Page 53 of The Iron Duke's Flaming Christmas
Ian took off, galloping down the driveway and through the gates at full speed, heading toward the lake. He swore beneath his breath, squinting, as snowflakes flurried around him.
The weather was changing. Another storm was approaching. His heart contorted violently, spurring the horse to greater speed.
Please God, let her be safe. Let me get there before Eaton moves her. I beg of you.
***
“We will have to move now,” growled Eaton, as he walked back into the room. “I wanted to wait until under the cover of darkness, but the weather is changing fast. We might not make it to the docks in time if there is a blizzard.”
Selene gasped in horror, fighting against the tight ropes that bound her. “Please, do not do this!” she cried, her stomach dropping, in a sickening way. “How can you be so abominably cruel as to deny me my liberty in this shocking way?”
His face tightened. He didn’t reply. He just grabbed her, forcing her to her feet, dragging her toward the door. Her head pounded hard and started to spin, but she fought him, every step of the way. There was no way she was going to make it easy for him.
But she knew it was hopeless. A sick dread was steeling over her. She was leaving her beloved homeland forever. She was going to be sold into slavery. It was a fate even worse than death.
She whimpered with terror, offering up a desperate prayer, thinking about the duke, and how he would never know what had happened to her.
He would never know that she hadn’t chosen to leave him and Lenore. He would think that she had simply walked away and deserted them.
Godspeed, my one and only love. You will never know the truth. But I shall love you forever.
***
Ian stopped the horse on the hill, gazing down at the old hunting lodge, waiting for Thomas, who he could see galloping toward him. His heart leapt to see his old friend.
“What is happening?” called Thomas, as he drew close. “The stablemaster told me that Miss Bomind has been abducted!”
Ian nodded. “She is in that hunting lodge,” he said quickly. “Eaton has her, and he is about to put her on a ship and sell her into slavery.”
“Dear God,” cried Thomas, shaking his head in horror. “Why…?”
“We do not have time for me to explain everything now,” interjected Ian. “We need to act immediately.” He stared at the lodge, his eyes narrowing. “We are going to storm the lodge, approaching it from the rear, from different directions, to deal with anyone standing watch. We need to clear the field. You have your sword?”
Thomas nodded. “Yes, of course.”
“Good,” said Ian, patting his own sword in the scabbard at his waist. He only wished he had brought his pistol, but it had been locked in his safe, and in his haste, he couldn’t find the key. “Let us go.”
They dismounted their horses, tethering them to a tree, drawing their swords, creeping down the hill toward the lodge. Ian glanced at his friend. Thomas’s face was intent, his sword held high, ready for action. When they reached the field behind the lodge, they fanned out, securing the perimeter.
Ian’s blood was pumping so hard it sounded like a river rushing through his veins. Thank God for his friend, who knew combat, just as he did. His eyes scanned the horizon anxiously, noticing the gray clouds moving overhead, at a rapid pace. There was no sign of other riders. Where were the authorities?
His gaze turned to the lodge again. He could hear movement inside. A feminine whimper. His heart gave a sickening, frantic lurch.
It was her. He could feel her presence.
I am coming, Selene. I will save you, even if I lose my own life in the process. I swear it.
***
Selene fought desperately as Eaton dragged her toward the waiting carriage. She had managed to almost unbind the ropes tying her hands together behind her back. Her heart pulsed with fear. She only had one chance, and she had to act before he bundled her into the carriage.
I will wait until he is distracted, for even a moment, then I will free my hands and push him. It might buy me enough time to run away.
Her eyes flickered, taking it all in. Eaton had two men who were helping him, who were both standing beside the carriage, with grim looks on their rough faces. She tensed. She must escape them, as well. She would have to run like the wind.
She freed her hands at last, but kept them clasped behind her back, her heart pounding hard. Eaton turned his back to her, opening the carriage door. She dropped the ropes, freeing her hands, pushing him hard in the back. The man staggered, falling against the carriage, cursing loudly.
Selene turned to run… and then, like a vision of avenging angels, she saw the duke and Captain Redford advancing, swords drawn and glinting in the muted light.
