Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,87

how calm her voice sounded as she stared straight ahead, worried that Samantha or Claire would turn around and see something was amiss.

“It’s nothing personal,” he said. “I rather like you. In fact, I was disappointed when you chose to turn down my offer of marriage. Now, come along.”

Elise stood her ground. “You won’t shoot me in public,” she hissed.

“Look around,” he said. “I don’t see anyone. And if you don’t accompany me, I’ll shoot your pretty little girl.”

She sucked in a quick breath, tears springing to her eyes. Whatever this man wanted, he was desperate enough to abduct her in broad daylight. She would make any sacrifice to keep her child safe. “No. Don’t. I’ll come.”

“Good.”

Elise turned and he took her arm, his fingers digging into her flesh. The pistol still rested against the small of her back. They walked toward a carriage with only a driver and no footman. The door stood open. As they reached it and Lord Ivy pushed her inside, she heard Claire call out to her. Elise’s heart broke as the door slammed and she saw Claire running toward them, Samantha standing and chasing after her niece.

Lord Ivy sat across from her, the pistol in his hand, pointed at her.

“What do you want?”

“You’ll write to Treadwell in a week and tell him you no longer care to be with him. That you want to be with me.”

“Are you mad?” she hissed. “Why would I do something like that? I would never choose you over my husband.”

A smile of pure evil twisted his handsome features. “That seems to be a recurring theme in my life. It’s time Treadwell paid for making my life miserable. It’s obvious to everyone how he treasures you. He’s a proud man. Too proud. I want him stripped of what he loves most.”

Elise recalled how Weston shared with her that Lord Ivy was having an affair with his stepmother and how she’d made it known she preferred Weston as a lover over Ivy. Could this be what had driven Ivy over the edge?

“He won’t believe such a note. Weston knows me.” Then she realized he’d said a week. “Why wait a week?”

“Because by then I will have thoroughly debauched you,” he said candidly. “You will be ruined—as I told you I would do to you. A debased woman, even a duchess, will never be able to hold her head up in society.”

Terror filled her yet Elise bravely asked, “And what of the man who would rape me? You think society will look kindly upon you?”

Worry creased his brow. She realized he hadn’t thought of that. He’d only wanted revenge upon Weston.

“Society need never know,” he finally said. “I’ll keep you a week and do as I please to you. No note from you will be necessary. I’ll merely drop you at Treadwell’s doorstep and send him a note of my own. How I enjoyed the pleasures of your flesh. Touched you everywhere. Had my way with you over and over. He’ll never want to touch you again. He certainly won’t want Polite Society to know his wife is a whore. He’ll be miserable, just as I have been.”

“He will kill you,” Elise said, her gaze direct. “If you take what is his. If you violate me. Treadwell will never stand for that, even if he decides never to touch me again. I promise you, Lord Ivy, my husband is powerful and vindictive and he will take you apart with his bare hands—and enjoy every moment of it. It’s your choice. Do you lose your life trying to claim some type of petty revenge? Or do you stop the carriage and let me go?”

Alarm, mixed with trepidation, filled his eyes, which darted back and forth in indecision. Suddenly, he rapped on the roof and called, “Halt.”

The vehicle slowed and came to a stop.

“Get out,” Ivy declared. “And don’t you dare say a word to Treadwell.”

“You want me to remain silent? After you’ve kidnapped me? Threatened me with rape and ruin?” she accused.

The door to the carriage flew open.

Elise saw Weston standing there, fury filling his face.

*

Weston listened as his solicitor went over the papers he’d drawn up. Elise had told him she was penniless but he had doubted it. He knew her father must have negotiated the contracts before she wed Ruthersby. His gut told him the new Lord Ruthersby had neglected to inform Elise of what was due to her, most likely at the suggestion of his greedy wife. Though he