Page 52 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
She found herself picked up and carried by a foul-smelling man. Audrey heard her dress rip as she kicked frantically as she was taken further from the house. Then she was thrown roughly onto the floor of a waiting carriage.
“There you are. And welcome to her. Now where’s my shilling?”The man who had abducted her snarled.
She heard the rattle of coins as she raised her head from the floor of the carriage. Ethan’s voice broke the silence.
“Welcome, dear sister. Yes, please take a seat. You will not escape again.”
Audrey saw the glint of pure evil in his face, his delight at having her back in his power. His next words shocked her.
“Caroline, my dear, can you help me. Push her back, while I tie her hands and muffle her voice.”
Caroline? Surely not?
Ethan continued, “Audrey, I warn you that you must stay still and comply with whatever I tell you to do. If you don’t the consequences will be dire for that child you are so fond of.”
“Hideous brat,” spat his companion. “Children should be unseen and unheard in my opinion.”
It was Lady Caroline, with her brother Ethan. Audrey’s head spun with confusion.
Firm hands pushed her back, while her own hands were bound behind her back. She tried to protest as Ethan pushed a silken scarf into her mouth, but he pulled back her head forcefully and reminded her again to stay still.
“Only the best for my sister. We don’t want your lovely mouth bruised by a gag. What would your betrothed say if I delivered damaged goods? Stay still Audrey, almost finished. There we are, all safe and secure.” Ethan banged the roof of the coach which trundled off into the darkness, leaving Clairville far behind.
Audrey occasionally caught glimpses of the pair opposite her in the moonlight. Her brother nestled his head in Lady Caroline’s hair, and they held hands and laughed together. She felt nauseous with the shock, the swaying of the carriage, and the proximity of her brother and his accomplice.
As dawn broke Ethan spoke to her in chilling tones.
“You will marry the Duke of Batton within hours. I’m only waiting on the special license and expect that very soon. All you need to do now is prepare yourself for marriage.”
Audrey’s back buckled as she strained against the ties. Ethan moved toward her, and she succeeded in kicking his shin. Satisfaction was fleeting as Caroline leaned forward and slapped her round the face.
“Careful, Caro my lamb, we can’t damage the bride’s face. All brides should look radiant on their special day.”
“Impossible my dear, this governess could never look radiant. But if you insist, I shall leave her be.”
“It’s for the best my dear, the marriage settlement will bring us a considerable amount of money. No damaged goods for the Duke of Batton.”
They won’t get away with this. Someone must have seen me. Franny knows how happy I was. There is no way anyone will believe I’ve run away. But she remembered she had run away before, with her cousins help, so people might assume she had done the same again.
Caroline’s voice droned on, and Audrey realized how carefully they had planned her kidnapping. “You’re thinking they won’t believe you’ve left. I suppose some, like your friend, Mrs. Weston, might wonder. However, we have your dear cousin Rupert, ready to swear that you asked for his help in leaving Clairville. Dear Rupert, so loyal to the sound of sovereigns falling into his purse.”
Audrey glared at Caroline as she continued to speak.
“I had so much fun, persuading Rupert to help us out. Your letter will silence any questions. It took me a while to copy your handwriting, but it’s difficult to tell any difference in the letter. I placed it in the library myself, while you were twirling and whirling around the ballroom in that sickening waltz. You’veresigned from your post, and you beg His Grace not to follow you, or make enquiries about your whereabouts.”
Caroline began to laugh hysterically.
She’s quite insane,thought Audrey.They both have no grasp of reality.
“I may even return, I’m sure The dowager duchess will greet me with open arms. I am, after all, every inch the perfect duchess. Perhaps I might even seduce the duke and provide some solace for losing his true love. On the other hand, I think I might just suffocate if I had to spend another hour at Clairville. His mother is so perfectly stupid, and all those simpering sisters, all of them fussing around that child, who is just a brat you found on the street.” She paused and put her hand on Ethan’s chin, gently caressing it. “I’d rather stay with you, my dove.”
“You’re so clever, my sweet Caro, so clever. They all loved you. Such a clever ruse to play the woman who wanted to secure The Duke of Clairville’s affection. Maybe we should have kidnapped the child as well? How about that Audrey? if we have the child in our care then you’d have to do exactly what we wanted.” He laughed maniacally as Audrey strained against the ties around her hands.
Surely not. How more despicable could they become? Both rich and elegant members of the ton.
“No, my dove, I can’t bear the idea of that child at Rowton Castle. I’m sure we can find ways of keeping Lady Audrey under control.”
“Very well, no child at the castle. We’re almost there.”
