An Inconvenient Trilogy (15 page)

Michael nodded and climbed into the carriage with Charles following. The door had hardly had time to close, before the carriage was moving away at speed. Smithson and Miss Fairfield were left to wait in the hope that Lord Dunham would arrive in time, as the alternative was too horrifying to contemplate, but it kept the pair pacing the house for the hours ahead.

Chapter 17

After a few hours Miranda prodded Elizabeth. “How much of that stuff did you give her? She seems to have been unconscious for a long time; she’s not dead is she?”

“No she isn’t dead,” George snapped. It annoyed him when Miranda thought she was the only one that could organise anything. “I gave her enough to make it easy for us to get her into the inn. You don’t wish for a scene in a coaching yard do you?”

“No, but she needs to be awake later. She needs to know what you have done to her.”

“She will. She will know exactly what is happening to her.” George leered.

Elizabeth just managed to repress the shiver that had run down her spine at George’s words. She had almost given herself away when the affects of the drug had started to wear off, but had remained still and silent until the waves of nausea had passed. Listening to the siblings talking in the carriage had terrified her in a way she had never experienced before.

She was to be ruined by George in order to gain access to her money, although she was not sure what their exact plans were as yet. She presumed they would not kill her; they would only have access to her money as long as she lived, but the thought of George forcing himself on her was enough for her to wish for death.

Her mind tried to work out a way that could free her from this, but she had the feeling that even if she offered them all her money, it would no longer be enough. Miranda hated her, and if she was ruined, Miranda would have all the ammunition she needed to taunt Elizabeth for the rest of her days. The after effects of the drug made her sluggish, and more than once she was nearly overcome with tears. She wanted Michael, but knew it was futile; he could never find her, they had under- estimated Miranda and George. Once George had forced himself on her, well, after that happened she would not want Michael to find her. She would never be able to face him. The thought of never seeing him again made her feel so empty, that for the second time in as many minutes, she wished for death.

The carriage finally came to a stop in an inn’s yard and George stepped out of the carriage. He approached the ostler. “My sister has taken ill on the journey; have you a room we could use?” His tone had the right amount of authority and concern.

“I will get the inn-keeper, sir.” came the hurried reply. Elizabeth heard steps retreating across the cobbles.

More conversation occurred out of earshot and then the carriage door swung open. “Miranda my dear, this kind gentleman has a room available that our dear Elizabeth can recover in. Come, my dear, she will soon recover.”

Miranda put on such a convincing show of concern while George lifted Elizabeth out of the carriage. If the situation had not been so terrifying, Elizabeth would have been able to laugh at their performance. As it was, she let her head loll back in George’s arms and remained still and limp. She was placed gently on the bed and the inn-keeper was asked for fresh water for the invalid, and some food for George and Miranda.

“Why have you ordered food?” Miranda snapped as the door closed.

“I have been travelling all morning. I need something to eat to keep my strength up and then I can really start to enjoy myself.” George said taking off his jacket.

“I would be happier if you just got on with it.” Miranda demanded sullenly. She was not used to having to share control; Herbert never suggested anything that would go against her wishes. George was annoying her by trying to take over. It was
her
plan after all.

“In my own time, dear sister. The room next door is free for you to use while I am busy.”

“I am not leaving you!” Miranda snapped.

“If you expect me to perform in front of my own sister, you are mistaken. I do not perform in front of anyone.” George snarled in return.

“How will I know she has been ruined? There has to be no doubt.”

“I will show you the bloodied sheet and if there is no blood, I will create some, one way or another!” George leered. “You may even hear her cries; I am going to take the opportunity to have some fun, I’ve waited long enough, and had to suffer her looking down her nose at me these past days. You have no need to worry, I am going to make sure there is no doubt that she has been ruined.”

Elizabeth tried to swallow without the pair noticing, she felt physically sick. She dared not open her eyes, but was desperate to find something that she could use on herself to end their plan. There was no doubt in her mind that she would never have Michael after today. When George had finished with her there would be nothing left to live for. She needed to find a way to kill herself before they could stop her, and she must not fail.

The group were interrupted by the landlord delivering food and drinks, and a bowl of water and cloths for the patient. Miranda once again proved she was a wonderful actress, leaving the landlord in no doubt of her sisterly affection. Once the door had closed however, she demanded that George hurry.

George ate at a steady pace, and although Miranda snapped at him occasionally, she did seem to calm down a little. George chatted easily, including a remark to Miranda that he hoped to have a long and happy marriage, at which Miranda laughed out loud.

Eventually, George had eaten his fill, and moved to the side of the bed. “I had hoped she would have woken earlier, I did so want to build up the anticipation for her.” he said.

He moved over to the table and picked up the bowl and threw the water over Elizabeth. She did not need to pretend to have been woken in such a way, as she coughed and spluttered from the effects of the water.

“What the...?” she stammered as her coughing fit subsided. She sat on the bed, wiping her face and pushing the hair that had escaped from her bun, out of her face.

“Ah, the princess awakes. Welcome my dear, I advise you not to scream, the landlord won’t be alarmed. I have already told him there may be unpleasantness when you come around, you being so prone to hysterics.” George said, his voice laced with a menace that Elizabeth had never detected before.

“I’m the only sane person in this room.” Elizabeth snapped. Terrified she may be, but she was still prepared to stand up for herself.

“That’s as may be, but we are in charge now, and there is nothing more you can do. I’m quite happy that you didn’t give your cousin the money when my sister first asked. If you had, we would not be here and I must say, although I was not looking for a wife, I am rapidly coming around to the idea.” George looked up and down Elizabeth’s body as he said his words.

Elizabeth moved higher up the bed and tried to cover herself, as the water had made her dress far too transparent for her comfort.

