Page 71 of Taming Ivy
When it rushed in, she crumpled. Buckling under the weight of it, she helplessly sought the warm strength of his arms.
“It’s all right, love, it’s all right.” Sebastian climbed onto the bed. Gathering her into his arms, he embraced her as a torrent of horrific images engulfed her.
“He wouldn’t let me go. I begged and cried, but he wouldn’t let…” Tears saturated the material of his shirt. She still did not understand how or why he was there, but she clung to him. In the midst of a desolate sea, he was a huge, solid rock, a lifeline she could not surrender. How she had missed him, the awful magnitude of it repressed inside her soul until this moment. Beneath her cheek, his shoulder was warm, his breathing deep and easy, large hands soothing as though she were a child startled awake by dreadful nightmares. Ivy wanted to crawl into his lap and never leave it.
“I’m here now. I’m here and the Devil himself would need to strike me dead before I let anyone harm you.” Cradling her face, he kissed away the tears staining her cheeks.
“Where are we?” Her question emerged in a choked whisper.Why, why is he suddenly assuming the role as my protector? It makes no sense.
“Bentley Park.”
Ivy swallowed, trying to regain control of her wildly careening emotions. She foolishly fell in love with this man at Bentley Park. Suddenly, it felt like wolves, not memories, ravaged her heart.
“Oh. My head hurts,” she said woodenly.
Concern flitted across his haggard features. Sebastian rolled from the bed but soon returned with a small brown bottle and a spoon. “It’s laudanum,” he explained. Ivy swallowed the bitter liquid without question. She hoped the drug would overtake her quickly, the pain of seeing him easing into a cloud of dark oblivion. It would be easier to forget his treachery there.
“Is the viscount dead?” Much of what occurred inside the coach was a blank space. Ivy remembered bits and pieces of Brandon’s cruelty and more vaguely, the moment Sebastian appeared to pull her tormentor off her. But nothing beyond that, or how they came to be at Bentley Park.
“God, I hope not. When I left him, he was very much alive.” Sebastian sank into the chair, watching her carefully, as if anticipating something unpleasant. “He’s very lucky in that regard. Considering.”
“Why did you come after me, Sebastian?” Her hands, which previously clutched his shoulders as she wept, now clenched handfuls of the coverlet.
“Your butler is a highly suspicious man. I’m not the only gentleman he dislikes.” He ignored the crux of her question. “He sent for Lady Morgan when you did not return and she, in turn, came to me. Demanding I rescue you.”
“Did her anger shock you?” Few people had actually witnessed Sara Morgan’s anger. She hid the emotion well behind a pretty veneer of blue eyes and soft blonde hair. It was a frightening sight when set loose, but Ivy adored her for it. China dolls were not known for tempers, and Sara’s made her very real.
“Surprised more than shocked. She was less than with enchanted with me. I was informed, in no uncertain terms, what she expected me to do.” Sebastian smiled while pouring a glass of water from the pitcher on the bedside table. “And I found myself following her orders.” He handed her the glass.
Sipping the water slowly, Ivy tried understanding him. Why did this man, once so intent on destroying her, rush to her rescue? Why, after shattering her with his treachery, did this man give two shillings for her wellbeing? Her head spun, trying to fathom Sebastian’s motives, to second guess his intentions. Forming defenses to his attacks exhausted her. Her fingers fluttered at her temple, probing a bruise there, before dropping back to her lap.
“I regret you were put to such trouble. I had no idea Basford would attempt something so reprehensible.” Ivy’s gaze flitted away from his penetrating one. “It was… unexpected.” Had Sara blackmailed him in some way? Used Bentley’s friendship against him? Threatened him with some manner of dire consequences? What might possibly bend the Earl of Ravenswood to do another's bidding?
“Timothy’s attempt at abduction was unexpected.”
Their gazes collided. Ivy’s breath escaped in a panicked whoosh. “What?”Oh no.No, no, no. Oh God, Sara…what have you done? You promised me.
“Ivy, tell me what happened. Sara related some of the details, but I want to know-Ineedto know. What did my cousin do to you?”
Physically, she moved not a muscle, but Ivy retreated from him. “You wish to compare our versions.”
Sebastian exploded from the chair. “So that I know how the bastard hurt you! So that no one ever hurts you again!” Agonized fury rolled from him in waves.
Ivy trembled. “No one ever wounded me as you have, Sebastian.” The softness of her words could cut stone. “It broke my soul, trusting you. Ruined me. All the while, you knew just what you were doing. That hurt the most. Youknewyou were breaking my heart. And you enjoyed watching me fall to pieces, didn’t you? Can’t you understand I suffered more at your hands?” Chin tilted, her gaze clear and steady, it was a stark contrast to the weeping Ivy he held in his arms only moments ago. “None of it matters now. There is no need to revisit the past. No need for empty gestures of atonement on Timothy Garrett’s behalf, and please, put aside any misguided beliefs the viscount must be punished for his actions. You cannot change what either man did. Or what you did.”
Sebastian’s eyes turned so haunted and dark it was staggering to see. “I ask again.” Sinking back into the chair, his low voice quivered. His hands raked through his hair. “Tell me. All of it.”
Ivy’s temper flared at the subtle hint of intimidation. Relating Timothy’s actions filled her with dread. It would provide Sebastian more reason to despise her, further justification for his hatred. But the opportunity to pour it all out, to tell her side specifically to this man, burned every barrier previously erected.Will he believe me?
“Timothy kidnapped me.” The words clung like icicles in her throat. She swallowed, fighting the urge to say more.He won’t understand…
“Go on, love.” Sebastian’s hand gripped hers. He seemed to tamp down an inner rage, but looking down at her, both his tone and his eyes softened. “I want every detail, Ivy. Do you understand?”
Ivy nodded, took a deep breath. She gave in.
“He was to take me to Regent Park that day. For a picnic on a lovely afternoon. I told Sara of our plans, although Timothy specifically asked that I not. He said she was jealous of our time together. You see, she became insistent on knowing these things, where we would be, what days we had plans. Even for harmless, silly activities like picnics or museum visits. She did not trust him, tried to warn me, but I did not believe her. I was so foolish. So naïve. I thought maybe Timothy was right, that maybe Sara was a bit envious of our friendship. But for some reason, I always told her what she wanted to know. I suppose something inside me knew Sara was right all along.”
Ivy’s voice turned softer, eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Your cousin did not take me to the park that day. He arrived in a hired hack, said his carriage threw a wheel and he was too rushed to have another readied. Once I was in that dilapidated coach, once we were on the outskirts of the city, he told me we were going to Gretna Green. He kissed me, put his hands under my skirts- touching me where there was nothing to bar his way. Claiming he loved me, and I was his. I could not get away. I fought so hard, and he seemed to enjoy that until I bit him. He struck me, and that seemed to excite him more. He…he tore my dress from my shoulders, forced me down against the seat…”
