Fate Is A Stranger: Regency Romance (23 page)

"My dear Violet, must you use such a nasty word in relation to my devotion to you?" Asked Souten.

Violet looked resentfully at Lord Souten. She realized, too late, that she had fallen into Souten's trap and that Souten had used her mother to lure her into it.

"You should not look at me like that, my dear sweet Violet," said Souten in the seat across from her. "My devotion to you knows no bounds. You must surely have been aware of it during all this time."

"You call this devotion?" asked Violet. "It was probably you and that horrible Lady de Compte who made my mother ill in order for me to agree to this. I should have known that anything that included you and Lady de Compte could not bode well."

"You feel that way now but soon you will realize that your situation warrants careful consideration. I have the most honorable intentions toward you, you must know that."

"I don't care for your intentions and I don't care a whit for you. You should allow me to return to the castle if you know what is good for you. You still have an opportunity to do the right thing; later on when you’re in gaol, you will regret all this."

"I will certainly not regret any of it," said Souten. "I am with the woman I love above all else in this world. How can I regret one moment of it, Violet?"

"I don't care for you and never will," said Violet. "In fact, when before I had no opinion about you I now despise you. Doesn't that give you an idea of what life with me would be like?"

"
Now
it is like that," Souten agreed with a smile, "But later on, when it is clear to you that I am the only choice you have, you will grow to love me."

"
Never
!"

"My dear Violet. I am certain you would not like to bring disgrace on your father and even your mother, although it is hard to make her situation in society even worse than it already is."

"What makes you think I would stay with you even though you would—would—"

"What else would you do, live in shame?"

"You have little knowledge of my character," said Violet, "It would be more shameful to live with you that alone with my 'shame'."

"My dear, you were forced to become Alex Shackel's mistress six years ago and society, though not accepting of you can at least give certain understanding and credibility to that, as you were very young. But how would it seem to the ton if you again claimed that you were forced to spend several nights with another man? Do you think they would not doubt such a story?"

"You forget I don't care about the ton."

"For yourself you do not, but for your father you do."

"You better not come near me if you know what's good for you."

"Oh, I have no intention of forcing myself on you just yet, my dear," said Souten. "Remember, I am in love with you. I want a romantic setting for our first encounter. Later, you will realize that there is nothing wrong with having feelings for me, which you will soon develop. A loving husband is not something you come across too often, my dear. Your resistance to my charm will eventually give way."

"You insufferable pig," said Violet. She turned her head away from him and gazed out the window. A feeling of helplessness enveloped her.

Was there no escape? Tears slid down her smooth cheeks and she felt the salt in the corners of her mouth.

Banish those thoughts from your mind and
think
,
she told herself firmly.

No one knew where she was. No one could help her out of this mess except herself, so she must clear her mind of thoughts of what could happen because then she would be too weak to resist. Throughout her life she had always relied on herself. This was just another situation that called for that.

Violet glanced around the inside of the carriage as she noticed that Souten, too, was looking out the window on his side. He was probably fearful that someone might be following them. What did she usually carry in her reticule? She realized she had nothing that could be used as a weapon.

But there surely must be something inside this carriage that she could use as a weapon. Perhaps in Souten's portmanteau which was in the floor between them she could find something useful. But it would be difficult to open it while he was still in the carriage. What else could be used as a weapon? A heavy object could be used to bang him in the head with.

There were two outriders and a driver to contend with if Souten were unconscious. But perhaps they would think twice about keeping her against her will if Souten was not there to give orders.

Violet realized that they had turned into a narrow dirt road between tall, closely placed tall pines, cedars and firs and seemed to be skirting the edges of a dark forest. As it had lately rained the road was slushy and it was slow going. The spring air was cool and the dark gray had rays of dawn slicing upward. Birds twittered and there was the sound of a dog barking in the distance. There was also the smell of wood burning as their carriage crunched over a mess of mud tangled with bracken and pine needles.

