Her stomach lurched from just the thought. She’d do anything not to return to that nightmare.
“Are you going to answer me?” the gruff voice asked again, stronger this time. “Who is Chris?”
Tears stung her eyes. Whoever this was either wanted to punish her...or Chris. She couldn’t allow anyone to hurt the man she was slowly falling in love with.
Although her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears, the man’s voice was somewhat familiar. She inhaled deeply, hoping to tell from his scent who was keeping her trapped in his steel-like grip. Yet, all she could smell was her fear. She took another sniff. Now she smelled his sweat and...onions.
Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she said, “It’s none of your business.”
“Tell me.”
His arms tightened around her, which cut off the air circulating in her lungs. She tried gasping for more breath. “Christopher Morgan, the schoolteacher, if you must know.”
“And you are calling him by his first name?” He clicked his tongue against his teeth, making a familiar sound she hadn’t heard for a few years. There was only one man she’d ever met who created that type of sound in his mouth. Her stomach churned with dread.
Her worst nightmare was upon her. For certain, Rodmilla had found her.
Closing her eyes, she tried to calm herself. There was no use in making a big scene by spouting off her temper. Not until she heard from his mouth that Rodmilla sent him to bring Ella and Billy home.
She swallowed, trying to moisten her cotton-dry mouth. “Robert, what are you doing here?”
Chuckling, he finally released her. She whipped around and faced him. It had been two years since she’d seen him last, and he looked the same. His thick blonde hair still hung below the collar of his shirt, still appearing unkempt as if he’d been through a recent hurricane. In contrast to his devilish hair, the clothes he wore appeared brand spanking new. He’d always dressed like he was a mix between a rugged mountain man and a gentleman.
He took a step back, folded his arms, and grinned wide. “How did you know it was me?”
“That clicking noise you make with your mouth. I don’t know any other man who does that.” She bunched her hands into fists at her sides, trying to remain calm.
“Well, I was trying to pretend I was someone else so you wouldn’t know right off who had attacked you.”
“Obviously.” She arched an eyebrow. “So are you going to tell me what you’re doing here and how you found me?”
He held up his hands as in surrender. “Do I need an excuse to see my dear, sweet relative?”
Inwardly, she groaned. They were second cousins on her mother’s side. She’d never liked him as a relative, and she certainly never liked him when he’d tried courting her while her father was alive.
“The last time I saw you,” she bit out slowly, “I told you I thought we should just be friends. Have you forgotten?”
With her shoulders back, she moved away from him and headed toward her house. Each step closer made her feel a little safer. Once she could reach her front door, she’d feel much better and she’d be able to handle anything he threw at her. At least she hoped.
Robert trailed closely behind. “Yes, I recall our last moments together, but when I heard you were visiting your grandmother I decided to come find you.” Chuckling, he shook his head. “But my dear Ella, this is not your grandmother’s house, is it?”
“Actually Robert, it’s really none of your concern.” Her voice lifted in irritation, but she continued to try to keep fear from consuming her whole body. She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a scowl before swinging her focus back on the path in front of her. “If you recall, my brother and I had just lost our father. We needed time to grieve. And you know Rodmilla has never been any kind of mother to us, so I don’t see what the problem is.”
When she was almost to the porch, a sense of peace began to enter her body. As soon as she could make it inside the house, she’d feel safe and secure.
He grasped Ella’s elbow, stopping her. “There is no need to get so defensive. I’m here because I care.”
He presented a pitiful frown. She knew he wasn’t serious. Even if he did care, the question still remained, how did he find her? She thought she hadn’t left any trails behind for anyone to follow, especially when she took on a different last name. Nobody here knew her as Spencer. “Robert, if you really cared about me, you’d have left me alone.”
“Do you plan on sending me on my way without even discussing this matter?”
She nodded. “Bravo, dear cousin, you catch on quickly.”
