Page 30 of Wicked Designs
Despite the fact that Godric still had her slung over his shoulder, the men talked on as if she didn’t exist. With an irritated grunt, she kicked out to remind them. Godric moved over and dropped her onto Lucien’s bed.
“What would Blankenship be doing here?” Ashton asked. “Why didn’t Parr come?”
Godric shrugged.
“You wish to know why Blankenship came?” she asked sharply. “Perhaps you should consider asking the one person here actually involved?” They watched her now in surprise.
“You know that man?” Lucien asked.
“Oh, yes, I know him. He’s despicable. He’s been haunting my uncle’s doorway ever since I moved in with him. He’s even—” She choked on her words she was so angry.
“He’s even what?” Godric’s eyes were sharp as jade daggers.
“He’s even taken liberties with my person, liberties I have not given him, nor ever will. He’s been courting me with the intention to marry me. My uncle thinks I don’t know that, but I do. I’m not daft.”
All three of the men looked justifiably horrified.At that moment Charles and Cedric joined them. Charles took one look at their faces and his eyes widened.
“What’s happened? Did someone die?”
“Someone just might…” Godric muttered under his breath.
Lucien grimaced. “We’re fine,” he said. “We’ve just received some unpleasant news.”
“Oh?” Cedric held his cane like a sword, his hand resting firmly on the silver lion’s head.
“Apparently, Mr. Blankenship believes he has some claim to my Emily,” Godric said with disgust.
Emily blushed at Godric’s possessive tone, though it still offended her.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, stop speaking of me as if I’m an ornament for your shelf.” Still, to belong to Godric, it was a thought that gave her pause.
“What? That old toad? Why he’d—” Charles began, but Cedric tapped him on the shoulder with the tip of his cane. Charles decided to not finish.
“He is a vile toad and I hate him,” Emily spat with such loathing that her captors exchanged looks of concern.
“But you don’t hate us?” Lucien asked, noting her omission.
“What reason would I possibly have to hate any of you? Aside from being kidnapped, that is.” She allowed a small reluctant smile. “I suppose I like you all well enough.” It made little sense that she trusted them as much as she did; she could barely explain it to herself, let alone to them. Of course the alternative, which hadcome within a foot of her while she hid in the armoire, was so much worse.
“Well, despite how you may take our actions, keeping you here has been a most amusing challenge.” Godric laughed.
Emily narrowed her eyes to slits. “I’m glad my value is based on how much I amuse you.”
“Well,” Ashton sighed. “At least we escaped a potential disaster. I suppose it’s safe enough to resume our day.” The others agreed.
“I have some work to do. Emily you will accompany me.”
The command in his tone made her bristle but she didn’t protest. She wouldn’t have won that argument.
Godric escorted Emily down the stairs and gestured for her to sit on a red velvet settee while the others vanished. She took the opportunity to examine the study, richly decorated with bookshelves and odd trinkets. He must have traveled the world. Watercolor paintings of distant locales hung above the chairs, and unusual things—like elephant tusks, no doubt from Africa—had been pinned alongside them.
Godric sat at the large rosewood desk, perusing papers and letters.
She envied him the freedom to get up and leave, not just from the settee, but to go on adventures. If she was forced to marry Blankenship, there would be no chance of adventure ever again.
She scanned the walls again, noticing a small portrait of a raven-haired woman seated on a swing. The cut of her gown was old enough that Emily knew the portraitmust have been commissioned years ago. Bewitching eyes glinted at her from the layers of paint. Godric’s eyes, save for the color.
“Godric…” she began. He glanced at her warily. “Yes?”
