Ravenous (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Free

missing. The stable-boy counted only eight this morning.”
    His heart stopped inside of his chest. The duke was expecting his daughter to be at the church within a few hours.
    “Search the grounds, she could not have gone far, go now!”
    As his servants dispersed he sat heavily into his chair and worried his fingers into bleeding.
    Hours passed, and there was no sign of Emma. Guests were gathering in the church, and the baron had to tell the duke that his bride was missing. He made his way to the church with a heavy heart.
    As he entered he saw that guests were seated. The cream of the ton was seated with the duke standing at the back of the church.
    “Your grace, we need to speak in private,” he said.
    “Where is Emma, Westlake?”
    “That is the matter of which we need to discuss,” he pleaded.
    They walked into a dressing room, and the baron began. “Emma is missing. She was not found in her bed this morning. Some of her clothing is gone, and no one knows her whereabouts. I have had a search party and Bow Street Runners looking for her, however, she seems to have disappeared.”
    The duke looked carefully neutral, but the feeling of mounting fury was in the air.
    He backed Westlake into a wall and said, “Are you saying that my bride has run away from her own wedding?” At the baron’s nod, he continued. “And you say you have been searching for her all morning, why did you not come to me immediately? The whole of the ton is waiting for a wedding that is not to happen today.”
    “Your Grace…”
    The baron was stopped by the duke’s hand upon his neck. “You will find her, and you will bring her to me. I have made an investment in your so-called properties as well as others. You will either find her, or I will have you arrested for fraud and sent to debtor’s prison. You will eventually hang from the gallows for this. Do you understand? You will as well explain to everyone that Emma is very ill and must wait to be married until she is better. I shall hire my own searchers. They can be very persuasive.”
    As the duke was speaking he was gradually tightening his grip upon Westlake’s throat. He was barely able to breathe. He now knew that Emma was right about the duke, but what could he do? He did not want to be hanged. So he nodded his head and expelled a breath once he was released. With fright, he ran from the room and headed toward the guests. He composed himself to speak. He was to start the search for Emma this very day.
     
    * * * *
     
    Early morning’s light shown bright into Emma’s tired eyes as she squinted against the harsh rays. She had a moment of panic when she realized she was in an unfamiliar room. Her heart sped, and her thoughts reeled. Moments later an older woman entered the room with a washing bowl, and one of her dresses ironed and ready to wear.
    “Morning, miss, just a moment, and I will help ye wash and dress. George has asked that ye are to be directly taken into the parlor for an interview. My name is Anne.”
    Emma’s mind rebelled against standing up to wash and dress. She was just able to keep from vomiting.
    “Is there any advice you can give me about his lordship?” Emma asked.
    The aging maid turned to her and stated, “He is the best employer I have ever had. Is that why ye are here then, for employment?”
    “I heard word he may be seeking a governess?”
    “Aye, he has two children who need attention. Master James and Lady Rose,” she muttered.
    That statement, even given in a harsh grumbling tone, was reassuring. There was employment to be had here. When she saw the castle at first glance last evening, it looked foreboding, not at all the kind of place a gently bred woman would reside. It was the perfect domicile to hide from her father and the abusive duke.
    Dressed and composed, Emma quit the room to follow Anne to the parlor, where the butler was waiting with tea. Emma had never thought she could or would be hungry again, but her stomach gave a