Page 86 of Lord of Mischief
“Is she done?”
The good news was that they seemed to want her not only alive, but in good health.She knew that was a blessing not to take for granted.If they wanted her dead, she would not have made it out of Rosemount House alive.
The penny had dropped not long after she had first regained consciousness.She was being used as bait to get to their real target: Freddie.
What happened to him?Was he still alive, and if so, where was he?Did he even know what had happened to her?She rued her impetuous nature.It was morning, so her family would only now be discovering her disappearance.Even with Caroline telling them of Eve’s secret visits to Rosemount House, they would have little to go on as to her actual whereabouts.
“Where are we going?”she asked.
A guttural laugh beside her was the only response.She was pushed against the side of the carriage and her hands were tied tightly once more.Rope was tied about her waist, holding the sack in place, but at least her feet were left free.
She heard the sound of the carriage door being opened once more and she was lifted inside and deposited without ceremony onto the long leather bench.She held her breath, hoping they were not going to tie her feet and make her lie on the floor once more.
The door was closed and she heard the sound of a key in the lock.There would be no sudden bolting from the carriage even if she managed to get her hands free.
The carriage pulled away from the roadside and continued on.
Eve sat back against the seat and tried to settle her worried mind.She took long, deep breaths.It would be easy enough to let her fears overcome her and give in to the tears, but she was determined to do everything in her power to survive.The one lesson Will had told her from his experience as a spy, was to keep a clear mind.She cursed herself for not having listened to his other advice about avoiding dangerous situations.If she ever saw him again, she would listen.
She came to the conclusion the best thing she could do was to comply with their commands.Soon enough, she would find out who was behind her abduction and no doubt what plans they had for her.Only then could she attempt to do something about trying to escape.
Later that afternoon, the carriage pulled over once more and she went through the same routine with the kidnappers.When night fell, she curled up as best she could on the carriage bench and snatched a few hours of fitful sleep.
On the second morning of her ordeal, she was woken by the sensation of the carriage coming to a sudden halt.There came loud shouting.She froze with fear as the sound of a pistol shot rang out.
“I’ve been shot.I’m done for, oh god!”came the cry of one of her kidnappers.
Eve began to sob.Whomever else was outside on the road meant business.
“Get down!”a familiar voice bellowed.
She pressed her ear to the side of the window and prayed her salvation was at hand.
The loud bang of a body being pushed against the outside of the carriage had her fearing the rescue attempt had gone awry.There was silence for a time.She put her ear tentatively to the window one more and listened.
A key was placed into the lock of the door, and fresh air hit her skin as the door opened.Hands worked at the ropes around her waist and the sack was pulled from her head.
“Oh, sweet Jesus,” she whispered as she caught sight of her rescuer.
“No, just Freddie,” he replied.
He made quick work of the bindings around her hands.The second her hands were free, she threw her arms around him and promptly burst into tears.He held her tight.
“Oh, Freddie.I’ve never been so frightened.I thought they had killed you, and they were going to shoot me in some lonely field and leave my body for the crows!”
Her imagination had had several days to come up with all manner of explanation as to what the kidnappers had had in mind for her.She had managed to keep the worst of her fears at bay until now, but no longer.
“It is alright.You are safe now.I found you,” he said.
The wave of relief which washed over her made her feel lightheaded.She lay her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.She had barely slept for two days.
“What about the men?”she asked.
Freddie kissed her forehead.“One of them bolted as soon as I arrived.I did manage to get a pistol shot in his direction, I think I hit him.The other I gave a crack over the head,” he replied.Taking Eve by the hand, he helped her to climb out of the carriage.She kept a tight hold of his arm as she swayed with giddiness once she was fully on her feet.There was no sign of the kidnappers.
“Either I didn’t hit him hard enough or his accomplice came back for him,” said Freddie.
Eve was too overcome with relief and sudden fatigue to discuss the merits of Freddie’s rescue attempt.She was free from her bonds and safe with him.Nothing else mattered.
