to me, her mind cried. Greystone...the money...but it all means absolutely nothing! Catherine had been brutally honest in her hateful attack!
Finally the reality sank into her conscious thoughts. I don’t have Daniel...not his heart nor his slightest regard. Oh yes, he wants me––rather, needs me––to regain his inheritance, but then he probably plans to callously discard me after I have served his nefarious purpose.
Her breathing was shallow, her heart shattering as the ultimate truth of Daniel’s sordid plan penetrated her mind. He did not really love her after all. He was marrying her only to regain possession of Greystone. A swirling darkness enveloped Elyssa and she slid to the floor in a dead faint, the wrinkled document still clutched loosely in her hand.
to keep hernot l
CHAPTER 14
Daniel pounded his fist against the pillow for the hundredth time, cursing himself a fool for allowing Elyssa's wishes that he not see her until the wedding. What difference could one bloody day possibly make? He didn't like it at all that Elyssa left the ball early. He'd gone back to the balcony with two glasses of brandy only to find her gone, just that quickly. Thinking perhaps he had chosen the wrong spot, Daniel checked the other nearby terraces but there was still no sign of her.
After a while, one of the servants had given the strange message that Elyssa had left with a headache. Surely there was more to it than that. She had been in a very good mood when he'd left her, had kissed him with the pent up passion of a woman in love.
Daniel had given up trying to figure out her motives. Perhaps it was some female ploy to tease him before the wedding, though he found that notion ludicrous. Or perhaps she'd seen him talking with some other woman and gotten jealous. But that couldn't be it, because Daniel hadn't spoken to any females, other than to nod in greeting as he passed by. He was sorely tempted to leave the ball himself and go after her, but Daniel decided so callous and deceitfules accomplish against it. Elyssa had left word that she would see him the day after tomorrow at the church, and he would just have to wait until then to see her, it was as simple as that.
Sleep continued to elude Daniel and he had just about given up on any sleep at all when he heard the door jiggle. There was the slight sound of a key being turned. Daniel watched as the door slowly opened and the unmistakable form of a woman entered.
His heart skipped a beat in the hopes it might be Elyssa. That she'd not really left the mansion after all, but had only meant to come to him that night. Daniel's hopes were swiftly quashed, however, when he saw it was none other than Catherine.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" he growled.
"Daniel, darling, I'm so glad to see you're already awake," came the sultry reply as she boldly lifted the blankets and got into bed with Daniel. Her hands went to his bare chest and she moaned in the anticipation of sharing his bed once more.
He grabbed her wrists as she began placing kisses on his chest and neck, his grimace unmistakable. "Get out now, before you get yourself in trouble."
"Don't make me leave," she pleaded silkily, daring a kiss upon his lips. "Have you forgotten what you did to me?"
Daniel had the grace to look the tiniest bit repentant, for he knew of what she spoke. Pouting prettily, Catherine continued as Daniel loosed her wrists, "You left me in Paris with promises of returning soon after. You said you loved me. And the next thing I hear, you're wooing your father's widow. That was a cruel thing to do to me, love."
"I apologize for the circumstances, but I never told you I loved you, and you know that," Daniel replied. "Now get back to your own room before your brother finds you in here."
"Maybe then you'd be marrying me instead of that woman," she dared.
"Don't even think about trying to trap me into marrying you, Catherine. Better women than you have tried and failed." Suddenly wondering if Catherine didn't have something to do with Elyssa's early departure, he asked, "You didn't say anything to Elyssa tonightoth in and out of bed.thi, did you?"
"Of course not. Why would I want to socialize with my competition?" Before Daniel could utter a response, Catherine covered his mouth with her own and branded his lips with a scorching kiss. He briefly responded to the heated kiss, grabbing Catherine roughly against him, her moan of pleasure echoing in the room. But just as abruptly, Daniel shoved her away and ordered her to leave at once.
