Wicked Wager (36 page)

“Revington only paid me a small portion of the money. I intend to get the rest. And to do that, I need you to come back to London with me.”

“Marcus paid you?” A part of Penny leaped with joy. If Marcus had paid Adrian, he must still care for her, at least a little.

“A few hundred quid, is all. Now I’m going to insist he come up with the full amount.”

“If he pays it, what will you do with me?”

Adrian motioned dismissingly. “Oh, you’ll be free to go off and do whatever you wish. You’ll be of no use to me then.”

“Don’t listen to him!” broke in Tad. “You can’t trust anything he says!”

“Shut up!” Adrian gripped the pistol with both hands and pointed it at Tad.

Penny fought a wave of dread. Adrian was clearly desperate and more than a bit unhinged. Tad was right. She couldn’t trust this man. He’d threatened to kill her, and there was every reason to believe that as soon as he’d gotten what he wanted from her, he’d follow through on his threat. She had to get away from him…and keep him from hurting Tad.

She shot a glance at Tad, willing him to understand what she was planning. Then she turned back to Adrian. “All right, I’ll go with you. As long as you don’t hurt Tad or anyone else at Horngate.”

“No, Penny, please,” Tad pleaded.

She gave him another look. This time, he seemed to grasp her intent.

“That’s better,” said Adrian. “Now, we’ll all start walking. This way.” He motioned with the gun. “I’ve got the rig stashed in the woods.”

Penny didn’t move. “You have to let Tad leave, or I won’t go with you.”

“I’ll let him go once we’re safely away from here. I don’t want him running off and fetching old Foxworthy or any of the others.” Again, Adrian motioned with the gun.

Seeing she had no choice, Penny headed for the trees with Tad beside her. She could feel his tension and fear. She didn’t blame him. Adrian had always disliked Tad.

If Tad weren’t here, she’d have taken her chances and set off running. She doubted Adrian was a good shot, and he might hesitate a moment or two, aware she was his only hope of getting more money from Marcus. But with Tad involved, she couldn’t risk bolting.

In a clearing in the forest stood a carriage with two horses hitched to it. As they drew closer, Penny realized it was Marcus’s phaeton—with someone sprawled across the back seat. She raced to the vehicle, dreading what she would find. It wasn’t Marcus lying there but Jeremy. Thankfully, the footman was alive, although bound and gagged. “Dear heavens! What have you done to him?”

“I figured with him at the ribbons we’d make better time,” Adrian answered. “We can have him drive back as well. With a pistol in his back, I imagine he’ll do a fine job.”

“But the poor horses!” Penny gazed in horror at the team. They were both covered in dried sweat and their heads drooped as if they could scarce go on. “You have to let them rest. If you force them on now, you might kill them.” Then, knowing Adrian wouldn’t care about the animals, she added, “If one of them goes down on the road, we could end up stranded miles from London. I doubt you could explain this to any passerby who might aid us.”

“You’re exaggerating,” retorted Adrian. “You always did coddle your horses. The team’s had a chance to rest. We’ll drive them into the brook and let them have a drink and then they’ll be ready to go. If they’re not, I’ll take the whip to them myself.”

Penny shuddered. She couldn’t let Adrian kill these poor animals. She confronted him, as furious and determined as she’d ever been in her life. “I mean it, Adrian. I won’t go with you unless you get a fresh team. I don’t care what you do to me, but I won’t let you treat two animals so brutally. We don’t even have to go back to the barn. There are several horses in the pasture near here. We’ll go and get two of them and Tad will harness them.”

Adrian stared at her. “You’re utterly daft, aren’t you? You really do care more for those bloody horses than for your own life.”

Penny crossed her arms over her chest. “It may be daft, but that’s the way I am. I can’t bear to see animals suffer. At least if you shoot me, I’ll have a quick and easy death.”

Adrian stared at her a while longer, then said, “We’ll probably make faster time with fresh horses. But you and I and Tad will all go together to fetch the horses. And remember, I’ll have the pistol at the ready every second.”

They made their way through the peaceful oak and ash forest until the horse pen came in view. Several horses stood in the far corner, while Hero, saddled and ready for Penny to ride, was tied to the fence by the gate. The sight of the stallion filled Penny with determination. She wasn’t about to lose everything she’d worked so hard for.

