Wesley laughed, only it sounded more like a snarl. “You would prove too cumbersome to take along. Your family owes me. I am sure that damn Highlander will be willing to entail Newburn to pay handsomely for your return.”
“You want to send a ransom note to Scotland? That could take days.”
“It could, but I had in mind sending the ransom note to theotherHighlander here in town who has access to the Cantford and Newburn accounts. After all, Newburn was supposed to bemine.” A strange glint appeared in Wesley’s eyes. “But maybe I should request dear Jillian in exchange for you as part of the bargain. She would have beenmywife if that damn MacLeod had not interfered. I know she loved me.”
Mari opened her mouth and snapped it shut, remembering that Wesley Alton had been committed to Bedlam because he was delusional and dangerous. He confused Jillian with his young stepmother, Lorelei, who had also been his mistress until she mysteriously disappeared. “Jillian has been too ill to travel.”
A look of rage swept across Wesley’s face. “The damn bitch got pregnant.”
How did he know that? A sliver of fear slid down Mari’s spine. Had the man been spying on them all this time? She could feel the anger radiating from him and looked away, hoping not to provoke him further.
“Maybe your sister can make it up to me,” Wesley said softly, all trace of anger gone from his voice.
Mari glanced at him. That odd gleam in his eyes was back. Her uneasiness increased as he pulled a chair over and sat down close enough that she could smell the liquor on his breath.
He picked up one of her blonde curls that had come loose in the struggle to blindfold her. Mari tried not to wince as his hand bumped against the bruise she had on her cheek from being slapped.
“You do not look like her, but it does not matter.” He dropped his hand. “I will get you pregnant and she will be the aunt to my son. That would be nice.”
Cold terror sluiced through Mari. She had to do something. Would anyone hear her screams? Would anyone even be concerned if they did? The only women who came near the docks were harlots who sold their bodies for coin. “You…you do not want to do that.”
Wesley raised an eyebrow, giving him a diabolical look. “No? Why not?”
“Because…because…Ian and Jamie will pay the ransom. You will have your money and you can leave, but if you…you…you take my virginity, neither of them will rest until you’re dead.”
“Um.” Wesley curled his lip. “Perhaps I will kill Ian MacLeod first. That would make his lovely wife a widow once more… She could come to France with me.”
He rambled on, a vacant look on his face, and Mari prayed he would forget what he had just said. He lapsed into silence. Maybe she could distract him by playing along? “If you want Jillian to go with you, you need to treat me with respect. She will be very displeased if you do not.”
Wesley gave her a sharp look, any element of madness erased. “Do not trifle with me. Don’t you think I know what you are trying to do?” A hint of amusement sounded in his voice. “In any case, you will not be a virgin for long. I just wish I had not promised my son he would have honor of taking it.”
The ice that had replaced the blood in her veins made her feel rigid as a board, Mari frowned. “Your son?”
“Why, yes. Nicholas.”
The room suddenly began to tilt, and tiny points of grey flickered in front of Mari’s eyes. She struggled for a deep breath, ignoring her sore ribs, and tried to keep herself from swooning.
“Nicholas?”
“Yes,” Wesley said again as if speaking to a dim-witted child. “Since he is a talented painter and equally talented with the ladies, I asked him to come over from France with the express purpose of seducing you or abducting you. I did not care which. Dowry or ransom—the money would be the same.” He gave her a condescending look. “Stupid girl. You made the decision.”
Mari took another breath as the room slowly stopped spinning. Other things were beginning to fall in place. Nicholas’s sudden appearance in London’s social Season and his seeming disinterest in anyone except her, how seemingly eager he had been to pay her court. The maneuvering he had done—trying to create scandal that would ensure her ruin, forcing her to accept his proposal. Mari remembered all his flowery phrases and flattering compliments. She had believed each and every one of them, while criticizing Jamie for not being the cultured, refined gentleman. Shame crept over her. She had been stupid to believe all of Nicholas’s lies. She had been even more stupid not to appreciate Jamie for what he was.
Jamie. He had never gotten her message. He didn’t know she loved him.
Wesley laughed as tears sprang to her eyes, and he stuffed the gag back into her mouth, tying a cloth around it before walking to the door. “I’m going to get more whisky,” he said, “but don’t worry. Nicholas should be here shortly. I understand he is a bit vexed, so I expect taking your precious maidenhead might be quite painful, and things might get rather bloody when he shoves his cock into your ass, but you did ask for such treatment, didn’t you?”
He chuckled again when Mari tried to answer and only made a muffled sound. “Then it will be my turn.”
Jamie drew his dirk when someone banged loudly on his door. He nearly dropped it in surprise when he saw Mari’s aunt with Effie and a young stable boy standing in the hallway. The hair at his nape stood on end. “What is wrong?” he asked as he stood aside to let them enter.
“Marissa has been abducted,” Agnes said without preamble when he’d closed the door.
“What? How? Has there been a ransom note?”
Mari’s aunt blinked as rapidly as Jamie’s succession of questions, tears brimming. “There has not been a ransom note yet. I think Seth can better explain what happened.”
Frowning, Jamie turned to the boy, who looked frightened enough to swoon, and forced himself not to bark a command. “Tell me what ye ken, son.”
