Page 103 of Tempting the Highland Spy
Chapter Twenty-Six
Eyes gleaming with bloodlust, Edythe kept her gaze fixed on Grace. “When we return to America, we will plant the seeds of a delicious rumor—perhaps, we’ll let it be known you were the victim of a hex. A spell compelled you to go mad, and you were overtaken with a murderous rage. We will need to take a token, one the authorities will not notice.” Edythe fairly bubbled with macabre glee. “A lock of hair would do nicely…woven into a brooch.”
Her heart thundered against Grace’s ribs. Fear held a tight rein on her voice. She could muster little more than a whisper. “This is madness.”
Raibert’s serpentine smile would have done Lucifer proud. “I’ve learned how powerful a weapon fear can be. Even a grown man, a criminal with blood on his hands, quakes at the prospect that he’s been cursed.”
Grace wanted to avert her gaze, but she did not dare look away. Soon, she’d strike out. She’d catch him off guard and disable him with the fan.
“Are you saying it’s real—you’re a practitioner of witchcraft?”
Raibert cocked his head, studying her. He was enjoying toying with her, much as a cat torments an unfortunate mouse before the kill. His mouth curled at the corners, a malicious light in his eyes.
“The force of suggestion does strange things to a man. Therein lies the true power. As long as those I wish to control believe it to be so, that’s what matters. I must say, I am enjoying this discussion. But I’m afraid it must come to an end. If you cooperate, you’ll make this easier on yourself.”
She curled her fingers around the weighted fan. One step closer, and she’d put it to use.
He lunged, but she darted away. Lashing out at him, she landed a blow to his face.
Crack.The closed fan slammed into the bridge of his nose. Blood streamed down his face. Bellowing in pain, he tried to grab her.
Evading his hold, she slashed brutal blows with the weapon. The fan caught him in the throat. He stilled. Another blow struck him hard in the face, slicing an ugly wound. Blood dripped from his cheekbone to his jaw.
“Drop it.” Edythe’s command was laced with ice. Out of the corner of her eye, Grace saw the flash of light against the dagger. “I’ll cut out your heart.”
Seizing the moment of hesitation, Raibert dug his fingers into Grace’s arm. Pain rippled through her as he wrenched her weapon from her hand and dragged her against his body.
“Youwillpay for that, you shrew.”
Behind her, Grace heard a little cry that seemed a cross between a gasp and a sob.
Belle stood in the doorway. Her mouth pulled into what looked like a muted scream. Eyes wide with horror, she stared at the man she’d loved. A small, two-shot pistol quivered in her hands.
“Let her go.” The choked sounds of Belle’s anguished voice were scarcely louder than a whisper. “Now!”
“Darling, put down the gun,” he said softly. “You don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Release her. Or I will kill you.”
“I cannot do that, my love. She wants to keep us apart. She tried—”
“Iwillpull this trigger,” Belle said, her voice quivering. “You’re responsible for my father’s death.”
“That’s not true.”
“I heard you…you had him killed.”
Raibert dug his forearm into Grace’s throat. “I did what needed to be done. If he’d had his way, we would not be together.”
Tears streamed down Belle’s cheeks. “You murdered my father, you cur.”
“He left me no choice. He would have torn us apart.”
“No. No. No.” Belle spoke the words like a litany. “I was such a fool.”
Keeping to the shadows, her dagger at her side, Edythe moved toward Belle. Grace cried out in warning.
Belle’s eyes narrowed. She pivoted to face Edythe. “So, do you think to kill me? Just as you murdered your aunt?”