Ella tried to take a step on the porch, but he grabbed her elbow, stopping her once again. She wanted to scream, but she managed to calm herself...if only on the outside.
“Your friends miss you, Ella. And your father’s servants really want you and Billy to come back.”
She shook her head. “They are her servants now. Not mine.”
“But they still care and worry about you.”
She swallowed hard. “I appreciate the time that must have taken you to track me down, and I’m happy to know people still care about us, but the truth is, we are happy here. We don’t plan on leaving to return to that kingdom.”
“Have you heard Rodmilla is engaged again?”
The news shocked her enough to stop her progress onto the porch. She swung around and faced him. “Already? Well, I really shouldn’t be so surprised. I’m glad she’s moving on.” She arched an eyebrow. “Who is the unlucky man?”
Robert chuckled. “Fernand Kingston. He’s very wealthy. He has almost as much money as your father had.”
She shrugged. “Then I’m happy for her. I’m sure the two of them are perfect for each other.” Since he wasn’t trying to stop her now, she quickly stepped onto the porch and to the door, placing her hand on the knob. “Once again, Robert, I appreciate you coming here, but it was a wasted trip. My brother and I aren’t going back.”
“Ella. You don’t have a choice.”
Fear froze her limb. Keeping her back to him, she closed her eyes and willed him to disappear. How could she get rid of him? There was no way he was going to take her back. She took a deep breath for courage and glanced over her shoulder. “I do have a choice, and I’m staying right here.”
“Rodmilla is still your guardian. You’re not allowed to govern yourself or your brother until you’re twenty-five years old.”
“I’ll turn twenty-five in a few short months. Besides,” she took another deep breath, wishing her wild heartbeat would calm down, “Billy and I have done just fine here without a guardian. I have become an independent woman all by myself. I don’t need anyone, especially not you, and for certain, not Rodmilla.”
“Don’t you think your stepmother will hire people to try and bring you back?”
Her heart thumped faster. She wouldn’t put it past that woman to do something so devious. “Then she’s wasting my father’s money, because I’m not budging.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” he said.
“Then it’s my mistake.” She slowed her breathing, finding an inner strength she didn’t know she possessed. “Tell me, Robert. Did she hire you to come get us?”
“Can’t you remember? I told you I came on my own.”
It was hard to believe him, mainly because he’d always proven how untrustworthy he was. “Then please forget you found me and go back home. This place is my home now, and if you really cared about me, you would want me to live where I could be happy. I’m extremely happy here.”
He stood silent, gazing deeply into her eyes as though trying to read her thoughts. He’d been able to know what she was thinking the few short months he’d courted her, and she vowed she would never become close to him again. She’d never forget what kind of man he really was. At one time, he’d tried to act like a charming gentleman, but he was far from being chivalrous. Every time he opened his mouth, lies poured out. She doubted he knew how to tell the truth.
After her father had died, Robert was by her side to comfort her, and yet his way of comforting wasn’t what she had wanted. A few times, she had complained about her stepmother’s treatment of her and Billy, but Robert never cared. If he had truly cared, he would have tried to put a stop to Rodmilla’s torture.
He brushed his fingers along her sleeve. “Why are you doing this, Ella? You know I have loved you for years. Why can you not see how much I care and that I want to help?”
She gritted her teeth, against her growing anger, while her fingernails dug deep into her palms. “I’m sorry you still have feelings for me, because I cannot return them.” She leveled her gaze on him. “And by chance, if my stepmother did send you here, you can go back and tell her I will fight her every step of the way, regardless of the consequences.”
With those parting words, she turned the knob and threw open the door. Just as she stepped inside, he released a devious chuckle.
“Sorry, Ella, but I’m not giving up that easy.”
Frightening tremors ran through her. She flew into the house and slammed the door behind her. The windows rattled, but it was nowhere near how rattled her nerves were. All she wanted to do was cry. Plain and simple, she was tired...tired of running, tired of hiding, and tired of looking over her shoulder and questioning anyone who asked too many questions.
