The blow was savage and took him hard on the crown of his head, and the next thing he knew he was drowning in darkness.
He fought against it, struggling to the surface again and again, only to be dragged back down. But slowly, through waves of pain and nausea, Richard fought his way one last time to the surface and pulled himself onto land.
He opened his eyes.
Someone was holding his hand and his head and shoulders were resting in someone’s lap, with a very feminine bosom pressed to his face. Just for a moment he thought it was Tina, that she was safe, that everything was all right. And then Evelyn said:
“Richard, oh Richard, something terrible has happened!”
And he knew everything wasn’t all right after all.
Chapter 38
Tina woke to complete blackness. As if all the light had gone out of the world and she’d been left without a candle. Was she still in her bedroom at Eversham Manor? It was when she struggled to sit up that she realized her error.
Her hands were tied behind her back, and she was having trouble breathing—there was something over her head. She deliberately slowed her breathing, calming herself, and found with her mouth open she was able to get enough air into her lungs. Gradually memory returned—the man had been in her room, the man with the cold eyes and nightmare face, and he’d struck Richard.
Richard had gone limp, without a sound, and lain in her arms like one dead, and although she’d tried to help him, tried to fight for them both, a sack had been placed over her head, and she’d been carried away.
For a time lack of air, shock, or sheer terror had made her lose consciousness.
It wouldn’t happen again, she told herself determinedly, and began to tug at her wrists to see how tightly she was bound. She must escape and get back to Richard; she mustn’t let this nightmare man destroy her happiness.
“So you’re awake at last.”
The voice was unfamiliar and close. Tina jumped.
“I thought I’d kidnapped Sleeping Beauty.”
“What do you want?” she said, and found her voice a hoarse whisper. “My family has no money!”
“I don’t want your money.”
She didn’t want to ask, she really didn’t, but the words spilled out anyway. “What do you want then?”
She heard him take a step, and now he was so close she could hear him breathing. Something cold, like metal, scraped across the soft curve of her breast above her bodice, and she flinched away.
“Very nice,” the man whispered, “very nice indeed.”
“Leave me alone. Mr. Eversham will come for me, and if you hurt me, he will punish you.”
“I’m terrified.” A breathy laugh accompanied the mocking words, but at least his footsteps moved away.
Tina slumped in relief, leaning back against the hard surface where she lay—it felt like a wooden settle or bench, and when she stretched out her foot, there was a definite gap between herself and the floor below. At least her ankles weren’t bound, and if she got the chance, then she could run, although running with a sack over her head and her wrists tied wasn’t ideal.
Just then there was a pounding on the far side of the room; it sounded like a fist on a door. She heard Sutton cursing and then a shout. Richard? Had he come to save her so soon? But it wasn’t Richard. Her hopes were dashed when the door was pulled open, and Sutton and the newcomer, obviously familiar with each other, began to argue.
She could catch a few words here and there, enough for her to understand they had had a serious falling-out. Her hopes lifted; any falling-out between these villains was surely a good sign for her.
“You fool . . . I knew I’d find you here . . . predictable . . . you’ll get us all caught and . . .”
She was finding it difficult to breathe again, there didn’t seem to be enough air in the sack, and there were dark specks floating before her eyes. In a moment she would faint, and then she would be helpless to stop them if they wanted
to harm her.
Tina cried out, struggling to sit up. And then, so suddenly she was blinded by the candlelight, the sack was swept from her head, and she could breathe. And see.
Her gaze focused on the man before her. He was holding a candle, the flame flickering and smoking, but it seemed brilliantly bright after such darkness. His features were familiar but she couldn’t . . . Tina blinked and then cried out in relief.