Chapter Sixteen
Having finished her dress fittings, Daphne stepped outside into the brisk but sunny day.
She paused, looking around for Arthur who’d been waiting for her.
Her eyes scanned up and down the sidewalk and then across the street to the bookstore.
He probably was in there like he told her he would be.
She was about to step down and cross the street when a hand grasped her arm roughly and pulled her back.
“Lady Daphne, what a pleasure.”
She knew that voice. There was no mistaking it, nor was there any mistaking the grip he had on her. Black. She hadn’t seen nor heard from him since right before her marriage to Arthur. Black had been determined to marry her, even going as far as going to a bishop.
“I wish I could say the same,” she replied. “If you’ll kindly let go of my arm, I am on my way to the bookstore.”
He sneered, his hold on her tightening. “The bookstore can wait. I cannot. You owe me an explanation. We were to be married and the next thing I know, you’ve embarrassed me by marrying that duke.”
“I have no intention of going anywhere with you. I owe you nothing, so I would suggest you unhand me.”
Black shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” He pulled her hard, so she had no choice but to return to the sidewalk.
“Sir, if you don’t unhand me, I’m going to scream,” Daphne said.
“Go ahead. I’ll simply tell people you ran off and I’m taking you home. Who will they believe? A woman or me?”
Kicking him in the shin, Daphne used the distraction to try and free herself from his clutches. It seemed to work because the moment he let go, she scrambled away. She was about to walk across to the bookstore when a large hand had her by the shoulder and pulled her back.
“Your parents never taught you how to act like a lady,” Black said. “It’s time you start. By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll be a proper lady.”
“And didn’t I tell you I was going nowhere with you?”
“That mouth. Something else needing attention.”
Thrashing against his grip, Daphne tried in vain to break loose.
She hoped someone would take notice and try to make sure she was fine.
No one did, and she noted a few people passing them simply looked on as though she were a misbehaving wife.
No one wanted to get involved. Where was Arthur?
Surely someone had seen what was going on over here.
She felt him attempting to drag her toward a carriage that had just appeared. Daphne knew if she got into that carriage, she would have no control. So she began to struggle and thrash about, even screaming. She couldn’t allow one of his men to assist him in getting her into the carriage.
As he began to near the glossy black carriage, she leaned in and bit his cheek as hard as she was able.
Immediately, he broke his hold, his hands to his injured face, cursing her.
Daphne used the time to whirl around and head across the street.
She didn’t dare look back, keeping her focus on the traffic and picking her way around or in front of carriages.
Then she saw her husband, and the moment his eyes met hers, he went into action.
He bolted across the street, guiding her to his carriage which had just pulled up in front of the bookstore.
As soon as they reached the other side of the street, Arthur spun around to see where Black was.
He was standing, watching. Tipping his hat in Arthur’s direction, Black turned and was hidden by his own carriage.
“Arthur?”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. A bit shook up from being treated like a bag of flour. Other than that, I’m unscathed, which is more than I can say for Black.”
He guided Daphne to the waiting carriage. “What did you do to him?” he asked as he assisted her up the step into the carriage.
“I kicked him in the shin, though that didn’t work effectively. I then found an opportunity and bit him on the cheek. He screamed like a little girl.”
“That’s amazing.”
She turned and sat. “Do you think he really meant to kidnap me?”
“Yes. That’s what it appeared he was attempting to do.”
“I should have kicked him between his legs. That would have been effective, don’t you think?”
Climbing into the carriage, Arthur sat next to her, trying his best not to let her see his face. “Very effective.”
“Not that it would do any good, but do you think I should file a complaint with the police?”
“It might not be a bad idea. At least there would be a record of what he attempted,” he replied.
“On the other hand, they might not take me seriously.”
“You’re a duchess.”
She graced him with a smile. “I’m still a woman, Arthur.”
“That should have nothing to do with anything. If we go, I’ll insist on giving them my observation of what was unfolding.”
“Then let’s go,” she said with determination in her voice.
He patted her hand. The carriage had gone nowhere since he had not signaled them to leave. Opening the door, he stepped out to speak with his men.