Was she going to be taken inside a wood, where there was no hope of anyone finding her? She shivered inside her cloak. But who did she expect would come looking for her? Souten must have made certain his steps would not be traced by anyone. And no one had seen them leave the castle. Everyone at the castle was asleep when the two carriages left. She had seen the groom fast asleep when they left, so not even a witness to their activities would there be should anyone find them missing in the morning.

Violet realized that the carriage had turned into a narrow lane in the dense forest and she felt a stab in her heart. And what would happen to her mother? Where had they taken her? She said a silent prayer that her mother had been taken to the doctor, at least.

She knew now with a certainty that Souten would force her and there would not be anyone there to help her. She felt a pressure in her chest as she realized that she loved Hawk and that this certainly would forever end any hope she may have ever had concerning him.

We are heading to the 'The Crow's Nest,'" said Souten, his voice jarring Violet out of her thoughts. "It's the hunting box in a friend's property. He often lets me use it for my little intrigues, my dear Violet. It will now be our love nest."

"You're disgusting."

"
Now
I may appear that way to you," Souten leaned over and cupped Violet's chin, "But later on, my dear, you will be grateful for the jewels and favors I will bestow on you—and my great love for you, which is immense. I never thought I could love anyone like I do you."

Violet broke away from his handgrip on her chin and turned her face to the window. Wet branches swung back and slammed at the windows of the carriage. It appeared this lane was seldom traveled, for shrubbery encroached on the narrow lane.

CHAPTER 23

The Duke of Hawkinston reached the first village without gaining sight of either the two carriages or of Jared. He went into the village to change horses and to inquire if anyone had seen the two carriages go by. No one had and as it was still not morning, he left the inn quickly and again headed north.

At Linkwell he had more luck. A groom at a stable had seen the carriage he described. The occupants of the carriage had asked for the direction to the physician's house not twenty minutes before.

"Did you see the other carriage?" asked Hawk.

"No, your grace. I only saw the one, with two ladies in it," the stable groom had answered.

Hawk was now certain that Violet had been abducted and that his only chance of learning where she had been taken rested with the occupants of Souten's carriage. He was certain Lady Kelly was in it, as she was the ill person who had been whisked out of the castle. And the other person had to be Lady de Compte. Hawk had often seen them together and when his sister, Arabella, had asked to be allowed to invite Souten, she had also mentioned Lady de Compte.

After changing horses and filling his flask, Hawk continued on the road, as dawn now lit the area and he could go faster.

After a few more miles, he finally caught sight of the carriage as it turned on a side street off the main street in the village. He pressed his horse to gain on the carriage and reached them as the carriage came to a halt in front of a house.

"Who goes there?" Hawk yelled out to the driver.

The startled driver turned to see who had called him.

"I have business to attend to, sir, and who might you be?"

"I am the Duke of Hawkinston and I demand to know what business brings you here."

The driver hesitated for a moment and then thinking better than to tangle with a duke he identified the occupants of the carriage.

"And we are bringing Lady Kelly to the physician because she is very ill," he added.

An outrider helped first one lady out and then that lady, Lady de Compte, together with the outrider, brought the other lady out of the carriage.

Hawk turned to Lady de Compte, who was trying to slink away from his line of vision.

"A word with you, Lady de Compte."

"Your grace—I should go into the house with Lady Kelly. She may be needing me, she is not well."

"You," said Hawk to the groom, "help the lady to the house and alert the doctor that she needs immediate help."

"Yes," said the outrider hesitantly, glancing sideways at Lady de Compte.

"How dare you give orders here, your grace," said Lady de Compte, in a feeble attempt to regain some authority in the matter. "Lady Kelly is extremely ill."

"You must know how ill she is, madam, since it was most probably you who made her ill. Now, enough nonsense. I am in a hurry and I will brook no delays from you. You are seriously risking hanging from a noose if this adventure goes bad."

"I have no idea what you're referring to, your grace, " said Vera. How dare you speak to me in such a manner and why on earth are you hurling such accusations at me?" But there was a tremor in her voice and she would not meet the duke’s eyes.

"That would be amusing if it were not that you have been cavorting with Souten who is as dangerous as a viper. I want the direction of the place Souten has taken Miss Durbin to and I want it in this instant, madam. If I don't have that direction in the next five seconds I shall have the Magistrate issue a warrant for your immediate arrest for aiding an abduction."

