Lady Alexandra's Lover (23 page)

Oh, the blow stung. Her cheek was probably red as an apple by now. She held fast, bracing her resolve, determined that he would not see her pain.

“You like hitting girls do you? Compensating for your tiny little cock, I’d wager.”

This time he punched her in the gut. His fist landed on her stomach with a dull thud. Had her hands not been bound behind her, she would have doubled over in pain. Still, she held her head high.

“You seem convinced of the size of my cock, my lady. Perhaps I should show you. It will prove to you its worth.”

Lord, she didn’t want to see that or any other part of him.
Keep him angry, Ally. Make him hit you. Don’t let him bring his cock into this.

“Anything of yours that comes near me, you’re going to lose,” she said, clenching her teeth.

Whomp!
He whacked her face again, this time hitting her eye. She’d have a shiner tomorrow.

If she saw tomorrow…

“You talk big, don’t you? I get the feeling this isn’t the first time a man has taken a fist to you. I can see why. Some women just need a good beating.”

The words slammed into her like a thunderbolt. Images whirled in her head—her father above her, taunting her, smacking her, turning her over and caning her…

Some girls just need a good beatin’, lassie. Like your mother. And you. Teach you respect for your father. Respect for your betters. You’re nothin’ but a little harlot, you and your sister both. Aye, your arse is good and red now…

Her father’s voice. The devil’s voice. That sadistic gleam in his eye as…

Stay strong, Ally.

“Unbind my hands, and we’ll see who beats whom,” Ally said. “I promise you I’ll see you dead. My face will be the last thing you see when I plunge a dagger into your heart.”

“You’re feisty, I’ll give you that.” He licked his lips. “I bet you’re a tomcat in bed.”

“Tomcat?” Ally grinned slyly. “That’s a male cat. Are you saying you prefer bedding males?”

Thud!
His fist hit her stomach again. She retched, dry heaving. She hated showing the weakness, but she couldn’t help it. At least she hadn’t eaten since breakfast so there was nothing in her to vomit.

He hit her again, and then again. She might die from the beating, but it would be better than being raped by this lunatic.

Besides, death no longer seemed so horrible. Why go on living? The earl would take care of Mother and Sophie. Evan no longer wanted Ally, and she would never love another. Money was no longer important to her. Now, in this moment, all she wanted was to keep this maniac from raping her.

Whatever it took, she would do. She’d die before she let this creep into her body.

“Coward!” She spat out blood. “You won’t unbind my hands. You’re afraid of me. Of a lowly woman!”

Still he pummeled her. Blood flowed from her nose, and her body weakened and throbbed. She couldn’t take much more. She was on the verge of losing consciousness. Just as well. Sleep would give her peace.

Evan. She could dream of Evan…

“Move away from the lady, now!”

Not a voice she recognized… Images were all grey. Eyes…wanted…to close…

Had Osborne stopped punching her? Her body had gone numb. Her eyes were slits. Darkness had fallen. No light.

Again the voice. “Move away from the lady, or I will shoot.”

D
earest Amelia
,

I must confess that neither I nor Christophe pretend to have art lessons anymore. I guess he got over his need to give me what my auntie is paying for. In fact, at our last lesson, he suggested that we have an orgy. Can you even imagine? He asked me to arrange for Hattie and Lars to be available and he would bring himself and Mr. Peck, and perhaps one other if he could arrange it. Does that not sound absolutely delicious?

So I have that in the works.

In the meantime, during our last “lesson,” which took place in my chamber, Christophe educated me on the “back door.”

As you know, Lars had already breached me there, and the sensation, while painful at first, turned out to be something different and amazing. It’s a wonder that you and I never experimented in that way with Broderick and Miles. I think we all would have enjoyed it.

“You will enjoy this kind of fucking, my lady,” Christophe said to me with a wicked smile. “I’ve found that the only ladies who don’t enjoy it are those who haven’t tried it.”

I confess, Amelia, that I was quite frightened. A finger is one thing…but a cock? Good mercy, and Christophe, Lars, and Mr. Peck are all quite large!

We undressed, and Christophe turned me over so I was on my hands and knees on my bed. I jerked when he slid his tongue between my arse cheeks. It caused no pain, of course, and I expected it, but still I lurched. The sensation overwhelmed me—such a private forbidden place, yet I quivered with elation.

“Do you trust me, my lady?”

“Of course I do,” I said.

“Good. We must have trust for this to work. Relax, my lady. Let me soften you. We will go slowly. That will ensure your enjoyment.”

