Authors: Nichole Matthews
He lifted the rope and wrapped it round the back of her head. With the two loose ends dangling between her breasts. His war
m hands brushed underneath them
sending shivers down her body as he twisted the rope under and over them. She looked down and realized he was leaving her breasts exposed, but tied tightly enough they wouldn’t budge.
He wrapped the rope around her neck and a sliver of fear broke through the need building.
Then he secured her hands behind her back and attached them to her ankles
leaving her naked and helpless
.
He took a few steps back to admire his
handi
wor
k. His cock hard and throbbing
seeing her bound and
at their mercy
. “Ready, gentlemen?”
Suddenly the rope around her neck grew tighter and her breath came in small pants, her mouth opening for air, but none came.
Help
. She mouthed the word but didn’t have enough breath to be heard
and it didn’t appear as if they cared
.
She squeezed her eyes together
when she caught sight of his wicked grin
, a shudder r
unning
down her spine when she
realiz
ed
she had made a terrible mistake.
I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen,
She washed up the dishes and kept the house clean.
She went to the mill to fetch us some flour,
And always got home in less than an hour.
She baked me my bread, she brewed me my ale,
She sat by the fire
and told a fine tale!
“
G
oddamn it
, C
ooper
,” Granville yelled
,
pounding his desk with the flat of his fists. “She took something of great significance from me.”
His carelessness disgusted him. How could he let something that important just walk
away?
Cooper’s eyes went wide
and he fell silent
.
“If you don’t find it, and something untoward should happen to the chi
t, then I will be linked to her,
”
he growled.
“I. Do. Not. Want. To.
Be.
Linked. To. Her,” he gritted out slowly and clearly. “Have I made myself clear?”
Cooper stared at Granville for a moment
swallowing uncomfortably
and then nodded.
He grunted before replying,
“Yes, my lord
.”
His heart pounded
and his pa
lms sweated with dread and a well-inspired
fear.
Granville leveled his gaze at Cooper.
“I’m beginning to grow weary of all your mistakes.”
Cooper swallowed and his shoulders straightened.
“Yes, my lord.” Not knowing what more to say.
Granville’s jaw ticked as he stared at Cooper.
“Take care of this once and for all.”
***
Parker’s mount danced and trotted in a circle as they final slowed upon reaching their destination.
“
This looks to be
a respectable inn.” He
glanced about the clean
yard and well-tended animals. “
Surely they would have memory of
a starving girl and a baby.”
“We can only hope.” Rockwell looked around the busy yard his brows lifted skeptically. “It’s a busy inn.”
He glanced around at the many carriages and conveyances that lined the yard.
They dismounted
handing
their
rei
ns to the stable boys that ran out to greet them.
Parker tossed each a coin. “Take good care and there will be more when we have completed our business.”
“
Yes,
m
’lord
.” Parker and Rockwell watched as both boys eagerly walked the horses to the stables.
“Ready?” Rockwell asked.
“Ready to
know what the hell is going on,
”
Parker said soberly.
A large man with a receding hairline appeared as soon as they entered the bustling room. Eager to assist the two expensively attired gentlemen. “
My lords.” He bowed. “Would
you
care for
a private parlor?”
Parker held out a gold coin. “I’m looking for information.” He witnessed the greedy light that flickered in the proprietor’s eyes at the flash of gold in his palm.
“This way, my lords
.” He led them through the busy taproom into a private parlor and shut the door.
“What is your name?” Parker asked.
“Drummond, my lord.”
“You run a bustling bus
iness,” Rockwell observed
stepp
ing
into the nicely appointed private dining room.
“
By all appearances, this establishment seems
quite profitable.”
“We always have guests.”
Parker
halted the curl of his lip as he
watched
the man p
reen like a peacock.
“I try my best to keep a clean, pleasing décor.”
“I
imagine you see many
strangers pass through your inn,” Parker threw out in a conversational tone
in an effort to gather information
.
He watched as the man tensed at the question.
“Yes, my lord.” Drummond’s
brows furrowed at the comment.
“Many pass through here.”
“A few weeks ago a ragged girl with red hair and a babe passed through your inn.” Parker circled the nervous looking
man. “Did she require any aid?”
Drummond frowned.
Rockwell interjected, “
What my friend means is did you offer a woman of that description
any kindness.” He pressed closer. “Perhaps food or drink?”
“I do
not run a charity, my lords.” Drummond
huffed. “I would soon have to close my doors if I offered every down and out traveler f
ood and drink
with
out
benefit of
coin.”
