Brooke had moved quietly to a bench in front of him. She didn’t need to ask what he’d read that night. She didn’t want to question him, but he might think it odd if she didn’t.
“What was in those more recent entries?”
He didn’t glance at her. “She wrote about the wonderful man she fell in love with during her Season. He promised they would marry after he convinced his parents he would have no one but her. She met him secretly so they could be alone together away from our mother’s watchful eye. During one of their trysts he seduced her. Ella was stunned and horrified when he told her he wouldn’t marry her, that he’d never intended to. It wasn’t so much the shame of getting pregnant but the pain of her broken heart and the young man’s betrayal that made her ‘seek peace and solace in the sea.’ She actually wrote that was her intention, that she had no other choice. She even kept his name secret until the final page, when she damned him for ruining her life. No, Ella didn’t try to outrun that storm that day, she let it take her life.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He continued as if he hadn’t heard Brooke. “I’d never felt rage like that before. I threw the lantern I’d brought up to that room on the floor and ripped out those damning pages and tossed them into the flames. I almost left the diary there to burn, too, but there were good memories left in it that I thought I might want to read again someday, or show to my mother eventually, so I put it away in Ella’s room. But I didn’t try to put out that fire. And I rode straight for London to find the man who seduced my innocent sister and left her with child and laughed at her when she told him—your lying brother!”
Brooke flinched. She wished now that she’d never learned the full truth that had been in those missing pages. She could say absolutely nothing in defense of her brother. His cruelty toward Ella was indefensible.
“The wound I gave him wasn’t severe,” Dominic continued. “I thought it would be enough, but it wasn’t. It ate at me that justice hadn’t been served. It didn’t satisfy the debt he owed, not just for her life but also for the life of her child. Two months later I challenged him again and missed completely, as did he. My rage wouldn’t go away. He refused to meet me for this last duel, so I waited a few more months then sent another challenge, which he simply ignored. So I dragged both our seconds with me and tracked him down in London. He couldn’t refuse me in front of witnesses.” Dominic finally glanced at her and added icily, “Our circumstances are an annoyance. That your brother still lives is an abomination.”
“I agree that he’s mean, despicable, even vicious,” she replied carefully. “No one knows that better’n me. And he doesn’t care about anyone except himself, not family, not friends. Someone is going to end up killing him. It’s inevitable. But it can’t be you. Another attempt will land you in prison if not get you hung.”
“Particularly if he becomes family.”
The conversation had just turned dangerous, although it had been emotionally charged from his first words about Ella’s death. But seeing how furious he looked right now reminded her just how alone she was with him on the sailboat. She’d be panicking soon if she couldn’t defuse his rage.
“You know, families don’t always get along. Some fight amongst themselves, even brutally. I doubt anyone would raise a brow if you beat my brother senseless from time to time. I know I would if I had the strength for it. And there’s not much the Regent could say about it, since it would be a ‘family’ matter.”
Dominic gave her a skeptical look. “You’re actually suggesting I beat your brother to a pulp?”
“If he’s family, most definitely—as long as it doesn’t kill him so you don’t get punished for it.”
Dominic looked away. At least the rage left his visage, so she began to breathe easier. Giving him an option to look forward to—
“Bloody hell.”
She blinked and followed his gaze to the large ship heading their way at top speed. Alarmed, she asked, “Is it going to be able to slow down, or will it ram into us?”
“It doesn’t need to get close to kill us.”
She didn’t know what he meant, but suddenly he was steering madly in the wrong direction, straight for shore. But no dock was there!
Chapter Thirty-Four
BROOKE SCREAMED AS THE shoreline raced toward them or, rather, they raced toward it. They were going to crash!
Dominic yelled, “Hold tight to the rail!”
If Brooke hadn’t grabbed it right then and crouched down, she might have tumbled off the boat when it hit the beach. Shaking, she stood up carefully and looked over the side. The rocky shore was less than two feet from the rail. He’d deliberately beached his boat! Dominic’s arm was suddenly around her waist as he swung her over the rail to the ground.