I breathed in calmly and let it out on a sigh. Slow was good. But fast was better. I wanted to experience all the pleasure that life had to offer…and he wanted to go slowly!

I gritted my teeth and nodded. He knew best, of course.

“Your arsehole is nice and wet now, my lady. Relax, and I will get it ready for penetration.”

I breathed in deeply again, as he rubbed my opening with his finger.

“Yes, my lady, such a lovely arse. Relax.”

He breached me.

And I jolted again. The agony of the penetration surged through me, but Christophe eased my tension with soothing words and a lovely massage to my buttocks.

Oh, the burn, Amelia! But as I relaxed my muscles and he glided his finger in and out of my hole, my cunny began to respond.

I wish I could describe it, Amelia. It’s different than a finger in your pussy. The fact that it’s so naughty makes it all the more enticing, but the feeling, the sensation…there’s nothing like it. It’s an alien feeling, intensely delicate, unnatural yet amazingly natural.

I wanted more, Amelia, but when I opened my mouth to voice my need, he began playing with my cunny with his other hand.

And I exploded.

S
omeone had come for her
. Who could it be? With all the restraints, she lifted her eyelids as much as she could. Everything was blurry, but four figures emerged in her sight—Osborne and three other men. One looked vaguely familiar.

Osborne lifted his hand. “Hey, mate, I don’t want any trouble.”

“Any man who hits a woman deserves trouble,” the man with the gun said.

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Move away from the lady, and I’ll tell you.”

Osborne edged away from Ally.

The man nodded to the others. “Take care of her. Get her some help.”

Two men unbound Ally.

“Are you all right, madam?” one asked.

Ally couldn’t answer. She could barely nod her head.

“We need to get you home. Can you tell us where you live?”

Ally tried to form the words, but she couldn’t.

“Ryland! She can’t talk. We’ll have to take care of her.”

Ryland? The man who’d taken Sophie had been named Ryland. Sophie had told her. Ally tried to scream, but still, nothing came out.

“All right. Give me a minute to take care of this pornographer.” Ryland held the gun to Osborne’s head.

“No!”

Was that her voice?

The men all turned to her.

“No shooting.” The words came out slurred.

“Madam, this man is producing obscene material.”

“Is that really any of your business? Let the law take care of him.”

“The law won’t. It falls to me.” Ryland shot Osborne in the head.

Ally gasped. Agony threaded throughout her body. Good riddance, but seeing someone killed unnerved her even more. Evan and Sophie could have met a similar fate previously if Ryland and the woman hadn’t gotten spooked and left the scene. Ally’s skin chilled.

The man called Ryland paced around the room while the other two helped Ally to her feet. Ryland might feel that violence against women was wrong, but he had arranged Sophie’s kidnapping. Granted, he had not hurt Sophie in any way, and someone—perhaps the woman?—had alerted the constables. Still, Ryland had scared the hell out of Sophie and the rest of them. Ally had best not reveal her true identity, or he would take her.

What to do? She was badly battered. She had been beaten this badly and worse by her father and survived. She would survive this time. All she needed were some headache powders and her bed. In a few days, she would be good as new.

Ryland was clearly crazy. She didn’t know about the other two, but if they were in league with him, she didn’t hold out much hope for them. She had to find a way to get away from them. Right now they seemed concerned with helping her, and oddly, she wasn’t sure whether that was good or bad.

The whirring of the presses below still buzzed in her ears. No one would come for her. Likely no one had heard the shot fired by Ryland.

“Find a cabbie and get her home,” Ryland said. “I need to stay here and take care of this body.”

The two men helped Ally descend the narrow staircase and took her out the back way.

Darkness had fallen, and now that her fear and adrenaline had subsided, the pain permeated her body. Her strong will had kept her numb during the beating. She hadn’t endured punishment of this magnitude in several years.

However, it had been a small price to pay to keep Osborne from raping her.

And what of Ryland, her unlikely savior? He had probably saved her life. Osborne might have beaten her to death. Should she be grateful? Bewilderment cluttered her mind. The images in front of her appeared normal, distorted, and then normal again.

The two men deposited Ally into a hansom cab. Ally managed to give the cabbie the address of the Brighton townhome, and then she lay back, each bump in the road jarring her body, pain radiating through her.

After only a few moments, the cabbie nudged her. “My lady, we have arrived.”

She must have dozed off. The cabbie helped her to the door and knocked.

Woods opened the door and gasped. “Lady Alexandra! What happened?”

