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The bastard grinned at her. “I’ll be pleased to warm ye meself, yer ladyship,” he offered with a mocking bow and a pull at his bulging crotch.
Do not show fear. “As I said before to your leader, you’d be well advised to keep your hands to yourself,” she snapped. “I am a duke’s daughter, not some cheap harlot!”
“Praps, but ye sure don’t look a lady in them clothes,” he reasoned, nodding down at her, his eyes lingering on her posterior, the shape of which was clearly outlined by the breeches she wore. “Ye look more like one o’ the wenches from the village to me.” He licked his lips.
She felt the blood leave her face—and then felt it return in a rush as he let out a raucous cackle.
“You otter be nice to me, yer ’ighness. They call me ’Orse for a reason. I knows ’ow to make a woman squeal,” he said, massaging his crotch as he spoke.
Imitating her sister, Victoria leveled her coldest stare at him. “You’ll be the one squealing when they tighten the rope around your neck. Now, it is cold in here. If you want me to live long enough for your leader to ransom me, you’ll build a fire. At once.” Turning away, she gave him her back, just to show him she was unafraid of him.
After a long, tense moment, he did as she bade.
The door creaked on its hinges a short while later. “Jimboy sent me to take your place.”
“Wot, don’t ’e trust me?” said Horse, looking more than a little put out.
“What do you think?” the other replied, his voice dripping sarcasm.
Cursing under his breath, Horse left. The new man came in, and she noticed he was cradling his arm. It was the one she’d shot.
“Aye, that’s right. Nicked me, you did. ’Tis glad I am that you didn’t have better aim.” He seemed amused rather than angry. He came to the hearth and sat on the other side of it.
Relieved when he kept his distance, she resumed warming her bound hands before the fire. As she stared into the flames, her memory returned to the last time she’d been here. These ramshackle walls had witnessed the culmination of her love for Julius. Now that beautiful memory—all she really had of him, now—had been defiled.
Unable to bear the thought of Julius, she turned her thoughts toward home. Hopelessness settled in her breast. If she’d been ruined before, she would be even more so now—if she even survived. Would Papa still be willing to send her to France?
She stared into the fire for what seemed an eternity as the sun sank, sending shafts of amber light into the room. Looking up, she noticed the curtains she’d made were gone from the windows. Casting about, she saw they’d been torn down and wadded up for pillows.
Sleep. She was so tired, but she dare not close her eyes even for a moment.
Then she realized her guard was snoring gently. She edged toward him as quietly as she could. If she could just reach the knife in his belt and take it without waking him.
The door burst open, and he awakened with a snort.
“Wotch yerself, Geoff,” said Horse, jerking his chin at her as he came in. “She’d have got free or slit yor throat in another minute.”
“What is to be done with me?” she said quickly, ignoring Geoff’s wary gaze as he marked how far she’d managed to scoot toward him.
“Ransomed,” answered Horse shortly. “Found a bit o’ paper in that bag of yors. You’re to write us a note to take to Richmond.”
So, they’d not gotten the bag containing her pearls. God willing, Primero would return to the manor and they’d find it and know that something bad had happened to her. They’d be ready when the messenger arrived.
“Who’s riding?” asked Geoff.
“You,” answered Horse flatly. Clearly, he didn’t approve of their leader’s choice.
“Still doesn’t trust you, eh?” chuckled Geoff. “He’s right, isn’t he? We’d never see you again if you went.”
Horse’s eyes narrowed to hate-filled slits, but he handed Geoff the parchment—her parchment—and the other writing implements. “Just you ’ave ’er write it out. We wants a thousand pounds, or ’is lordship’ll never see ’er again. Once we ’as the coin, we’ll be ’appy to turn ’er ’ighness loose at the next village over. An’ she’s to give you directions as ’ow to get there,” he added before stomping out of the hut and slamming the door.
Geoff brought her the writing tools and placed them at her feet. “I’m going to untie you. I warn you now, if you try anything, I’ll see you regret it.”
She nodded and held out her hands. He released her, and she rubbed her wrists. “Give me a moment to take the stiffness out.”
JULIUS STRODE THROUGH the doors of Richmond Manor and brushed past the open-mouthed butler. “It is imperative that I speak with Lord Richmond at once.”
“Of course, my lord.” The man slowly turned to do his bidding.
