Page 19 of A Duke in Pursuit of Passion
Lip trembling, about to speak, Louisa could only watch as he slipped through the door and closed it behind her.
*
Hours later, having seen only the landlord's wife for her evening meal, Louisa began believing that Joshua would not return before she dressed for bed. The day had turned cold and dreary, and the joy of his news was fast ebbing as she watched the rain pouring down, listening to how it pattered upon the window.
Watching the rivulets of water scatter down the panes, she felt tears beginning to prick the corners of her eyes. Her heart sank. She should not be feeling this way. She ought to be excited beyond belief that she would soon be Mrs Giles, a future baroness with a husband she could be proud of. And yet, at that moment, she would have simply been happy to have him there.
And as though he had sensed her longing, there was a sudden knocking upon the door. Though the sound disquieted her, it was not entirely unnerving until she had barely risen to her feet and it became more of a hammering.
"J … Joshua? Is … is that you?" she stammered, her skin crawling with goose flesh. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and she pulled the edges of her shawl tighter around her shoulders, suddenly chilled to the bone.
"Open up!" came a snarling response, and Louisa's insides twisted with terror. Her heart hammered as she realised she hadn't locked the door as Joshua had always advised her to do. She so rarely remembered to do so. And now, she cursed her flippant nature.
Quivering in the centre of the room, she called out, "Who ... who are you? What do you want?"
The hammering on the door grew stronger until it looked like it might fly off its hinges. Then, suddenly, it stopped.
All grew silent. Louisa could practically hear herself breathing, feel her heart beating in her eardrums, and her chest ached so badly that she feared she might be taken ill.
I am to be married,she reminded herself firmly, determined not to let herself be so weakened.I cannot afford to be ill.
Clearing her throat, she spoke far more confidently than before, "If you remain without, you should know my husband shall be back very shortly."
Though the second the words left her lips, she grew fearful. Whoever was on the other side of that door sounded ferocious, and even though her Joshua was a brave and proud man, she wasn't sure he had the strength to tackle a man who had almost knocked a solid door off its hinges. What if they were both in terrible danger?
"Leave now, or I shall scream for the landlord!" she asserted, her hands tightening into fists in her shawl, holding the garment around her as if it were a comforting hug.
It did little to protect her when the door burst open on the twisting of the doorknob.
Though she opened her mouth to scream, the three men who streamed into the room were much faster, the first with his hand over her mouth before she could even whimper. The others grabbed an arm each while the first pulled her back against him, her airways cut off by his huge sausage fingers.
"Make a sound, and you'll regret it, little lady," he snarled into her ear, and the words caused a cold shiver of dread to rush down her spine. "Keep your mouth shut and walk."
At the digging of a second hand in the small of her back, there was little Louisa could do but go with them. The way they manhandled her was forceful, bordering on painful, but she found that the less she fought, the gentler they were, for thuggish men at least.
All she could do was fight the urge to scream, not wishing to find out how she would come to regret it if she did.
"We are going for a little walk," the man behind her explained, his voice barely more than a whisper yet still dripping with malice. "Don't worry; your littlehusbandwill join you shortly."
The second she heard those words, Louisa realised her worst fears were true. She wasn't the only one in danger. They had designs upon Joshua also.
I should have stayed away from the window,she thought, angry with herself.I should have listened to him. This is all my fault!
As she was manhandled down the back stairs, kept utterly silent save for the slapping of feet on steps, another thing dawned upon her. For days now, she had been desperate to see the outside of the inn, yet with every inch closer that she drew, she wanted so desperately to turn around and return to the safety of her room. She wanted to slam the door closed behind her and lock it just as Joshua had told her to.
Now it was too late. She was to be kidnapped. And worst of all, she had no idea if she would see anyone she loved ever again.
Chapter 13
Just two days after their intimate moment, the ship docked in Scotland. Ella knew that she ought to have been relieved as she stood on the deck of theMerry Rose, preparing to deboard. And yet, all she could feel was guilt, remorse, and even a little anger.
She was angry at herself for ever getting close enough to kiss Lord Rolfe again, yet she was even more angry with him for not stopping her. After their argument in the cabin, she would have thought he would at least attempt to do so.
But whenever she closed her eyes, she could only see the starry night sky reflected in his startled yet happy gaze. All she could feel were his lips upon hers.
Since then, she had begun to avoid him again, remaining cold and aloof. She was determined not to get dragged down that rabbit hole. Lord Rolfe had left her once, and she would not put it past him to do so again. She had often heard of the viscount's reputation and escapades during his time in Oxford. Yes, she had been keeping tabs on him even though she was terribly angry with him for ever having left her.
"Lady Ella, are you well?"