With tears in her eyes, Catherine reluctantly obeyed his command. "I'll be there for you, darling, when she breaks your heart. And she will."
"Never," came the vehement reply.
"Good night, lover," she said, blowing him a kiss before shutting the door behind her.
Daniel spent the next day busying himself, talking business with Blake, drinking intermittently, hoping the hours would pass quickly. He ignored Catherine's pouting, and she dared not tell Blake she had come to Daniel's bed last night, else he'd have her sent to a convent. The girl was beyond control and Daniel pitied the man she eventually trapped into marriage.
Later in the afternoon, Daniel visited the church to make certain everything was being taken care of as ordered. Dozens of bouquets adorned the church with every flower imaginable. White ribbons hung prettily from the huge bouquets and Daniel hoped Elyssa would be pleased. He knew how much she loved flowers. Over two hundred white candles were placed about the sanctuary. The church looked every bit as beautiful and inviting as Daniel had hoped it would.
The huge church would be filled to capacity to witness the grand spectacle, the celebrated libertine being brought to heel by a lovely young widow. Society reveled in such stuff. Of course, the majority would no doubt see it as scandalous, salacious. And that was fine with Daniel.
Elyssa. He'd told her several times before––they were fated to be together. And perhaps at the time he'd spoken those romantic words, he had not meant them in any meaningful way. But now...now the words rang truer. Louder. And Daniel's heart skipped a beat as he faced the truth. He was in love with Elyssa. Somehow she'd managed to thaw the icy exterior about his heart. to keep herethi
Daniel had wanted her physically from the moment he'd first seen her of course, but now there was more to it. Much more. Daniel found himself missing Elyssa's lovely presence when she wasn't about. Found himself wanting to hear her honeyed voice speak his name, to tell him about her day. He had come to cherish her genuine warmth and the love she'd so generously bestowed upon him. It must have been quite humbling to voice aloud an emotion Elyssa knew he didn't yet return.
But that had all changed. Daniel would tell her tomorrow. During the wedding when they were speaking their vows. He would make certain Elyssa knew she was loved and treasured.
___________________
She felt so unloved, so used. Elyssa stared numbly at the amended will, wondering how she could possibly be so naive. What made her ever think a worldly rogue like Daniel Fredrickson could ever be attracted to her in the first place? A man so breathtakingly handsome, so dangerously alluring, was not the kind who would choose to spend his life with someone like Elyssa. No, Catherine Edmonton was clearly more his type. Wild and beautiful and willful.
Elyssa almost hated Catherine for it. But then, how could she? The woman, although clearly only out for her own gain, had been the only honest one. The only person alive that had dared make Elyssa face the truth––that Daniel wanted to get married only for her
worldly possessions. To regain them by marriage and dispose of her with all haste.
Didn't Daniel realize she would have gladly given Greystone and everything back to him had she known about the change in Percy's will? Indeed, she would have sacrificed her very life for him. But he’d deceived her. He had betrayed them both.
Elyssa started several times during the course of the morning to return to the Edmontons' estate to confront Daniel about the entire situation. But pride stopped her. What good would it do anyway, for he would undoubtedly win her trust with some fabricated tale. He would turn the entire thing around, and What was it abouthi dow Elyssa didn't trust herself not to fall for his lies yet again.
The wedding gown was delivered from Delilah's shop, Elyssa's maid displaying the gorgeous creation on the bed before leaving Elyssa alone to her thoughts. It was breathtaking, to be sure, and Elyssa's eyes misted at the thought that she would never wear the beautiful gown. She would never know the thrill of feeling Daniel's hands remove the gossamer dress from her shoulders on their wedding night, nor feel his lips upon her own.
Crying aloud, Elyssa crushed the hated will in her hands, tossing the crumpled papers across the room. She shoved the wedding gown aside and threw herself across the bed, weeping bitterly. She would not stay and confront Daniel, nor could she live with herself if she willingly wed him. Couldn't look him in the eyes day after day knowing that he didn't love her. Wondering each morning if that might be the day he would forever cast her aside.
