Invitation to Passion

by Bronwen Evans

  Samuel swung round, cursing, totally unprepared for the intrusion. With no weapon to hand, he seemed to be taking Sarah’s sudden appearance rather well, as he rose slowly to his feet.

  “I underestimated you, Lady Sarah,” he said.

  “Most men do. They see the outer shell and do not understand I also have a brain. As well, I have desires and needs that I am determined to see met.” Sarah looked across at Maddy strung up in shackles. “No one stands in my way.” She smiled almost as diabolically as Samuel had done and looked him up and down. “However, I do like the view. Impressive.”

  Maddy watched Samuel wet his lips, yet he maintained a neutral facial expression, seemingly totally at ease with his nudity.

  Sarah waved the gun she was holding, indicating he was to move back. “Madeline Knight has to die. A divorce could take years and I don’t wish to wait that long. However, I seem to have miscalculated things. You don’t appear to be the love sick fool I thought you were.”

  “Is that why you followed me? To ensure Maddy would die?” Samuel’s chin jutted forward. “Oh, she’ll die but not before I’ve ‘played’ with her a little. I want her brother to find her used and abused before I kill him.”

  Sarah’s eyes widened and she laughed gaily. “This is about Rufus?”

  He simply inclined his head.

  “How wonderful. Are you not worried Richard and her brother might arrive before you have finished ‘playing’?”

  His hands went to his hips and he scoffed. “I doubt anyone is looking for her. Richard is smitten with you. Why would he care if she has run off? I doubt he’s in any hurry to look for her.”

  The smile left Sarah’s face. “He’s not smitten exactly, more like trying to be honorable. He’s made it clear he is married forever, and, he claims, happily so. Why do you think I need her dead? I don’t care if I have to settle for second best as long as I get him.” Her eyebrows arched. “You stupid fool. I would suspect he’d look for his wife immediately.”

  Maddy watched as this information sank into Samuel’s consciousness and then, with anger twisting his mouth, he swung round to face her. “The letter I forced you to write said…” He threw his head back and screamed in rage, fists clenched at his sides. “You bitch, you’ve tricked me. The letter I forced you to write, in it you said you were freeing him to marry his one true love. That was a clue, wasn’t it?”

  Maddy took pride in saying, “Yes.” She looked down her nose at him. “I tried to tell you. Richard is not in love with that villainess. We were playing out a role in order to try to catch Lord Wrentham’s killer.”

  His eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared. “Now you’ve made me exceedingly angry. You’ll pay for your deception.

  Sarah looked over her shoulder at the door behind her before calmly turning to face them both again. “Then I suggest you hurry up and finish what you’ve started, or I could simply kill her right now,” and she raised the pistol and pointed it at Sarah.

  “It seems a shame to waste all the preparation I’ve made. Are you going to stay to watch?” he asked.

  Madeline pulled on her chains, horrified at his words and her stomach was gripped by complete terror as Sarah moved further into the room, closing the door behind her. “I don’t mind if I do. I might learn something interesting to amuse Richard when he comes back to my bed.” Her eyes widened. “You see, he’ll need consoling when he learns of your death. Who better to offer comfort than the woman who carries his child?” She took a seat on one of the chaise lounge to the side of the room.

  Filled with rage, Maddy uttered, “You must hate me very much to be able to watch Samuel rape me.”

  “True.” Sarah shrugged. “If not for your silly meddling, Richard and I would be happily married by now.”

  “When he learns you’re part of this diabolical plan…He’d never be happy with a woman like you.”

  “Now, now ladies, I’d prefer it if you didn’t squabble, it puts me off my performance,” laughed Samuel as he slowly approached her.

  #

  The men made it to Tumsbury Cliff Manor just before sunset the next day. Rufus calculated they were at least two hours behind Samuel.

  They were absolutely exhausted and every joint in Richard’s body ached. They had ridden for almost thirty-six hours, changing horses along the way, and riding through the night to make up for lost time. Samuel had to be using a carriage and thankfully he would be much slower than the men on horseback.

  He wished he could go immediately to the ruins but Rufus knew more about the area than he did. He didn’t have any idea where they were.