“Now, now, don’t be shy,” George said, moving to the edge of the bed. “It’s time we got to know each other better, a lot better.”

“No!” Elizabeth shouted and lunged to the opposite side of the bed. George grabbed at her dress, and she heard a rip as the fabric gave way, but she still pulled away.

Elizabeth’s hopes surged as her feet touched the floor, but she was sent reeling back across the bed when  Miranda slapped her hard across the face. Elizabeth gasped and tears stung her eyes. She wiped her hand across her mouth and saw blood on her hand.

“Why Miranda?” She asked, the fight knocked out of her for the moment.

“Why not?” Miranda snarled, all resemblance to a doll completely vanished.

Those two words seemed to deflate Elizabeth. She could have understood if Miranda had hated her out of envy, or that she disliked her as a person, but those words showed she was dealing with at least one person who was slightly mad. George took the opportunity to drag Elizabeth back onto the bed. Elizabeth’s dress was torn, almost to her thighs, but she did not seem to notice. She had resigned herself to the inevitable. She may have been able to escape one of them, but both working together and with no way to appeal to either, she knew she was defeated.

“That’s better,” George leered, noticing her lack of fight. He laid her on her back and knelt between her legs. “I didn’t want my sister here, but in case you decide to make a fuss again I think it’s best if she stays.”

Elizabeth stared at him, horror in her eyes as he started to unbutton the fall front on his trousers. Thoughts raced through her mind of all the times she had imagined being with Michael and being loved, of how she had hoped that they would one day be together, joined as two people in love should be. Instead, she was in some dubious inn, with people who hated her, and wanted her alive purely for her money. She had never felt so alone in her life.

George paused and in the lull of his movement, Elizabeth realised there was the sound of footsteps on the stairs, lots of footsteps.

“Michael!” Elizabeth screamed with all her might before George flung himself on her, covering her mouth with his hand.

“Quiet, you stupid bitch. It’s too late, you are already ruined!” he snarled.

The door burst open and although Elizabeth could only turn her head a little way because of George’s hold, she saw Michael’s bulk filling the doorway. The look in his eyes she had never seen in a human being before, but had seen it in an animal, it was the look that entered an animal’s eyes before it killed.

The room went very still and silent, a silence which Michael broke. “If you have hurt her in any way, you will die in this room. Now, very slowly, move away from the bed.”

The words had been said so quietly, but with so much menace that Elizabeth felt the shiver that travelled through George.  The occupants of the room stilled until a look passed between George and Miranda, and then he moved away from Elizabeth and stood next to the bed.

“Charles, remove Elizabeth from this room.” Michael said as quietly as before, never taking his eyes off George and Miranda.

Charles moved into the room and over to the bed, where he wrapped a blanket around Elizabeth’s shoulders and helped her off the bed.  His actions stirred Miranda into life, and she flew at Elizabeth.

“The money is ours! She is ruined! I will make sure everyone knows she is soiled goods! Every person I know will be told that she has been ruined! She will never be able to show her face in public again!” she screamed, while trying to lash out.

Charles stepped in front of Elizabeth and pushed Miranda away. She toppled backwards, falling over a chair. Herbert, who had up until now remained outside the doorway, ran into the room to Miranda’s side.

“My dear, it is over.” he crooned, trying to help her up.

“I knew you couldn’t be relied on!” Miranda spat at her long-suffering husband.

“We will find another way.” Herbert soothed.

“There is no other way, you stupid man! We need her money!” Miranda snapped at him.

Michael interrupted what had the potential of becoming an argument between husband and wife. “Charles, take her to the carriage and wait for me there.”

Elizabeth let herself be led to the door, but as she reached Michael’s side, she touched his arm. “Please come with us.” she said quietly.

“I will, but I have business here first.” he replied softly, hardly looking at her.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.” Elizabeth pleaded, suddenly tears springing into her eyes.

“I won’t be the one being hurt today,” Michael said. “Charles, wait in the carriage for me.” He commanded.

Elizabeth was led out of the room, firmly but gently, and taken down the stairs. She pulled the blanket tighter around herself, suddenly feeling vulnerable because of her torn, wet clothing. Charles kept his arm around her back, supporting her the whole way. She was led into the yard and placed in Herbert’s carriage. Charles climbed in beside her and closed the door.

“Please go back to him.” Elizabeth whispered, hugging the blanket around her body.

“He will not thank me for leaving you here.” Charles replied, but he did appear to be torn between wanting to stay with Elizabeth, and returning to the inn.

“I will be safe here. I promise not to return to the inn, but he is outnumbered, please help him!” Elizabeth pleaded, all pretence at keeping her feelings hidden gone in the fear that Michael needed help.

Charles nodded and stepped out of the carriage, but as he turned to close the door, and before he had time to move, the sound of a gunshot rang out from the inn.

Colour drained from the faces of both Charles and Elizabeth as they realised the direction the shot had come from. They looked at each other in horror.

“No!” Elizabeth shouted, throwing herself at the door, trying to get out and being hindered by the blanket.

“Miss Rufford! No!” Charles shouted, blocking her way. “You must stay here. I will go and see what has happened.”

“If he, if he.....” Elizabeth could not finish the sentence; she could not seem to breathe.

“I will return as quickly as I can, but I need you to stay here.” Charles said firmly and only moved from the doorway when Elizabeth nodded in defeat.

Charles ran across the courtyard and Elizabeth slumped into her seat. She had thought being in a world that did not allow her to be with Michael would be too much to bear, but she had never once contemplated a world that he was no longer a part of. If he had been killed, it would be her fault. She cursed that she had not seen that George and Miranda were planning something, that she had not been on her guard, and Michael could be dead because of it.