“She’s in pretty bad shape, I’m afraid,” the cabbie said. “Two men got her in my cab.”

Ally opened her mouth, but couldn’t speak.

“Thank you,” Woods said. “Wait a moment please, and I’ll see that you’re compensated.”

“Not to worry, mate. The men paid me for my services. Just take care of the young lady. Good night.”

Woods helped Ally up the stairs and to her chamber.

“I’ll find a maid to attend to you, my lady.”

Alexandra fell onto her bed.

A
lly woke
, shivering. Sunlight streamed through her window. Her whole body throbbed. She groaned.

“Ally?”

Ally turned her head, each minute change of position excruciating. Sophie sat in a chair next to her bed, holding her hand.

“Sophie?” Ally’s voice cracked.

“Oh, Ally, I’ve been so worried. Don’t try to talk too much.”

“Evan…”

“Evan is fine. He is resting comfortably.”

“Does he…?”

Sophie shook her head. “No. We didn’t want to worry him unnecessarily. He needs to sleep right now. I will go to him later today and tell him what happened to you.”

Ally tried to shake her head but wasn’t sure if she managed to. “No. Don’t tell him.”

“Of course I must tell him.”

“He won’t care, Sophie.”

“That’s ridiculous. Of course he will. He loves you.”

“He no longer wants me.” Ally let out a raspy cough.

“Let me get you some water.” Sophie stood and fetched a dipper of water from the basin. “Here, can you sit up a bit to drink?”

Ally rose on her elbows enough to get some of the water in her mouth. The rest dribbled down her chin.

“The doctor will be here soon to see Evan. We will have him examine you as well.”

“I don’t need a doctor. This is no worse than when—”

“Yes, I know.” Sophie nodded. “But we have a doctor now. We have money for your care, and you will damned well see him.”

Ally couldn’t help grinning at her sister’s curse. Sophie must be serious. “Oh, don’t make me smile, Sophie. It hurts.”

“You need to rest. Perhaps in a few hours, if you are feeling a little better, you can tell me what happened.”

Ally nodded. Might as well give Sophie some solace. Of course, she had no intention of telling anyone what had transpired.

She drifted off again.

“
W
ell
, my lord, I’d say everything is looking good.” Dr. Stanton snapped his black medical bag shut.

“That is good news,” Evan said. “When will I be up and around, other than to use the convenience?”

“It’s only been a few days, my lord. You’re strong and healthy and are healing very quickly. However, you must use caution. I recommend nothing strenuous. In other words, do not leave the house… In fact, do not leave the bedchamber unless you absolutely must.”

Damn. He really needed to get back to work and find out who was behind the printing of
The Ruby
. Other than Alexandra, of course.

“You’ll be pleased to know that your stepsister should fully recover as well.”

Evan jolted and sat straight up in bed. “Excuse me?”

“Yes, Lady Alexandra. I examined her just before I came to see you.”

His heart fired rapid beats. “What are you talking about? What happened to Alexandra?”

“You mean, you didn’t know?”

“Do I look like I have any clue what you’re talking about?”

“I’m so sorry. Lady Alexandra was beaten badly. However, she is strong and healthy like you. She will be fine.”

Rage surged through Evan. Who had laid a hand on Alexandra? He’d kill whoever was responsible. He winced as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” the doctor asked.

“I’m going to see Alexandra, of course.”

“Lady Alexandra is resting comfortably. She’s asleep right now. She should not be disturbed. I assure you she is fine and will recover.”

“No one will keep me from her!”

“I don’t think anyone is going to keep you from her, my lord. However, your visit with Lady Alexandra will have to wait until later, perhaps when you are both fully awake.”

Evan stood and grimaced. A pain shot through his thigh. “I don’t care if she’s not awake. I need to see her. Where’s that blasted cane you brought me last time?” He looked around and spied the walking stick in the corner.

“I can see no one will talk you out of this.” Dr. Stanton retrieved the cane and handed it to Evan. “Please do not disturb her, and please get back here as soon as possible and continue resting.”

Evan left his bedchamber, pain lancing through his leg, and walked down the hall to Alexandra’s room. He knocked quietly. A few seconds later, Sophie came to the door.

“Evan! What are you doing here? You should be resting.”

“I assure you, I am fine. Why was I not informed of Alexandra’s condition?”

“We didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Disturb me? Are you daft? I love this woman.”

Sophie smiled. “The doctor assures us she will be fine. Trust me, Evan, I have seen her in…
worse
condition.”

