Page 74 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
He thought back to the way she had looked at him in the alleyway. Her gaze had held a terror and regret that he had never seen before. Still, he could not quite believe that it was his brutality that had driven her into the affections of another man. No, there was more to it than that. Evidently, Lord Rowntree had poisoned her mind against him. He had managed to ingratiate himself, somehow, and reveal his knowledge to Adelaide.
All those men I have killed and wounded—I would not be surprised to learn that Lord Rowntree told her everything. He has ruined this for me. The one lady I might have found happiness with, and he has ruined it all. She will only look at me with fear from now on…she is marred.He glowered into the fire, wondering what he ought to do.Nevertheless, she will be my wife. I will not relinquish her now. Who knows, maybe in time I shall win her respect again. If not, I shall have to find enjoyment in terrorizing her. I had not hoped for that, with her. Alas, needs must.
“I have put too much time and effort into this engagement,” he announced. “She will not find herself freed of our contract. I shall make sure of that.”
“You still wish to wed her, after what you have heard?” Miss Green stared at him in shock.
“Of course. It shall make the chase all the more exciting,” he replied, with a dark smile. “Besides, I am not the sort of gentleman who allows other men to take what belongs to me. Lady Adelaidewillbe my wife, whether she likes it or not. I have the means to…persuade her.”
“You do?”
“Oh yes. And do not fear, you shall be suitably recompensed for what you have told me,” he said. “Who knows, perhaps there shall be a position for you as a mistress in my household? I imagine that would teach Lady Adelaide a suitable lesson. Any children would be well cared for.”
She looked taken aback, just as he had known she would. “I shall have to think about that, though I thank you for your offer. Perhaps, if the time comes, I shall have no choice.”
“Do let me know if such an idea tickles your fancy.”
She cast a shy glance at Reuben. “What means do you have to persuade Lady Adelaide? Truly, I should like to see her as miserable as possible, for what she has done to us both. If she were to wed you against her will, I would imagine her heart would be broken in twain. A truly wondrous thought.” A cold expression twisted her pretty features into an ugly mask of bitter vengeance.
“I have news of her father that will shake her to the very core,” he replied evenly. “I have some cards left to play, though Lady Adelaide and her father do not know that I am in possession of their secrets. You see, Miss Green, I have the power to blackmail. With the information I have at my disposal, she will be forced to agree to my terms.”
Oh yes, my love, you cannot escape me. You will be mine. You will bend to my will, as all do. If you do not, your family shall fall. It is your choice, my love…your choice.
Chapter 31
Adelaide was playing the harp in the music room, her fingers dancing across the strings, when Daniel came in to announce a visitor. Her heart leapt, in the hopes it might be Jasper. They had parted on fond terms, with Jasper promising to visit again later so he might discuss proceedings with Ephraim. Breaking an engagement was no easy task, and they would have to keep their ensuing courtship quiet for several weeks until it could be formally announced. A wedding would have to wait a short while, but she did not mind too much. Jasper was worth waiting for.
However, she held a great deal of remorse in her heart for the way that Leah had discovered them beneath the willow tree. She had not intended to cause her friend any pain, nor had she intended to be deceitful. It was her love for Jasper that had forced her to do it. Still, her guilt lingered. Leah’s motives for wanting to marry Jasper were somewhat uncouth, but in proclaiming her love for him, Adelaide had left her in a rather uncertain situation. Nobody came out of it looking particularly good.
Indeed, there had been a great deal to think about since Jasper’s departure. Fear, happiness and guilt, equally balanced in her mind. Had she been engaged to a less dangerous man, it might have been simpler. However, she knew Reuben would not accept this new scenario without a dispute. She did not know if Leah would go through with her threat of revealing everything to Reuben, but she now knew Leah to be a ruthless woman.
I pray you may find some forgiveness in your heart for us, Leah. Do not reveal this to Reuben, I beg of you. Let me reveal it to him in my own time, once I am certain that it can be done in a peaceful manner.
“Who is it, Daniel?” Adelaide asked.
“It is the Duke of Bradford,” he replied. “Shall I send him in?”
Terror shivered up her spine. “Yes, though I shall require Rosemary’s presence. Might you ask her to come here?”
“Of course, My Lady.”
Before Rosemary could arrive, a figure darkened the doorway of the music room. Reuben stood on the threshold, his dark eyes narrowed in Adelaide’s direction. She rose from the harp stool and curtseyed, her legs trembling. If Rosemary did not arrive soon, she did not know what might happen.
“Your Grace, I had not expected to see you today,” she said, biting back the waver in her voice. “If you will wait a moment, I have sent for my chaperone.”
“We do not need a chaperone,” he insisted, stepping into the room. He closed the door behind him and turned the lock, trapping them in the music room together.
“Your Grace, you and I cannot be alone together,” she gasped, her eyes wide in fear.
He smiled. “Why ever not? You and I are to be married. We are already engaged. There is no shame in us spending a moment together in private.”
She stepped backwards, wishing she were in the library where she might have escaped into the garden. “I must insist that you open the door, Your Grace. This is most improper.”
“As improper as you confessing your love to another man?”
Tense silence drifted between them.
He knows…oh my goodness, he knows. Leah must have gone to him. She must have told him everything she saw. He shall destroy me. He shall murder me here and now, squeezing the life from me until there is not a breath left. He shall make me pay for my insolence.
