I am deposited with a thud inside a most elegant carriage, one that does not look like the vehicle of my doom as it actually is. I immediately begin to struggle against my bindings while Niklaus plants himself across from me. His sharp inhalation of breath draws my attention to him and I see where his eyes have focused on the plunging neckline that has crept lower with every wiggle of my body, exposing the lacy edge of my camisole. I immediately stop my movements and turn my body to the side in an attempt to preserve even a modicum of modesty in this impossible situation.
“There is no point in using any of your well-known weapons against me, Bekah. I am aware of how you use your body to ensnare those weak-willed gentlemen”, he says with a derisive sniff at the last word. “Although I am impressed at the virginal blush you seem to be able to produce at will. Must make for quite the attractive bait for your unwitting victims, that is until they discover what honestly awaits them between your legs, and it is not the barrier they anticipate.”
I cannot help the tears that well in my eyes as I hear his harsh invectives. It is apparent that Niklaus has done his homework on me and that includes listening to every piece of gossip mongering and innuendo I have been the center of for months now. There would be no point in denying it even if I didn’t have the gag in my mouth. It is quite obvious he would not believe me, just as no one had except my father.
Several months ago I was being pursued quite actively by the Marquess Delongville, in what many thought would be a most auspicious pairing. The ton declared me blessed and most deemed I should be grateful to be the focus of his ardor, especially the Marquess. So grateful that I would be willing to give him a small taste of what he would be able to sup freely upon on our wedding night. I was not quite receptive to his desire and it was only my well-placed knee into his most sensitive part that allowed me to escape his grasp in the library that evening where he had isolated me for what I thought was a proposal. Little did I know the other target of his affections saw my disheveled flight and decided to besmirch my character in order to remove me as competition. Lady Ava’s brother, the one of the large gambling debts, was willing to go along with her in describing my lascivious escapades in order to remove me from the Marquess’s consideration.
I understand Delongville and Ava had a lovely wedding.
After these false, but quite colorful, stories of my various interludes with rakes made their rounds, I reacted in the worst way possible. Instead of fading into the woodwork and waiting for them to blow over until the next maiden danced too freely or spoke too openly, I fought back. I was always far too headstrong for my own good. I took to riding without an escort, interjecting my opinion about politics, and last but not least, dressing like the wanton woman I was painted to be. If I was to be declared a whore, I would be the best-dressed one in Almack’s. It all culminated with my entry into the ball this evening dressed as a mermaid in a far too tight sheath.
“Tears won’t work either, love. I have seen things that could give a person good cause to weep and not the petty things you worry your little head about. You’ll find I cannot be manipulated quite that easily. If I remove the gag, will you be a good girl and not deafen me with your squawking and wailing? It won’t help you and will only irritate me more. You wouldn’t like to see me irritated, now would you?”
I shake my head and Niklaus gently removes the cloth from my mouth before tossing it to the floor. I take a moment to exercise my jaw to relieve some residual pain before speaking.
“What is your plan for me?”
“If you were any other lady of the day this would be quite simple and less ugly. I could send word to your father that I planned to defile you in the most egregious manner unless he gives me what I wants, not that I would ever touch one of you society creatures. The threat would be enough. But no, Rebekah, you had to go and defile yourself with whatever sops you allowed to bed, quite unsatisfactorily I’m sure. So instead the threat will have to be on your life itself.”
“So you will kill me unless my father pays your price?”
“Money? It’s all you lot care about. I have more money than I could spend in twenty lifetimes and don’t want a single pound of dirty money your father has acquired. I want revenge, sweetheart. Something no amount of money will dissuade me from.”
“My father is a good man whose business is above reproach!”
In an instant, Niklaus is across the carriage and has my face caught in his one hand, squeezing slightly. I can sense the barely contained rage that in a moment could cause me great harm if he so chose. There is loathing in his eyes as he spits out the completely believable threat.
“You say one more word in defense of that man and I will rip out your tongue to send to him as proof of my intent.”
A look flickers across his countenance, almost of regret as his harshness until it is replaced by the previous icy glare as he returns to his seat.
“Ah look, Princess, we’re here.”
I follow his gaze out the carriage window and see a large ship moored to the dock. It had escaped my notice we had left the main thoroughfare long ago. My eyes widen and I begin to shake my head vehemently, knowing once I am at sea there is little hope for my rescue. I bite my lip to keep from pleading for my release, knowing that a man like Niklaus would only be disgusted at such a display of weakness. I would need to pray for a sympathetic ally once on the ship who would be willing to help me escape when we pull to shore for provisions. My father would pay a great deal of money to someone who facilitated my freedom and although Niklaus claimed great wealth, I am sure there is a crew member who would be pleased with a bit of coin.
The carriage stops and once again I am heaved over a broad shoulder and carried towards the ship.
“There is no reason for you to toss me about. I am perfectly capable of walking.”
“I don’t want you to get some silly notion of jumping overboard. Even a mermaid would sink like a stone with this much material draped around her. Next time you want to make an impression, Princess, wear a little less.”
With that, I am taken onto the boat and moved through its bowels until we reach a cabin door that is kicked closed behind us. I brace myself to be tossed harshly upon some piece of furniture, when instead I am slowly lowered to me feet, my body feeling every rippling muscle underneath the topcoat Niklaus wore as costume for the evening. Strong arms stay wrapped around me to untie the rope around my wrists as our faces linger a mere inch apart. Once free, I am immovable, still captivated by this predator who holds my life in his hands. He lowers his face to mine until we are sharing the same breath.
