Page 54 of To Win a Viscount's Heart
The balding stout man nodded. “Aye, my wife Margie and my daughter Helen.”
“Then you understand how important it is to protect the women we love from evil predators and criminals.
The innkeeper heaved a deep sigh as Gerald continued to press him. “This brute kidnapped my fiancée. He’s wanted by the authorities in Portugal and England for both murder and attempted murder. He won’t hesitate to do it again. She is in grave danger. Surely you, as a husband and father understand how devastating it would be to lose either your wife or daughter to such a vile man as this.” Still, the man shook his head.
“Aye. We saw them,” an older woman stepped out from the kitchen. “I’m Mrs. Lampshire. Please don’t be angry with my husband. He was threatened by that devil. But seeing you gentlemen here, I believe in doing the right thing.”
“What can you tell us?” Gerald asked.
“The man said it was their honeymoon and ‘e didn’t want to be disturbed. He was coarse and ugly, I would never have put a lovely lass with such an ugly old toad as that one. He handed my husband a few gold coins and then turned around and threatened us.”
“Margie, hush,” the innkeeper said to his wife.
“Giles, we have to help that lovely girl.”
“All right,” Lampshire said. “My wife is right. He threatened us. He’s a mean son of a bitch. “He said if we told, he’d burn down our inn.
“But if he tries, I’ll have my blunderbuss Bess waiting for him,” Margie said.
“What room are they in?” Gerald asked the innkeeper. When a second ticked by with no answer, he repeated his question, this time in a thunderous voice. “Room?”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Giles.” His wife flipped open the registry and read through the names on the list. “M-milord, it’s the honeymoon suite, room 201 at the end of the hall,” she said.
Gerald took the stairs two at a time with murder on his mind.
~*~
“I should have taken you when I had the chance,” Vern said, stalking her to the other side of the large room.
Selena was standing in the corner gripping a chair in front of her as a barrier.My God! How could this have happened?Her life had become a living nightmare once more.Somehow, the vile man had slipped past Gerald and the men, as well as the posse of men the Prince Regent had sent. Her head whipped around the room. What could she use as a weapon? But she could see nothing. Perhaps she could lift the chair. But it was too heavy to wield. She’d been so happy in the days she’d spent at Bellwood. Despite her worry about Vern being out there, somewhere, she’d felt loved and cared for. Gerald had lived up to every girlhood dream she’d had about a knight in shining armor. He was kind and loving and he made her laugh and so handsome she could swoon. His family had welcomed her with open arms. She felt that she truly belonged. That her future with Gerald was something bright and full of light and love. But Vern had found her. Somehow he’d slipped past the footmen and had kidnapped her. And now she was once again alone, facing her worst nightmare. She wished she could close her eyes and wish herself back to Bellwood. But she couldn’t afford to close her eyes, not even for a second.
She trembled as he pressed against the wall. Vern cackled like a demon as he reached out and flung the chair away. He pressed himself against her and grabbed her by the throat. “I can’t wait to make you mine, my beauty.” He bit her shoulder, making her scream as he dragged her to the bed. She tried to push him off, but he held her arms over her head in an iron grip as he yanked up the hem of her dress.
“No, leave me alone!” she screamed, thrashing back and forth she managed to free her leg and kneed him in the groin.
He howled in pain as he rolled off her.
Selena scrambled off the bed and frantically searched for something she could throw at him.
“Oh, I see you like it rough,” he rasped. “We’ll be married soon enough, so it won’t matter if I take what should have been mine weeks ago…so let’s make it now. After all, this is the honeymoon suite.” He grabbed her once again. Foul, whiskey breath washed over her, and she gagged at the stench. She had to fight. She could not allow him to assault her. To steal the precious gift reserved for Gerald. Tears came to her eyes as she remembered Gerald’s kisses, the touch of his hands, his smiles, his tender words…
Vern caught her by the hair and dragged her back to the bed. Throwing her onto the mattress he tore at her dress exposing her legs and thighs. “That’s better,” he muttered. “Happy honeymoon, my dear little wife. After we marry and I get my hands on your inheritance you’ll die in an unfortunate accident, and I’ll be so grieved I’ll have to leave the country.”
“You vile beast,” she screamed, spitting in his face.
“Bitch!” He backhanded her and Selena fell back onto the bed, dazed.
Suddenly the door to the room smashed open and the heavy weight of Vern disappeared. Trembling, she sat up and saw Gerald appear as if from a dream, slamming a bloodied Vern against the wall.
~*~
“Say your prayers, you bastard,” Gerald growled, wrapping his hands around Vern’s throat.
Heavy footsteps sounded from the hall and Wright ran in. “Stop, Gerald. You can’t kill him.”
Percival followed Wright into the room. “My lord, you must let justice see him hang.”
Both men tried to pull him away, but Gerald’s hands continued to tighten around Vern’s neck.
