Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(84)

“Would anyone be interested in what happened? I think you might rest easier. But if you would prefer not to hear it, I understand.

Edward shifted in his seat and tried to act calm. “If you want, sis. But it’s up to you. We’ll understand whatever you do.”

“Thank you, Edward. I would like to tell the story but listen carefully. I probably won’t want to rehash it after today. Fair?”

Nash took her hand, “Fair.” He looked around the room to make sure Cecilia, Edward, and Mira understood.

Penelope cleared her throat. She talked slowly, but she seemed detached from the tale as if telling a story of something that happened to someone else. “I vaguely woke to a flurry of activity in the house. Once I cut through the fog, I shot out of bed to find out what happened. I put on my robe and reached for the door when it opened forcefully from the other side.

“I thought I might be dreaming, or more accurately, having a nightmare, when Henry rushed in and closed the door behind him. I was so stunned; I stood in the middle of the bedchamber frozen.”

Penelope shook her head. “I couldn’t have made it easier for him. He walked up to me and tied rope around my wrists while I looked at him in disbelief. I was pulled around by a long end of the rope.

“He moved the rug, opened the trap door, pulled me to him, and told me to climb down. He climbed after me until he stopped to fix the rug and close the door.

“He had stolen a couple of candles and matches from my bedchamber on the way down. I didn’t even see him do it he did it so fast. At the bottom of the ladder, he stopped, lit a candle, and took the lead in the tunnel, pulling me along. At the end, he tied my hands around my back and gagged me.

“By the time we got to the stables, the stable boys had been pulled away to help in the search. Henry opened the trap door and lifted me up to the horses’ stall.

“He didn’t count on Boney as his getaway, but he seemed to be pleased. I think he planned to steal one of the horses in the stable. He muttered ‘even better.’

“Boney didn’t want to be part of Henry’s plan, but Henry gave him no choice. He seemed to know what was coming. He mumbled for Henry to take his cart and leave him behind. Henry didn’t need him. Knowing Boney didn’t want to go, Henry told him he didn’t want Boney pointing the way for Edward or anyone else looking for him. He told Boney he’d shoot him.

Watching Henry kill Boney was awful. I was shocked at how out of control Henry was. His eyes darted back down the road we had just come and then to me and the road in front of us.

“He got on Boney’s horse then lifted me up. We rode fast, all the while he held me by the ropes behind my back. The horse galloped while my arms were pulled at the sockets. It was painful, but I knew if I complained it would be more painful.

“I was so happy when we got to the lodge, and Henry plucked me off the horse, even if I did land on my backside, pain shooting up my spine to the back of my head. He barked at me to get up, which wasn’t easy in long skirts with my arms behind my back, but I did.

“He pulled me into the lodge and down the corridor to one of the rooms at the end. He shoved me on the bed and locked me in. I heard him walk down the hall.

“I knew this was my last chance to live. I couldn’t help it, but I said it over and over again.

“The door was out of the question, and the window looked out on Henry gathering tools he planned on using as weapons on me. So, I began to look inside the room for sharp objects to cut my rope.

“On the bedside table, there was a hurricane globe over a candle. Henry was still outside so I broke it and took a large shard. That’s where I got these cuts.” She lifted her hands to show the cuts on her palms and fingers.

“I finally managed to cut the rope. If I hadn’t been able to get through that rope, I don’t think I would be alive right now.

“He led me down the corridor. My arms were behind my back. I had wound the rope around my wrists and was holding it by my fingers. When I sat, I didn’t know what I would do. I thought I might run out of the house.

“Henry thought I was watching the door waiting for Edward to come barging in. I knew he would come eventually, but I didn’t think I had that kind of time.

“There was no question in my mind Henry planned to kill me. If given the chance, I planned to kill him. He left the lodge for a minute, and that was the only chance I needed. And I took it. I barely remember hitting him with the axe. I remember him falling on it and hitting the floor. I turned and ran straight for the horse.” Penelope turned to Nash. “That’s when Nash found me.”

Penelope stopped and shrugged. Nash took Penelope’s hand and patted it. “I would be grateful if Penelope doesn’t have to go through this horrific experience again. She’s given us the details of her ordeal. I consider the case closed.”

Cecilia murmured, “Of course.”

Mira nodded.

Edward looked at Penelope. “The nightmare’s over Penelope. The good that comes from all of this is that Henry will never bother you again.

Penelope gave a small smile. She nodded.

Henry was gone, but the scar lived on. And would for the rest of her life. To Penelope, it used to be a constant source of shame. The first thing anyone saw when he or she looked at her face. It caused her to be the underdog in everything she did. And it ultimately made her stronger. Henry tried to destroy her, but he didn’t. She was fearless.