Page 3 of Abducting his Duchess

“I-” she pauses and looks over at the dowager duchess. “I heard you were kidnapped. That William had to save you from the clutches of a madman.”

Grief strikes at my heart as I take in her unsure expression. “And what else,” I manage to croak out, needing to know the worst of it.

“And that you and he are a rare love match. Is that why you can talk to him in your mind? Mama? You too?”

With a sigh, I sit back, relief flooding through my veins. If this is all the rumors are saying, then I can live with that. “And that’s all?” I question.

She nods, her eyes holding no trace of guile in those bright blue depths. “That’s all.”

“Then let me reassure you. Unfortunately, the rumors are true. I was stolen away by a terrible man, but rest assured that he can no longer hurt me or anyone else. Your brother saw to that.”

Next to her, Lady Elizabeth beams. “William is so strong and brave. I’m happy he saved you.”

Smiling down at the younger girl, I nod. “As am I. I truly don’t know what I would do without him.”

Next to me, the dowager duchess sniffs and dabs at her eyes. “A true love match is rare, my darling girls. What your father and I had, what Catherine now shares with William, is what I want for you both. But do not let that cloud your judgment when it comes to suitors. Do not allow your minds to run away with thoughts of love. It will come in time.”

Again, she pats my knee, giving me a watery smile. I grab her hand in my own, drawing on her strength. Since my mother and sister are no doubt back at Overton, she’s stepped in as a surrogate for me. I couldn’t ask for a better mother, a proxy in my own Mama’s stead. She has treated me with nothing but kindness, causing my heart to ache as she turns from me and coughs.

The landau is quiet, save for the rattling sound as the dowager duchess continues to wheeze. We all look at her, our souls hurting. It will only be a matter of time, but hopefully, it will not be so soon. Closing my eyes, I send up two small prayers.

May the dowager duchess find peace and healing back at Whitmore Manor, and may William close the distance fast and get to us. Already, I ache, desperation flooding my veins like lead. It’s not just because I worry about his mother, though that is a large part.

The distance eats at me, sends shafts of pain into my heart. With us being parted, it allows the festering wound of that illicit bond to open, driving pain into my heart until I can barely breathe. It helps to feel William within my soul, but soon, I’ll need to touch him, to remind myself he’s here with me physically.

Soon, my love, he whispers into my mind, driving out the agony threatening to overwhelm me. I’ll be by your side by this evening. Just hold on a bit longer.

CHAPTER 2

WILLIAM

Fire races across my brain, halting me in my tracks. With a firm hand, I jerk on the reins, sending Storm rearing back, his massive hooves pawing at the air. His indignant snort and squeal ring out into the chilly air, pounding through my body.

“Yes, I know you’re mad at me,” I soothe, bending down to stroke his neck.

Ever the rambunctious stallion, he doesn’t accept my apology straight away. Instead, he throws his head back, tossing his mane as he slams his hooves into the ground. A soft smile lifts my lips as I let him throw his tantrum. Honestly, after everything he did for me in my quest to bring Catherine back to my side, I’d allow him almost anything.

With a sigh, I close my eyes, feeling out my mate through the bond. She’s distressed, of that I have no doubt. Even now, I feel my own breathing catch in my throat, mirroring the agony piercing her heart. I know not what else I can do. Ever since that bastard marked her, she’s been jumping at shadows, unable to properly eat or sleep.

Perhaps my rouse, my plan to capture her and do delicious things to her body, is an insane idea. With how distraught she’s feeling, I should just ride on ahead and join them as normal. It would be the charitable thing to do.

But then, the pieces are already set in place. With no way of communicating with either my brother or my mother, they will carry on as planned. Damnation. If only I’d gotten to her before she was marked. If only I kept her safe. Then, this would be a fun time of kidnapping and frolicking, a good start to a honeymoon she so desperately deserves.

As it is, I could just kick myself for concocting this hairbrained scheme. Even Robert thought it was idiotic when I mentioned it to him. Honestly, it’s for the sake of my ailing adoptive mother that I’m still even considering going through with it. Since she was to be in the landau along with my wife, I needed to make her aware so it did not strain her heart.

The way her face lit up as she clapped her hands together. It would be the best lark of all, and she couldn’t wait to play her part. Besides, if her stories were to be believed, she had plans for the opera, if not for falling into employment as a governess. This would allow her to act out her fantasy of being on stage.

Only… this will be a rather small audience. Besides, my brother could lighten up a bit. With a firm nod of my head, I grip the hilt of my rapier and continue to follow after them. I want them far enough away that my “misdoings” would not cause a fuss or ruckus among others not privy to the information of my plan.

The very last thing I need is to be cast in prison for crimes I’m not planning to commit. Though true, I look every inch a rapscallion highwayman, the only prize I plan on carrying off is my wife. That is, if her nerves can last long enough for me to whisk her away and do delicious things with her body.

My cock lengthens, pressing against the pommel as I hurry forward. She will be frightened at first, of that I have no doubt, but I fully anticipate that fear morphing into unabashed need. If not, once I get through with tormenting her body and mind, she’ll have no choice but to spread her legs for me, showing just how much I drive her wild.

Clenching my jaw, I shift in the saddle, irritated at the smooth leather pressing into me. Unfortunately, I’m unable to aid in the situation, and so I must press on and relieve myself before too much longer. Thankfully, they aren’t much further ahead, and so my conquest shall be swift.

I keep Storm at a slow walk, my brain churning as I go over the plan in exhausting detail. Since she will no doubt be frightened, I have to make sure I don’t create any extra undue anxiety. Knowing my mother and my brother, they’ll make sure it doesn’t go too far.

Still though… Am I making the wrong decision? We’ve spoken at length about how much she wants to fight past her fears, to live her life unburdened by the ghosts which haunt her. As her husband, I am duty bound to help in that endeavor. It doesn’t hurt that I’ll enjoy the lesson far more than she will.