Page 69 of Surrendering to a Lady's Touch

Chapter 17

When Jane came to the door that morning, there was a horrified expression upon her face. “Margaret is gone.”

John stood, his jaw tense. “What do you mean, she is gone?”

“Margaret has been taken away by Darkmoor.”

“What?” John’s heart beat wildly in his chest as he listened to Jane explain.

“Margaret agreed to marry Darkmoor last night.” Jane put up a halting hand. “But before you become angry, allow me to make this understandable. The viscount said that if Margaret did not marry Darkmoor, his life would be threatened. This frightened Margaret, and after much argument, she agreed to marry Darkmoor to save her father’s life.”

John froze, panic cascading through him. How very much like the viscount to threaten such a thing. John was sure that it was all lies. “She believed all of this?”

“John, what else was she to believe? The viscount is a very controlling man, and Margaret was filled with fear. Please understand, although the viscount can be cruel, he is still her father. This requires some sensitivity. And also… this requires you to let go.”

“Let go!” John scoffed. “How on earth do you expect me to let go in light of all of this? Margaret was lied to—that much is clear. She is manipulated, and now she has thrown her life away.”

“She has not thrown her life away.”

Now, John was the one to put up the soothing hand. “Understand, Jane. I know certain things about Darkmoor now. Margaret cannot marry this man.”

“But I believe that they shall be married this very day! There is nothing that anyone can do about it.”

John replied in no uncertain terms, “There is something that can be done about it, and I shall be the one to do it.” He walked to the door forcefully.

“John, stop,” Jane said, gripping him by the arm. “There is no use. This business is done with.”

“Is her father with her now?”

“The viscount is at home. He said that there was no need to go with her.”

John massaged the back of his neck. The tension was so horrific that he did not know how to survive it. Whilst his sister held him back, he took the time to pause for a slight moment, ensuring that he chose the best course of action. “I will retrieve her,” he finally said, brushing his sister off.

“No, John! You do not know what Darkmoor is capable of.”

“Nor does he know what I am capable of. But, he is about to find out.”

Jane squared herself in front of him, placing her hands upon his shoulders. “Steady, John. Steady! I do not wish to hear that you have lost your life… or Margaret. This business is far more dangerous than you realize. I know that you love her… and she loves you. But this has gone too far, and both of you know it!”

John did not need to use words. He gently but firmly removed Jane’s hands and made his way to the door. He would tarry no longer. As he passed down the hall, John heard his sister cry out, “John, please!”

This call was not responded to. John quickly secured his horse, and off he fled. Through his investigation, he knew where Darkmoor resided. John would make his way there with haste.

***

Margaret sat in the carriage with black drapes closed. It was as though Darkmoor was leading her away in secret. She was silent, not knowing what to say. It frightened her that her father stayed behind. Margaret expected that they might go together, but that very morning—a little worse for wear—he remained in his study when Darkmoor arrived at the door.

Margaret wished to weep, but she sensed that there were no tears left. She was as dry as an old well, what from all the crying she did the night before. She tried not to make direct eye contact with Darkmoor, but she could not help but look up to discover Darkmoor leering at her. She looked away, peering towards the window that was closed with black curtains. Margaret pulled this aside, desperately needing to see the light of day. As the light flooded in through the crack in the drape, Margaret could finally feel herself breathing. Had she been holding her breath that entire time?

“You seem troubled,” Darkmoor finally said with a little grin.

“Should I not be?”

“You have nothing to fear.”

Finally, Margaret looked into his eyes unflinchingly. “I have everything to fear, Sir. You are a stranger, and you have just purchased me.”

Darkmoor seemed amused by this, for he said, “That is an amusing way of saying it.”

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