Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“You,” Nigel said, running his eyes down Deborah’s body. “Didn’t think I’d see you back here.”
Fear trembled down Deborah’s spine as she was recognized.
She had done the best she could to disguise herself, even going so far as to wear a honey blonde wig and layer on cosmetics.
There was nothing she could do to hide the color of her eyes, though, and as Nigel looked back up to them, she knew that was what had given her away. Still, it was too late to back out now.
She’d counted the days carefully, wanting to be sure that her trip to the auction was timed perfectly.
She’d even waited outside, disguised in a ratty, hooded cloak, until she saw Sylvester step out of his carriage.
The cad was so arrogant that he’d even waited until he’d stepped onto the street to put on his mask, giving her full view of his face and positive confirmation that he would be in attendance at the evening’s auction.
He was there. So was she. And she was not leaving without her revenge. Not this time.
“Are you going to let me in or what?” She asked, placing her hands on her hips, “Or is your master content on missing out on the thousands of pounds I will no doubt go for again?”
Nigel stiffened at that, then sneered before opening the back door wider and stepping aside.
“Come on in then, you know the way,” he gruffly commanded.
“I want to be first tonight,” Deborah commanded, pulling off the ratty cloak to reveal her low-cut, figure- hugging black dress.
“Fine by me,” Nigel grumbled, leading her to the all-too-familiar curtain. “The announcer is just getting ready to start.”
He then muttered something under his breath as he walked away, leaving her alone in the cold, dark hall just beyond the curtain.
Deborah drew in deep, shaky breaths as she stood alone, trying to will her body and mind to relax.
Yet no matter what she told herself, what she tried to become, this time, her body would not listen.
You do not want to do this!
I have no choice!
There is always another choice!
This needs to be over!
Nausea roiled high and intense in her stomach as an internal argument went on in her mind; droplets of sweat erupted on her brow.
She would never recover from this. That much she knew.
If Nigel recognized her, everyone would.
That meant they would recognize her as Cedric’s wife and, in turn, know that she had left him.
She would not need an annulment after this.
Society would tear what little connection she had to Cedric to shreds, and not even his laissez-faire attitude toward reputation would forgive the shame she was about to bring him.
“Just got word we have a rather willing beauty wanting to go first, gents,” the announcer said loudly from the other side of the curtain.
“Not her first time here, mind you. In fact, she brought us in one of our highest bids! No doubt she’s got some spice to her blood for coming back, so let us see now what we can get for our famous red bird! ”
Anxiety rolled through Deborah’s stomach as she heard the announcement, and the curtain rose. Her disguise did not matter anymore, not after how he’d just identified her, so she threw her wig off with haste, tossing it aside just as the curtain passed her face.
Applause thundered through the dank room as she forced herself to step forward, but all she saw was Sylvester.
In the sea of masks, her own personal devil had removed his and was smiling at her wickedly as he strode through the crowd and toward the stage.
Revulsion welled up in her, and she took a step back as her fear began leading her.
The other men were so enthralled they did not seem to notice him, and as he reached her, he slid his mask back down.
What have I done?! I have ruined everything!
“Sir, you are not allowed on stage!” The announcer insisted as Sylvester walked up on it, “Please, go back to the crowd and place your bid-”
“Whatever her price, I will pay it!” Sylvester snarled, snatching Deborah’s wrist as she tried to take another step back.
“Oh, you stupid girl,” Sylvester murmured to her as she tried to jerk away, “You wanted me so bad? Now you have me.”
“No!” Deborah screamed, her panic-filled eyes searching the room for anyone willing to help, “Please, I changed my mind! Get him off me!”
Not a single man from the crowd moved, too enthralled with what was unfolding.
“Sir!” Nigel snarled, striding onto the stage with his fists clenched at his sides, “You know that is not how we handle our business! Now unhand the woman and go back down to the bidding area!”
“Oh, no,” Sylvester chuckled devilishly, tightening his grip on Deborah’s wrist to the point that she cried out, “She’s been wanting this all along, haven’t you? Ever since your sister got a taste you just had to have the same did you not? Like the greedy little whore you are.”
In a grave whisper, he added, “Your little efforts to take me down end today, you understand? You will learn that a man always makes his way back to the top, no matter what a woman tries to say about him. You need to learn how worthless you truly are, and I am just the one to teach you.”
