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“You do?” she choked out.
He nodded, his eyes narrowing malevolently. “Imagine my surprise when I discovered him so far afield this evening.”
“I don't know what you mean.”
He started dragging her toward the main road. “You will.” He pulled her along until they reached a small gig parked by the side of the road. The horse was peacefully chewing on grass until Oliver kicked him in the leg.
“Oliver!” Caroline said. “I'm sure that wasn't necessary.”
“Shut up.” He jammed her up against the side of the gig and tied her hands together with a rough piece of rope.
Caroline looked down at her hands and noted with aggravation that he was as good at tying knots as Blake had been. She'd be lucky if any blood reached her hands. “Where are you taking me?” she demanded.
“Why, to see your dear husband.”
“I told you, I don't know where he is.”
“And I told you, I do.”
She gulped, finding it harder and harder to keep up her bravado. “Well then, where is he?”
He shoved her up into the gig, sat down behind her, and spurred the horse into motion. “Mr. Ravenscroft is presently standing on a bluff overlooking the English Channel. He has a telescope in his hand and is accompanied by the Marquis of Riverdale and two men I do not recognize.”
“Perhaps they are out on some sort of scientific expedition. My husband is a great naturalist.”
“Don't insult me. He has his telescope fixed on my men.”
“Your men?” she echoed.
“You thought I was just another idle lackwit latching on to your money, didn't you?”
“Well, yes,” Caroline admitted before she had a chance to check her tongue.
“I had plans for your fortune, yes, and don't think I've forgiven you for your betrayal, but I've been working toward my own destiny as well.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ha! Wouldn't you like to know.”
She caught her breath as they rounded a corner at an unsafe speed. “It appears I'm going to know very soon, Oliver, if you insist upon abducting me this way.”
He looked at her assessingly.
“Watch the road!” she shrieked, nearly losing the contents of her stomach as they careened by a tree.
Oliver yanked too hard on the reins, and the horse, already a bit peeved about having been kicked, snorted and stopped short.
Caroline was jerked forward as they halted. “I think I'm going to be sick,” she mumbled.
“Don't think I'm going to clean the mess if you cast up your accounts,” Oliver snapped, whacking the horse with his riding crop.
“Stop hitting that poor horse!”
He whipped his head around to face her, his eyes glittering dangerously. “May I remind you that you are tied up, and I am not?”
“Your point being?”
“I give the orders.”
