The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (32 page)

“You are his wife. It is not proper. Anyway as I was saying, Ulric may not have been sensible in his own choice for his wife, but he knew I would not stand for him interfering in my decision of the best person to be a husband for Jane.”

“Do you dislike your son?”

“What a stupid question,” she whispered. “Please leave me alone.”

Thea bit her lip. Glancing around the room, she decided she had time to take a break before the announcement coming in the next half hour. She carefully made her way to a door and slipped out. A light shining from the partially closed door of Wulf’s study beckoned to her. She knocked.

****

“Come in.”

“Am I disturbing you?”

Wulf motioned for her to enter. “I see we are both hiding from the crowd.”

Thea sat on the chair in front of his desk and folded her hands in her lap. “They all seem to be enjoying themselves.”

“Thanks to you and my mother for decorating and doing all the numerous tasks necessary to make Jane’s ball a success. I appreciate what you have done. I saw you even found time to walk with Lady Northcutt.”

“Your mother and Mrs. Sanders did the work. I went along to learn.” Her mouth quirked up.

Wulf gazed at her. Every cell in his body alert in her presence. Soft black curls clung to her forehead and her long hair was pulled up in a twist in the back. Her gown of green, blue, and gold complemented the creamy expanse of skin and made her eyes shine deep green. He tightened his grip on the arms of his chair to keep from rising and going to her side, to prevent him from touching her soft skin and tasting the sweet curve of her shoulder. He feared if he started, he wouldn’t stop.

As if she read his thoughts, slowly and deliberately she came around his desk. He turned to the side to meet her head-on. Her fragrance, honeysuckle and roses, tantalized his senses.

He stood and cupped her face in his hands. Her eyes widened and her mouth parted. Her pink tongue darted out to wet her lips. He bent and kissed the side of her face, her pert nose, and her lips. She moved her head, reaching for his mouth as he moved on to her chin.

He raised his head and chuckled. “So eager,” he whispered before bringing his lips down hard on hers and thrusting his tongue into the warmth of her mouth. She tasted of cinnamon and spice. A wave of pleasure drilled through him and he pulled her body tight against his. He licked at her lips and moved down to her soft neck and the sweet indentation along her shoulder.

His hands followed, caressing satin skin. When they arrived at the edge of her low-cut gown, he pushed the fabric aside to reach her rosy nipples hidden beneath. Thea moaned and held his head closer. The knock at the door make her jerk back.

“Who is it?” Wulf growled.

Bailey answered through the door. “My lord, your mother said the time has arrived to make the announcement.”

“Tell her I will be there.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Wulf watched Thea straightening her gown and hair. His body raged with pent-up need. Walking to the carafe on his side table, Wulf poured a generous splash of brandy and drained his glass dry.

“Ready?” he asked, putting out his arm.

She put her shaky gloved hand out to him and steadied herself. “Jane and your mother will be wondering where we were.”

“Don’t worry about them.”

She smiled a wry smile. “You do like to issue orders.”

“I have a feeling you like to ignore them,” he retorted.

* * * *

Several people in the crowd turned in unison when they entered. Wulf walked her to his mother’s side and excused himself to go to the podium.

“Where have you been?” Lady Radford demanded.

“Ulric is beginning his speech,” Thea said, ignoring the question. She stepped forward a few steps to get away from her daunting mother-in-law.

“Thank you all for being here with us on such an important occasion. With much pleasure Lord Northcutt and I announce the betrothal of my sister, Jane, to his son, Lord Stanley. I hope you will join our families in wishing them all the best.” Wulf moved his hand to indicate Jane and her fiancé standing beside Lord Northcutt.

The guests clapped and cheered. Filled champagne glasses were passed around and a toast made to the couple.

Thea searched the room looking for Elvie. Cold sweat broke across her forehead and her hands went clammy. Elvie was nowhere in sight. She forced herself to take deep breaths. Maybe she went to her room for something or stepped away from the group as Thea did earlier. She worked her way through the crowd and out of the room. Seeing the butler, Thea went in his direction.

“Bailey, have you seen my sister recently?”

A worried frown crossed his face. “No, is she not in the ballroom?”

Thea wrung her hands. “I can’t find her.”

“I’ll ask Hawley to check outside and I will cover the inside. Do not worry. She is probably resting in a quiet spot.”

Thea shook her head. “She would not miss the big announcement. Please hurry.”

Wulf came out of the ballroom, and Thea motioned to him. “Elvie is missing. Help them search please.”

He touched her shoulder. “We’ll find her. Jeffrey and I will circle around outside. Go to your room where I know you will be safe.”

“I want to help.”

“Staying safe will be the best help,” Wulf insisted.

* * * *

“Dang it, watch your feet, you clumsy fool. We’ve got a bright moon tonight. No excuse to stumble around.”

"I didn’t want no part of this. Shut your mouth or I’ll leave you to do the job alone.”

“Shh, follow me,” the thin lanky man said, and he melted into the shrubbery, darting from bush to bush. Seeing the guard making his rounds, they jumped him, knocked him out and bound his mouth, hands, and feet.

The boss came, carrying a woman, also tied up. He slung her down on the ground.

“She the one we’re to take to the carriage?”

“No,” the man snapped. “We discussed the plans. She is the decoy. Up there is where you will find her ladyship. Bring her to me.” The man, moving quickly, faded into the darkness.

“I ain’t climbing no trellis. I’d bust my chops,” the shorter man whined.

“You don’t have to, you idiot. Keep watch and whistle if anyone else comes around.”

The tall, thin man climbed the winding vine and pulled up to the window. Peeking inside, he saw her empty bed. Taking a piece of metal out of his pocket, he broke the window and reached inside to open it. He stepped in and blew out the candles, then waited.