She had to leave. Had to get away before night fell, for she wouldn't be able to deny Daniel did she not escape immediately. Elyssa carelessly tossed her things into a few bags. She took only the dresses and garments she would need, leaving the multitude of gowns Daniel had recently bought for her.
Despondency eventually gave way to anger. Elyssa went downstairs to retrieve a goodly sum of money in a safe Percy had kept in the study. It was hers now, after all. She could take or sell anything within Greystone that she wanted to. An expensive Ming vase crashed against the far wall as the thought of Daniel's lying mouth and seductive eyes came to mind. A likeness painted of Daniel's mother was picked up from the desk and thrown across the room. Elyssa cursed her for dying and leaving behind a son that had turned out so callous and deceitful without the mother's love he'd so needed. Then Elyssa grabbed another handful of money from the safe before shutting it securely and replacing the books onto the shelf that hid it from prying eyes.
She went back upstairs, ignoring the stunned looks of the maid and butler that had come rushing into the study at the sound of broken glass. The glistening sight of the diamonds Daniel had gifted her with caught Elyssa's eye as she stepped into her bedroom and she snatched them up from the dresser. Picking up the crumpled will from the floor, Elyssa wrapped the diamond necklace around the papers. She didn't want his diamonds.
Elyssa's initial thought of going to her parents' home was quickly dismissed, for her family would be attending the wedding. Taking up residence anywhere in London was entirely out of the question. At least until she'd had a chance to get over Daniel. And the way her heart presently ached, it would take fifty lifetimes to get over the heartbreak he had cursed her with. escaped her lips aou second
She dared not get the usual driver to take her to the docks, for he would undoubtedly tell Daniel where she'd fled to. And Elyssa had no doubt Daniel would come after her. He needed her after all, for without Elyssa to marry him, he had no hope of obtaining Greystone. No money. No inheritance but for Percy's business legacy.
And Elyssa didn't give a damn about what happened to Greystone during her absence, nor Percy's investments. It would be taken care of whether she was there or not. She knew Percy's solicitors would see to everything. And if they cut her out of Percy's will over her departure, then so be it. She didn't care.
Elyssa got the stable hand, Will, to drive her to the docks. She knew he'd always been a bit sweet on her, and although it was risky he might still betray her whereabouts, Elyssa had to take the chance. In fact, she gave him a large bonus to keep her privacy just that. Private.
Thus it was that Will bid Elyssa goodbye at the docks, hoping she'd be alright. He'd offered to book her passage wherever she wanted to go, had insisted on seeing her safely aboard whatever vessel she chose, but Elyssa declined, not wanting Will to have to lie anymore than he would already be forced to.
Stepping up to the ticket counter, Elyssa told the clerk, "I'd like to book passage to Paris. My name?" she replied to his request. "My name is Mary Jones."
escaped her lips aou second
CHAPTER 15
The church was rapidly filling to capacity, carriages lining the streets as guests waited to disembark. The day was clear and crisp, cold but no wind, and the sun was making an appearance for the special occasion.
Daniel ran his long, lean fingers over his jaw again, wracking his brain to make certain he hadn't forgotten anything. He was more nervous than he would have anticipated. Barely cracking the door open, he pulled at his cravat tensely at the sight of the throngs of people already seated and anxiously awaiting the ceremony, for all that it wasn't scheduled to begin for another half hour.
A hearty slap on the back from Blake brought Daniel back to reality. Laughing aloud at the irritated look on Daniel's face, Blake said, "My God, you're pathetic. I wouldn't trade places with you for the world."
"Thank you for the friendly words of encouragement," Daniel replied dryly.
"Hell, you just returned to England and already I've lost my newest gambling partner. Now who will go to White's with me?"
"I'll still go, you ass. Elyssa won't have me chained to a post, you know."
