Chapter Twenty-Three
A numbing coolness spread through Louisa as if she stood up to her neck in frigid waters. It was disconcerting to feel this way when she knew she wasn’t even close to a pond, but in a crowded building where people closed in all around her. All sounds disappeared and all she could hear was the man’s voice in front of her. His dark, beady eyes pierced right through to her soul, and havoc trembled in her head. Her mind spun out of control, and she feared if she closed her eyes she would fall to the ground in an unconscious heap.
Loud voices from her past nagged at her, pulling her deeper into the recesses of her memory. She knew this man. Knew how he treated his friends—and especially the children who worked for him. Knew his forms of punishments if he didn’t approve of what the children brought in from their daily working routines.
Richard Macgregor!
In a rush, she recalled being with him in a room, begging for him to stop whipping her. On her knees, she’d clutched his overcoat, pleading with him for forgiveness. Again. Just like the several times before.
Horrified, she now remembered that he hadn’t listened to her pleas. Instead, he allowed his anger to guide his hand as he brought down the leather whip across her bare back….
A low chuckle came from his throat, bringing her from her nightmare. “I see ye didn’t miss me at all, Louisa. That makes me sad.”
Shivers of disgust clawed through her and she wanted to gag. Although she remembered more about her past, there was still quite a bit she didn’t know. But from the images that wouldn’t leave her mind now, it was no wonder she had hidden them away.
“Macgregor,” she whispered.
“In the flesh.” He mocked a bow. “And my dear Louisa, ye have come up in the world, I see.” His gaze swept over her. “I must admit ye look more like a lady now than ye did before.”
Trembling, she nodded. “I—I am no longer a thief.”
“Yes, I see that.” He motioned his head back toward the stage. “I’m very surprised to see ye with a duke, however.” Macgregor leaned in closer. “Does he know about yer past?”
Tears stung Louisa’s eyes, but she refused to shed them, even as frightened as this man made her. “Yes, he knows.”
He arched a bushy eyebrow. “And he’s still keepin’ ye on as his servant?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… What a very trustin’ fellow, don’t ye agree?”
“Indeed, he is.”
“And I suppose he’s a very generous man.”
She nodded as fear grew inside her. By the evil glint in this man’s eyes, what he had in store for her was something she would not like. There was no way Macgregor could make her return to his den of thieves, but his mind was plotting. She knew it, yet couldn’t stop it.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she took a deep breath, preparing to move past him. “If you will excuse me, I must get back—”
He blocked her with his arm. “One minute, I beg of ye.” The corners of his mouth lifted in an evil sneer. “I suppose ye are enjoyin’ yer position in the duke’s household and that ye enjoy carin’ for his children.”
Louisa scowled. “We have no more to discuss, Macgregor. I’m no longer in your employ. I’m a grown woman and have found another home. Please leave me alone.” She marched past him, but he grasped her elbow, stopping her once again.
“Before ye leave,” he said, his voice nearly growling, “there is one thing I need ye to do for me before I consider ye out of my employ.”
“Impossible. I will not do anything for you ever again.” She ground out each word all the while fear pumped through her blood. This man was dangerous. Although she couldn’t recall everything about him, she did know he was not a man who could be trusted.
“Oh, I think ye will, Miss Louisa.” He leaned closer. “The Dowager Duchess of Kenbridge is filthy rich. On the occasions I’ve had the privilege to see her, I’ve noticed how she flaunts her jewelry. All I want is some of those jewels.”
Louisa gasped and yanked her arm away. “If you think I’ll lower myself to steal from that wonderful lady, think again.”
“You will , especially if ye have a care for the safety of her grandchildren.”
Fright immobilized Louisa. Even her mind refused to think of a way to get out of this situation. How dare he threaten to harm those adorable children. By refusing him, she would put the twins in danger.
“And if ye even think to tell the duke, I will harm him as well. In fact,” Macgregor scratched his ear, “the duke might be the first one I hurt.”
Panicked, she pulled on his sleeve. Tears pricked her eyes. “No. You cannot hurt them. They have done nothing to you.”
“Louisa, my dear, all I’m asking for is a couple of necklaces.”
Dread of the worst kind spread through her, knowing there was only one decision to make. “That is all?”
“Of course. A few of her necklaces and brooches will be worth much. But make certain these necklaces are decorated with colorful gems. I want only the best.” He stroked his fingers down her cheek. “And I know ye can tell which ones will be more expensive.”
“Yes, I can,” she muttered.
“That’s my girl. Do this one last thing for me and I shall never bother ye again.”
Louisa didn’t dare ask him to give her his word, only because she didn’t trust him to stick to his promise. “How soon do you want me to do this?”
“Tomorrow?”
She shook her head. “That cannot be done. I will not even be at the dowager’s house until week after next for a gathering she is having with her friends and family.”
He nodded. “I suppose that will fit in with my plans.”
“How will I find you to hand over the jewels?”
“I will find a way to be at the dowager’s party. Watch for me.” He winked, turned, and sauntered away as if he owned the world.
Frustration shook every bone in her body, and she didn’t know whether to scream or cry. She’d do neither, since it would draw attention. In order to keep Trevor and the twins safe, she must steal from the dowager. And not tell a single soul.
