Page 89 of Taming Ivy
The viscount shrank back. Ravenswood truly resembled Lucifer, his eyes glowing like silver chips of hellfire in the darkness of the room. Half his face remained shadowed, the other half only dimly lit. There was no mercy in his features. No hint of civility or humanity. Only a mask of retribution and absolute possessiveness for what belonged to him.
"Option one. You leave England. I do not care where you go. I would prefer America or maybe even Spain. I have no holdings in those countries and little reason to travel there. As long as you are not on English soil, I shall be content. It goes without saying you will never mention the reason for your exile. Should I hear the slightest rumor regarding the night you abducted my wife, I shall seek you out and tear you apart. Slowly. Limb from limb. And I won’t care to make it appear an accident.”
Basford’s features registered shock.
"Ah, you did not know. As we were secretly engaged, you must understand how aggrieved I was when you abducted her.” Clasping his hands behind his back, Ravenswood was a study of nonchalant violence as he murmured low in the other man’s ear, “Your second choice - stay and do nothing. But I shall still challenge you to a duel. And rest assured, viscount. Iwillkill you. Whether by sword or pistol, or my bare hands, I will dispatch you to hell and take the greatest pleasure in doing so.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper, as though relishing the thought of undertaking the task right then and there.
“The last option is to avoid the duel entirely as you have thus far.” His smile was tight hearing Basford’s gulp of relief. “This carries its own problems. Mister Rose has kindly shown me a few of his favorite methods of disposing nuisances. And what would appear nothing more than a regrettable set of circumstances to others, would unfortunately for you, result in a very painful demise. A useful skill set to be sure, but something I doubt you want to experience firsthand. Not a pretty sight, I’m afraid.”
Basford swallowed against a lump of fear, eyes wide as the earl came closer to taunt him.
“I’ve learned the art of entering and leaving a residence so one would never know I was there. You may foolishly believe you can hide from me. Keep me from killing you. Impossible. I will always find you and be able to reach you. That's the easy part, being able to come and go anywhere, anytime without detection. A skill perfected during my time abroad.”
Gabriel chuckled, giving the viscount a rough shake to gain his attention. “Those particular adventures usually involved females, milord. You understand my meaning?” He nudged the man’s broken ribs with a blunt elbow to emphasize his words, eliciting a sharp groan of pain.
"So, I will allow you a choice, although it goes against the grain to do so.” Ravenswood flicked a speck of imaginary lint from his black cloak. He eyed Basford in a way clearly indicating he hoped the choice allowed the opportunity to dispatch the young lord slowly, painfully and at his leisure. “Make it now. I grow weary of the time spent in your presence.”
The viscount did not consider matters for long, his choice made before option two was enumerated. "I shall leave the country. I shall go to France…to see a specialist for my injuries. Then, to Spain. I shall leave within the week.”
"Tomorrow,” This was murmured in a most ruthless manner.
"Tomorr-” Basford’s protest died a quick death when a deadly light flared in the earl’s eyes. “Yes, yes. Tomorrow. How-how long must I stay away?"
"A lifetime,” Was the cold reply. “Or until I deem your life no longer a nuisance to the countess or myself.”
"I see.” The earl would allow him to live. The viscount sagged with relief; his head still reeling with the news Ravenswood had married Ivy. How the hell did he managed it so quickly?
"Excellent.” Ravenswood nodded to Gabriel who loosened his grip so Basford could stand on his own once more. “Although, my man here is sorely disappointed. There are so few opportunities to hone our particular skillset.” He stepped closer while Gabriel grinned in unabashed delight, subtly moving a few paces away from the viscount.
“There are a few matters I cannot, in good conscience, depart here without seeing done. If you will indulge me?" Ravenswood’s tone was deceptively soothing.
“Anything. Anything.” Basford gulped, nodding in furious desperation. He wanted nothing more than for these men leave his home.
He was completely unprepared for the fist slamming into his jaw. The sheer force of it spun him around, knocking him onto the bed. His head spun dizzily before the world tilted to dump him in a painful heap on his shattered arm. The broken and cracked ribs robbed him of breath. Bile rushed to the top of his throat, the searing pain choking him until he teetered on the verge of blacking out.
"That is for terrorizing her.” Ravenswood snatched Basford back up to his feet, his hands hard and hurtful before tossing him to the other man. With a terse nod, Gabriel’s hand immediately covered the viscount’s mouth, and he held him upright.
“And this is for hurting her, you bastard. For bruising her. For making her bleed. For daring to touch what ismine.” Ravenswood drove a fist into Basford’s flank, breaking the tenuous knitting job Nature had begun on the broken ribs. Two completely healthy ribs cracked, an agonized groan muffled behind Gabriel’s huge hand. Leaning close to the sagging man, eyes burning with the fires of hell, the earl said, “Never speak of her. Not even to mention her name in passing.Ever.If I discover you ignored my warning, our next encounter will make this one seem like a pleasant daydream.”
The viscount watched with bleary eyes as Ravenswood exited the room, a hazy swirl of black melting into the dark night. Gabriel's laughing, melodic words buzzed in his ears while he hovered on the edge of pained unconsciousness.
"I told you the earl was vexed.”
CHAPTER 30
Sebastian expected to find Ivy in his bed. He expected to climb between the sheets and hold her close, even while his body screamed for release. Sleep would be elusive, but he expected that too.
His bed was empty; the coverlet pulled back, the sheets icy cold. No warmth lingered on Ivy’s pillow. The adjoining bedchamber was empty and unused and she was not in the bathing room. Sebastian stood in the middle of the suite. Where could she be?
Perhaps the library. She was quite taken with it - his search would begin there. Then he would rouse the whole damn house to search for his wife.
The faint glow of firelight emanating from the library flooded him with relief. Securing the doors behind him, the soft click of the lock barely discernible, Sebastian scanned the room. A divan was pulled close to one of the two fireplaces. Its high back concealed the plush cushions, but a flimsy, pale blue robe trailed over one of the gently rolled arms, the edges brushing the floor. A lamp cast a feeble radiance on a stack of books piled haphazardly upon a large table beside the divan.
Ivy lay curled on the dark cranberry hued settee, like a delicious bonbon on a wrapping of velvet just waiting to be consumed. The fire snapped as he gazed down at her, the popping sounds loud in the stillness. With the drapes drawn shut on the wall of windows, only the light of the flames and the single lamp cast wild, elongated shadows on his wife. A thick, cream colored blanket covered her and one foot, clad in a delicate blue silk slipper, hung from the edge of the cushioned seat.
Her hair was not pulled into the usual braid she wore to bed. Tangled in it, tucked under her cheek, her hand cradled her face. Sebastian smiled. It was his wife’s favored position when she slept. He woke every morning to find her thus against his chest. It was impossibly endearing.
Kneeling beside the settee, he used his forefinger to gently traced the stains tracking down her cheeks. She’d been weeping.