“My valise!” she yelled up at him.
A moment later he jumped off the boat with both their bags in one hand and grabbed her hand with the other. “Run!” he yelled without explaining. She was starting to get quite indignant over his bizarre, reckless behavior.
“Won’t your boat be stuck now?” she gasped out as she tried to keep up with him.
“I’ll worry about that if it survives.”
“Survives what?”
He didn’t answer, he just kept running inland, dragging her with him. He didn’t stop until they reached a huge tree with a wide trunk. She was glaring at him when a thunderous explosion rent the air.
She saw Dominic cringe. That’s when she realized what had happened. “Was your boat just blown up? By our own navy!?”
“They must have spotted a blockade runner and chased them, then thought we were them. I can’t think of any other damned reason for what just happened.”
“But you knew they were going to fire at us, didn’t you?”
“This is wartime. If the navy had reason to suspect we were French, they wouldn’t hesitate. But, no, I didn’t think they would actually blow up my damned boat. I just wasn’t going to risk it with you on board.”
Her brow rose only slightly, but she couldn’t resist smiling. He’d beached his boat for her? But he’d lost it, too, and that was a disastrous turn of events for both of them.
“You blowing up the countryside, mate?” a male voice called.
The man walking toward them was young, short, and wearing a wide grin and a tattered jacket that had once been fine. Brooke wondered if it was a donation from some lord who lived nearby. Dominic appeared glad to see the man. She supposed he could at least tell them where they were if Dominic didn’t know. But he probably did because he’d made this trip so many times.
“No, that was an overzealous warship of ours,” Dominic was saying.
“Thought you were a Frenchy, did they?” The man chuckled.
“And you are?”
“Just investigating the noise. My village is nearby if you’d like to follow me to it.”
“Certainly. I’m interested in acquiring two horses.”
“We’ve got mounts, fast ones, too, but you’ll be needing to discuss that with Rory. All decisions are ’is to make.” But then four more men and a boy came running through the trees toward them, and the man complained, “I got this under control, Rory, all peaceable-like. I was bringing them to you.”
That didn’t get the newcomers to lower the weapons they were holding. Even the boy was holding a pistol. Dominic immediately shoved Brooke behind him. She still peeked around his upper arm.
The other villagers didn’t look at all friendly. Rory was the tallest among them, at least that was whom the first man was staring at. He was ferocious-looking, possibly because one of his thick black brows was split right in half by an ugly scar. Another long scar ran across one of his cheeks. He might have been handsome before someone took a blade to his face. Then she noticed another scar, a wide one that circled his neck. It looked like a rope scar from a noose. He must have been nearly hanged. That frightened Brooke the most. Only serious crimes warranted a noose. . . .
“What was the noise?” he demanded.
>
“ ’Is lordship’s boat got blown out of the water.”
Rory’s brow rose, the good one, as he looked Dominic over with light gray eyes. They were nearly the same height. Dominic was more muscular, but the man who’d somehow escaped a death sentence was heavier and barrel-chested. But to be the head of the villagers—or whoever they were—he wasn’t that old, maybe nearing thirty.
“Are you titled, or just a fancy dresser?” he asked Dominic.
“Titled, not that it’s relevant to the situation.”
“Oh, but it is.”
Brooke felt the muscles in Dominic’s arm flex against her cheek; in fact, his whole body tensed. She had a feeling his eyes had just gone feral, too. He was preparing for battle, and that terrified her, considering that five weapons were still pointed right at him.
But she was amazed by his temperate tone when he said, “I would suggest you lower your weapons. We mean you no harm.”
Rory shrugged. “Can’t say the same. It’s too bad about the boat, though. It would’ve fetched a pretty price. But come along. You’ll get to have your say before I decide whether you live or die.”