"I—he—didn't tell me," said Lady de Compte, her voice cracking painfully.

"You only have two seconds left, madam."

"I believe I could make a guess at where Miss Durbin was taken, your grace," said Lady de Compte quickly. Lord Souten sought my help in helping Lady Kelly. I have nothing to do with any plans he may have other than that."

"Where did he take Miss Durbin, madam, and I am not going to ask you again."

"I think he may have taken Miss Durbin to 'The Crow's Nest', a hunting lodge in the Malcom Woods, in the property of his friend, Sir Exwell. He—once mentioned he took his paramours there. "I have wanted to escape from Souten for a long time, your grace, but he has a hold on me and—and—forced me to—"

"And my nephew, Lord Falweir, did he go to the Crow's Nest, too?" asked the duke, ignoring Lady de Compte's excuses.

"Lord Falweir was going to be led into a trap, I believe, from what I heard Lord Souten say, your grace. I had nothing to do with any of that, you must believe me."

Lady de Compte then lowered her voice and motioned with her head toward the driver, who had his back to them and sat motionless. "Souten's driver," said Lady de Compte to the duke, "I’m certain they discussed with him where they were taking your nephew. He will know the direction."

"You may go inside with Lady Kelly while I talk to the driver, madam. And you better see that Lady Kelly recovers fully from her illness, if you know what is good for you. I'll deal with you later."

When Lady de Compte had gone inside the house and the outrider had gone back outside, Hawk saw the outrider running down the main street of the village and disappearing beyond some trees, leaving his horse behind.

Hawk now pointed his pistol at the driver. "Get down from there, you swine." The driver complied and stood by the outrider's horse. "Get on the horse," Hawk further ordered.

The driver moved ahead as the duke ordered. "You're taking me to where my nephew, Lord Falweir was taken if you value the space between your eyes," the duke said to him.

The rider rode sullenly in front of the duke. But it was slow going for the road was a muddy mess; only once in a while did the rider glance back. When he did this, the duke pointed the pistol directly and him and ordered him on. They finally turned onto the road leading to the Malcom Forest.

"Faster!" yelled the duke.

With his heart racing and his mind a blur of pain, Hawk shook off morbid thoughts as he rode behind the man. He knew exactly where the Crow's Nest was. He had hunted there once, years ago. But he must get to his nephew first. Jared had said Souten was obsessively in love with Violet and his actions on this night certainly proved it beyond doubt, so Violet at least did not run the risk of death at the moment.

Jared might not fare so well, so he must reach him before they harmed him. Once he freed Jared they would search for Violet together.

He realized now that he loved Violet more than anything in this life, and had he not been a complete fool none of this would have been allowed to happen. Now, even his nephew was in extreme in danger.

Hawk could not believe how utterly stupid he had been, expecting Violet to jump at the chance at being his mistress, when Violet was a better human being than he could ever hope to be. Violet had lived a life of appalling pain and misfortune and like a pure white flower growing in a swamp had withstood danger and temptations, including those coming from him.

And he had callously told Jared that loss of virtue was loss of virtue—even if she had been forced!

He was ashamed of his conduct and of the life he had lived. He was contemptuous of men like Souten yet his own life had been lived in selfish luxury like a Sybarite, absorbed with the pursuit of pleasure. He had expected Violet to become his mistress because that was the environment in which he lived, an environment where he was denied nothing.

His life seemed appalling to him now. He would work toward correcting it. He asked God for forgiveness in a silent prayer.

He dared not imagine what Violet was going through. He only hoped Souten did not harm her before Hawk was able to get to her. He realized that Violet's stunning beauty inspired obsession in men and that Souten, unable to convince her to marry him had resorted to abduction. He could well imagine that Violet, once the vile act had been completed would have no other choice than to become Souten's wife. Hawk was well aware of how Violet loved and revered her father and would never do anything to bring shame on his name. She would sacrifice herself before allowing that to happen.

Why had he worn blinders in the presence of the only woman who had reached his soul? It was incredible to him how stupid he had been.