“Stay here,” Adrian ordered when Penny went to greet Hero. “You.” Adrian motioned to Tad with the pistol. “Get the horses. Hurry up.”

“I can’t lead two animals back to the carriage by myself,” Tad protested. “I’ll have to have help.”

Adrian looked at Penny, his eyes narrowed. “Go on. Get one of the horses. And don’t do anything foolish. I’ll have the gun aimed at your little friend the whole time.”

“I’ll open the gate,” said Tad.

Penny followed. As she helped him swing the gate open, their eyes met. Gone was the fear Tad had exhibited earlier. Now his expression was angry and determined. Penny gave him the slightest of nods in return. She knew what he was thinking. They must wait for the right moment and then take off.

Tad took a halter from the tack hanging on the fence and approached one of the geldings, while Penny grabbed another halter and headed toward one of the mares, a bay named Whisper. The mare was a little smaller and Penny knew she’d have to get onto the animal’s back quickly, as soon as they were out of the pen.

Since she hadn’t worked with the mare for several weeks, it took a while to get the halter on, and she could tell Tad was waiting, fumbling a bit with the halter so they could get out of the gate at about the same time. She guessed that once they were outside, he meant to take off.

“What’s taking so long?” Adrian called.

“We’re coming,” she responded. Finally, she got the halter on and they led the animals toward the gate, moving leisurely.

“Hurry up!” cried Adrian.

As soon as they were both through the gate, Penny turned to Adrian. “This isn’t easy to do. It’ll take some time to lead them through the woods.”

“You’d better make it easy. I’m not waiting forever,” Adrian said.

While Adrian was turned away, Tad used the stepping block to leap onto on Shadow’s back and take off. Adrian whirled and gave a cry of rage. “Stop!” he cried, waving the pistol. Penny used the gate to climb on Whisper’s back. The nervous horse sprang forward with Penny clinging to the animal’s mane. Behind her, Adrian fired a shot and then another.

Once they were out of sight of the pen, Penny sought to slow the racing animal. But the gunshots had spooked the mare and they galloped on. Penny bent low over the horse’s withers, struggling to keep her balance. When she finally looked up, she saw they were headed for the woods. A tree with low-hanging branches loomed straight ahead. The horse swerved and Penny felt herself fall.

****

Marcus’s stomach churned with foreboding as he drove the tilbury through the stone pillars marking the entrance to Horngate. On one hand he longed to see Penny again. On the other, he was filled with dread at the thought that James’s assessment of her might be true. But he couldn’t believe it. She cared for him, at least a little. If he promised she wouldn’t lose her freedom or her control of Horngate if she married him, surely she would consider it.

As for everything else, he truly didn’t care. Even if she’d conspired with Withersby to develop this whole ransom plot, it didn’t matter. So he’d lost a few hundred pounds; Penny was worth that, and more…much more.

He couldn’t blame Penny for trying to hold onto Horngate so fiercely, he thought as continued down the gravel drive, lined with lush oak trees. Now that it was summer, the estate was truly beautiful. He could easily imagine living here year-round and only occasionally going to London.

As the uneasiness built inside him, he wondered if he ever wanted anything as badly as he did Penny. He’d long ago stopped being nervous when he was playing for stakes. But this was a gamble of another sort and he wasn’t certain what he would do if he lost. The idea of living without Penny filled him with a horrifying emptiness.

He drove the tilbury around the circle drive and pulled the team to a halt in front of the house. Tying the reins to the seat, he climbed out. He was surprised no one had come out to greet him. It looked as if he’d have to knock.

He raised the heavy knocker and rapped twice. The housekeeper he recalled from his first visit came to the door. Her blue eyes fixed on him with what could only be called suspicion. “May I help you?” she asked.

“I’m looking for Miss Montgomery. Is she here?”

The woman regarded him intently, then stepped back to let him enter. “I recognize you now. Thank heavens. I thought you might be someone sent by Miss Montgomery’s wretched cousin.”

“I’m familiar with the man,” said Marcus. “Is Miss Montgomery expecting him?”

The woman nodded. “We’re all on alert here. We fear he might come and…do something to the mistress.”

If Penny is afraid of Withersby, that means they weren’t working together. But if she is afraid, then Adrian had truly kidnapped her, the villain!

“Is she here in the house, then?”

“No, I believe she went out to the barn. My husband, Mr. Foxworthy, is with her, of course.”