P
arker watched
as
the man immediately regret
ted
his words
spoken in haste
when he saw the dark looks that covered both men’s faces.
He swallowed and then swallowed again.
Parker turned from the useless bastard, his eyes closed against the sudden rush of rage
, but he kept a lid on his temper
.
“Have other’s recently called asking after a girl and a baby?”
He gritted out before turning back with a neutral look upon his face.
Drummond
was silent for a minute, then he said,
“Actually, yes.
Now that you mention it.
” He seemed surprised that they would be asking. “About a week or so ago.”
Once again
Parker had to
put a tight leash around
his anger. He wanted to pound this
obtuse, greedy
man into the floor.
Rockwell spied the look on Parker’s face. “What did they look like?”
“One was tall, one was shorter.”
Drummond
frowned
again
. “I don’t remember much else.”
Parker
looked at the proprietor with hard eyes.
“How much did they off
er you to remain quiet?” he
asked
,
his hands clenched in tight fists at his side.
Parker watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “My lord?” Beads of sweat popped out on his forehead.
Parker gripped the man by the lapels and lifted him up on his toes
and scowled
. “I said how much did they pay you to keep quiet?”
His voice froze him with its tone.
Drummond
shifted a little on his feet.
“One hundred pounds
…
”
his voice trailed off, his confidence waning
as Parker’s scowl deepened
.
Rockwell let out a shrill whistle. “That is a lot of money, man.” He stood right behind Parker’s left shoulder. “The girl’s wherea
bouts must be rather important for some strange men to offer that much blunt.”
“I’ll triple it, if you give me
the information that I seek,” Parker
said. “But I will make you remember
this day
forever if you lie to me again.”
“Yes, my lord,”
Drummond’s
voice sounded thin to his own ears.
Rockwell touched Parker’s
arm.
Parker set the man back on his feet and released his coat.
“Bring us some ale and food.”
H
e walked to the table and sat down watching as the man scrambled out of the room to complete his command.
***
“When do you
suppose the men will return?” Persephone asked
.
S
he couldn’t sit still
a second longer
.
She missed him, craved him as much as her body craved food
, but she was also worried. W
ould he
find out
anything significant
?
Piper’s eyebrows rose almost to her hairline. She glanced at her aunt with a smile as Persephone asked the question for the third time, pushing aside the curtain to peer out the window.
“The sun is beginning to set.”
Persephone
pursed her lips, concentrating on the horizon in the distance.
She
chewed on her thumb nail worriedly.
Parker
and Rockwell
had left
that morning saying they had to take care o
f some business. She knew of what business they spoke
.
Bracknell
. Would they find
out
anything
of import
? Could they find anything out? She didn’t see how it was possible. She had only been a passing stranger, nothing more.
The past few years had disrupted her life—the untimely deaths of her parents, forced her on a different path. Instead of marriage, she had mourned. Instead of a new Season
full
of
garden
parties
and moonlit balls
, she had been held as a prisoner in her own home. Now she worried for Parker’s safety. Did he have any clue as to the men who searched for her? How dangerous they could be?
“Rockwell advised me that they would return in time for dinner.” Piper cocked her head to the side.
“Please be seated, Persephone.” Piper patted the place next to her on the settee. “You’re beginning to make me nervous.” She gave an amused chuckle.
Disconcerted, Persephone returned to the settee and sat only to jump up a few minutes later at the sound of footsteps in the hall
. H
er hear
t
leaping in her chest
, thudding in excitement and fear at the same time
.
Parker and Rockwell strode into the room. Rockwell made his way immediately to Piper, leaning do
wn to kiss her upturned cheek.
Parker paused as
he stepped into the room.
“I trust you lad
ies had a pleasant day?” He
asked everyone in the room, but his steady gaze made Persephone want to fidget. It took a great deal of control to keep herself still
all the while her heart thudded in her chest
.
Piper spoke up first. “It was simply marvelous,” she gushed. “We did absolutely nothing, and enjoyed every minute of it.”
“That is not so,” Adele countered. “We did manage to take a turn about the garden.”
Piper grinned. “Of course, how forgetful I’ve become.”
Parker tipped his head sideways. “Did you
have a pleasant day, Persephone
?”
Persephone
paled as she
locked eyes
with him, clearing her throat in order to
a
nswer, “Yes, Parker
.”
She needed to know how much he knew. The unknown disturbed
her;
she
turned her head to conceal the flush across her cheeks
.