Page 61 of A Siren for the Duke

“No. I wrote to her nearly every day. But Horace was jealous of us, and he intercepted our letters. She never received them, and I never received hers. I can show them to you if you require proof. My father sent me a chest of Hunt family documents so that I may review our dire financial situation and be prepared upon my return to England, not knowing the letters were in it.”

That apparently stunned both Eliza and Ferdinand into silence for a moment. Lionel tried to decipher the thoughts and feelings behind his eyes. There was anger and resentment, but also a hint of understanding and perhaps even sympathy.

“I love her. Deeply. I never stopped loving her, even when I thought she betrayed me. I was angry, but there was never any absence of feeling. Your Grace, please,” Lionel pleaded. “Let me fix this situation. Do not cause her pain anymore. I beg your blessing for her hand in marriage.”

Both Ferdinand and Eliza looked at Lionel in shock. Clearly, neither of them had expected that turn of events, and neither said anything. Before Ferdinand could respond, Ellis burst into the room, sweaty, disheveled, and with a black eye.

“Ellis!” Lionel shouted in alarm upon seeing his first mate. “Who did this to you?”

Ellis was out of breath but did not stop to compose himself.

“It’s Dartmouth,” he said between breaths. “I saw him,” a breath, “on the beach,” another breath, “with Lady Jemima.”

“Ellis, please do not tell me this is going where I think it is going,” he said, feeling a tinge of despair.

“He... he took her. Pulled a sack over her head... knocked her out. I tried to free her, but... one of his men... put up a good fight.”

“How long ago?” Ferdinand asked in a low, threatening tone.

“A few minutes... but I suspect... he has a plan,” Ellis said, still catching his breath.

“We have to go. We may still be able to catch them.”

Suddenly united in the quest to rescue Jemima, the two men rushed outside to the beach area. The entire time, Lionel wracked his brain. What could Gervase Dartmouth possibly want with Jemima, a woman he’d met only once?

But there would be time for contemplation later. All he needed was for her to be back in his arms, safe and sound. And this time, he would protect her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Jemima slowly regained consciousness, her head throbbing and her body aching. As her eyes fluttered open, she found herself in a dimly lit carriage, the musty scent of worn leather and stale air filling her nostrils. Panic gripped her heart when she realized her wrists were bound tightly together. Her gaze darted across the carriage, and there, sitting opposite her, was Gervase Dartmouth, the notorious smuggler about whom Lionel had warned her. His smug grin sent shivers down her spine as he leaned back, his eyes filled with malice and triumph.

"Ah, you're finally awake, my dear," Gervase sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "I trust you've had a pleasant nap?"

Jemima's eyes narrowed, her fear giving way to a flicker of defiance.

"What is the meaning of this, Mr. Dartmouth? What do you hope to achieve by kidnapping me? I do not even know you."

Gervase let out a deep, throaty laugh that grated against her nerves.

“Oh, my sweet Lady Jemima, this is but a small taste of revenge. You see, your beloved Lionel has been trying to cause me trouble for quite some time now and wants to rob me of my freedom. So I intend to return the favor in kind and take something that is precious to him."

A bitter smile played upon Jemima's lips, and she let out a disbelieving chuckle.

"Oh, this is about revenge, is it?” she asked, laughing bitterly. “Well, it will not work, whatever you have planned.”

The smuggler's brow furrowed in confusion.

"And why is that, my dear? Do you doubt the strength of my resolve?"

Jemima's gaze met his, her eyes gleaming with sorrow and defiance.

"I do not even know you. I have no idea about the strength or weakness of your resolve. What I doubt the strength of his love."

A flicker of surprise danced across Gervase's face, swiftly replaced by a dark amusement.

"You think he no longer loves you? That his heart has turned cold?"

Jemima nodded, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.