Page 77 of Cloaked in Beauty

“Well, there you are.” The man in black stepped forward to greet her. His predatory smile made her stomach churn, but she took a page from her mother’s book and smoothed her features to hide her apprehension. “Your uncle will be overjoyed to see you alive and well, my dear.”

Letty looked down her nose at her uncle’s minion. “You and I both know that statement is false. Now, take me to my grandmother. She’s ill, and I intend to care for her.”

The raven shook his head and chuckled. “You got gumption, girl. I’ll give you that.” His polished manners fell away like a discarded mask. He turned to his men. “You heard her, boys. To the carriage.”

“Fellows?” Mama called without turning her head away from the man in black.

“I’m here, madam.”

Letty glanced over her shoulder, only slightly surprised to see the elderly butler step out of the shadows at the back of the hall.

“Scarlett and I will be going out. I’m not sure when we’ll return. Carter will need to see to the dog.”

“I’ll inform him at once, madam.”

The man in black shot a glare first toward Fellows, then over to Mama. “Just so we’re clear, this is a private party. Any uninvited guests who attempt to gain entry will be treated as trespassers and shot on sight. Understood?”

Fellows didn’t so much as blink.

Affronted by the servant’s lack of acknowledgment, the man in black huffed as he pivoted and grabbed hold of Letty’s arm. In an instant, Rusty was on his feet, a growl rumbling in his throat. The man dropped Letty’s arm and reached for his gun. Letty hurried to Rusty’s side, crouched beside him, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Shh. It’s all right.” She moved into his line of sight and waited for his gaze to meet hers. She leaned her face close to his and whispered in his ears. “Find Philip, boy. He’ll know what to do.” If her uncle hadn’t already disposed of him. But, no. She wouldn’t think that way. Philip was alive. He had to be. Straightening away from the wolf, she gave him a final pat. “Stay with Carter, Rusty. I’ll be home soon.”

Letty turned back to their abductor and frowned at the gun in his hand. “He won’t bother you as long as you keep your hands to yourself.”

“I think I’ll hang on to this just the same.” He waved the gun toward her and Mama. “To the carriage, ladies.”

Letty clasped her mother’s arm. “You don’t need to come, Mama. This is my battle to fight. You have others who depend on you.”

Mama’s eyes glowed with a ferocity Letty had never witnessed. “I’m going. You are my daughter, and I will not send you to face Drake on your own. Besides, he has my mother. I’m not about to let him take her from me before I have the chance to see her again.”

Letty’s heart swelled at the clear evidence that her mother really did care more for her than the businesses. Feeling as if her strength had just doubled, Letty lifted her chin. “Together, then?” She extended her hand.

Her mother took it and squeezed tight. “Together.”

They marched hand in hand to the waiting carriage and climbed inside. Whatever fate awaited them, their love for each other and for their God would see them through.

36

A crash of some sort registered at the edge of Philip’s awareness, jostling him away from a peaceful oblivion and slowly tugging him back toward a world of pain. His head throbbed, his shoulders felt as if they were being torn from their sockets, and nerves pinched in his neck. Oblivion beckoned him to return. Why not escape the pain a little longer? Dream of Letty. Holding her. Kissing her.

Something wet touched his lips, halting his slide into the black waters of unconsciousness.

Letty?

Philip struggled to break free of oblivion’s hold and kick to the surface. The kiss came again, but it had distorted somehow. It was too wet, too wide, too . . . smelly.

“Wake up, already, Sleeping Beauty.” The low voice was far too masculine and exasperated to belong to Letty.

The kissing intensified, covering his entire chin with slobber. What on earth was happening to him?

Pushing through the pain, Philip concentrated on opening his eyes. Suddenly the pressure on his shoulders released as his arms fell free of their confines. Ropes. He’d been bound. Someone was cutting him free.

“Come on, Carmichael.” A hand clasped his aching shoulder and gave him a shake. “Radcliffe has the women. We gotta go.”

Letty!

Philip forced his eyes open just in time to see a giant wolf tongue come in for another swipe. Rusty crouched in front of where Philip lay on his side, licking his face as if someone had drizzled him with honey.