Mrs. Foxworthy looked to be about fifty. If her husband was near her age, Marcus wasn’t certain he’d be much protection for Penny.

“Thank you. I’ll check there.” Marcus hurried to the barn. He was probably being foolish, but now that he knew Penny was in danger from Withersby, he had to make certain she was safe. In the barn, he encountered an older man. “I’m looking for Penny…Miss Montgomery,” he explained.

The man regarded Marcus suspiciously. “And who might you be?”

“I’m Marcus Revington. Penny’s been staying with me in London. We were to be wed.”

The man’s grim manner failed to relent. “Aye. I’ve heard about the matter. Withersby arranged the match, didn’t he?”

“Yes, but…” What could he say? That despite the way things had begun, Penny and he had come to care about each other? He didn’t know that was true, except from his own standpoint. “I have no connection with Withersby now. Indeed, I’m here because I’m concerned for Penny. In London, Withersby kidnapped her. She apparently got away, but I’m worried Withersby might have followed her here. Where is she? I understand Mr. Foxworthy is with her.”

“That would be me,” the man responded. He shook his head. “I’m afraid she’s gone off with Tad. I was dubious, but she assured me they’d be fine.”

“Gone off? Where the devil are they?” Marcus felt his panic growing. Having encountered Tad, he had little confidence the youthful groom could protect her, even from puny Withersby. “Withersby has a gun,” he told Mr. Foxworthy. “And I’m not certain he wouldn’t use it.”

Mr. Foxworthy looked alarmed. “But that means…” His frown deepened. “I heard gunshots a while ago. I thought it was someone hunting.”

Marcus stared at Mr. Foxworthy. “Where have they gone? Where?”

Mr. Foxworthy pointed, and Marcus took off running.

He was poorly attired for such physical exertion. After a few paces, he yanked his cravat loose, then stopped to pull off his coat. He carried it for a while, then threw it to the ground. He had to find Penny!

He halted as he saw a rider. When the horse drew near, he realized it was Tad. “Hullo! Stop!” he cried.

With effort, the youth halted the horse a few paces past Marcus. Marcus rushed over. “It’s Adrian!” Tad gasped. He gestured wildly.

Marcus’s insides clenched with dread. “Does he have Penny?”

Tad shook his head. “I think she got away, but he is pursuing her.”

“Give me your mount!” cried Marcus.

“Can you ride bareback? Without a bridle and bit, it’s damned hard to control a horse.”

Marcus gestured frantically toward the barn. “Go and fetch a bridle then. And hurry.”

Tad returned with a bridle and rapidly exchanged it for the halter. As soon as he’d gotten it on, Marcus said, “Here now, give me a leg up.” Once astride, Marcus called, “Which way?”

Tad gestured.

Marcus took off, his heart in his throat. What if he was too late? What if Withersby had already… No, he couldn’t think like that. Withersby needed Penny as a means of bleeding more money from him. He wouldn’t kill her.

He finally reached the training pens. His fear sharpened when he saw Hero, riderless, his reins trailing. He rode up to the stallion and demanded, “Where is she? Where is she?”

The horse whickered and seemed to shake his head.

Marcus wheeled his mount and frantically surveyed the landscape. There was no sign of Penny, or Withersby either. Not knowing what else to do, he guided the horse into the woods. They had gone a short distance when he heard a horse whinny. He urged his own mount faster.

At the edge of the trees he saw his phaeton and team. There was no sign of Penny, but someone was lying across the seat of the vehicle.

“Jeremy!” he called as he rode nearer. Quickly dismounting, he fastened the reins to the back of the carriage, drew his knife, and cut the cloth covering the footman’s mouth.

“By God, sir,” Jeremy choked out. “I’m very glad to see you.”

“What happened, Jeremy? Where’s Penny?”

“Last I saw her, she was with Withersby and the young groom.”

Marcus cut his bonds.

“They were going to get fresh animals and head back to London. But they never came back.”

“Tad was with her?”

“Yes, sir.”

Having freed Jeremy, Marcus stepped back. “I just saw him. That must mean Withersby has Penny.” But if he
had
caught her, why hadn’t he brought her back to the carriage? Marcus’s blood ran cold as he contemplated Withersby’s state of mind. The bastard was so deranged, so desperate, there was no telling what he might do.

“I’m going to look for her,” he told Jeremy.