Page 55 of The Duke of Pain

“If you do, I’ll cut off these pretty titties of yours and then slit your throat for good measure. Understand?”

No. Gideon would not do this. She refused to believe it.

Olivia must have been shaking her head because Yellow Teeth continued, “His nibs said he got everything he wanted from you. He’s had his fill. You know the duke never stays with a woman more than a night or two. Don’t tell me you believed his soft lies? Women. You’re all so bleeding stupid.”

The other man cackled evilly, his gaze fixed on her bosom.

Nausea churned her insides. A flicker of doubt ignited, and it began to pick at her.

Could Gideon be behind this? What did she know of him, really?

Her mind raced, trying to go over the short time they had spent together. Was everything they said to each other and what they shared physically all counterfeit on the duke’s end? Was she stupid and gullible?

The doubt started to spread through her like a virus.

Yellow Teeth pushed her toward Wool Trousers.

“The room down the hall, get her gear, and let’s hit the cobbles before the staff stirs.”

Wool Trousers took the knife, passed the lantern to the other, and held the blade at her throat as he pushed her toward the door.

“Open it, and keep quiet. Show me the room.” He came up behind her and rubbed his groin against her backside. “Blimey, but you’re a lush one.”

“Never mind that you, bastard,” Yellow Teeth hissed. “Just hurry up.”

The tea and biscuits she had before bedtime churned in her stomach. Her trembling hand reached for the handle and turned it. The door squeaked open, and she was pushed out into the hall. The place was deathly silent; no doubt the staff already abed.

Olivia’s legs felt like rubber, but she made her way toward the guest room.

Once inside, Wool Trousers whispered his foul breath into her ear. “Gather up everythin’ you own. We’re leavin’.”

“I have to change—”

“Bollocks to that. What you wearin’ is enough. Hurry up, or I’ll give you a clout.”

He could not be serious, as she only wore a thin cotton nightgown. She would freeze.

Stay calm.

Olivia blinked back hot tears as she grabbed her carpetbag. She hadn’t brought much to Gideon’s home. Once plans were settled, she had intended to return to The Velvet to gather the rest of her belongings.

Olivia stuffed her few pieces of clothing into the bag along with her toiletries. Her hands shook.

Her memory flickered back to the thirty gold sovereigns Gideon had offered her that first night.

She could use the money now.

Her own savings were still in James’s safe, and Olivia hadn’t had the chance to collect it. Leaving the money there could be the wisest thing she had done. At least there would be a small amount of coin to see her through.

Depending on what these disgusting, ugly men were going to do—to her.

Olivia glanced frantically about the room, looking for anything she could use as a weapon.

Then what, hit her attackers? Raise a ruckus?

They would harm the staff; she knew it deep in the chilled marrow of her bones.

Wool Trousers pulled her from the room toward Yellow Teeth, who waited in the hall. They were down the stairs and out the rear entrance before she could blink. Olivia was then shoved into a small carriage. Yellow Teeth climbed in with her while Wool Trousers sat behind the horses and snapped the reins. The horses’ hooves pounded on the cobbles.