Dominic didn’t budge. “I’d like to hear more about your village before I decide whether to accept your invitation.”
That caused a few snickers, but Rory had already walked off, assuming they would follow. Someone called after him, “ ’E ain’t moving, Rory.”
Rory glanced back. “Shoot the female in the foot if they aren’t walking in front of you in two seconds.”
“Do you really want to die today?” Dominic said in a quiet, malevolent tone.
“Oh, ho!” Rory laughed. “And now I have my leverage—the woman. Good of you to volunteer that, mate. But do come along. We’ll have a drink and talk before anyone gets hurt, and we’ll see if you have something to bargain with.”
Dominic put his arm around Brooke and held her tightly to his side before he started walking.
“They’re some sort of criminals, aren’t they?” she whispered. “This close to shore, maybe smugglers?”
“Without a ship? More likely highwaymen hiding in the woods if they have ‘fast’ horses—unless that was a lie.”
“But it sounded like they’ll dicker for our release.”
“For promises? Not likely.”
“Don’t underestimate the power of a titled lord. That Rory fellow probably knows if you give your word, you’ll honor it.”
She was trying to be optimistic to tamp down her fear, but it didn’t work. Dominic wasn’t armed. If he tried to fight their way out of this, he was going to get shot, repeatedly, and he was a big target. It was all well and good that he’d threatened to kill their captors, but if he died . . .
Chapter Thirty-Five
BROOKE LOOKED AROUND THE clearing in the woods where the criminals apparently lived. With only four decent-size huts it certainly wasn’t a village. A fifth appeared to be under construction; a wagon filled with lumber was parked next to it. She didn’t see any gardens or shops, not even a road leading here. A large campfire burned in front of one of the huts. A big pot hung over the fire and benches surrounded it.
A dozen or so people were there, though half of them were women holding young children. Most of them eyed Brooke and Dominic warily, but one young woman smiled shyly at Brooke, as did a few of the children.
They were led to the campfire. Rory picked up a flask on the ground and took a swig from it, then offered it to Dominic, who shook his head. Dominic removed his arm from around Brooke’s shoulders when Rory gave her a long look. She realized Dominic was preparing to fight.
Rory took a step back before asking, “D’you need some time to cool off, then? Before we talk? We usually do our robbing on the highways, but we don’t turn away donations that come our way.”
“You can take what little I have on me, or you can loan me two of your horses and I will return them with a purse containing a hundred pounds.”
“Or I can hold you for ransom, gov’nor. A hundred, eh? I’m thinking you’re worth a lot more’n that.”
“The Prince Regent is already holding me for ransom,” Dominic snarled.
The men laughed, obviously not believing him.
“And what’s his holiness asking of you?” Rory asked.
“A ring on her finger.”
The uproarious laughter when Dominic pointed his thumb at her got Brooke quite indignant.
But Rory stepped closer to her and grinned. “I’d pay that ransom.”
It might have been the remark, or because the man was about to touch her cheek, but Dominic suddenly lunged at him. They fell to the ground, and despite there being a half dozen weapons trained on him, Dominic still landed a fist to Rory’s cheek before three men dragged him off their leader.
“You might be a lord, but you’re not too smart,” Rory said angrily as he got back to his feet. “A cooling-off time it is, then. Tie his lordship up and make bleedin’ sure the ropes are tight. As for her—”
“I’ll be seeing to her,” a female voice interrupted.
Brooke turned to see an older woman approaching. Gray haired and gray eyed, she was a little beyond middle years with a weathered face. Her eyes swept over Brooke in a calculating manner before she gave Rory a stern look.
Dominic was struggling so fiercely with the three men holding him that two of them were already on the ground. But four others jumped in to help restrain him. He might still have won that battle, but he stopped trying when he heard the woman add, “D’you not recognize a gently reared lady? She’s coming with me, boy.”
