Page 52 of The Iron Duke's Flaming Christmas
“You will find Miss Bomind, Papa?” Lenore stopped, looking back at him. “You will bring her home?”
“Yes, Lenore,” he said, through gritted teeth, as another wave of rage overtook him. “I will bring her home. I promise you.”
***
Ian slipped into the guest chamber that Lady Gwen was occupying, gazing around intently. Luckily, the lady and her father were visiting a neighboring estate today, so he wouldn’t be disturbed in his search. His instinct was to rush out to look for Selene, but he knew that he would have a greater chance offinding her if Lady Gwen had left some evidence as to where Eaton might have taken Selene. Clearly, the two of them were in cahoots together.
I am going to find proof of what you are doing, Lady Gwen. I do not know why you are doing it, exactly, or where Eaton comes into the picture, but I am going to find out.
He set to work, methodically opening every drawer, peering into the wardrobe, going through her trunk. Lady Gwen had brought a lot of possessions with her, and it took some time, but he told himself to be patient. Eventually, he found a pile of letters in a hat box beneath the bed, tied in red string.
He took them, sitting on a chair near the window, opening them. His heart tightened. His instinct had been correct—they were love letters from Eaton to Gwen. He glanced furtively over his shoulder at the door as he bent his head, reading them quickly.
When he was finished, he sat back, gazing out the window, so stunned he couldn’t even think for a moment. His mind was racing with everything he had just discovered.
It was so sinister, and so twisted, that he was having a hard time grappling with the truth of it. But he was slowly getting his head around the convoluted evil they had been concocting together.
Lady Gwen wants to marry me so that she can steal money from me behind my back to give to Eaton, who has made bad investments, while continuing their affair the whole while.
And to do that, they need to get rid of Selene, as Lady Gwen deduced—quite correctly—my feelings for her, and Selene would be an impediment to that plan.
He ran a hand over his face, groaning in agony, as the truth struck him forcibly. Lady Gwen had altered that letter from Selene’s father to discredit her in his eyes, as well. She had deliberately left that letter on his desk, hoping that it would enrage him enough to dismiss Selene. When that didn’t work, they had moved to an even more evil, desperate plan: abduction.
He stood up, grabbing the pile of letters. He needed them as proof. He was going to confront Lady Gwen and demand to know where Eaton had taken Selene.
He strode out of the room, his heart tightening. He knew who had abducted her, and why they had done it. But he didn’t know what they were intending to do with Selene after the abduction—it hadn’t been outlined in any of the letters.
They want her gone permanently. What are they planning to do to her?
Fear gripped his heart. He needed to find Selene as soon as possible… before she was hurt… or lost to him forever.
Chapter 27
“Where is she?” Ian loomed over the lady, who had just entered the foyer, having just returned to Trenton House. He had been about to ride to the neighboring estate she was visiting when he had seen the carriage entering the gates. He raised the bundle of letters in his hand. “I know everything about your foul plan, my lady. So do not bother to deny it.”
“Stand down, Trenton,” protested Lord Mastiff, standing in front of his daughter in a protective way. “What the deuce are you doing?”
“Your daughter has been plotting evil,” snapped Ian, feeling his temper about to snap. “She is involved in the abduction of Miss Bomind. I have the proof of it. It is laid out plainly in these letters between her and Lord Eaton—who is her lover.”
Lord Mastiff’s jaw dropped. “That is preposterous! An outrageous accusation!”
Lady Gwen had paled, her eyes flickering desperately, as if she were seeking escape.
“Where is she?” demanded Ian again, advancing toward her. “Where has Eaton taken her? What is he planning to do to her?”
Lady Gwen started backing away, moving toward the door.
“You may as well confess,” growled Ian. “You will be convicted for your role in this. I have all the proof I need of your involvement in writing.” He took a deep, ragged breath. “But if you tell me where Eaton has taken her, I will plead leniency for you to the authorities. I will tell them that you repented and led me to the place Eaton is holding her to rescue her.”
Lady Gwen froze. Her face tightened, her eyes darting wildly, looking like a cornered animal. She was as white as a sheet.
“He… he has taken her to the old hunting lodge near Howard Lake,” she gasped at last. “But you will need to make haste, for he is moving her soon.” She hesitated. “She will be put on a ship sailing to the Far East and sold into slavery.”
Ian reeled back in horror. He pushed her out of the way, running out of the house, toward the stables, jumping on the nearest horse.
“Send word to Captain Redford to meet me at the hunting lodge near Howard Lake,” he barked at the startled stablemaster. “Tell him it is urgent. Go now, man!” He paused. “And send someone to tell the authorities to meet us there, as well.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” replied the man, racing toward another horse.
