Page 68 of Taming Ivy
“I’m not leaving until I’ve had my say and you both shall listen to every word,” the girl vowed through gritted teeth, tiny fists clenched as if ready to strike anyone who attempted to leave the study. “Do you hear me? Every word.”
“Sebastian! Call for the bobbies!” Rachel probed at the lump rising on the back of her head. “Where’s in God’s name is Gabriel? Surely your damned man can handle removing this chit-”
“He kidnapped her,” Sara interrupted quietly, her eyes glittering blue ice as the awful truth was exposed.
Lady Garrett and Sebastian both stared at her.
She continued with relentless intensity. “Timothy Garrett abducted her. Attempted to carry her to Gretna Green. When she fought him, he struck her. Only Ivy would not give up. She attempted to jump from the coach and when she managed to get the door opened, Timothy slammed it shut. Somehow, Ivy’s hand was sliced open on a bit of metal. It must have terrified him. With all the blood, he probably thought she was dying.”
Sara wiped tears from her eyes. “He had the coach turn back, carried her back to Kinley House. Lady Garrett, believe what you will, but I saw Ivy’s face, the bruises, the scrapes; the wound she suffered attempting to escape. And, I’ve known her pain, her heartache when your damaged son took his life. Simply because he could not possess herwhen he thought she belonged to him.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I swore a vow. I swore never to say a word. Never, not when she was vilified for refusing to see Timothy and not when she was blamed for his death. She trusted him, cared for him. She was his friend when he least deserved it and he abused that trust so horribly. When he died, Ivy wept so many tears. She felt responsible, although there was nothing she could have done to save him or to heal the madness inside him.”
Sara’s eyes bore holes into Sebastian. Was precious time wasted coming here? Attempting to sway the man who delighted in breaking her friend’s heart? “I told her Timothy was unnaturally obsessed, that he’d changed from last season. The medication he took for his headaches, it turned him into someone possessive, bitter and ugly, in words and actions. It made him a monster that we no longer recognized.
Ivy’s heart is so tender beneath that icy veneer she presents to the world. She believed she could help him, that her friendship was enough. You’ve seen the scar, Ravenswood. Have you not wondered about it? How it came to be there? Brody stitched it, with the late countess’ own sewing kit. Ivy never told anyone the truth; she even hid it from her father.” Sara’s words caught on a heart-wrenching sob as her emotions finally overflowed. “She would never have told a soul.”
A dreadful silence filled the room, with the exception of Lady Morgan’s soft weeping. Sebastian was so overcome with regret and shame, it was difficult to draw a proper breath of air. His chest tightened until he could only rub it, hoping to ease the unrelenting pain. Tossing the cigar into the fireplace, he unlocked one of the drawers of the desk, drawing out the marriage license and Timothy’s well-worn last letter.
What have I done to her? What has my family done to her? Forgive me, Ivy. My love, my very heartbeat, forgive me.
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Sebastian, you can’t believe this farce! My Timothy would never do such a thing…they fabricated this tale to make him the villain. He cannot defend himself against these lies!”
“Ivy could not defend herself when Timothy tried to take what would never belong to him.” Sebastian gathered up the documents and stalked to the door.
“You are not going after her. I forbid it.” Rachel threw herself in his path. “She is a disease and it is good riddance, I say. Good riddance!”
He stared at the woman. How she could blame Ivy for Timothy’s death was inexplicable. “Of course, I’m going after her. How can I not? I highly suggest staying out of my way, madam.”
Brushing past her, he took Sara by the arm and pulled her into the hall with him. Their ancient butler, Jackson, held his overcoat and assisted in tucking the papers into a deep, inner pocket for safekeeping. The foyer was a mass of activity, servants running to and fro. Gabriel trotted down the stairs, carrying a box containing a brace of pistols. He handed it to Sebastian along with two leather pouches full of gold coins. “Raven will be ready momentarily. I would like to accompany you, but what are your wishes on the matter?”
