A Desperate Man

 

Ella awoke late the next morning and twisted with a languorous stretch before memories of the night before returned with a rush. She sat up. The place beside her on the mattress was empty, but he’d left a note on his pillow:

 

Called to Kirkton on unexpected business. I shall return in the evening.

Rest well, my love.

Ashton

 

My love. She smiled at the words. Long into the night, he’d kept her busy. His slow, delicious kisses had heated her insides. She hadn’t known such pleasure existed.

From the angle of the sun, she’d missed breakfast—perhaps even lunch. Ella slid out of bed, then slowed at the stiffness of her thighs, as if she’d ridden a horse…but then, perhaps she had. With a private smile, she inspected her shoulder in the mirror. The love marks stood out dark against her flesh.

 “You’re a wanton, Ella,” she teased her reflection.

She dressed quickly and left the room.

At the landing, she met Mrs. Thornton dusting the bannister.

“Good morning, Mrs. Thornton.”

“Good afternoon, my lady,” the woman replied with a twinkle in her eye.

Ella pretended to glance out the window to hide the telltale blush that heated her skin. “Can you tell me where I might find Lady Leighton?”

“Her ladyship left with Duncan to visit friends, my lady. She’ll return before supper. She did ask if you would mind Angel this afternoon. She left him here as he doesn’t particularly care for her friends.” She smiled, then added, “He’s in the kitchen, my lady.”

Ella returned her smile and as Mrs. Thornton resumed her dusting, skipped down the stairs.

Ten minutes later, she stepped through the kitchen door with a large slice of jam-topped bread in hand. Angel darted past and headed toward the trail, apparently eager to run after a long morning cooped up in the kitchen.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Ella called after him.

The brisk, early afternoon breeze made her skin tingle as she headed down the woodland path after the small dog. Once under the trees, she sank her teeth into her breakfast and rolled her eyes in enjoyment. The new-churned butter and strawberry preserves were outstanding. One slice of bread wouldn’t be enough.

She scanned the forest floor in search of Angel and whistled. Ahead and to her right, leaves rustled. She hurried forward, but when she arrived she saw no sign of the dog.

“Angel,” she called.

Concern niggled. He knew his way back to the castle kitchen, but he was small enough to become a snack for a coyote. The winter breeze blew strands of hair away from her face as she continued down the path. Where had he gone? As she neared the edge of the wood that bordered the Barn of the Damned, leaves rustled behind her.

“It’s high time you joined me, Your Majesty,” she teased as she rounded.

Ella gasped.

Duncan stood on the path. His boots were mud-spattered and bits of bracken clung to his coat as if he’d tumbled from his horse.

Her heart sped. “Has there been an accident?”

He shook his head and executed an elaborate bow. “I began to think you didn’t intend to take your daily walk today.”

Ella stepped back. “If you will excuse me, I must be go—”

Duncan seized her arm. “I will not harm you, Ella.”

He spun her around and yanked her to him. Her back collided with his chest. She drew breath to scream, but he clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her toward the clearing

She clawed at the hand covering her mouth. He gave a nasty laugh and continued on undeterred. Her heart pounded. She kicked. Her heel struck his leg.

“Bloody hell.” He halted. His hold tightened around her waist and he wrenched her head back. His breath came hot on her ear as he whispered, “Do not force me to hurt you.”

He shifted. Had he pressed his mouth against her neck? Tears stung the corners of her eyes. Why was he doing this? He dragged her from the trees, step by step, toward—nae, it couldn’t be. The Barn of the Damned came into view. 

“Everything was splendid until you arrived, Ella.”

They reached the low, stone wall that ran along the south side of the field. He threw one leg over the wall and she twisted and kicked with all her might. He grunted as he stepped over with the other leg and stumbled forward. Ella tensed for a fall, but he righted himself. Brambles and nettles snagged her skirt as he dragged her forward. Panic set her heart racing. Duncan was clearly mad. She clawed at his hand, but he held her in a steel grip.

“I have thought on this long and hard. There’s only one answer. You must leave,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone, as if discussing the weather. “There is no other way. Linda arrives this evening. I cannot risk having you in the way.”

A cold finger of fear touched her spine. He was going to kill her.

She fought tears. Think, she ordered as they neared the barn. There must be a way to escape.

Duncan paused before a gap in the barn wall. “I know the truth, Ella. Ashton used you to secure his inheritance. You will thank me.  I am setting you free.”

