Page 81 of A Night of Forever
Isobel was about to turn away and go downstairs to find Marisa when something in the street below caught her attention. She looked closer and went still. Her eyes had to be playing tricks. She pressed her palms flat against the glass, balancing on her toes to get a better look. She had been right. It was Dufort. Dufort was walking along the street in front of their house, as bold as brass.
She hesitated for only a moment, then made her decision. If she could follow him, he might lead her to Victoria.
Before her fear could get the better of her, Isobel grabbed her bonnet and raced down the stairs and out onto the street.
Fortunately, Dufort was tall enough that he stood out from the crowd, and she could follow at a distance without losing him. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry. In fact, he seemed to stop at almost every street vendor, even buying an apple from someone in a shop doorway.
Every time he stopped, she turned away and pretended to look in a shop window. But this time when she turned back, her breath clogged in her throat. He was gone. Frantic, she glanced around, scanned the street to her left, her right. She couldn’t have lost him. He had to be up ahead. So she quickened her step, lengthening her stride so she was almost running when she reached the corner—
And Dufort stepped out right in front of her.
“My beauty, we meet again.”
She opened her mouth to scream. At the same instant, he jerked her against him and covered her open mouth in a bruising kiss.
She tried to push against his chest, but he’d effectively pinned her arms to her sides, making it almost impossible to move. And that travesty of a kiss went on, and on, and on. The stench of his breath and the rancid taste of his mouth made the bile rise in her throat and almost choke her.
Through her panic, all she could think of was how angry Arend would be that she’d revealed their presence.
Just when Isobel thought she really was about to faint, Dufort broke the kiss and immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.
“No need to scream,” he growled in her ear. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m to give you a message.”
How could he have come to give her a message? How did Victoria know they were in Deal? Thatshewas in Deal?
“Oh,” jeered Dufort. “Did you think I usually dawdle along the road, wasting my time with hawkers? I was the bait to draw Arend out. But I can make do with a pretty little bird instead. I’m going to remove my hand. One scream, and I’ll slice you open. Perhaps give you matching scars.” Slowly he removed his hand.
Isobel wanted to both scream and spit in Dufort’s face, but she had no doubt he would do exactly what he said. “What’s your message?”
Instead of answering her, he ran his hand down her back and over her bottom.
Revolted and furious, she stamped down hard with her heel, grinding it into the top of his boot. “Take your hands off me.”
“Bloody witch,” he snarled. But to her amazement he did as she told him.
“If you have a message,” she said coldly, “give it to me and go.”
“With pleasure.” His smile was like that of a man who had discovered the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. “Tell your fiancé and his friends that if they don’t turn tail for home and let Victoria leave England, one of their women will die.”
She almost laughed. “As Victoria has been trying to harm their wives since the beginning, I doubt this message will sway any of them.”
“No?” He stepped back. “You tell them.”
And then he was gone, lost in the crowd.
Isobel stood on the street corner, totally at a loss. What a strange warning. And why hadn’t he simply dragged her off? They could have used her for leverage.
Judging by the look of the people around her, Isobel could have screamed her head off and no one would have interfered even if she’d put up a fight.
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. It felt as if someone was watching her. Had Dufort returned? Sent someone to take her after all?
She swung round, scanning the crowded street. But there was no one obviously coming for her. For a moment she stood there, undecided as to what to do next. Then a cart rumbled past, dipped a wheel into a deep puddle in the street, and sloshed dirty water all over her dress. It was definitely time to return to the house.
—
Betrayal! Arend stepped back into the shadows, numb.
He’d been leaving a tavern down by the docks when he’d first spotted Dufort and set out to tail him. Now he almost wished he hadn’t followed the man.