Going back to Rodmilla scared her. Ella couldn’t do that to her brother, either. Their wonderful father had doted on them and loved them unconditionally. After his death, Rodmilla turned into a fierce creature. A mean, spiteful woman, who wanted to make servants out of her dead husband’s children. But it was more than that. She treated Billy and her like prisoners, refusing to let them leave their estate. They had to ask their stepmother for anything they wanted or needed—even their meals were not given freely.
Tears rushed to Ella’s eyes and she wiped them away. She’d rather die than go back to that woman. Ella would rather be thrown in jail than have to succumb to the way Rodmilla tortured them. Nobody should have to suffer in such a way.
Perhaps it was time to ask for help. She would confide in Chris. He would help protect her, she just knew it.
Fear still consumed her. Rodmilla didn’t want them back just to have someone to punish. No, Rodmilla was a greedy woman. She wanted the money Ella was going to receive for her inheritance. For twenty months, she and Billy had been just fine living here, but now that her birthday was quickly approaching, suddenly Rodmilla is trying to find her. Indeed, something was up with the sinister stepmother.
Deep down in Ella’s heart, she knew Rodmilla’s issues had something to do with her inheritance. The woman must be out of money. That could be the only reason she would remarry...and especially, try to bring Ella and Billy home.
Her thoughts returned to the conversation with Robert. He’d said Rodmilla was engaged to Fernand Kingston.
Laughter bubbled up from Ella’s throat and she shook her head. Now she knew! Fernand and her father had been close. Her father’s friend would have wanted to know if Henry’s children were all right, and since Rodmilla was their guardian...
Ella’s laughter grew as she stumbled to her bed, falling upon the thick quilts. He was the reason Rodmilla wanted them back.
She rolled to her back and stared up at the ceiling. The laughter left as quickly as it had come, and sadness consumed her once more. The grieving widow would stop at nothing, which meant...she and her brother were in serious danger.
TWELVE
It took Chris a whole hour to get ready for this special evening. Usually he didn’t fuss over his clothes much, but he really wanted to look his best tonight. He wanted to impress this particular woman almost as much as he wanted to breathe. Although she was wealthy, she wasn’t anything like Rosanna. He could only hope Ella would look past his faults and see the person inside.
He’d donned his favorite gold and black waistcoat over his white shirt, and wore a clean pair of black trousers and matching over-jacket. Being so dressed up made him feel special. He didn’t want to disappoint Ella in any way.
Darby had helped Chris in making this evening’s meal, and as he guided the single horse pulling the buggy toward her estate, the aroma of fried chicken and freshly baked rolls filled his senses, causing his stomach to grumble. Darby had always been a pretty good cook, and Chris was certain this meal would surprise even Ella.
Eagerness flowed through him as every second passed. He couldn’t wait to get to know her better. During yesterday’s visit, he felt she had wanted desperately to tell him something, yet she never did release any important information. He knew the reason. She didn’t fully trust him. Hopefully, this evening he’d be able to show her that she could tell him anything. He especially wanted her to know that he’d always be here for her.
When he pulled the horse and buggy into the drive leading toward the manor, his heartbeat quickened. Even his palms were moist. Strange to think he’d feel this nervous. It wasn’t as if she was the first woman he’d courted. But she was certainly the loveliest.
He stopped the horse and jumped down from the buggy, grabbing the bouquet of flowers he’d picked for her that were fresh from the flower garden near his house. Taking two steps toward the front porch, an object lying near the bushes caught his eyes. He stopped and studied the piece of cloth. It was Ella’s shawl. Diverting his direction, he moved to the garment and picked it up. Her scent still clung to the fabric, which told him she’d only recently had this on.
He glanced around the drive. He didn’t see or hear Ella anywhere.
Curious, he hurried to the front door and paused to straighten his waist-jacket, before knocking. Hobbs, the butler, opened the door.