Imprisoned in his grip, she’d never been less free. She dropped her her right hand from his hand clamped over her mouth and, with all her might, rammed her elbow into his ribs. He cried out and his hold loosened. Ella broke free and lunged toward the barn. An instant later, strong fingers seized her arm and swung her around. Her mind comprehended his raised hand an instant before his palm contacted her cheek. Pain spiked through the tender flesh. Spots raced across her eyes. She swayed. He hauled her over his shoulder and strode forward. His shoulder bone dug into her belly with each uneven step on the rocky ground. They reached the barn.

“Help,” she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Duncan swung her down onto her feet, seized her shoulders, and shook her so hard her head swam.

“Silence,” he hissed.

He shoved her through the hole in the barn wall. She stumbled and fell. Brambles pricked her palms. She barely missed a fallen beam. A familiar bark sounded outside the barn.

Angel.

Her heart fell. Duncan would think nothing of killing the small dog.

Another bark, this one closer.

Ella scrambled to her feet as Angel burst into the barn, barking.

“Run, Angel,” she shouted.

Duncan whirled, and her heart leapt into her throat when he yanked a pistol from the back of his waistband. Duncan leveled the weapon. Ella lunged, but the weapon roared an instant before she crashed into him. Her ears rang. They tumbled to the ground. Duncan rolled onto her and rose to his feet in one smooth movement.

Ella pushed to her knees and wildly scanned the spot where Angel had stood. He was nowhere to be seen. Duncan had missed. Tears filled her eyes. Another bark sounded outside the barn. Run, she mentally shouted.

Duncan seized her arm and yanked her to her feet. He dragged her to a stall where lay a plaid blanket, strips of cloth and rope. He tied her hands behind her back, then shoved her onto the blanket.

“I have no desire to harm you, Ella. I only need you out of the way.” He squatted next to her. “There is no future for you here. As soon as Grandmother signs Kinnettles to me, Ashton will slither off to his farm to lick his wounds. He can’t afford his end of whatever bargain you struck with him.”

“I have a life here,” she spat. “Ashton is my husband. He knows I would never leave Cyril behind.”

Duncan leaned so close his hot breath made her ill. “If you care for your brother, you won’t make trouble. I would hate to see anything happen to the lad.”

Ella drew back in shock.

“I see you comprehend,” he said. “If you ever try to return or contact Ashton, your brother will die.”

Her head swam.

Bootfalls approached and Duncan rose to his feet as a swarthy, pot-bellied man wearing a large gray seaman’s coat stepped into view behind him.

Her heart beat faster.

“Is this the lass?” the newcomer asked.

Duncan nodded. “Aye.” 

The swarthy-faced man grunted. “I’m waiting until dark. I won’t risk being seen in these parts.”

“No need to fear. Ashton avoids this place like the plague.” Duncan gave a dry chuckle.

The man grunted and fished out a small silver flask from his coat pocket.

Duncan snatched the flask from his hand. “None of that. She must be on that ship for Australia by tomorrow morning.”

“Australia,” she blurted, but they ignored her. Her mind raced. Australia was where the Crown sent convicts. Her mind snapped onto a sound she’d heard. Had that been a dog’s bark?

“If you do not make the ship, you had better be certain Ella can never return here,” Duncan said.

Ella’s blood went cold. What had he said?

“Do ye plan on returning here today?” the man asked.

“I do not plan on returning here ever,” Duncan replied.

“Have no fear. I’ll have my flask, now,” the seaman held out his hand.

The two men locked gazes, then Duncan slowly removed the stopper from the flask and poured its contents onto the ground.

“I’m paying you for a job done well,” he grated. He tossed the flask at the man’s feet, then turned to Ella and bowed. “Safe journeys, Ella.”

With that, he strode away.

Ella’s heart thudded as the seaman scooped up his flask. Had Duncan instructed the man to kill her? What had he meant by “If you do not make the ship, you had better be certain Ella can never return here?”

“Bastard,” the man swore under his breath. He dropped the flask into his right pocket, then rummaged through the left and pulled out another flask. “A man like me is always prepared, lass.” With a wink, he pulled the stopper out with his teeth, removed the cork from his mouth and tipped his head back to take a long draught.

Ella inched back.

The man caught the subtle movement at once. “Don’t be a fool.” He jammed the stopper onto the flask, shoved it into his pocket, and strode to her side. “I cannot have you escaping. Let’s just tie your hands a wee tighter, shall we?”