Page 78 of Redemption

"I'm beginning to think I'll pay this Rockwood fellow a visit and finish the job I failed to do last time."

"What is it you want, Ruckley?"

"You know what I want. I want to saddle and ride you, my poppet, and you're going to do it with a smile unless you want to see that gent of yours or little Fanny hurt."

“And when is this exchange to take place?”

Arianna and her aunt gasped loudly at her words, and her sister clutched Rhea’s arm in a deathlike grip. Absently, she ignored her aunt’s and sister’s protests keeping her gaze focused on the man standing in front of her. She arched her eyebrows as Ruckley frowned slightly. With a shrug a cocky expression settled on his dirty face, and he laughed unpleasantly.

“I should wait so you could anticipate all the things I intend to do to you,” Ruckley said with another broken tooth smile. “But I’ve waited too fucking long, my poppet. You remember The Bull and Hare tavern don’t you, Rhea? Tonight at nine.”

Rhea’s stomach roiled as the past rushed out to wrap its slimy tentacles around her. The Bull and Hare was where Ruckley sold her over and over again. Ice sluiced through her as she met Ruckley’s gaze. The thought of his hands on her horrified her was a debilitating one. In that split second, she realized she would never let him touch her. Resigned to a fate that would most likely see her hung, Rhea allowed a small confident smile to curve her lips. He immediately narrowed his gaze at her.

“Very well, I’ll be at the tavern at nine this evening. When I arrive, Fanny and Harry are to be handed over to my driver.

“Here now, I never agreed to give up Harry, only Fanny.”

“Then you’ll not have me, will you?” she said softly with a taunting note in her voice. Ruckley eyed her for a moment, clearly debating his options. With an abrupt nod, he agreed to Rhea’s demands.

“You drive a hard bargain, my poppet, but don’t you go getting any ideas of tricking me out of my pleasure.”

“I have never had any need to trick you, Ruckley, but do not presume you will be able to control me simply because, how did you say it? I part my legs for you.” Confidence warmed her as she met his surly gaze. “You will never control me. My father stole my future from me. You destroyed it for me. There’s little more you can do to me that hasn’t already been done. After tonight I’ll be free of you once and for all.”

“You always were a headstrong girl,” he snarled, his features ugly with anger.

“Get out, Ruckley, and if you ever come back here after tonight, I’ll send for the local magistrate. I don’t have anything to fear from you anymore.”

“We’ll see about that, my girl. I’m not finished with you yet, Rhea Bennett.”

Wheeling about, Ruckley stormed out of the salon. The sound of the front door slamming shut made Rhea sag with relief. Nauseated, she shrugged off Arianna’s hand and slowly made her way to the fireplace in an attempt to warm her ice cold skin. She stretched out her hands toward the small flames, but she couldn’t feel any warmth at all. Swaying slightly at the reality of what she planned to do, her fingers gripped the cool wood mantel, and she rested her forehead on her hands. She would never let Ruckley touch her. She’d kill him before he laid a hand on her. The fact that a few moments ago she’d calmly made the decision to kill the man caused her stomach to lurch.

“You cannot go through with this, Rhea” her aunt said with a fervent note of horror in her voice as she crossed the room to touch Rhea’s arm.

“I have no choice. I cannot allow what happened to Arianna and me happen to Fanny.”

“There has to be another way,” Beatrice snapped. “We need to tell Lionel and Blake. Surely Mr. Rockwood should be told?”

“No,” Rhea said sharply. “There’s nothing they can do. If they interfere, Ruckley will only hurt Fanny. I’m the only one who can save her.”

“But surely—”

“Rhea’s right, Aunt Beatrice. If we allowed Blake, Lord Foxworth, or Mr. Rockwood to interfere, Ruckley would never give Fanny up. He’d kill her rather than give her up.”

“Dear Lord.” Beatrice looked at her nieces in abject horror. “There must be a way out of this. You cannot possibly suggest Rhea go through with this.”

“I’m not suggesting anything,” Arianna said softly. “But I trust Rhea’s instincts to do what’s right, and she’ll not be alone. I intend to go with her.”

“No,” Rhea and Beatrice objected at the very same moment. Arianna met their horrified gazes with a steely resolve that startled Rhea.

“I intend to bring two of Blake’s footmen with us. One of them will see Fanny and Harry to safety once Ruckley turns them over to you. I will wait with the second footman until your business with Ruckley is finished. We will be armed as well.”

Arianna’s voice was strong, steady, and resolved as she met Rhea’s gaze. Suddenly, she realized her sister had guessed what her intentions were where Ruckley was concerned. The support and love in her sister’s eyes made Rhea hug Arianna tightly.

“Do what you must. I’ll bear witness that it was self-defense,” her sister’s whisper was soft enough that Rhea knew their aunt couldn’t hear the reassurance Arianna offered. She pulled back from her sister and nodded. Tonight, she would ensure their freedom forever, or the worst would happen. Either way, at least Arianna and the children would be free. As for her, fate would decide her destiny.