Evan’s heart nearly broke at Sophie’s words. “Please, I must see her. I need to know for myself that she is all right.”

Sophie opened the door wider. “Come in, then. But be quiet. She is sleeping, and I don’t want her woken.”

Evan stumbled past Sophie to Alexandra’s bed. She lay, breathing rapidly, her beautiful face marred with blue and purple contusions. Her eyes were swollen. He shuddered. Those bruises might as well have been on his own body. He felt the agony of every single one of them.

“Who did this to her?” Evan said through clenched teeth.

“I’m afraid we don’t know. She hasn’t been awake long enough to tell me or anyone.”

“I don’t accept that. We must know something.”

“Only that she was brought home last night in a hansom cab. Woods said that two men had paid the cabbie.”

“Where had she come from?”

“The cabbie didn’t say. It probably didn’t occur to Woods to ask.”

“Goddamn it! I’ll have him removed from service.”

“No, Evan, please don’t. It’s not Woods’s fault.”

Evan breathed in and let out a long sigh. Woods had been with the family for years. But God, he should have thought…

“When I find out who did this to her—”

A knock on the door interrupted Evan’s words.

Sophie opened it. Woods stood there.

“I beg pardon, my lady. I’m looking for… Oh, there you are, my lord. There’s a constable here to see you.”

“A constable?”

“Yes, my lord. He says it’s quite an urgent matter.”

Evan sighed. He was going to be arrested for the publication and distribution of obscene material. “Fine. Bring him up here then. I am not leaving Lady Alexandra’s side.”

“Evan,” Sophie said, “you’re supposed to be in bed yourself.”

“For God’s sake, doesn’t anyone listen to me around here anymore? I am not leaving her side. That is final. If the constable needs to speak to me that badly, send him up here.”

Woods bowed. “Yes, my lord.”

A few moments later, Woods returned with the constable.

“I’m very sorry to disturb you, my lord,” the constable said.

At least he was being polite before placing Evan under arrest. “Yes, you are disturbing me. What is it that I can do for you?”

“There was a disturbance at your business last night.”

Evan arched his eyebrows. “There was?”

“The desk clerk at your printing house, Frank Osborne, was shot and killed. We attempted to arrest the man responsible—a Nigel Ryland.”

Ryland? Could it be? “Indeed. How did you find him?”

“Two of his men turned canary. Told us he’s the head of some anti-pornography group. They say he’s gone off his nut. We questioned a few of the employees at the printing house this morning, and they corroborated that Osborne had been printing an underground paper at the press without your knowledge.”

“He had?” So Alexandra had been in league with Osborne… Or had she? Was it possible she’d been telling him the truth? That she knew nothing about his printing business? And who had beaten her?

“Yes.”

“What of this Ryland fellow?”

“He resisted arrest and was shot dead by a constable.”

Evan opened his mouth to speak but shut it abruptly. If Ryland was dead, there was no need to inform the constable that he had kidnapped Sophie and shot Evan. Nothing could be done about it now anyway, and Alexandra might be incriminated if he said anything. Sophie had been returned unharmed, and Evan would recover.

“There’s something else you may want to know. The two men who turned him in mentioned that Osborne severely beat a woman matching Lady Alexandra’s description.”

Fire rose within Evan. That fucking bastard. He was damned lucky was already dead.

What had Alexandra been doing there? Well, it didn’t rightly matter. The man was gone, and now Evan knew who had been behind the printing disaster. Why hadn’t he believed Alexandra? His love?

None of it mattered now. All that mattered was Alexandra. The doctor had sworn she would recover. Evan prayed to God that Stanton spoke the truth.

He gazed at the woman he loved. Her swollen face and battered body pained him more than his gunshot wound—more than any wound to his own body ever could.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, Constable?”

“Not at this time. I’m sorry to have to give you the bad news about one of your employees.”

“Good riddance, it would seem.”

“Yes.”

“What of the two men who gave you the information about Ryland?”

“They both turned themselves in and have agreed to give us information on Ryland’s group. Evidently it was simply an anti-obscenity group that Ryland took leadership of and turned guerrilla. Most of the people involved are not crazy killers.”

Evan nodded. Alexandra was out of danger. Thank God.

“Thank you. Please leave your calling card with my butler in case I have further questions.”

“I certainly will. We’ve shut down production of
The Ruby
, so that particular paper won’t be haunting you anymore. At least not for a while. These things have a way of resurfacing.” He tipped his hat. “Good healing to the both of you.” He left.