Deborah’s feet threatened to give out from under her as Sylvester then turned to Nigel just as he was cocking his fist back, and Sylvester raised a pistol to the handler’s face. Nigel and Deborah both froze, and the room suddenly went deathly silent.
“No need for this to become a sordid thing,” Sylvester mused, “Just tell the owner to name his price and I will settle it.”
Nigel glared at him, but lowered his fists.
“Owner won’t like this. No matter what you are willing to pay for her. You won’t ever be allowed back in here if you carry on like this,” he replied through gritted teeth.
Sylvester shrugged, his pistol still aimed at Nigel’s face. “Give me the woman, and he will never see me again.”
Deborah let out a pain-filled gasp as he jerked her arm, forcing her cheek to press tightly to his. His breath was hot and humid against his flesh, triggering her need to vomit.
“You have no idea how much of a pain this one has been,” he seethed against her cheek, making her squirm. “Like a little black fly that just will not stop buzzing around my head. Until I kill it.”
“Fairborne,” a deep voice called.
Hope sprang in Deborah’s chest as she heard the voice of her husband. As if Sylvester did not recognize the voice, he pulled his head away and turned around.
Deborah did not need to see her husband pull back his fist to know that he had struck.
It was the sound of knuckles slamming into flesh, the guttural groan of agony that came from Sylvester.
The vise-like grip on her arm loosened as Sylvester fell like a dead weight to the floor, and Deborah stumbled back.
“What did I tell you about touching my wife?!” Cedric snarled, and that was when he came into her view.
His dark eyes were wide and wild with rage and worry as he swooped in to pull her into his arms. A sob escaped Deborah’s lips as she immediately melted into his embrace, letting him hold her and shield her from the crowd.
“I am here,” Cedric whispered, cradling the back of her head with his large hand as his other arm held her up by the waist. “I am here.”
“I am sorry,” she sobbed, her fists tightening in the fabric at the back of his jacket, “I was wrong again, and I am so sorry.”
“Shhhh, it is alright,” Cedric soothed, cradling her close, “I am here now. We will fix it together.”
Deborah dried her eyes on Cedric’s jacket, then turned her face just enough to look down at Sylvester. He was sprawled out and unconscious on the stage; his right eye already growing dark with bruising. Above him stood Nigel, who was in an obvious state of shock.
“Nigel,” Cedric snapped.
His rough tone seemed to bring Nigel out of his state, and at once he moved into action.
“Right,” Nigel shouted, leaning down to pick up the pistol that had slid across the stage floor, “You lot want this auction to keep going, you know what you have to do. Not a word of this to anyone. Now go home. We will hold another auction in two days. You can bid on your birds then, but be watchful. The owner is going to hear about this, and trust when I say he is not going to respond well to this type of foolery!”
Deborah continued to cling to Cedric tightly as the crowd moved toward the exits with a quiet haste. No grumbling or arguing, as if they knew what such consequences would bring to them if they dared to oppose the infamous owner.
“Right,” Nigel said, turning back to Cedric, “Here is our state. You cannot go to the constable. You know that. However, I am sure that once the owner finds out about this, he is going to be serving this man a unique justice of his own. I respectfully suggest you two head on now and not breathe a word of this to anyone.”
“You have our silence,” Cedric said with a grave nod, “And we have our own bit of justice to serve to this man. So yes. No constables. No law. We will let our people take care of it.”
Deborah did not know what that meant, and she was sure that Nigel did not know either. Still, he gave a stiff nod, then turned his attention to the two approaching bodyguards.
“Get him up and bind him,” Nigel barked.
Deborah watched as two large men walked onto the stage, picked Sylvester up like a rag doll, and dragged him behind the stage.
“Let us get you out of here,” Cedric murmured, stroking a gentle hand down her long hair.
Still in shock, still wracked with fear, Deborah merely nodded and let him lead her outside.
“There we go,” Cedric said softly, helping her into the carriage.
Instead of taking the opposite side as he was prone to do in the past, Cedric pressed up close to her and tucked her under his arm. As soon as he did, Deborah let out a groan of agony and leaned forward, pressing her forehead to her knees as she drew in ragged breaths.