03 - The Wicked Lady (22 page)

She was shown to the drawing room to wait. She looked around her, taking in the warm mauve colors in the furniture and rugs. Much different than Chatsworth.

Charity swept into the room, wearing a beautiful, mauve-colored gown. "Kristen, I'm so glad you've come. Have you finally settled into life at Chatsworth?"

"I'm surviving. But there is so little tae do. The duchess directs the staff, of which I'm glad, since I've never done that sort of thing, but it leaves me with too much idle time," Kristen admitted. It might hadn't been easy making ends meet in her old life, but she'd never been bored.

"Have you tried embroidering?" Charity asked.

Kristen frowned. "Afraid that 'tisn't for me. I'm all thumbs." Except for picking pockets, she thought.

Charity nodded. "I agree. I'll teach you my favorite hobby. Archery."

"Is it difficult?"

"Come on, I'll show you," Charity said, taking Kristen's hand and pulling her along.

They hurried across the lawn toward the stables.

"How are the duchess and Hagan getting along with each other?" Charity asked.

"Ye wouldn't believe it. Before I came over here, I found Constance reading stories to Hagan. I never thought the old girl had a heart, but in that brief moment, when she thought no one was looking, I saw a very loving woman."

"I would have to see that for myself before I could believe it," Charity said.  "She was strict even when she raised Trevor. She was constantly telling Trevor how he should behave. He must do this, and he must do that, because he would become the next Duke of Chat
sworth. He had so little childhood, I'm afraid."

When they passed the st
ables, Kristen grew concerned. She'd never been this far from the main house. "Where are we going?"

"Right here." Charity picked up a bow and arrow propped against the barn wall then moved a good twenty-five feet away from the structure.

"What do ye do with that?"

"See that big circle on the side of the barn?" A brightly-colored target decorated the side of a barn.

"Aye."

"Well, we shoot these arrows and try to hit the small circle in the middle of the big circle."

"Why?"

"Just for fun." Charity laughed. "And it is much better than sewing."

Kristen watched her friend place the arrow onto the string of the bow.

Charity shot, and her arrow whizzed through the air. It landed next to the line of the big circle.

Kristen look doubtful as she picked up the strange object and mimicked what she'd just seen her friend do. She tugged the string and sent the arrow flying through the air, but it landed five feet away from the circle, catching the corner of the barn. "Oops."

"Well done for your first time." Charity giggled. "It will take lots of practice."

They took turns shooting as they passed the afternoon away.

"Let's sit awhile," Charity suggested as their arms began to tire. "Even fun things are tiring." She sank to the grass and patted the ground beside her. "I'm surprised Trevor let you come alone."

"He isn't here. I've not seen him in near four weeks."

Charity looked at her.  "Where has he gone?"

"He said something had come up in London."

"That sounds just like him," Charity admitted. "He's always kept things to himself. It makes him a hard man to know."

"I dinna know how to break though that shell."

Charity shook her head. "I can't advise you there. I'm not sure anyone can get him to raise the castle gates."

Kristen sighed. She wasn't sure she'd every find the answer either.

Ned Blume was feeling very pleased with himself. He had gotten money from the duke, and he now knew better than to go that road again, so he devised plan number two. And if this one worked, he'd have a nice little income going again.

For now, he'd just have to sit and wait.

She always came this way, so his informants had told him, but he'd have a surprise for the ungrateful wench this time.

His patience finally paid off.  His prey had just ridden into sight. She was a pretty one, he thought, but she always had been. Blume kicked his horse in the side and his mount bolted forward.

Chapter Thirteen

Kristen relished her ride as she returned from Charity's. Today Kristen had ventured off without a groom so she could have a little freedom. She'd enjoyed her afternoon with Charity. At least it had made her forget about Trevor for a while.

He had been gone four weeks, and she hated to admit she missed the man, but she did. He'd become a part of her life in such a short time.

The pounding of hooves sounded much too close behind her, and for a brief moment she thought maybe Trevor had returned to surprise her. So she slowed her mount and turned in the saddle, her smile bright.

It wasn't Trevor.

The rider was coming too fast and seemed to be moving straight toward her. Had something happened at the house?

As the man drew closer, she saw who it was. Someone
she never wanted to see again. Her stepfather had found her! Kristen gathered her reins to make her escape; however, Ned was faster. He reach out and grabbed her horse's bridle.

"Not so fast, girl."

"What are ye doing here?" Kristen noticed Ned's clothing had changed, and that he was fairly clean. Where had he gotten the money for clothes and a horse?

"I kind of missed me little family around me, and I wanted to see them."

"Yer a bloody liar. What is it ye really want?"

"Kristen, Kristen, Kristen." He leered at her, his yellow teeth turning her stomach. "You should be nicer to your old man.  I could arrange for your little brother to disappear very quickly, you know."

"What do ye mean by that?"

"Don't you worry about it."

"I am worried." Fright shook her, confusing her thoughts.

"Hagan could make me a good little thief," Ned went on as if Kristen weren't there. "I've been thinking I could teach the boy a few things, and he'd come in right handy."

Kristen swallowed hard, trying not to reveal her anger. "Ye had better leave Hagan alone."

"Now, that's where you should be real nice to me, if you don't want me catching the baggage and taking him back to London."

Kristen's annoyance increased when she found that her hands were shaking. "Trevor would kill ye."

"He might, and then again he might not." Ned shrugged. "He'd have to find me first. And I can think of plenty of places to hide." Sarcasm laced his voice.