  “Rufus,” Daniel rushed to hug his brother-in-law. “How in hell did you get here so fast, I only sent the missive a few hours ago.”

  “You sent a note?” Richard pushed through the men to address Daniel. “Why was that?”

  Daniel looked to Rufus. “Meg saw Lady Madeline in a carriage traveling through Deal. Meg got the impression she was in trouble. I gather from your hasty arrival that Meg’s correct.”

  Rufus merely nodded, and looked round the courtyard. “I see you’ve gathered men. Good. It’s Samuel. He has abducted Madeline. They will be at the ruins.”

  “Meg thought as much.” Daniel slapped his thigh, “The bastard. I’ve had men looking for him since his escape all those months ago. I did not want a child murderer lose in Deal, but I was never able to find him. We thought he’d bolted when you killed Lord Hale.”

  Lord Hale was Samuel’s lover. The pair sexually abused, and killed several young boys round Deal until Rheda and Rufus stopped him. It also eventuated that Lord Hale had also killed Rufus’s father many years ago.

  “He bolted all right. He has been hiding under my nose, circling my family like the vulture he is,” Rufus’s anguish was evident in the tightness of his jaw. “When they had me as their prisoner I never saw his face, but now I know what he looks like I don’t intend to let him slip away again.”

  Richard paced in exasperation. “The longer we wait the more…” he couldn’t finish his words. Samuel could have done anything to Maddy by now. She could be dead for all he knew. His skin broke out in a cold sweat. He understood now how his twin must have felt when Anthony learned Melissa had been taken almost two years ago now. The idea that Madeline was suffering cut him to the bone. He cleared his mind of the terrible images and focused on the rescue. His crippling fear would not help her.

  “What is the plan? I cannot stand here any longer knowing Madeline is in that monster’s clutches.” Richard spoke quietly but everyone listened and heard the pain in his voice.

  Rufus moved to hug him. “We will get her back, I promise you.”

  As Rufus stepped back Daniel told them, “They are at the ruins and they have been there for about one hour. I’ve had men watching. A fair haired woman recently joined them.”

  Richard’s muscles froze and he looked at Rufus. Rufus swore like a pirate. Richard would wager his last breath the recent arrival was Sarah. He frowned and tried to understand what she was doing here. Fear like a cold knife stabbed at his gut. “Christ, she’s here to kill Maddy,” he cried. “The only reason to come here herself is to ensure Maddy dies just like Wrentham did.”

  “That doesn’t make sense; how would she know about Samuel?”

  Stephen Milton looked at Richard and said, “You and Madeline are the talk of the ton. Society assumed it was not a love match and as you appeared preoccupied with Lady Wrentham, they assumed Madeline was being consoled by Mr. Hindsworth, whom we now know is Samuel. Sarah probably took advantage of that to get Maddy out of the way. I’d say Sarah’s likely to kill Samuel too. No witnesses, you see.”

  “If she’s involved in Maddy’s abduction,” Rufus said, his jaw taut, his fists clenched, “I kill her too.”

  Richard grabbed Rufus. “You can’t, she’s pregnant, and the child could be mine.”

  Rufus stood breathing heavily. “Christ.”

  “Promise me. I will have your word that she will n
ot be hurt until after the baby is born. Why should an innocent child suffer because of her actions? You know I’m right about this. You may hand her over to the magistrate but not until the child is delivered.”

  Rufus barely nodded but Richard knew he could not kill her if it meant a child would die.

  “We will do this my way.” Rufus crouched down and with a twig started to draw in the dirt. “When Samuel escaped the ruins the last time, I spent weeks with Stephen learning every nook and cranny. I had always wondered how Samuel slipped through our clutches. There is a series of underground tunnels exiting here and here.” He marked the ground in three places. “As well as the main entrances here.”

  Daniel said, “My men can cover the main entrances. However, if Samuel does try to escape I believe he’ll go for the tunnels again, not realizing you know of them.”

  “Stephen, Richard and Anthony will cover the three tunnel exits.”