Brooke held her breath, waiting to hear Rory laugh and tell the old woman to go away. He didn’t. Instead he turned to help his men tie up Dominic, and the woman led Brooke to the hut at the far end of the clearing. It was much nicer inside than she had expected. She even found the strong smell of fresh wood pleasant. A double bed had a brightly colored quilt on it. There was a table with four chairs, even a rug on the wooden floorboards. The furniture all looked old and heavily used.
“Make yourself comfy, dearie. I’m Matty.”
Brooke swung around when the old woman followed her into the room. “Please, what are they going to do to my fiancé?”
She shook her head. “My boy is mercurial, especially when he sees an opportunity to make us rich. He’s sunk his teeth into that idea, now that he knows your man is a lord. So there’s no telling what he’ll do if it don’t happen.”
Brooke paled a little more. Had she really hoped to hear a less terrifying outcome? But if this woman was Rory’s mother, could she help them? Rory had listened to her and let Brooke go with her. If Brooke could somehow gain her sympathy, maybe . . .
“Rory is your son?”
“Indeed. Rory’s a good boy who abides by his own code of honor—usually.”
Brooke wondered what that meant but decided not to ask. The woman sat down at the table and indicated Brooke should join her. “You have a nice home. How long have you lived in these woods?”
“Less than a month. We pick a new highway to work every year. With prices on our men’s heads, we can’t stay in one area too long, so we build anew each year far from the roads, but not so far that a well-traveled new highway can’t be reached in a few hours. How long have you and your man been affianced?”
“I’ve only known him a week.” It seemed so much longer!
The woman looked surprised. “And you’re so concerned about him already?”
“He’s a good man, a concerned son. His mother has taken ill. We were on our way to London in a tearing hurry because he’s so worried about her.”
“But you want the marriage?”
“I do, but he doesn’t.” Brooke sighed.
Matty pointed at her emphatically. “I always tell a girl who believes she’s found herself a fine fellow, seduce him if you want him to love you. And you’re dealing with a proper lord who wouldn’t fail to marry you after he’s bedded you.”
Brooke had started bl
ushing at the word seduce. Alfreda had had the same idea, which is why she’d given Brooke the potion that she had in her valise. But even if she wanted to, how could she now when they might not even be alive come morning?
The woman tsked. “Rory is too unpredictable. It would be a shame if you was to die without knowing what it’s like to lie in the arms of such a handsome, virile man as your fiancé. Maybe I can get Rory to agree to let you talk some sense into the lord, convince him to pay Rory his due. Don’t worry, dearie. At least, I can arrange for you to spend your last night with him.” Matty turned to leave.
“I’ll need my valise!” Brooke called out, in case the woman really could do as she’d just said.
But as hours passed, Brooke began to suspect Matty had only given her false hope. Dusk came. She’d been standing at one of the two windows that faced the campfire, and she hadn’t caught a glimpse of either Rory or Dominic the entire time. But she could see two guards keeping their eyes on her hut. Was Dominic coming to terms with Rory in one of the other huts? Or was he being beaten now that he was restrained? She was terrified by what might be happening to him and what might happen to her soon. But what if the mother did have enough sway to bring Dominic to her during the night?
Hungry, tired, she still stood vigil at the window, too afraid not to.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“HE WANTS THE MOON,” Dominic said angrily. “I offered him several alternatives, even sanctuary in Rothdale village for him and his friends—against my better judgment.”
Brooke had leaped at Dominic the second he walked through the door and was still hugging his waist fiercely. “Did he agree?”
“He still wants the moon. And if he keeps us here too long waiting for it, I won’t have anything left to offer him. The Regent will have taken it all.”
Embarrassment overtook her when she realized what she was doing, though Dominic was so frustrated he probably didn’t even notice. She stepped back. “Did you explain that?”
“That is none of his business. Then that old woman called him away. I could hear them arguing behind the hut they had me in, though I couldn’t make out what they were saying. But then I was untied and escorted here to you. Do you know why?”