Page 98 of Leap of Faith
“I’ve no intention of fighting you,” he said. “What do you want from me?”
“If your lor’ship would be so obliging as to put your hands behind your back, just fer security purposes, you see.”
Dominic debated what to do with his walking stick. They would be sure to notice if he attempted to tuck it into one of his boots—not that there was room to spare.
One of them held out their hand to relieve him of it. He suppressed a sigh. That had been a gift from his father.
As his hands were pulled behind his back and tied together, he could not help but ask, “How much are you being paid for this?”
“It’s no use offering us more, your lor’ship,” the leader said.
“I was more curious what I am worth,” he muttered. Was there truly honour amongst thieves? More likely Julian had some hold over them.
“If you change your mind…” Dominic began to offer as he was shoved inside a carriage. There, he was treated to a blindfold and his feet being tied together. If only they had troubled to cover his nose, he thought with some remorse, as his guards inside the carriage had not seen soap and water this side of 1800.
He tried his best to pay attention to his whereabouts, but it was difficult at best. He could tell when the city turned to countryside by the sounds and smells, but he was uncertain whether they had gone due west or northwest. He was certain they had not crossed the Thames.
He was surprised when the carriage stopped but a few minutes later. He thought for certain they were headed for the coast when they left the city. He would’ve thought Julian’s taste ran more to dumping his body in the Channel or a dark, damp cellar.
The carriage pulled to a stop, and the door was thrust open.
“It’s time fer your appoin’men’, your lor’ship.” A beefy hand grabbed hold of his arm and hauled him from the carriage. It was a bit of a rough landing, but for all that, the hired ruffians had not been overly rough. He was walked inside what smelled like a barn and lowered to the ground and sat when he heard a familiar voice.
“Well done. You are earlier than expected,” Sir Julian said. “Send your men back in the carriage.”
Dominic heard some mumbling and groaning.
“But you said there would be some action, your worship.”
“There will be, but unfortunately not for you. My driver will pay your men. I want you to stay here and keep watch while I finish my dinner. His lordship can stand to stew a little while with the goats and pigs, then I will be back to carve him up piece by piece. When that is finished, I will enjoy finishing the task of ruining Miss Whitford in earnest. Then she has four other delectable sisters I may enjoy at my leisure.”
Over my dead body, Dominic seethed, but he refused to react.
“You had the terms of the wager wrong, you know,” he said, so close to Dominic’s face that he could smell onions mixed with burgundy on the man’s breath. “You fell directly into my trap, though not precisely as I planned. Nevertheless, I have won.”
Sir Julian paused for a moment. “Had you not interfered, you could have married and lived a happily ever after. Yes, the wager was to bring you to heel.” He laughed as though he were possessed.
Dominic heard Sir Julian walk away as the carriage rolled off. He knew the leader of the gang must be nearby. He wished he would move or say something so Dominic would know where he was.
He did not mind a few moments to get his bearings and make a plan. He worked a little on the knots behind his back, but they were so tight he’d have to displace his thumb in order to escape. If he could not loosen them a little, his arms would soon be numb and completely useless.
“Are you comfortable, your lor’ship?”
“Not precisely, but it is a new experience I shall not soon forget.”
The man laughed. “I like that about you. You’re not quite what I expected.”
“Nor is Sir Julian, I suspect.” Dominic tried to incite a little enmity.
“Is that his name? Seems like I’ve heard it afore.”
“I hope he paid you beforehand. The reason he wants revenge on me is because he lost a very large wager against me and the creditors are after him.”
Dominic could hear the man chewing what sounded like a piece of straw, hopefully in contemplation.
“Will you tell me how many other men he has with him?”
“Aye, at least two.”
