“Ah, excellent. You have not lost your French.” The man smiled, showing too many teeth and not all of them in good condition. “But you do not know me.” He bowed. “I am your uncle Yves Villaret de Joyeuse. Your father’s younger brother.”
She resisted the urge to run back to theSong Bird. Though if she tried, her uncle could catch her easily enough. Perhaps if she kept him talking long enough, someone from the ship would be here soon. She slid a glance to his right. Behind her uncle and off to his side, Marisole had finally got the parasol opened. “I do not understand why you waylay me here. What do you want?”
The smile remained on his face but did not touch his eyes. “I see you plan to be stubborn. We wish what we have always desired, a good alliance for you.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him she was already married, but some feeling that he might prove a danger to William stopped her. “Go on.”
He glanced at theSong Bird, but didn’t appear to notice Eugénie’s maid. “We have arranged a match with a Frenchcomte. He is older and wants only an heir. After you have given him one, you may do as you wish.”
“I am not interested in your match.”
She turned to go, but his hand shot out, stopping her. “If you want to see your step-father, Nathan Wivenly, alive, you will come with me.”
Marisole had moved so that she was directly behind Uncle Yves with the parasol raised, ready to strike him. It wouldn’t do much, but it might give Eugénie and her maid an opportunity to get away.
“My father died months ago.” The moment the words were out of her mouth, she knew they were not true. “Show me proof, or be on your way.”
Yves reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a watch.Papa’s.Before her uncle opened it, Eugénie knew she would see the miniatures of her and Maman that Papa had had painted. Her heart pounded so quickly it created a roar in her ears. She struggled to keep her voice even. “Where do you have him?”
“In a safe place.” Yves clicked the watch closed. “Once you are wed, he will be freed.”
“Non. You must think I am exceptionallystupide.” Eugénie curled her lips in a sneer. “I will have proof he is alive and safe before I marry yourcomte.”
“You are a true Villaret de Joyeuse. My brother will be pleased.” His grip on her arm tightened. “Come, we depart now.”
Eugénie dug her heels into the dirt. “I cannot just leave. My mother will worry, and I need to collect a few items.”
Uncle Yves’s face flushed with anger. “You will accompany me now, or I will personally see that Wivenly dies a painful death.”
Behind Yves, Marisole glanced at the yacht and gave a short nod. Eugénie’s maid would make sure her family, especially her husband, would know where to look for her.
“Very well.” She made her tone as cold as the English winters William had told her about. “But if he is not well, I shall never wed yourcomte.”
“I expect nothing less.”
She went with him, being half pulled to a pier two wharves down from the Whitecliffs’, where a row-boat was tied up and an older man waited.
“I have her,” Yves barked. “We must go immediately.”
After she was in the boat, a sailor climbed in, cast off the line, then took the oars.
“My dear niece,” the older man said. “I am your uncle Hervé. I am pleased you have joined us.”
She bit her lip, reminding herself that neither man would hurt her, not if they wanted to marry her off and produce a child. Eugénie raised her chin. “I may be here, but it is not of my choosing.”
He reached over and patted her right hand. “You say that now, yet we are ensuring you shall have a wonderful life. One in which you will want for nothing. Your future husband has the ear of the king.”
She fisted her left hand, feeling William’s ring. What would her uncles do when they discovered she was already married? With any luck, her husband would have rescued her by then. The most important thing was to find Papa and free him. William would understand why she had to go with her uncle. He had to. He loved his family as much as she did.
Eugénie’s maid crashed into Will as he strolled out of the salon. He steadied her arm, stopping her from bouncing back.“Milord, milord, they have taken milady!”
His heart dropped to his feet, and he struggled to breathe. How? Why had this happened now? He raked his fingers through his hair. He never should have agreed to allow her to go back with only her maid to protect her. “Tell me what happened.”
Tears coursed down Marisole’s cheeks, and she shook like a blancmange. Andrew pressed his glass into her hand and she drank.
Will glanced at the docks, but couldn’t see his wife at all. He wanted to wring it out of Marisole, but that would only upset her more. “Go slowly and tell us everything.”
She started in rapid French then turned to English. “I hear it all. Mr. Wivenly is alive.”
