Page 93 of The Rogue's Runaway Bride
A chill gripped Belle’s nape. She’d never imagined the cold cruelty that lay beyond Gideon’s eyes.
“If you touch that child, I will end you.” A muscle in Jon’s jaw clenched and unclenched.
“Will you, now?” Gideon shrugged. “You must forgive my lack of decorum. I had wanted to have a chat. After all, you’ve kept Belle from me for days.”
“Kept me from you?” She could not hold her tongue. “I ran from you.”
“An emotional overreaction.” He shrugged. “Rather hysterical, really.”
“You are a detestable man,” she said.
“Again, you wound me, my dear. Not that I give a damn.”
“Kentsworth, you are a coward.” Cold fury gleamed in Jon’s dark eyes. “Using women as a shield.”
Gideon’s eyes narrowed. “If you cross me, it will not end well for you.”
“Take your hands off her. Now.” Jon ground out the command. “Leave this house while you still can.”
“You think threats will send me running?” Gideon questioned coolly, even as Belle saw the flicker of fear deep within his eyes. “I had not wanted this to descend into violence. But then again, it might be more interesting this way.” He turned to Roderick. “Where the devil is Chauncey?”
The big man shrugged. “Hell if I know.”
“I assume you’re referring to the bastard who claimed to be Northcutt. He’s taking a nap—of sorts—in the pantry,” Jon said. “When he does come to his senses, he won’t be much good to you.”
“Bugger it,” Gideon muttered under his breath. “The man wasn’t good for much.”
“That should make your decision easier,” Jon said with steely menace. “Call your attack dog away from the women.”
“You’ve charged in here, the knight rushing to the rescue.” Gideon scowled. “I’d never taken you for a fool. Until today.”
Jon met his cruel gaze. “She is not going anywhere with you.”
“You think not?” Gideon gave his driver a nod. A mountain of a man, Roderick towered over them. With the build of a lumberjack and the wits of a worm, he would take little convincing to do whatever his employer demanded. Even if it meant killing a man.
Even if it meant killing Jon.
The mere thought sickened her. She could not stand there helplessly. She had to do something. Anything. She could not let this go on.
She had to stop this.
“Gideon, this is between you. And me,” she said, mustering a strong voice. “Let them go.”
“He will. I’ll make sure of it.” Jon grated out the words. “Get the hell out of my house, Kentsworth. Or you will regret it.”
“Strong words. But can you back them up?” Gideon glanced toward Roderick, a serpent’s smile playing on his mouth. “You may think you can stop me. But first—you’ve got to get past him.”
*
It was aboutbloody time.Jon had started to wonder if Kentsworth would ever tire of spewing his hollow threats. It would be a cold day in hell before the blustering jackal forced Belle to bend to his will.
He threw his housekeeper a glance. Holding Carrie huddled against her, the old woman stood with a look of clear defiance in her eyes.
“Mrs. Gilroy, take her away. Now.” His gaze darted to Roderick. “This bastard has better things to do than to frighten a woman and child.” He baited the oaf with a deliberate smirk. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Aye,” the man said, an ugly, half-toothless smile on his crude face.
Jon fairly itched to bury his fists in the ox’s flabby middle. The key to taking on any opponent did not lie in strength. But in strategy.