  Richard put his hand on Rufus arm. “Hold on, I’m not waiting outside while you go in there alone. She’s my wife.”

  Rufus stood up to face Richard. “Samuel’s plan is to lure me in. I intend to let him. He’s mine to kill. I should have finished off this business months ago.”

  “We’ll go in together. I’m not risking Madeline. Sarah’s in there too. You can kill Samuel only once we have spirited Madeline to safety.”

  Rufus stood clenching and unclenching his fists, indecision written in his pained expression.

  In a softer tone Richard said, “We go together. We both love her. You can kill Samuel while I rescue Madeline. If Sarah were with Samuel, it would be wiser for us to work together. Daniel can cover the third tunnel.”

  “He’s right,” said Stephen. “You can’t fight both of them and rescue Madeline.”

  Rufus finally conceded and through tight lips said, “Here’s my plan.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Dear Richard,

  Congratulations. I’m not sure you need my advice. I can’t imagine any young lady professing to be in love with you needing to be persuaded into matrimony!

  I can’t wait to meet Sarah; it is Sarah, isn’t it? I’m sure if you love her, I’ll love her too, and we will become firm friends.

  Have you heard that Rufus has been made an earl? I’m now a lady. He’s even organizing a season for me. We are to come to London soon. I’m to have a new wardrobe with beautiful gowns I’ve never needed before. You probably won’t recognize me. And Rufus is to hold a ball as well. He’s even worked magic and Mother’s coming too.

  I hope you will attend my coming-out, as I need moral support to face everyone. I’m demanding a dance too! I’m terrified of being a wallflower. Having my friend on hand would be a comfort. Do say you’ll come.

  Wishing you every happiness.

  Your friend,

  Lady Madeline

  Madeline hated Sarah’s gloating smile. She’d never known fear like she was experiencing now. Her heart was racing; her stomach was churning. The not knowing what Samuel was preparing to do behind her could make her lose her mind. She wanted it to just be over.

  She closed her eyes and began to pray. Why couldn’t she simply faint? The opium was beginning to work for she could almost feel Richard’s presence. His handsome face, and smiling eyes were warming her, and in her mind he was telling her it would be all right. He would be with her soon.

  Samuel was close behind her now. She could feel his thighs pressing against her bottom. His hand pushed her back so she was bending forward then she felt something nudging at her buttocks. At that, she couldn’t help it, and she cast up everything that was in her empty stomach. Her head swam and she slumped in the chains, her arms burning in their sockets as Sarah sniggered.

  Just then, a loud bang vibrated through the stone floor beneath their feet. His hands stopped their indecent exploration and he walked quickly to the door. He opened it a crack to look out. “The noise is probably nothing, just more of the ruin crumbling away, or an animal of some sort.” He opened it wide enough to slip through. “However, I should investigate. If she makes a sound, you have my permission to shoot her,” and with that he was gone.

  Maddy shook her head trying to clear her vision. Nausea saw her heave once more.

  “I should simply shoot you, but a part of me wants you to suffer as I have suffered. To watch you learn what it’s like to have a man you loathe pawing at your body, entering you when you’re not prepared—to suffer the pain I suffered with Charles.”

  Sarah stood before her, careful to avoid the vomit lying at her feet.

  “I did not make you marry Charles. No one did.” Maddy could barely lift her head, could barely breathe; her body was no longer her own as it floated above her. These were the effects of the opium in her bloodstream no doubt. “You could have married Richard.” Maddy knew it was unwise to provoke Sarah while she held a pistol but she could not hold her tongue. “You could have married Richard when he asked you. Don’t blame me for your cowardice.”

  Sarah laughed gaily. “You stupid girl.” She leaned in until her face was so close, Maddy could see the madness hidden deep within her eyes. “You never met my father. He beat me until I agreed to marry Charles. He would not contemplate me marrying a second son. So I envisaged a way to satisfy my father and get Richard. I’d marry Charles and then kill him. Then Richard would sweep in and marry me, so in awe of my sacrifice for my family.” She grabbed a handful of Maddy’s hair and pulled her head back. Her scalp was on fire but Maddy would not give Sarah the satisfaction of crying out loud. “How was I to know it would go wrong? You, a silly country bumpkin, infatuated by a man who barely noticed you, ruined everything.”