* * * *

Reluctantly, Thea went upstairs. Her room was dark. Strange, she remembered leaving one candle burning. The window was open and a breeze blew the curtains inward. It must have blown out. She walked in and closed her door. Moonlight cast a silver streak across the rug and Thea stepped cautiously toward the nearest candle.

The flash of a body came at the same instant as hands grabbed her. One hand covered her mouth and the other pulled her by the waist close against his smelly shirt. Thea bit the hand, and the man yelped, smacking her and gagging her with his dirty handkerchief.

The revulsion caused her stomach to try and heave. She must not vomit. She’d choke. Thea breathed hard through her nose, struggling for her breath. Panicking, she tried kicking but the man had a strong hold on her.

“Be still or I’ll knock your head in,” his harsh, guttural tones sounded in her ear.

She went motionless and tried to breathe more air in. He worked fast, tying a rag around her face to hold the handkerchief tight. She wrenched herself from his grip, and he flung her down, sitting on her. Pulling both arms tight behind her, he secured her wrists. His weight made it more difficult to breathe and darkness swept her away.

When she regained consciousness, Thea’s head spun. Nausea went over her in spells and her ribs ached with every bounce as her captors ran through the shrubbery and back to the darkness of the woods. Traveling quickly by foot, taking turns carrying her, they went a good distance.

At last they stopped. “Here you are, governor. Delivered as ordered.”

Thea tried to see the other man. He was tall, wrapped in a dark cape, a muffler hid the bottom of his face, and the brim of his hat, pulled low hid the rest.

Money changed hands. “Go away from here. People see you spending money and they’ll be suspicious.”

“Right, governor.”

“Throw her in the carriage.”

There was something familiar about the voice. Her head ached and her hands and legs were tied tight. What was happening and where was her sister?

“She’s a fine piece. We could have some fun.”

The man in the cape laughed, and it sent chills down Thea’s spine. “Later, I’ll have plenty of time later. She’ll beg me to pleasure her.”

The big burly man tossed her inside on the floor of the carriage. The man in black stepped inside and sat. He knocked on the coach's roof, and they began to move forward.

Thea tried to move but her bonds held tight. She hurt all over from the rough handling she’d received and landing on this hard floor hadn’t helped.

The man leaned down, running his cold hand across her gown from her breast to her legs. “Be still or I’ll take you now.” He laughed when she froze.

Her mind ran in circles. What was happening? Who was this man and what did he want with her? She continued to struggle to get enough air. Although trembling with fear, she had no intention of giving in. Wulf would rescue her. She had to believe in him or go crazy.

There was nothing but darkness outside the window. When would they miss her?
Wulf, please find me.
She concentrated on repeating his name again and again in her mind. He alone had the ability to follow her trail, but he would be in danger if he changed into his wolf form. Part of her wanted him to follow and the other part feared for his life if he did.

* * * *

Wulf, Jeffrey and Hawley had gone outside to discreetly check for Elvie. Wulf chose not to upset their guests, at least not yet. Bailey and several footmen checked the interior of the house.

Jeffrey heard the moan. Elvie lay under a large bush, securely tied with a cloth covering her mouth.

Leaning down, Jeffrey began to untie the gag. “Are you hurt?”

Elvie coughed and took several deep breaths. “I think I’m all right.”

Jeffrey continued to work on the tight bindings on her wrist and ankles. Wulf motioned to Hawley to join them.

Unease slipped along Wulf’s nerve endings. He stared off in the distance. Nothing moved and yet his senses told him something wasn’t right.

“Can you tell us who did this?” Wulf asked Elvie.

She shook her head. “I never saw him clearly. He grabbed me and pushed me down on the ground so fast. I’m sorry.”

Wulf patted her arm. “How did he grab you?”

“There was a man, I thought a guest, standing by the edge of the patio, near the French window. He seemed to be looking for something. I asked if he needed help.”

“And of course he did,” Wulf commented.

“He didn't turn to face me. He kept looking. He said he'd lost his favorite snuff box on the veranda. His clothes gave the appearance he was one of the guests. I stepped out to help him search, and when I got close, he immediately grabbed me and hauled me into the bushes.”

A stab of fear went through Wulf. He stood and sniffed the air. Thea. Without a word, he ran into the house and met Bailey rushing down the stairs.

“She’s gone, isn’t she?”

“Yes,” Bailey said.

Wulf continued to Thea’s room. Darkness greeted him, and a strong breeze came through the open window. He went to the opening and peered out, seeing nothing. His foot crunched on the broken glass. This was how they got her. He’d been duped. Elvie was a decoy to draw them away. Damn, Wulf berated himself. He met Jeffrey on the way to the stables.

“What can I do to help?” Jeffrey asked.

“Keep this quiet. Tell the guests my wife was not feeling well and I am with her. See that everyone gets settled for the night. And tell Bailey to meet me with the carriage on the main road. I may need it.”

“Will do.” Jeffrey turned on his heel and went back to the house.

Wulf saddled his stallion and galloped across the flat lawn toward the towering trees lining the edge of the forest. Whoever kidnapped Thea would probably take this direction. He leaned low to find any clues they might have left behind.

He spotted a few low branches broken, but darkness hid any other evidence.

Stopping at the creek, he patted Batair’s mane while the horse drank. He knew what was needed. As the wolf, he could see and smell with much more intensity.

Wulf scanned the area around him. This part of the creek ran right beside the road to the village. He directed Batair to an area where ruts had been made from wagons and other types of conveyances. He slid off and brushed his hands across the dirt tracks. The ground appeared to be recently disturbed.