He saw the streak of dawn breaking above the hills as he and the driver entered the forest but their speed was slowed by the slush on the narrow road and the thick forest undergrowth. The heavy smell of pine stung his nostrils.

A raven shot across his vision with a shriek and rabbits darted out of his path as they cut through the wood at a nerve-racking slow pace.

At a fork where one side turned to the Crow's Nest, where it was about half a mile ahead, the driver motioned to the duke to follow into the other side of the fork, to where Jared had been taken.

* * *

After a few miles in the incipient dawn, Souten and Violet arrived at The Crow's Nest and the carriage came to halt in front of a square, two storied cottage that was made of large stones and almost covered in ivy.

"Come, my dear, down you go. You must be tired and wanting your tea," Souten smiled lovingly at Violet. Violet turned away from him in disgust.

Violet got down and felt her legs almost numb from sitting for so long. She was glad of the exercise and her mind continued to look for a plan to escape and a weapon to use against her abductor.

"See how it is prepared for your arrival, my love?" asked Souten and Violet felt the same revulsion she once felt with Alex Shackel, her mother's lover. She felt like a sheep to slaughter.

What would happen once Souten locked her inside a room in The Crow's Nest?

She must not think about that or it would weaken her resolve. She must keep her mind clear of fears that would keep her from thinking and carrying out a plan. There was no one to help her but herself. She must remind herself of this so that her determination to escape would be strengthened.

"I am an expert at love-making, my dear," said Souten, "You will not regret our little encounter, I assure you."

It was then that Violet was unable to help throwing up on the circular rug that was before the hearth.

"Poor dear," said Souten, mistaking the reason Violet had thrown up. "The movement of the carriage has made you dizzy. Let me get you some water from that pitcher, so that you can rinse your mouth and refresh yourself."

After she rinsed her mouth and as she was sipping her water, Violet glanced around the room. The cottage contained a large room in the first floor with a kitchen in the back and two large bedrooms in the second floor. One of the bedrooms faced to the front of the building and the other one faced the back.

As soon as Souten led Violet into the front bedroom upstairs and locked the door, Violet glanced around the room, desperately trying to find something she could use as a weapon. The only thing she found of metal was an old spoon. She suppressed a tremor of fear that coursed through her. She must be strong or she would be lost. She continued to look around. She opened a drawer on a chest of drawers and saw that it was empty save for a few folded cloths, as were the other three drawers in the chest.

She looked under the bed and found nothing. She examined the window and saw that it was shut tight with a sturdy lock and that the metal hinges as well as the bolt that held the lock would be difficult to dislodge without a hammer. She sat on the bed and looked around, trying to see the objects in the room not as they were but of how they could be turned into weapons or instruments to aid her in her escape.

She glanced up at the ceiling and at the wooden beams. High above the door was a small window with green shutters. Violet got closer and examined it. It was not locked! It had only a loose hook that latched on to a large lower metal hoop.

But the window was high up. How to get to it? Even with the only chair in the room she could not reach it. She knew that if she moved the bed and placed the chair over it she would reach the window. But even if she were able to move the bed without making any noise, how was she to jump down from the window to the ground once she reached the window?

She thought hard about the moment when she had arrived and had glanced at the cottage. She closed her eyes and tried to picture the image of the cottage as she had looked at it. Then she realized that the cottage had a ledge that ran the length of the front and arched over the front door!

She sighed with relief. She would have a place to land if she managed to get to that window.

And where was Souten? It seemed strange that he had locked her in the room and left her there. And although she felt great relief not to be in his presence, she was also wary. What was he doing?

She went to the door, got on her knees and removed the hooked rug by the bed. As she put it aside she heard voices through the planks on the floor. She lay down on the floor and put her ear on one of the cracks, above where Souten was. She heard his voice in what she sensed was a close conference with two other men, the outriders. She closed her eyes and concentrated on what they were saying. She was able to hear one word—Falweir!

Had Lord Falweir followed her here? Her heart leaped with hope. If Jared had followed her there was a chance Hawk also knew she had been abducted!