“Ride ahead to Beaumont. Tell the staff to prepare themselves for my arrival and the countess. I’ll send word to you when I’ve secured her.” Sebastian drew up short…he neglected to inquire who dared to kidnapped her. Christ, if Nicholas March was involved in any way, he might actually rip the man apart with his bare hands.
“Who has her?” he snapped at Sara.
He was forced to repeat his demand before Sara, staring at Gabriel Rose with wide-eyed curiosity, answered.
“Viscount Basford. He came for her this afternoon under the pretense of taking her to an afternoon play at the Lyceum. Ivy’s butler sent for me when she did not return, and an inquiry at the viscount’s house revealed his immediate departure for business in Scotland. I’ve no doubt they are headed to Gretna Greene. I was four houses from here at the Waring musicale, which Ivy was to attend as well. It's how Brody knew where to find me. You must understand, I had no one else to ask assistance of, Ravenswood. Alan is at Bentley Park; it would have taken far too long to send word to him.”
Sara’s gaze drifted to Gabriel. She’d never seen a man with so many bulging muscles and such kind eyes before. And such a fearsome scar as the one slicing his face. “Lord Kinley is unaware of these developments, but should Basford make it to Scotland, there will be no choice. The marriage will stand.” Forcing her attention back to Sebastian, she added softly, “Although I despise you for trying to destroy her, I pray I’m not wrong in believing you care for her…even if only a little. If you do not, Ivy does not deserve your contempt. She’s been in such pain these past few weeks. She’s not been…herself.”
Sebastian’s blood was little more than raging ice in his veins, but a curious sense of relief flooded him. Thank God, Nicholas’s name did not spill from Sara’s lips. Or Clayton or Danbury. Those men pursued women for sport and cruel pleasure. Basford on the other hand… goddamn Basford. The viscount was obsessed with claiming Ivy for his wife, eager to claim her fortune. Those facts made him a man easily dealt with. Hopefully he would not harm her until she was firmly and legally under his control, but what then? His sexual tastes would destroy Ivy.
Sebastian pulled Sara into a quick, unexpected embrace. “Forgive me, for what I put her through, for hurting her. I mean that with all sincerity. Do not worry. Iwillretrieve her.” Pleased to see her nod, her eyes shiny with fresh tears of relief, he said, “Stay here as my guest and repair yourself. Word will be sent to your family, and fresh clothing obtained for you. Bentley will have my head if I fail to see to your safekeeping. I beg a favor, if you’ll indulge me. I shall leave it to you to inform Ivy’s father of the situation. Indeed, the next time he sees his daughter, she will be the new Countess of Ravenswood.”
Sara gripped his arm, her jaw dropping with astonishment.
“Do not swoon. I only received the special license today and was gathering my courage to beg her hand in marriage.” Sebastian felt immeasurable relief saying the words aloud. Even with the task at hand of rescuing his love, he was lighter, calmer than he felt in months. “I’ve made a bloody mess of things but, I cannot, and will not, live without her. If need be, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to her.”
Cocking her head, Sara considered the dark, moody earl who hurt Ivy so terribly. “I fear you’ll have the Devil’s own time convincing her.”
Sebastian grinned. “The Devil and I are well acquainted, but for this, I ask for divine intervention. Since my standing with the Lord is a bit shaky, Lady Sara, will you say a prayer for the both of us?”
CHAPTER 20
Basford held a three-hour lead on Sebastian and while the rain finally slowed the roads were a sloppy muck. With Raven’s ground-eating gallop, it was possible to catch the viscount’s coach before it made the Lancashire border.
This was his blame, this danger Ivy was in. Had he not been so eager to believe the worst, he could have defended her, provided a shield against those wishing to exploit her. Even if he was unaware of Timothy’s conduct, actions could have been taken to safeguard her from the hateful and destructive gossip following his cousin’s death. He should have offered protection upon his return to England. Had he utilized his spies to uncover the truth, his part in causing Ivy pain would have been avoided.