On shaky legs, she crept back to Trevor and his children. She bumped into people on her way, not having the strength to apologize. Her heavy heart ached, and her head throbbed with indecision. But she couldn’t back out now. She must do as Macgregor wanted.
When Trevor finally looked at her, his smile disappeared, and his face creased in worry. His concern for her welfare was evident in his kind eyes. She fought back the tears, but her fight was useless as she sat beside him.
“Louisa, what’s wrong?”
As much as she wanted to confide in him, she didn’t dare. Macgregor would certainly follow through with his threat. She loved Trevor too much to have any harm come to him—especially the way Macgregor tortured his victims.
“I—I have a headache.”
“Louisa, it’s more than that. I can see it on your pale face. Something is greatly troubling you.”
“I—I—I remembered something.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
“I saw someone I had known when I lived as a thief. Seeing this man brought back memories I had rather not ponder upon.”
He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Let’s collect our things and we shall return home, posthaste.”
“I would like that, my lord.”
Although she was supposed to be caring for the children, Trevor was the one who helped the twins with their cloaks and led them through the throng of people who stood in their way as they hurried to their vehicle. With each step toward the landau, doom lurked like a dark cloud in Louisa’s mind and heart. Stealing the jewels would turn her back into a thief, and in doing so, her life with Trevor slowly disappeared before her eyes. Things would never be the same again.
*
Trevor paced the floor in his study, waiting for Louisa to put the children to bed. During the ride home, Louisa had been on the verge of tears. When he urged her to tell him what happened, all she would say was she recognized someone from her past and remembered a bad experience. She didn’t want to talk about it in front of the children, and he agreed, especially with as upset as Louisa was.
But now as he waited for her to put the children to bed and come to his study, his patience wore thin. Very thin. He could still see her pale face, and especially her eyes void of tender emotion. Fright had consumed her and literally taken over her whole being. She had stared out the window of the landau on the drive home, only a shell of the woman he knew.
The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed ten o’clock. Where is she?
Expelling a pent-up breath, Trevor raked his fingers through his hair and marched to the study’s opened door. The household was turning in for the night, and he surmised only a few servants were awake now.
He couldn’t stand to wait any longer. Louisa should have been down by now. Obviously, she had chosen to stay in her room. Well, he couldn’t rest tonight until he knew what she’d remembered.
Trevor bounded up the stairs two at a time. His long strides ate up the floor until he stood in front of her room. He knocked softly. Behind the door, shuffling feet creaked the floor, moving closer to the wooden barrier between them.
“Louisa, it’s me. Let me in so we can talk.” Just as his knock, he kept his voice quiet.
She didn’t answer, although he knew she stood at the door because of her shadow on the floor from the space underneath. The seconds that ticked by seemed so long.
“Please, Louisa.”
Finally she opened the door. Her puffy, red eyes drew his immediate attention. His heart broke, and he wanted to take her in his arms and soothe her fears.
“I don’t feel well,” she whispered, her voice cracking.
“I can see that, my dear.” He walked inside and closed the door. “But I don’t want you to be alone, either.”
Without waiting for an invitation, he pulled her in his arms and brought her head to his chest. Her body shook with silent sobs as she clutched his waistcoat. Helplessness washed over him. If he could take away her pain, he would. If only he could help her regain her memory, he would do that as well. She shouldn’t have to suffer.
Once her sobs diminished, he pulled her toward the two-seat sofa and they sat. He wouldn’t let go of her even though she tried to pull away.
“Tell me what happened,” he said.
She wiped her eyes. “When I went to get the roasted peanuts, I saw…” She swallowed noisily then looked at him. “I saw someone from my past… when I was a thief.”
“Someone like David?”
“Yes.”
“Then what happened?”
“I was so stunned, Trevor. I couldn’t think. I just stood and stared.” Her voice rose and her body trembled.
“Shhh…” He swiped his thumb under her eyes to dry her tears. “Calm down and tell me what else happened.”
She took a deep breath. “When I realized how I knew him, my memory opened and I saw him in a room with me while I was being… whipped.” Tears filled her eyes again. “I’d begged Macgregor not to punish me. I pleaded for his forgiveness, but he continued to whip me, laughing the whole time.”
Trevor gnashed his teeth and held Louisa tight again. He’d kill that man if it was the last thing he’d do. Macgregor deserved his fate.
Kissing her forehead, Trevor cuddled her closer. “I’m so sorry you had to remember that. It is no wonder your mind chose to block that part of your life.”
“Yes, that is what I thought as well.”
He withdrew slightly, only enough to lift her chin so she would look at him. Her eyes swam with huge tears. Seeing her this way tore him apart inside. Beyond anything, he wanted to take away her pain, and his. He kissed above each eye, then her nose, before finally kissing her lips. He hoped she’d allow him to comfort her this way.
But when she pulled back, he realized his wish went unheard.
“Trevor, I need to have time to think about everything. Thank you for listening to me, but I really need to be alone.”
He nodded. “Just remember I’m here for you. I will protect you at all times. Your past is where it should be now—in the past. Let it stay there. You have a new life here with me.”
Her lips quaked, but she didn’t say anything.
As he left her room, his heart grew heavier. Hopefully, she’d not have any more horrid memories. Then again, with the life she’d lived, there were probably many more terrible experiences just waiting to be revealed.