Page 74 of Lord of Fortune
“That’s a possibility, but I don’t think that will happen.” He adopted his hunch. “Whoever wrote that note wants the heart. What is more concerning is if there are a large number of them. If that happens, we should leave immediately.”
Her pulse picked up speed, and she nodded as she worked to remain calm. How she wished Penn were here.
The minutes stretched as the sun dipped lower over the horizon until it was nothing but a wash of color to the west. The temperature dropped, and the breeze picked up. Expecting someone to arrive at any moment, Amelia tensed. But no one came. Her tension turned to frustration.
“It’s going to be dark soon,” she said urgently but keeping her voice low.
“I have a lantern,” Kersey said. “I won’t light it quite yet.”
“I don’t like this. What if they plan to accost us in the dark? Maybe we should go.”
Before she could answer, she heard the cock of a pistol and a deep masculine voice that was eerily familiar. “You were supposed to come alone.”
Amelia whipped around to see a man in a hood standing ten yards away. Two large, rough-looking men flanked him. How had the brigands crept up on them so quietly?
“Surely you can’t fault me for bringing a groom.” She worried they would hear the fierce thundering of her heart. For a moment, it was all she could hear as apprehension seized her.
“I suppose not. Do you have the heart?” That voice skipped across her flesh and made the hairs stand on end.
“I do,” she said cautiously. “Do you have the book?”
“I do. Come forward, away from your groom.”
Amelia flicked a glance toward Kersey, who nodded slightly. She took a few tentative steps but stopped when she was still several yards away.
“Closer, please,” the familiar voice urged.
Who the devil was this? Why did she know him? Fear made her movements slow and unsteady. She took a deep breath and willed herself to relax. She could do this. For the book. For her grandfather. For Penn.
When she was just two yards from the man, she stopped. “Show me the book before I come any closer.”
The man pushed his hood back, and Amelia gasped as recognition slammed into her. “Thaddeus!”
Her husband’s mouth spread into a lazy smile, reminding her of why he’d caught her eye in the first place. He was attractive, though not nearly as handsome as Penn. Where Penn made her heart skip with anticipation, seeing Thaddeus filled her with dread. He’d failed her in every way possible.
“Good evening, Amelia. May I say, the years have been exceptionally kind to you.” His gaze traveled over her slowly, making her skin crawl.
She couldn’t find any words to respond. How was he here? Where had he been? Why had he left? At last, she blurted, “Are you part of the Camelot group?”
Thaddeus took a few steps toward her, his dark eyes narrowing. “You’ve learned quite a bit in my absence.”
Anger finally surpassed her shock. “What should I have done, crawled into a hole and awaited your return?”
“Oh, my dear Amelia, I never planned to return. Surely you must know that?” His condescension cloaked her like a moldy, bug-ridden blanket she longed to cast aside. Just as he’d done to her.
“I’d hoped,” she said. “In fact, I’d rather hoped you were dead.”
He clucked his tongue. “I suppose I deserve that.” He moved even closer, and Amelia took a step back. Her elbow connected with something, and she glanced over her shoulder to see that Kersey had crept up behind her. His proximity made her feel marginally better.
“I can see I made a mistake,” Thaddeus continued. “You are lovelier than I remember. More spirited too.” He tipped his head to the side. “How did that happen?”
“One might argue you didn’t take the time to know me.” That was certainly true. They’d been married less than a year before he’d disappeared.
“And I’m the poorer for it. Ah well, it’s not too late, and you are still my wife.”
Revulsion slithered through her. “In name only.” What did he mean to do? “Show me the book. Let us complete this transaction and go our separate ways.”
“I don’t know,” he drawled slowly. “The law says you are my property. I think perhaps I’d like to have the heartandyou.” He took a few more steps, until he could almost reach out and touch her. At this distance, she could see the familiar cleft in his chin, the dark sweep of his lashes, the arrogance in his stare.
