Page 52 of Ruthless with a Rogue
Nothing.
Still, silent, suspicious.
His chest tightened, something sharp piercing through his ribcage.Surely he was overreacting.Jumping to inane conclusions.Staring down the path in front of him, his gaze locked on skid marks, as if someone had dragged their foot along the path.
As ifsomeonehad been dragged across the path.
Panic rendered him immobile for what would have been a breath.If he could fucking breathe.
Before he knew it, he was striding back up to Lady Rutledge.He hadn’t even been aware of the journey back inside.After he’d scoured the garden, he’d taken a quick detour, sticking his head in each room on the main floor.Nothing.Every part of him was coiling with unease.
“Franny,” he said hoarsely.
Her gaze fastened on his.Heneverused her Christian name.
“Come with me,” she said, striding for the door.“Rupert?”
Derek shook his head.Not yet.He wanted to involve as few people as possible, as to not draw attention.But if the sinking feeling in his gut turned out to be warranted, they’d need Rupert.They’d need everyone they could trust.
They slipped into an empty room.“What is it, Derek?”Franny’s gaze searched his.
“I can’t find Miss Forester.Anywhere.”
“And you’ve checked—”
“Every room in this house.The gardens.And”—he ran a hand through his hair.Fuck—“there are signs of a struggle outside.I have a horrible feeling.”
Franny reached forward and squeezed his arm.“I’ll discreetly alert Lady Elliot, and we’ll do another quick search inside.Take Rupert and search the gardens again.We’ll meet back here.
Half an hour later, Derek was back in the room, this time with Rupert and Lady Elliot in addition to Franny.But still no Miss Forester.
Lady Elliot’s hands were twisted together, pressed against her chest.Her features were drawn with strain.“She wouldn’t have just left.She wouldn’t have even gone far from the drawing room or gardens.She was so excited to speak with Mr.Hodge.I didn’t think she’d leave his side all night.”Fear was tight in the woman’s words.
The guests had started to depart, making Miss Forester’s absence that much more glaring.How on earth did a woman just disappear in the middle of a dinner party?
“The only thing I could see causing her to disappear would have been…” Lady Elliot’s words trailed off, and she glanced at Derek.He dipped his chin, understanding.With him, Miss Forester would have disappeared with him.No point in hiding it at this point.He would have stolen away with his minx if he’d had the chance.
The door burst open, and the entire group jolted, a curse flying from Derek’s lips.
A man bent over double, tousled sandy blond hair shading his face, his harsh breathing echoing through the room.
Derek stepped forward, his pulse kicking up.“Kozington?What are you doing back here?”
Koz straightened, hazel eyes scanning the room quickly, cheeks flushed.His gaze paused on Lady Elliot before meeting Derek’s again.“I rode here as fast as I could.Ryker has your Miss Forester.”
Derek’s jaw dropped.
30
Livy
Livyfloatedsomewherejustbelow the surface of murky waters.Sound was dulled; everything pitch-black.Her head ached something dreadful.She squeezed her eyes shut tighter as a wave of nausea rolled through her.A piercing pain throbbed through her cheek.What was wrong with her?She tried to open her eyes, but it was like they were weighed down with sandbags.
A door slammed, and her body jolted at the same time her stomach lurched; that tiny movement too much for whatever was ailing her.She somehow managed to swallow it down, avoiding losing the contents of her stomach.She slowly cracked her lids open and was instantly assaulted by blinding white.She squinted against the harsh light, her vision still nothing but a haze.
“Ah, you’re finally awake.”The voice came to her as if through a tunnel.She didn’t recognize it.Could only tell it was male.
Her limbs shook lightly, and she registered the softness of linen brushing against her skin.She was on top of a bed.In a candlelit bedchamber, it seemed.Her hands were clammy, her hair sticking uncomfortably to her forehead and neck.