“Be careful what you offer, love. I am no saint and I just might bite into this forbidden apple; see exactly how ripe you are.”
With that he turns and walks out of my jail, the last sound that of a bolt sliding into place.
“There is no point in using any of your well-known weapons against me, Bekah. I am aware of how you use your body to ensnare those weak-willed gentlemen”, he says with a derisive sniff at the last word. “Although I am impressed at the virginal blush you seem to be able to produce at will. Must make for quite the attractive bait for your unwitting victims, that is until they discover what honestly awaits them between your legs, and it is not the barrier they anticipate.”
I cannot help the tears that well in my eyes as I hear his harsh invectives. It is apparent that Niklaus has done his homework on me and that includes listening to every piece of gossip mongering and innuendo I have been the center of for months now. There would be no point in denying it even if I didn’t have the gag in my mouth. It is quite obvious he would not believe me, just as no one had except my father.
Several months ago I was being pursued quite actively by the Marquess Delongville, in what many thought would be a most auspicious pairing. The ton declared me blessed and most deemed I should be grateful to be the focus of his ardor, especially the Marquess. So grateful that I would be willing to give him a small taste of what he would be able to sup freely upon on our wedding night. I was not quite receptive to his desire and it was only my well-placed knee into his most sensitive part that allowed me to escape his grasp in the library that evening where he had isolated me for what I thought was a proposal. Little did I know the other target of his affections saw my disheveled flight and decided to besmirch my character in order to remove me as competition. Lady Ava’s brother, the one of the large gambling debts, was willing to go along with her in describing my lascivious escapades in order to remove me from the Marquess’s consideration.
I understand Delongville and Ava had a lovely wedding.
After these false, but quite colorful, stories of my various interludes with rakes made their rounds, I reacted in the worst way possible. Instead of fading into the woodwork and waiting for them to blow over until the next maiden danced too freely or spoke too openly, I fought back. I was always far too headstrong for my own good. I took to riding without an escort, interjecting my opinion about politics, and last but not least, dressing like the wanton woman I was painted to be. If I was to be declared a whore, I would be the best-dressed one in Almack’s. It all culminated with my entry into the ball this evening dressed as a mermaid in a far too tight sheath.
“Tears won’t work either, love. I have seen things that could give a person good cause to weep and not the petty things you worry your little head about. You’ll find I cannot be manipulated quite that easily. If I remove the gag, will you be a good girl and not deafen me with your squawking and wailing? It won’t help you and will only irritate me more. You wouldn’t like to see me irritated, now would you?”
I shake my head and Niklaus gently removes the cloth from my mouth before tossing it to the floor. I take a moment to exercise my jaw to relieve some residual pain before speaking.
“What is your plan for me?”
“If you were any other lady of the day this would be quite simple and less ugly. I could send word to your father that I planned to defile you in the most egregious manner unless he gives me what I wants, not that I would ever touch one of you society creatures. The threat would be enough. But no, Rebekah, you had to go and defile yourself with whatever sops you allowed to bed, quite unsatisfactorily I’m sure. So instead the threat will have to be on your life itself.”
“So you will kill me unless my father pays your price?”
“Money? It’s all you lot care about. I have more money than I could spend in twenty lifetimes and don’t want a single pound of dirty money your father has acquired. I want revenge, sweetheart. Something no amount of money will dissuade me from.”
“My father is a good man whose business is above reproach!”
In an instant, Niklaus is across the carriage and has my face caught in his one hand, squeezing slightly. I can sense the barely contained rage that in a moment could cause me great harm if he so chose. There is loathing in his eyes as he spits out the completely believable threat.
“You say one more word in defense of that man and I will rip out your tongue to send to him as proof of my intent.”
A look flickers across his countenance, almost of regret as his harshness until it is replaced by the previous icy glare as he returns to his seat.
“Ah look, Princess, we’re here.”
I follow his gaze out the carriage window and see a large ship moored to the dock. It had escaped my notice we had left the main thoroughfare long ago. My eyes widen and I begin to shake my head vehemently, knowing once I am at sea there is little hope for my rescue. I bite my lip to keep from pleading for my release, knowing that a man like Niklaus would only be disgusted at such a display of weakness. I would need to pray for a sympathetic ally once on the ship who would be willing to help me escape when we pull to shore for provisions. My father would pay a great deal of money to someone who facilitated my freedom and although Niklaus claimed great wealth, I am sure there is a crew member who would be pleased with a bit of coin.
The carriage stops and once again I am heaved over a broad shoulder and carried towards the ship.
“There is no reason for you to toss me about. I am perfectly capable of walking.”
“I don’t want you to get some silly notion of jumping overboard. Even a mermaid would sink like a stone with this much material draped around her. Next time you want to make an impression, Princess, wear a little less.”
With that, I am taken onto the boat and moved through its bowels until we reach a cabin door that is kicked closed behind us. I brace myself to be tossed harshly upon some piece of furniture, when instead I am slowly lowered to me feet, my body feeling every rippling muscle underneath the topcoat Niklaus wore as costume for the evening. Strong arms stay wrapped around me to untie the rope around my wrists as our faces linger a mere inch apart. Once free, I am immovable, still captivated by this predator who holds my life in his hands. He lowers his face to mine until we are sharing the same breath.
“Be careful what you offer, love. I am no saint and I just might bite into this forbidden apple; see exactly how ripe you are.”
With that he turns and walks out of my jail, the last sound that of a bolt sliding into place.