Page 22 of The Miracle of Love
“Is this what the Duke of Ice has told you? Horrid man. He will stoop to any means, even frighten you, to get that information out of me.”
“If he were that horrid, he would have beaten the truth out of you by now. But you appear to be doing just fine. And yes, I believe the Duke of Wooton when he tells me I am in danger. That foreign government now wants me as their hostage. They have sent agents to abduct me. So, what are you going to do, Papa? Continue to lie and stall? Or are you finally ready to admit the truth?”
He glared at her, but she stood her ground. “If you have no care for your family, then think of England. Our country might end up in a war because of that theft. Will you end your days as a traitor as well as a thief?”
He stood up in indignation. “Get out.”
She stood as well, shocked by his response. “Is this all you have to say to me? I just told you I am to be taken hostage, held as a prisoner in some foreign land because of your crimes.”
“You are in England. We are civilized here. Wooton is just trying to scare you. Believe me, Gracie. I know how that man operates.”
“You are deluded if you believe any of us are safe.” Grace had never spoken so harshly to her father before, but how else was she to make him understand the severe repercussions of his silence? “So that’s it? You will now abandon all of us? Your wife? Your children? Your country? And for what? Riches you will never be free to enjoy? Papa, so help me, I will throttle you myself if you do not agree to help them recover it.”
“Ungrateful child.”
She gasped. “This is what you think I am? I am ready to do everything in my power to save you. But I am helpless unless you take this first step. Where is the crown?”
He shook his head and sank back in his seat. “I don’t know, Gracie. That is the truth. It was all Richard’s idea, and I could do nothing to stop him. You know how your brother gets when he wants something.”
“I do know, but you are the parent and the one in charge.” She shook her head and tried to ignore the pang to her heart. She could tell her father was lying. He was actuallylyingto her when he claimed he did not know of the crown’s whereabouts. “Please, Papa. Do you not understand the danger? I have no idea what will happen to me if this royal family manages to abduct me. And what of Mama and the children? Who will look after them if I am not able to do it?”
Her father glanced around and then leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Hold strong, child. Richard and I have a plan. Do not believe anything Wooton or his henchmen have told you.”
“Henchmen?” She drew away, unable to hide her disgust. “They are loyal agents of the Crown.”
“They are liars and thieves, no better than me or Richard. They merely operate under the protection of the English monarchy. Beware of Wooton. He is a master at manipulation. I can see he has succeeded in preying on your innocent and trusting nature.”
“He has come to me for help in recovering the crown. I don’t care if I am being used by him. It does not alter the fact that Richard stole this valuable item. It needs to be recovered before something worse happens. You have to help them, Papa. Whatever ploy you and Richard have devised will not work. You need to think of Mama and the rest of us. We have lost everything.”
She motioned to the room they were in, noting the fire blazing in the hearth. “Look at you, residing in this fine residence and obviously given every comfort while we are forced to struggle. Will you do nothing for your family?”
“Do not threaten me, Gracie. I gave you all a good life.”
“By stealing from others.” She clenched her hands. She had never seen this petty side of her father before and truly detested it. “Mama is now destitute. Our homes have been ripped to pieces. She and the children are living amid the wreckage of our country manor. Why does this not sink into your head? You cannot save Richard, so why will you not help save us?”
“Your mother’s family will take you all in.”
“No, they won’t. They refuse to have anything to do with us.”
He frowned. “Why are you being so difficult?”
She returned his frown with one of her own. “Why are you?”
Had she thought to come face to face with a remorseful and cooperative father? She did not even recognize this man. She held back her anguish and tried once more to make him see reason. “The Duke of Wooton says there are two men who paid you and Richard for this crown. Papa, had you started a bidding war between them? I know you received their deposits. So, in addition to this angry foreign government, you now have two rich and powerful men furious with you for playing one against the other, and wanting revenge.”
“They’ll stay quiet until the matter blows over for fear of drawing attention to themselves.”
She sighed. “You have a glib answer for everything, don’t you? Those men are going nowhere for a very long time. They are now sitting under house arrest because other stolen articles were found in their homes. They have no access to their bank accounts and will not be able to help you bribe your way to freedom. Papa, please. End this misery for all of us. Tell me where Richard has hidden this treasure.”
“Go home, Gracie. This discussion is getting us nowhere.”
“Home? Have you not listened to a word I’ve said? I have no home anymore. I don’t even recognize you, my own father.”
He suddenly reached out and grabbed her hands. “Silly child, you are my own flesh and blood and I will always do my best to protect you. Trust me to know what I am doing. Do you not realize that crown is our only bargaining chip? We cannot give it up now.”
“Even if it means I will be abducted? Perhaps enslaved or murdered?”
“Do not get hysterical. You are not in any danger. Let me and Richard handle matters. Wooton must be getting desperate if he is using you to press me for information. That is very good. Have they encouraged you to speak to Richard?”
