Lord Valorous(46)

"Poppy?"

He heard rustling and then the relief in her voice.

"Jacob?"

His knees felt weak as he stumbled to the door and looked through the small opening. Her face appeared seconds later. Pale, with dark smudges beneath her eyes, she looked more beautiful to Jacob than he had ever seen her.

"Thank God," he rasped, reaching a hand through the bars to touch her. Her skin was chilled and she shivered.

"J-Jacob."

He grabbed the hand she groped to reach his.

"It's all right, love, I am here now. Tell me, are you hurt?"

"H-how did you find me?"

"I will always find you," he vowed.

Her top teeth sank into her bottom lip as she fought for control. "P-please, Jacob, g-get me out of here."

Her fear hit him hard in the stomach. Looking down, he saw a lock but no key.

"Let me look around, Poppy."

"Don't leave me!" Her fingers gripped his hard.

"I won't, sweetheart. I haven't given you much reason to trust me, but beg you to do so now."

"I-I do trust you." Her words were small and fearful, and made his heart sing. "B-but I fear the last few d-days have tested me."

"Such a strong girl," he said, cupping her cheek. "I promise to get you out of here soon, sweetheart. Just a little longer."

He looked around him, searching for a key, anything to get her out of the room, but found nothing. Stomach sinking, he knew what must be done.

"Poppy."

"Don't leave me, Jacob!"

He pushed a hand through the bars again and cupped the back of her head, stroking his fingers over her hair, letting her feel him, feel his support.

"I need to get the key, love. But you know me, Poppy, and trust me. You know I will come back for you, don't you?"

He heard her loud sniff, and she nodded. He moved his hand to the bars, wrapping them around the ones she had clenched there.

"I-I know you will c-come back for me."

"Did he hurt you, Poppy?" He had to know. Had to know how broken she was. Not that it mattered to him. Jacob would care for and love her for as long as she let him.

"He... he tried, but I hit him with the chair I'm standing on and then scratched his face. He left in anger, and planned to st-starve me into submission."

"I'll kill him," Jacob growled. He could not let the man get away with hurting this woman. Would not allow it.

"No!" Her fingers gripped his. "I-I do not want that. Please, Jacob, just get me out of h-here."

Leaving her was the hardest thing he'd ever done. He wanted to tell her what was in his heart, but now was not the time. That would be done while he was holding her.

"I will come back for you soon, Poppy. Remember that you trust me, love."

She sniffed again but said nothing further. Climbing the stairs, he closed the bookshelf and made his way to the door. The footman still stood outside.

"Let no one in here until I return. I will pay you handsomely, and if your master realizes you aided me, I will find you a place in my household."



       
         
       
        

"Be an honor to serve you, my lord. Lord Kinsale is not an easy man to work for."

Jacob nodded, and then ran back up the stairs. He heard the hum of voices as he approached the room his friends and Kinsale were in. Opening the door so fast that it hit the wall hard, he walked inside with, he was sure, murder in his eyes.

"You are feeling better, Hatherton?" Kinsale's cheeks were rosy, telling Jacob he had had several more glasses of brandy since he'd left.

Jacob didn't answer; instead, he opened his jacket and pulled out his gun.

He heard Leo curse then his friend was at his side. "No shooting, Jacob."

"What is this!" Kinsale roared.

Marcus and Nick moved closer.

"I found Miss March locked in a room beneath your study, Kinsale. I want the key, now!"

"You have no right to search my house! How dare you! Miss March is-"

"I will shoot you if you do not hand me the key to release her at once."

"She is nothing... a no one... a whore. Why do you care what happens to her?" Kinsale's eyes were scared now.

"She's the woman I love, you bastard! Call her a whore again and you sign your death warrant. In fact … ." Jacob handed his gun to Leo, then punched Kinsale hard in the jaw, sending the man reeling backward and into his chair.

Jacob was pleased to see the side of his jaw already starting to swell.

"Sh- How can you love her? A-a nobody?"

"Be very careful how you speak about my future wife, Kinsale," Jacob snarled.