Page 92 of The No Good Irresistible Viscount Tipton
Devona thought the entire scheme despicable. The notion that it could succeed terrified her. These evil people were plotting to steal her husband’s life and memories and there was not a single thing she could do about it. Rayne would forget her. He would be lost to her forever. A low keening sound came up from deep in her chest.
“I do not think Lady Tipton agrees with your plan, Jocelyn,” Oz murmured. “Now that I have had a chance to consider it, neither do I.” His fist shot out and smashed into the older woman’s temple. She collapsed onto the pile of freshly dug earth. She remained unconscious.
Although Devona bore little love for Rayne’s mother, the vicious attack automatically had her asking, “Why? She has delivered up her son. I would think you would be showering her with gold.”
“Evan, permit me the use of the shovel.” Oz took up the offered shovel and tested the feel of its weight. “It was Jocelyn who first sought me out all those years ago. She was irritated by her son’s closefisted ways and the greedy woman thought dangling the title in front of my eyes would ensure my cooperation. It did, for a time.” He leaned down and picked up the small blue bottle. It disappeared into the inner pocket of his frock coat. “Listening to her babble on about her plans reminded me that what was to be halved could be mine as a whole, including her precious, innocent Madeleina.” He brought the flat side of the shovel down across Jocelyn’s head. Once. Her body quivered, then became deathly still.
Dropping the shovel, he swaggered over to Devona. She was so appalled, it took her a few seconds before her body acted on what her mind screamed.
Run!
She managed to sprint past four headstones before he caught her. His arm snatched her waist and her forward momentum pulled them down. Oz rolled her over and straddled her, sitting firmly on her pelvis. “A new plan, Devona. This one ends with your beloved husband dead and in his grave.”
“No,” she seethed. Oz’s added weight pressing down on her bound arms made them feel as though they would pop from her shoulders.
“Despite what old Jocelyn thought, Tipton was never going to live out his life on some exotic island. I have decided to amend my plans for you.” He braced his palms against the dirt on each side of her head. “You were to join your husband, Devona. However, the notion of killing you does not sit well with me. I am rather fond of you. And as I mentioned, I avoid violence when necessary.” He withdrew the bottle from the hidden pocket in his coat. “Your family will learn that you experienced a terrible accident. Involving a coach, I think. It will strip you of your memories, my dear. Sad and tragic, it’s true. Fortunately, I will be on hand to help you through your difficult ordeal.”
“Monster!” she hissed, trying to buck him off by arching her hips. “No one will believe you.”
He removed the tiny cork. “Look at you. Your dress is filthy. You have a nasty head injury where you struck your head when the coach rolled down the embankment. Yes, your family will believe me. Now open wide. A few sips and you will sleep like an enchanted princess. Perhaps I will even make you my viscountess.”
“No—” She opened her mouth to tell him what an evil beast he was and then realized her mistake. Oz took advantage of her weakness and forced the bottle between her lips. The vile bitter liquid filled her mouth. Twisting her head, she spat some of the liquid out. The inside of her mouth burned, telling her that it would be impossible to get rid of all the poison. Oz was just as determined as she was, and he had the advantage. He jammed the bottle between her lips again, this time using the other hand to constrict her neck. She could not expel enough air to spew the liquid out. Terrified of losing her mind, she used her tongue to push the drug out. A glance told her the bottle was empty. Oz noticed it, too, and threw the bottle away. More liquid dribbled from the corner of her mouth.
“Swallow, damn you!”
She fought valiantly, a woman driven to save herself and the man she loved. It wasn’t enough. Oz, still gripping her neck, lifted her and slammed her head into the soft dirt. The impact was not hard enough to hurt her, yet it served its purpose. Devona’s throat automatically convulsed and some of the liquid went down. Rayne! She had failed. Oz lifted her head again and the gray storm clouds dropped from the sky to blind her. More liquid burned the back of her throat as it went down. She no longer felt Oz’s strong fingers strangling her. Strangely, she felt nothing. No pain in her head, no desperate need for air, even the heartache of her loss seemed to ease. The storm clouds settled over her like a warm blanket. She no longer was frightened. Relaxed, she succumbed to the inviting void.
