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Chapter 39
Olivia waited for her former suitor to speak. She wanted to know what all this was about. Why he had abducted her from the street, subjected her to this appalling treatment, kept her against her will in this disgusting room. Andthenshe was going to scratch out his eyes. It was going to be very satisfying when she did it.
“You should have married me, Olivia,” he sighed. “I would have been a good husband to you, you know. You would never have regretted the decision.” He frowned, his face darkening. “Instead, you marriedhim. A common sea captain. Someone who is not worthy to kiss your boots.”
“He is worth ten of you,” she spat, luminous with rage. “At least he is not a common abductor likeyou.”
Bertie’s face darkened more. He looked livid. “You drove me to it. If you had just married me, none of this would have been necessary. I would have had your dowry money, and everything would have been taken care of.”
“Is that what this is about?” She could not believe her ears. “Money?”
He grinned. “Of course, it is, my dear. It isalwaysabout money. Or the lack thereof.” He took a deep breath. “I tried to dispose of him, you know. On your wedding day. I loosened the bolt in the carriage wheel, causing his delay. I wanted it to be worse than that. I wanted him to never make it to the church, to be lying dead in a ditch. That way, I might have still had a chance to marry you. It would never have come to this.”
Olivia was shaking with rage. “You tried tomurderhim on our wedding day, and all for money? You are the most despicable man I have ever encountered!”
“I am a desperate man,” he said, in a low voice. “I have debts everywhere. Creditors baying for my blood. The old man will not lend me another shilling, saying he does not have it, that our home is falling down, and he will not fund my dissolute lifestyle any longer.” He laughed. “And I need money, Olivia. Quite a lot of it. In fact, your dowry should just about cover it. I want it now.”
Olivia laughed in his face. “I do not have it! Grandpapa has it in trust for me. My husband agreed to have it absorbed back into Essington Manor when he becomes earl. You have done all this for nothing. You are a foolish, despicable man!”
He did not like that. He advanced towards her, until he was standing over her. She noticed that his eyes were bloodshot, and a vein was bulging in his right temple.
“Watch your mouth,” he snarled. “I could have killed you, you know. You could be dead now. Show some gratitude.” His eyes narrowed. “You will write to your dear grandfather and tell him that you want the dowry money released from its safe house. Tell him anything as to why you need it. You want to buy a house or a thousand pretty dresses. I do not care. He spoils you terribly and he will not be able to resist your plea.”
Olivia glared at him.
“As soon as you have access to the dowry,” he continued, “you shall deliver it to me. If you do not, I shall kill your husband. Do not think I will not. I have tried once, and I have no qualms about doing so again. Do you understand?”
Olivia glanced over at Alexander. He had not stirred and he was still deathly pale. Olivia’s heart plummeted seeing how injured her husband looked. And also… how vulnerable.
Her eyes filled with hopeless tears. Bertie was insane. How could she have been so terribly wrong about his character? He had duped her from the very start. He had calculatingly targeted her because he knew that her grandfather was wealthy. He had seen her as an easy target to get what he wanted.
And now, he was going to keep Alexander locked up somewhere until he fulfilled his aim. And how did she even know he was not going to kill Alexander anyway after he had her dowry finally in his grasp?
But then, she saw Alexander move. He was stirring. His eyes opened half an inch, taking in everything that was happening. Her heart almost missed a beat when she saw him furiously untying the ropes binding his hands.
Bertie had not noticed yet. He was too busy gazing at her and lecturing her. She must keep it that way. Desperately, she tried to think of something—anything—to keep him talking and distracted.
“It will never work, you know,” she said quickly. “Grandpapa will never release it to me. Are you quite certain you cannot ask your father for the money? He loves you dearly. I saw it clearly when I was staying at Langley Park.”
Bertie scoffed, “The old man loves nothing except hunting and playing whist. The houseisfalling down around him. He is like Nero, fiddling while Rome burns.” His face tightened. “I am his son and heir, and still, he denies me! The money will be mine in the end anyway!”
Olivia nodded, glancing quickly at the bed. Alexander had loosened the ropes. His hands were free. Her heart skipped another beat. Her husband was getting slowly to his feet and his face was full of thunder.
Now, she thought, her heart jumping almost out of her chest.Please.
Bertie did not see it coming at all. He was too busy being mired in bitterness over his father. Alexander let out a cry, rushing towards him, tackling him to the ground.
Olivia watched with her heart in her mouth as the two men wrestled on the ground, punching one another. She could barely breathe. Bertie seemed to be getting the upper hand as Alexander was still weak from the gash on his forehead. If she did not intervene, he might be overpowered again.
Her eyes scanned the room desperately. Then she saw the rock lying discarded on the floor. The one that Bertie had used to attack Alexander. Swiftly she grabbed it, heaving it above her head. The problem was finding the exact moment to strike. The two men were tumbling over on the floor. She did not want to make a mistake and land the blow on Alexander’s head instead.
Her heart was racing, and she felt sick. Every moment counted. Suddenly, that moment came. She seized it, slamming the rock down on Bertie’s head.
He slumped to the ground. Alexander looked stunned, panting, staring at the inert man. Then he gazed up at her.
The next moment they were in each other’s arms. He held her so tightly and fiercely she thought she might stop breathing.
“You came,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