"I hate ye," she spat.

Ned reached to touch the side of her face, and Kristen jerked away. She didn't want his filthy hands on her. His touch turned her stomach.

"Is that any way to talk to me?" Annoyance crossed Ned's face. "I should give you the back of me hand right now for speaking to me all disrespectful like that. It would pay for you to listen."

"What do ye want?"

"I want you to fetch me some valuables from your new house, so I can keep myself up."

"What did ye do with the money Trevor gave ye?"

Ned shrugged matter-of-factly. "That didn't last long. Had a terrible thirst, and I needed some things. But I'm thinking one or two pieces of jewelry can make things a little easier for me."

"I don't steal anymore. Especially, not for the likes of ye," she said.

"I'd think twice about that, if I were you. Or maybe you don't give a damn about that brother of yours."

"Leave Hagan alone!"

"I will as long as you cooperate. I expect you to bring me something valuable in two days."

"And if I don't?"

"Then you can kiss Hagan good riddance." He gave her a twisted smile. "Don't think the high and mighty wouldn't be very interested in knowing where you came from. It would sure bring the mighty duke down a couple of notches. It might even put the dowager in her grave where she belongs."

"I hope ye rot in hell."

Ned bent over her until he was in her face, foul breath and all. "If I do, rest assured I'll take you with me." He kissed her on the lips, pinching her cheek painfully as she tried to get away.

Kristen slapped him and turn
ed away to spit on the ground. It was all she could to keep from retching. Nudging her mount, she took off racing across the countryside.

Just when she thought she had found a little bit of happiness, her past came back to haunt her. Would it always be like this?

What was she going to do? She could go into her little stash and give Ned some of that, Kristen thought. Then what would she have to fall back on?

She would have to start stealing from the household. She hated it, and if she started, would there ever be a stop to it? She was damned, for sure.

Tears streamed down her face as she neared the stables. She dashed them away, then dismounted.

"Are you all right, miss?" Baxter asked.

"No, but don't worry. I'll think of something," she said, leaving Baxter scratching his head.

Kristen had scarcely gotten control of herself when she entered the house and ran into her missing husband. She bumped his shoulder, and the connection forced her to backed up. She rubbed her nose as she stared at him. If it were possible, he was even better looking than she remembered. Dressed in a chocolate brown coat and cream-colored pants with gleaming Hessian boots, he was dashing and extremely regal in his stance. Evidently she'd surprised him, too because he'd yet to say anything--he just stared.

"Ye've returned," she said as she tried to gather her wits. She had wanted him to come home, but when three weeks had turned to four, her hopes had faded. Then here he was without a word that he was coming or that he'd missed her.

She smiled at him; however, Trevor didn't return the smile.

"Why were you out without a groom?"

"I missed ye, too," she quipped sarcastically.

"Answer me, Kristen."

Her nerves were stretched to the limit. First Ned had threatened her, and now she was f
aced with an irritated Trevor! "Because I bloody well felt like it," she snapped.

"Do not go riding again unless you are accompanied by someone!"

And to think she'd missed the bloody man. Kristen ignored him.

It took a moment, but finally Trevor's face softened. "It's good to be back. I was gone so long. I missed you."

"Did ye now?"

Trevor stared at her. He couldn't believe he'd apologized to her. His intentions all along had been to come and go. But the time away hadn't diminished his desire for her. Evidently, it had for Kristen because she was treating him
with ice-coldness. He wanted to touch her, hold her. Despite all his vows, desire burned deep within him. He placed his hands on her arms. She stiffened, but didn't shake them off. He didn't want her, he told himself.

He didn't need her . . .

But he most assuredly wanted to kiss her and hold her more than anything else.

Pulling her close to him, Kristen turned her frowning face up to him. "I did miss you," he whispered before his mouth covered hers.

Pleased with her response, he deepened his kiss, and soon his tongue was mating with hers. He'd missed her more than just a little, he realized.

"I see you are home," Constance said from behind them. Reluctantly, Trevor let Kristen go.

"Good to see you, Grandmere." Trevor stepped closer and embraced the older woman. "I hope you are feeling well."

"As good as an old woman can feel. Did you get your ships ordered?"

"I did. But it will be six months before I can get both ships. I managed to attain one vessel, but I had to cancel several shipments I had booked because of it."

"Ye've had trouble?" Kristen realized that Trevor hadn't told her anything about his business. Of course, she hadn't bothered to ask either.

"You could say that." Trevor frowned. "I lost two ships with very expensive cargo.

"I'm sorry," Kristen said because she didn't know what else to say. Trevor turned back to speak with his grandmother, and Kristen was glad because she didn't know how to discuss his business.  There was so much she didn't know, but she made herself a promise to find out so they'd have something to talk about next time.

Her thoughts shifted to her other problem:  her stepfather.  If ever she wished someone dead, it was that man.  She knew he wouldn't stop with just a few trinkets; he always wanted more.

She had no choice but to steal for him, though.  Because she didn't doubt he'd get to Hagan somehow.  And Ned would probably carry through with his threat to ruin Trevor.

If only she could tell Trevor.  But none of this was his fault.  They had made a bargain, and Trevor had kept his part.  Perhaps, if he loved her, things would be different.

But he didn't.

She knew she could hold Ned off for a little while with the things she had already gotten, and then she decided what she would have to do--take Hagan and run. It was that or keep meeting Ned's demands forever.