"What is going on?" Ashley asked as she approached.
Brianna groaned, for if the two girls sided against her, she would not have a prayer of leaving.
"Nothing is going on. I simply need some fresh air, and Elizabeth would like some company. Ashley, could you entertain her while I step out for a moment?"
"I would be happy to."
"That sounds wonderful," Elizabeth agreed. "First I need to get . . . my shawl. Ashley, would you stay with Brianna until I return?"
"Certainly." Ashley seemed oblivious to either girl's thoughts.
"Thank you," Elizabeth called over her shoulder as she rushed down the hallway.
"You don't look well. Are you still drinking the mixture as Madam Hershal directed?"
"Yes, but I'm feeling worse today. I was hoping the fresh air would help. Why do you not wait in the drawing room for Elizabeth while I step out?"
"Are you sure? I could come with you, or perhaps I can get you something?"
"I'll be fine, and I have no wish for Elizabeth to feel slighted, nor do I wish for her to be present in the event that my stomach does not settle," Brianna explained, unable to cease her fidgeting. Time was slipping away. She had to leave now.
"I suppose you are right. I hope you feel better soon."
"Thank you."
Once outside, she didn't feel the relief she expected from making an easy escape. Instead fear began to settle in.
Hailing a hackney was much easier and quicker than she anticipated, for which she was grateful. After handing the driver the card, she allowed herself to fall back into the seat. The fact she had no idea what to expect was the most unsettling part of the ordeal.
With little time to dwell on her next step, the hackney arrived at her destination. Once she exited, she squared her shoulders and quickly headed to the house listed in the note. She was doing the right thing; she was saving Richard.
"Brianna."
Heart sinking, she turned to face Elizabeth.
"Brianna, you don't have to do this." Elizabeth ran from a hackney stopped directly behind the one Brianna had just vacated.
"What are you doing here?" Brianna exclaimed, terrified for her friend.
"Let us go get Richard. He can help." Elizabeth tugged on Brianna's arm with such force, she stumbled and was forced to take a step backward.
"You don't understand, Richard-"
"Richard can help us. Please come with me."
As the door swung open, Brianna transferred her terrified gaze from Elizabeth's pleading face to the dangerous-looking butler before her. His eyes narrowed as his gaze moved between the two of them. Brianna suspected his instructions didn't include the possibility of a second guest.
"Come this way," he commanded as he pushed the door open wider.
"I believe there has been a mistake," Brianna stammered, questioning her impulsive decision to come here. She had based everything on the conclusion she reached from a letter sent by a man of questionable reputation. Now she was not sure if she had made the correct decision. Throwing her arm out as if to shield Elizabeth, Brianna took a step back.
"No, no mistake," he growled menacingly as she took another step back.
"Leaving so soon?" a voice asked from behind them. "You can't leave until I have been paid." The hackney driver sneered as he walked toward them, blocking their escape. So that explained how she was able to procure a ride so quickly. He had been hired to bring her here.
Sighing in defeat, Brianna walked forward into the house wishing Elizabeth had not been brought into this mess as well. Unsure of how this would play out, she kept her eyes down and her opinions to herself as they were led down the hallway. When they arrived at what looked like a drawing room, the girls huddled together.
"My master will arrive shortly, so trying to escape would be futile," the butler informed them.
Despite his assertion of a quick arrival from his master, they, in fact, did have to wait a long time under the watch of the butler before Lord Kirkwood entered. She suspected he wished to draw out the suspense, and therefore increase their fear. Unfortunately his plan worked. Mostly Brianna was terrified for Elizabeth, and the fact that they had not had an opportunity to speak only increased her concern.
Brianna looked the horrible man in his beady eyes as she pushed Elizabeth behind her. If Lord Kirkwood wanted Elizabeth, he would have to deal with her first. Perhaps keeping him occupied would give her friend a chance to escape. She could then go to Richard, assuming he was free and unharmed, or she could find some other help.
"I knew you were a stupid woman, but I didn't know you were illiterate as well." Lord Kirkwood shook his head. "The instructions clearly stated you should come alone and notify no one."
"I didn't notify anyone. She followed me and has no idea what is going on. You asked for me, and I came. Please let her go. She is of no use to you."
"Again you are letting your ignorance show," Lord Kirkwood insulted her. "If I let her go now, she will tell everyone where to find you."
"I already have," Elizabeth challenged, pushing herself away from Brianna's protection. "It would benefit you to release us before we are discovered, which should be any moment now."
"That I can't do." He gave them a cruel smile. "Timothy, get this extra girl out of here. I don't have much time."
"Yes, my lord."
Before Brianna could react, Lord Kirkwood grabbed her wrist and pulled her further away from Elizabeth, allowing his butler a chance at Elizabeth without having to fight them both. Brianna desperately tried to wiggle free to assist her friend, but Lord Kirkwood held her tight. Not giving up, she struggled as she watched her friend being dragged from the room, thrashing and screaming.
Once the door closed, Kirkwood slung Brianna onto the ground. Without hesitating, she scampered backward, away from him, but soon found herself blocked in a corner. He slowly stalked toward her, an evil smile upon his lips. She watched in horror as he began unfastening his waistcoat.
"Why are you doing this?" she stammered as he threw the garment to the floor and lifted his shirt free of his trousers.
"I'm simply giving Stonemede his due. He denied me something I wanted, so I'll deny him the pleasure of knowing his heir is of his loins."
Brianna gasped. Knowing the horror that would befall her only compounded her fear. She cringed back as his beefy hands reached out toward her. In one smooth motion, he ripped her dress down the middle. Paralyzed with fear as his gaze defiled her body, Brianna kept still as he reached for the top of his trousers.
As he slid the first button free, Brianna felt a surge of anger flow through her. She refused to lie still and allow him to follow through with his plan. Jumping to her feet, she lunged at him, aiming for his face. He raised his foot, and the force of the blow she received for her efforts knocked both the wind and some of the fight out of her.
Back on the floor in front of him, Brianna struggled for breath. Her chest ached from the impact. How much more would she have to suffer before the ordeal ended? Drawing her shoulders back, she knew the pain would be great, for she would not keep still and make this easy for him. Knowing he could overpower her meant in the end he would succeed, but she refused to allow him to walk away unscathed.
Chapter 15
Richard sat at his desk shifting though the papers his steward sent him. Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. His anxiousness to return to Stonemede increased by the day. He still had not worked out how to complete his duties at Ravenhurst from Stonemede, but he imagined anything would be easier than handling estate matters from London.
His wedding was almost upon him, but each day didn't pass quickly enough for his liking. The possible attack on Brianna the previous night only made him more determined to see her tucked safely away at Stonemede.
Last night, once he had secured her in the carriage, he, along with Greyson and Jonathan, had searched the ball looking for any sign of Kirkwood. Unfortunately they were unsuccessful. Richard did set his man, Saul, up at Kirkwood's house, in order to be notified if Kirkwood made any movements. Richard would have a report of the comings and goings of everyone in the house.
Commotion outside his door brought his head up and his thoughts back to the present. There was a quick knock, and then Hopkins entered the room without waiting for permission. He slammed the door behind him and then offered a slight bow. The man was clearly agitated and trying not to show it. Richard quickly crossed the room, in preparation to fight with the threat on the other side of the door.
"My lord, there is a gentleman here to see you. He is insisting to be shown in at once," Hopkins said before the door flew open. He recognized John Knox, Viscount Winsler, who pushed Hopkins out of the way to enter the room. Richard could not fathom what his purpose was, or why he acted in such an improper manner.