Ten Ways to Ruin

“Now she is pestering me to attend Lady Gifford’s ball tonight when I have no desire to dance with anyone.” Except for Simon.

“Mamma has always only had her wishes in mind. At least we can all use it as a learning lesson of what not to do with our children.”

Children. That might not ever happen at this point. “Well, at least you and Tessa can.”

“Hush, it will happen.”

Just thinking about children brought back that night at the inn with Simon. She couldn’t help but wonder how he was recovering. While she’d said she wasn’t going to speak of him, she was unable to keep from inquiring.

“How is he?” she whispered.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to ask about him,” Louisa said with a chuckle. “I haven’t seen him since Tuesday, but Harry has and said he is getting his strength back.”

“That is good to hear.” Indeed, that was excellent, but Emma didn’t want to seem too worried about him. Even if he were all she’d thought about night and day.

“Your Grace?”

Both Louisa and Emma turned at the house of Lady Leicester’s voice. The older woman approached them with the speed of someone half her age.

“Lady Leicester,” Louisa said with a quick curtsy as Emma did the same.

“Miss Drake, how are you?” the Countess asked.

“Very well, thank you.”

“Your Grace, might I have a moment of your time in private?” Lady Leicester glanced over at Emma. “I promise I won’t keep your sister too long, dear.”

“Of course,” Louisa said. “Excuse us, Emma.”

“I will head towards the Serpentine, Louisa.”

As Emma strolled away from the pair, a plain black coach rolled to a stop nearby. She glanced at it and then continued walking toward the water.

“Miss Drake, might I have a moment of your time?”

She glanced back but didn’t recognize the large man. Her heartbeat thrummed in her chest with the odd look the stranger gave her. Watching him, she paid no attention to her surroundings until the sack went over her head.

“Louisa!” she screamed before a hand from behind her slapped across her mouth, silencing her shrieks of terror. Another man bound her hands behind her back.

Someone picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. Her first thought was perhaps Simon had been the man behind her, but this man didn’t smell like cinnamon and spices. This man had an odor that made her stomach churn. She was dumped unceremoniously into the carriage. Scrambling in the dark, she searched for the door, a seat, anything, which was impossible with her hands tied.

“Just be still,” a low, gruff voice ordered.

“Who are you?”

“No one you know,” the man said with a guffaw.

“Where are you taking me?” She hated the tremble in her voice.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

This made no sense. No one had any reason to abduct her. She tried to calm herself and determine approximately how far away they were going from the park. After a few minutes, she realized they seemed to be going around a block several times as if to disorient her.

Sitting on the floor of the carriage like a dog, she kept reminding herself that Louisa must have seen what happened or heard her shout. Lady Leicester had been there too. The countess had a coach with her, so they must be in pursuit of the ne'er-do-wells.

Emma’s heart pounded in her chest. She had to try to remain composed. And no matter what, she would not cry!

The carriage rolled to a slow stop. Trying to keep her wits about her, she listened. The man inside the carriage opened the door and disembarked.