It took only moments before they were on their way, making a detour so they might make a police report over what Black had attempted.
Nothing might come from it, but Daphne was aware her husband did know people there.
It helped to have acquaintances in these places for times such as these.
However, she worried it might provoke Black when he heard what she’d done, going to file a report about the incident.
No sooner than they walked in the door than they were greeted by a balding, dark-blond-haired man chomping the end of an unlit cigar. The pair shook hands.
“Williams, my wife needs to file an incident that just happened to her.”
He nodded at Daphne. “Your Grace, I’ll be happy to take your statement. If you’ll come this way.” He turned and began walking up a flight of stairs. Moments later, they were in his office. Daphne carefully sat in the one wooden chair available while Arthur stood behind her.
“How can I help you?” Williams inquired.
“A man was trying to kidnap me,” Daphne said matter of fact.
“Do you know the man and what makes you think he was trying to kidnap you?”
Daphne began to tell Williams everything, every detail of what had happened earlier.
As she spoke, Williams was furiously writing away.
Arthur even added what he’d seen transpire between his wife and Black.
There was no doubt in his mind if he’d gotten Daphne in his carriage, there would be nothing good to come from it.
He went on to tell Williams about Black and how he wanted to force his wife into marrying him, and mentioned Black was short on funds, thus needing a dowry to help him pay some if not all of his debt.
Williams said little, just kept writing.
“Do you wish to file charges for attempted kidnapping?” Williams finally asked.
Daphne turned to glance up at Arthur for assistance. “Right now, I think just a report of what transpired is all that is needed. Unless you feel filing charges the better option,” Arthur replied.
“Filing charges is far more serious. I agree with you simply wanting to file a report. I might be able to see that Black gets a talking to and knows we’re watching him.”
“I can live with that, if my wife can,” Arthur replied.
Daphne nodded. “Yes, I can live with that.”
“Very well. I will have this put in an official form. I’ll sign off on it and have a copy delivered to you,” Williams said.
“Thank you, Inspector,” Daphne said quietly.
“Yes, thank you for your help,” Arthur agreed.
“Are you going to be in town a few days or should I have it sent to your home in Kent?”
“Send it to my country home. We’re heading back in a day or two.”
“Excellent,” Williams replied. “If anything happens or you need me for anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”
The pair left feeling much better even though they’d only filed a complaint against Black.
At least there would be a record of what he attempted in case he tried to approach her again.
In spite of loving London, Daphne was ready to return to Kent.
She was excited at the thought of her and Arthur beginning their life together.
They had, but it had come with all sorts of interruptions.
Arthur stayed close to her as they made their way down the stairs and to their waiting carriage.
He helped her step into the carriage and followed.
Sitting next to her, he tapped the roof to let his men know he was ready to leave.
Moments later, he glanced at his bride and saw she had fallen asleep.
It had been a busy day for both, especially with the ordeal with Black. He was ready to return to the country.
*
Arthur accompanied Daphne to the milliner, staying outside with the carriage in front of the shop. He pulled out a new book and tried to begin but Sam was making his dislikes known. His cage was across from him, covered to keep him warm from the cold. As usual, he was cursing.
“Sam! If you don’t have something nice to say, please shut it!” What was he doing? He was talking to a parrot as though the bird could understand him. As smart as Sam seemed to be, it wouldn’t surprise him. Take now; Sam had quieted.
“Sam pretty boy,” the bird said from behind the drape.
“Yes, you are pretty.”
Hearing nothing but a quiet tapping in the cage, Arthur sat back and opened his book once again. His eyes were getting heavy, so putting the book aside, he decided to stretch his legs while he waited on his wife.
He didn’t have to wait long. As he stood against the side of the carriage, the milliner’s door opened and out walked Daphne. That was quick. He would have thought she’d be at least an hour. Or he had a lot to learn about women now that he was married.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“Yes, but I would have thought it would have been a lengthy process.”
“She’s running behind. One of her girls ran off with her beau so she’s short staffed. She’ll bring everything to Kent.”