Chapter 24 #2
“You’re already blackmailing Father. Why can’t he just pay you the money?”
“My dear, you’re forgetting that alliances between families are of utmost importance. Your dowry would pay off my debts and leave extra beside. And that’s not counting the money your father owes me to stay quiet about his business exploits.”
“Why me?” Ella hated how her voice shook. “There are other women with more impressive dowries.”
“Ah, but they don’t have the same submissive will as you. Something I prize highly in a wife.” His eyes gleamed. “And your beauty is unparalleled. That alone makes possessing you…desirable.”
He lowered his face to hers. Just before his lips made contact, Ella turned her face to the side. The lingering kiss he left on her cheek turned her stomach. The rough press of his mouth felt like domination. Tears stung her eyes as she thought of Cody and his gentle love.
Howard lifted his head. Lust burned in his gaze.
He ran a hand along her side, sending disgusted shudders through her.
When he leaned close once more, she froze.
“I’m going to the saloon for a few games.
It seems there’s a lot of money to be won in this town.
Quite a few millionaires, from what I’ve heard.
But before I go, I want to leave you with some anticipation.
” He sneered, pressing his hand against her hip.
“When I get back, we’re going to get to know one another very intimately.
We’ll see if your cowboy wants you after that. ”
Bile rose in her throat. Howard laughed again. He forced a piece of cloth into her mouth and tied the ends around her head. “See you soon, my dear.”
As soon as the door shut behind him, Ella struggled against her bonds, her movements jerky and frantic. The fabric refused to give. The more she fought, the tighter it got.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Howard would be back, and she had no doubt he’d make good on his threat. She had to get away. But how?
Wind whipped Cody’s face as he and Travis galloped down the trail.
Just an hour before, they’d swapped out their horses in Clancy for a fresh pair.
As much as it chaffed to leave Preston in strange stables, Cody knew the prudence of not pushing too hard.
So now he rode a horse whose name he didn’t know but who flew swiftly over the miles.
How much longer ’til we reach Helena?
Cody swallowed hard. Moisture burned his eyes. His stomach turned each time he thought of Ella alone and afraid with some villain. He pressed his thighs into his horse. The animal responded with a burst of speed.
Tense silence was broken only by the pounding of hooves. Travis kept pace with him. On and on they rode. Stars winked above them, creating an illusion of peace.
Cody’s horse made a strange sound. He slowed his mount. The horse’s sides heaved.
Travis halted beside him. “Let’s give them a rest by that stream.” He jerked his head to the left.
Cody balled his hands into fists. Travis was right. They needed to rest the horses. But every minute they lost was another minute something bad could happen to Ella.
“You won’t do her any good if the horse gets injured and we can’t continue on.”
Blowing out a breath, Cody swung down to the ground. “You’re right.” He led his horse to the stream and patted it. The animal lowered its head to drink.
Cody paced near the bank. His mind filled with images of his wife. He’d failed to protect her. Heavy weight settled in his chest. Was that his lot in life? To fail the women he loved?
No. He could almost hear Ella’s voice whispering in his ear. Bad things happened in life. He couldn’t stop them all. But that didn’t prevent the hurt from crushing him inside.
Travis squeezed his arm, jolting him from his thoughts. “Just a little longer, Cody. These animals will be ready to push hard the last miles.”
“We’re running out of time.”
Steel glinted in Travis’s gaze. “We’ll find her.”
Cody nodded. He exhaled a long breath, moving a little ways upstream. Raking his hands through his hair, he closed his eyes. “Please, God. Be with my wife and our unborn child. Keep them safe, I beg You. I can’t lose them.” His voice hitched. “You brought Ella into my life. Please keep her there.”
Words clogged in his throat. He sank to his knees, silent prayers welling in his heart. Cody didn’t move until Travis’s hand landed heavy on his shoulder.
“C’mon. Let’s head out.”
He didn’t need to be told twice.
Ella worked feverishly to loosen the material holding her captive. The gag had slipped the tiniest bit, but not enough for her to call out. Anxiety welled in her gut as time passed. Every minute was a minute closer to Howard’s return. How had she ever fallen prey to his charm?
God, help me!
A tiny whisper sounded in her soul, one that calmed the frenetic rhythm of her heart. Focus.
Ella drew in a long breath. She slid her fingers back along her bonds as far as she could.
There! The knot was within reach. Slowly, she wiggled a finger into the middle.
Her hands bent at an awkward angle. Ella pushed through the discomfort.
She slipped another finger into the underside of the knot.
Sounds came from the hallway. She froze. Her lungs cramped as she waited for the door to open, but it never did. Instead, she heard two women in conversation. They were so close. Ella shut her eyes, said a prayer, and screamed into her gag.
The conversation stopped. She yelled again. The handle jiggled. A woman’s voice called out. “Hello? Is someone in there?”
“Help me!” Her voice sounded muffled. Ella tried again and kicked her feet against the base of the bed. A loud thump reverberated through the room. She kicked again and again and continued to scream.
The handle moved frantically, matching the pace of Ella’s heart. If Howard came back before the door could be opened…
No. She refused to think of the repercussions. If he was bent on winning big at the gambling tables, she still had time.
Hopefully.
The woman called through the door again. “My mother-in-law is getting assistance. Hold on.”
Why did minutes feel like hours? An eternity passed before a key grated in the lock.
The door pushed open to reveal a bellhop and the ladies.
All three gasped when they saw Ella tied to the bed.
The older woman rushed forward in a flurry of skirts.
“My dear girl!” She untied the gag with deft fingers. “What on earth happened?”
Tears flooded Ella’s eyes, relief pulsing through her body. A thread of fear still remained. “I was kidnapped. The man is at the saloon. He…he’s trying to take me back to Boston.”
The woman’s gray eyes hardened. She turned to the bellhop. “Notify the authorities at once, young man.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The wide-eyed boy backed out of the room. Ella silently blessed him for his immediate action.
The woman pulled a hatpin from her hair. “Let’s see about getting you freed.” She fiddled with the knot binding Ella’s hands. “I’m Dorothy Jefferson.” She nodded at the raven-haired beauty standing at the foot of the bed. “This is my daughter-in-law, Lydia.”
“I’m Ella Brooks. Thank you both.” Her chest rose and fell in rapid bursts. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t showed up.”
“Think nothing of it.” Moments later, the fabric fell away from her wrists. Ella sucked in a sharp breath as feeling flowed painfully back into her hands and arms.
Lydia sat beside her, muslin gown billowing, hands out. She nodded at Ella’s arms. “May I?”
Ella held them up. The young woman rubbed firmly with brisk motions. “Come to our room. You’ll be safe there. When the authorities arrive, you can tell them your story.”
Dorothy peered at her. “What happened to your face, Ella?”
She swallowed. “Howard hit me.” Touching her cheek, she winced. “It’s bruised, isn’t it?”
“It is.” Dorothy’s lips set in a thin line. “Lydia, take Ella to our room. I’ll wait in the foyer for the police.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Lydia led Ella out of her prison. When they were safely situated in the Jeffersons’ room, two doors away from Howard’s, Ella started to relax.
She opened her mouth to ask Lydia where she was from when a loud crash sounded down the hall.
Angry shouts accompanied the racket. Ella couldn’t hear the words, but she recognized the voice.
Howard was back.
She sank into a chair, her legs refusing to hold her up any longer. Lydia clutched her hand in silent support. Ella shook, her mind on the danger still at hand. She closed her eyes and prayed the authorities arrived soon.