pressing for a quick trial to vindicate her.
Elizabeth, I will handle this my way. That is what Richard had said when I had asked why he wasn’t telling the police about the phone with the threatening photos.
I knew all too well how Richard liked to handle things.
No. It wasn’t possible. Even Richard wouldn’t take things that far.
It was our wedding! The queen was in attendance!
No, it was ludicrous to even think it.
Despite my weak assurances to myself, I continued to read.
Just as I was finishing the article, the end of a riding crop appeared at the top of the page. It slowly crushed the newspaper down to reveal Richard standing over me in riding attire.
I had been caught. There was no way he didn’t see the large photo of Nicole on the front page. I held my breath, waiting to see what my punishment would be.
Taking his riding crop, he slapped the leather tongue against his palm.
“I had finished early and thought I would surprise you with a final horseback ride through the countryside before we left tomorrow.” His voice was deceptively calm.
I knew better.
I stared at the evil-looking riding crop, remembering the stinging pain it caused.
Garbled memories flashed across my mind from the time I was first brought to this estate. Memories of Richard standing before me in the same dark, tight-fitting frock coat and buff breeches tucked into polished black riding boots holding that same riding crop.
I see you have not given up your fits of temper.
I tried to stop the flood of memories of me begging Richard as he grabbed me by the upper arm and dragged me across the conservatory to a dark corner. The feel of the riding crop punishing my naked breasts. The humiliating memory of him forcing the handle deep inside me… deep inside my… no, stop!
It was in the past.
All in the past.
We knew better now than to play such dangerous games with one another.
Richard had changed.
At least I hoped he had changed.
Richard took the crumpled newspaper from my hands and set it aside, then drew me up from my seat. His arms wrapped around me. I could feel the shaft of the riding crop pressing against my back. A subtle threat.
Giving me a chaste kiss on the forehead, he said, “It’s a beautiful morning, my love. I think it would be better spent enjoying it rather than dwelling on… unpleasant memories. Why don’t you change into your blue riding habit and join me?”
I let out the breath I had been holding. Going up on my toes, I gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll get dressed and be right back.”
As I hurried to do his bidding, I felt relief pour over me.
See? He’d changed.
Things would be just fine.
Nicole was no longer a threat, and we were leaving for our honeymoon tomorrow morning.
Everything would be perfect from this point forward.
Chapter 26
Lizzie
Vomo Island, Fiji, South Pacific
As the helicopter circled the island, I cupped the microphone attached to my headphones and called out to Richard, “It’s gorgeous!”
He placed an arm on my shoulder and leaned over to point out the window. Speaking into his own microphone, he said, “It’s two hundred twenty-five acres. The highest point is Mt. Vomo. The panoramic views from the summit are amazing. I’ll take you up there tomorrow.”
“Is it a volcano?”
Richard nodded yes.
My mouth dropped open. “Oh, my God, Richard! Is it safe?”
His thumb caressed the back of my neck. “Don’t worry, little one. It’s an extinct volcano. It’s perfectly safe.”
Just the thought of standing on top of a volcano, even an extinct one, with the possibility of all that heat and hot lava energy just beneath the surface made my stomach flip with apprehension and excitement.
As the helicopter navigated to the southeast corner of the island where the helipad was located, Richard told me more about the island’s history. How it was once used as a ceremonial meeting place for chiefs from the surrounding Fiji islands and then as a vacation spot for the royal family.
Richard had bought it only a few months ago from a distant royal relation.
Looking over the lush greenery, the sparkling pearl beaches and the insanely crystal-clear blue water, it already felt like paradise.
We stepped off the helicopter onto the tarmac. A man dressed in khaki shorts and a button-down short-sleeved white shirt came running up to us.
“Welcome, Your Graces. My name is Timoci, and I am honored to assist you. We prepared the villa for your arrival. With your permission, I can