"Not yet, but give it a little time." Blake pulled out a thin cheroot and lit it. He offered one to Daniel, but he declined. Blake then pulled out a flask from his jacket and before he could extend it in offering, Daniel grabbed it and took a long swig of the aged whiskey.
"Have some?" Blake asked sarcastically.
Shoving the flask back into Blake's hand a moment later, Daniel murmured, "Where the hell is she, Blake?"
"Elyssa will show. Hell, she's probably here already. Stop worrying!"
Pacing the floor of the small room, Daniel shoved his hands in his pockets. "It's all just so strange. She left the ball early and I haven't heard a word since."
"You know women, Daniel. She probably just wanted you to look forward to seeing her today. Damn, I can't believe this day has come. Lord Daniel Fredrickson, jaded rogue, tossing his happiness away to be shackled to one woman." He continued through Daniel's nervous laughter at his less than complimentary description. "The same woman. Day after day. Night after bloody night. No variety. No freedom."
"You can stop anytime, you know," Daniel cut in. "You're starting to bloody well depress me."
"Sorry, old chap. I just thought that as the best man I should be giving you some kind of philosophical advice."
"Aristotle you're not," Daniel said, taking another peek out the door. Still no sign of Elyssa.
"Well, how's this? Get her pregnant, get a mistress, and if all else fails, get a divorce."
"Get the fuck out." drank in the sighted to ">CHAPTER
"What did I say?" Blake laughed as Daniel opened the door and ordered his closest friend out. "I was just trying to lighten the mood."
"Get out," Daniel repeated. Blake finally left, assuring Daniel he'd be waiting at the front of the church once the noon hour struck. Daniel was near to laughter himself once the door closed, but he felt Blake would drive him mad with his wretched words of advice on marriage did he not leave the room.
At precisely twelve o'clock, Daniel checked his reflection in the mirror before heading toward the altar to meet his bride. He was adorned in all black but for the pristine white shirt beneath his jacket. The bud of a small white rose adorned his jacket, Elyssa's favorite flower. His hair was pulled back neatly, his face clean shaven. He hoped Elyssa would approve of his appearance, and the unfamiliar stirrin
g of nervousness attacked once more as Daniel's fingers reached for the door knob.
Daniel flashed a quick smile toward the guests as he joined the minister and Blake at the altar. He barely noticed the gloriously decorated sanctuary. He saw Elyssa's family seated in the front pew, noted her mother's worried look and wondered if his own expression mirrored hers. Elyssa should be here by this time, waiting to walk the aisle with her father, who stood nervously alone at the rear of the church. It was now ten past twelve and Daniel was beginning to get a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Something was wrong. He prayed Elyssa had not met with danger on the way to the church. If she'd been hurt in any way, he would have the driver's head.
A clearly upset Annie rushed out of a side door a moment later, frantically motioning for Daniel. He walked quickly over to Elyssa's maid, rushing her out of sight from any guests that might have noticed her entrance. "What is it?" Daniel asked urgently, grabbing Annie by the arms.
"Lord Fredrickson, I am afraid Lady Elyssa isn’t coming!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" he responded, a dread seizing about his heart.
"She was in an awful way yesterday, crying and throwing things. She forced poor Will to take her to the docks, I just found out. Left this brief note for you, she did." drank in the sighted to ">CHAPTER
Daniel snatched the wrinkled missive from Annie's hand, his eyes devouring the hastily scrawled words.
Daniel, I cannot marry you.
Elyssa
Daniel reread the cold, unfeeling note. The stark feelings of abject misery slowly gave way to a seething rage within. Elyssa had given no reason. No logic for her decision to leave him at the altar. A short bitter laugh escaped his lips and Daniel's hands balled into fists. How ironic that the object of countless mamas hoping to get Lord Daniel Fredrickson to the altar had finally succumbed to the bloody sanctity of marriage, and was being jilted in the process.