  “I’m not as inconsequential as you think. He loves me. I believe he has always loved me.”

  Sarah called her the foulest possible name. “Loves you? You really don’t know him very well, do you? Oh, he might love you now, but for how long? Has he not told you of his romantic history? Richard falls in and out of love with each change of the seasons.”

  Maddy licked her lips, her head still held in Sarah’s tight grip. “Then why do you want to marry him, if his heart is so fickle?”

  “Because the heart must be fed and I love him. And as long as he’s married to me, that is all I need. You, however, don’t even understand the man you’re married to. I don’t think you know what true love is either, or else you would not have run straight into Christopher’s arms.”

  She briefly closed her eyes against the painful truth of Sarah’s words. “You’re wrong. I love him so much I was willing to give him up, to give him grounds for a divorce, so that he could marry the mother of his child,” she choked out. “That’s why I left the park with Christopher. I was going to ask him to pretend to be my lover, so Richard could divorce me. Then Richard would have been free to marry the mother of his child.”

  Remorselessly, Sarah tightened her grip on Maddy hair and pulled Maddy’s face closer. “Think on this as Samuel rogers you. Fool. There is no child. I’m not pregnant. I had hoped that Richard would carry on his affair with me, and I’d fall pregnant before he noticed. Now, I’ll just have to have a terrible accident and lose the baby. Maybe I can blame Timothy Chesterton for that too.”

  Maddy’s heart ripped in her chest. All of this was for nothing. She’d been ready to walk away for a non-existent child. Maddy lost her grip on her temper and spat directly in Sarah’s face.

  Sarah reared back cursing, raising her hand to strike Maddy across the face. Maddy didn’t care; she was in so much pain. Seeing Sarah’s anger was worth a slap. Before she could strike, a loud clapping startled them both. Sarah spun round with a gasp.

  “Bravo, Maddy. Learning there is no child makes what I have to do so much easier.”

  Maddy tried to lift her head, as she recognized that voice. Her gaze reached out across the stone floor hoping it wasn’t a hallucination. Inside the door stood a vision of beauty, his hair a dark golden brown in the flickering firelight, his eyes full of tender mercy a
s he took in her condition. However, when he turned his head to look at Sarah, even Maddy shivered at the wrath filling his eyes.

  Maddy held her breath as Sarah looked toward the chaise lounge where she’d left the pistol, only to breath a sigh of relief when she heard Richard ask, “Looking for this?” Sarah’s pistol was now in his hand. “Move over into the corner.” When Sarah stood defying him, Richard said in a voice filled with coldness, “I won’t ask again. I’m at the point where I don’t give a damn what happens to you.”

  Sarah must have believed him because she moved like a docile lamb.

  Richard was at Maddy’s side in an instant, and he crouched down to undo the chains round her feet. He didn’t say anything to her, or ask her if she was injured, he merely focused on giving her her freedom. She wondered if he hated her for running away.

  Maddy licked her dried cracked lips. “Samuel, that is Christopher, is somewhere in the ruins.”

  Once her legs were free of the shackles, Richard stood and stretched up to free her arms. “I know. Rufus is searching for him.”

  “Samuel went to investigate a noise. He could be back any moment.” She couldn’t hide the panic in her voice. Then she gave a cry of pain as her arms, free of their bonds, flopped uselessly to her sides. The blood rushed back into her limbs and she would have collapsed if Richard had not caught her.

  “Easy, love.”

  Maddy’s heart sang, he’d called her love. “I’m so sorry.” And she finally let the tears fall.

  Richard gathered her close. “Shush, not now, Maddy. We still have to escape.”

  Richard tried to drag her upright but her limbs, long held in shackles, together with the effects of the opium, meant she couldn’t seem to find her feet. She slumped back on to the floor. “It’s fine, Maddy. We will just have to wait for Rufus and his men to find us.” As he talked, Richard shrugged out of his coat and helped her pull it over her, covering her nakedness.