“Good evening,” Chris greeted. “I’m here to pick up Miss Parker. Is she ready?”
The old man’s bushy eyebrows grew together and he frowned. “No. She left less than thirty minutes ago and has not returned.”
Worry gripped Chris’s chest. “Do you know who she left with?”
The servant shrugged. “I assumed it was with the man she had plans with tonight.”
Irritation grew inside Chris, even though he wanted to stop the emotion until he’d heard the whole story. “Had she made plans with two men, by chance?”
“No. Only the schoolteacher.”
Chris nodded. “I’m the schoolteacher.”
“Oh, dear.” Hobbs’ eyes widened and he stepped past Chris and walked outside. His gaze searched in the yard.
Chris didn’t like the frightened expression on the servant’s face, and he especially didn’t like the worry escalating through him right now. “Hobbs, can you tell me what the other man looked like?”
“He was thick around the middle,” Hobbs motioned his hand toward his waist, “and he had a scar on his upper lip. I also recall his hair thinning on top.”
Bile lurched inside of Chris. Joe! Indeed, this description fit perfectly with the man he’d talked to yesterday.
Groaning, Chris rubbed his forehead as a throb beat against his skull. “Hobbs, I believe that man’s purpose was to kidnap Miss Parker.”
Color left the older man’s face and he shook his head slowly. “No. That can’t be...”
“I’m assuming he left a ransom note.” Chris moved his attention to the porch, scanning for any type of note, but he saw nothing.
“None whatsoever, sir.” Hobbs’ throat tightened and he fidgeted with his collar. “This evening has been so confusing. There was another man here to see her earlier.”
“Another man? What did he look like?”
“He appeared around Ella’s age. Pleasant face, but he had long, scraggly, blond hair. He dressed like a gentleman, though.” He shook his head. “I’d overheard them talking on the porch, and from what I could gather, I think they had known each other before and that he was in love with her.”
Chris didn’t like the sound of that, either. He prayed she didn’t have another beau, because if that man was back and wanting to claim her heart, Chris w
ould certainly lose.
“But that man left because Miss Parker came in the house. Not long after that, she received another caller.” Tears filled the old man’s eyes. “She had wanted to answer the door, then, so I let her. I peeked out the window and got a glimpse of him, but then turned and went into the other room. Now I realize I shouldn’t have left her alone—” His voice broke as his bottom lip quivered.
“I’ll find her,” Chris stated, hoping he’d be able to find her before something awful happened. But if it had been Joe who’d taken her, Chris worried he might not find her at all.
He jumped off the porch and walked back to the place he’d picked up the shawl. He studied the ground and could see from the disturbed soil and grass—and the broken branches in the bushes—that there was definitely a struggle. He followed the footsteps back into the yard a little more until they reached the shade of a tree. Horse’s hooves had recently made their mark in the dirt, as well. And wagon tracks. Chris didn’t think Joe was working alone.
Irritation expanded inside of him, and he knew he must find her. Today! As soon as possible, in fact.
Chris spun toward Hobbs who hovered behind him. “Don’t say anything to Billy. Not yet. I don’t want to worry him. And keep an eye on him, please, until Miss Ella returns.”
The older man nodded. “Are you going to look for her?”
“Yes, and I’ll bring her back home safe.”
Tears fell down the man’s cheeks. “I truly hope you can.”
Chris hurried back to his buggy and climbed in. He whipped the reins, urging the horse forward.
There was only one person who could help him, and he prayed Darby had perfected his spell on the stick—or the brush. Either way that was the only thing Chris could think of that might help him find Ella.
On his way back home, he kept a sharp eye out for Joe or his cronies. He’d force them to divulge their hideout, even if he had to use his fists or pistol to make them talk. It had been quite a while since he had to get physical just to prove a point, but he’d do it if it meant finding Ella.
Keep on Believing Page 11
