Free Elise by Jackie Ivie Page B

tonight? I can have the trundle set up again in no time.”
    She gestured to the connecting door and Elise glanced that way. Roald wasn’t interested in her anymore. The duke’s behavior seemed to have settled that
    “As long as you’ve locked my door, there’s no need,” she replied.
    “Sleep well then, Elise.”
    “I shall sleep soundly and well, I assure you.”
    “No adventures, mind. And no mad dashes about the countryside in breeches. Nothing of that nature?”
    “I’m far too tired and bruised for such tomfoolery. Trust me.”
    “You’re certain you wouldn’t like me to stay? His Grace said you might need—”
    “Off with you, Daisy,” Elise interrupted her. “Get your own rest. We’ve a long day tomorrow. We’ll leave early. I have things to see to. Wake me early.”
    The door closed, taking the light with it. Elise snuggled down into Barrigan’s feather mattress and fell asleep again to images she’d never tell a soul about.
     
    “Elise?”
    The drunken whisper filled her bedchamber, arousing her instantly. “Are you awake, my love?”
    “Get to your own rooms, Roald. Let me be.”
    “Not this time, my fine lady. Oh no, not this time.”
    The bed gave slightly as he fell onto it. Elise struggled out the other side simultaneously. Her limbs weren’t awake yet, and the clumsiness was hampering her search in the dark for her dressing gown before she gave it up. It was delaying her too long.
    “Elise? Wait! Damn!”
    He swore and lunged at her, trapping her with fistfuls of her cotton nightgown in his hands. Elise pummeled him and swung her face away from the kiss he was trying to give her.
    “No, Roald!” She screamed. She felt the nightgown ripping from her shoulder as he tossed her to the bed.
    She was hitting at him and struggling, and he acted like it was nothing.
    “I’ve dreamt of this moment, Elise! You’ve . . . no idea.”
    His open, wet mouth landed on her collarbone and a shudder of revulsion filled her, draining her strength for a moment. It was getting dim. She saw him as a darker blackness than the room as he lifted himself above her. Then she was swinging at him again.
    “Stop that! I won’t hurt you. I only want to love you. You’ll enjoy it. I promise. Now stop! I’m going to make love to you, Elise. Then I’m going to marry you! And then we’re going to spend the Wynd fortune!”
    She heard his clothing rustling through her frantic breathing as she inched her way from him to the headboard, and then to the lamp. She’d noticed how heavy and awkward it was earlier. It was all she had. They’d been stupid. They’d locked Roald’s door, but she hadn’t been safe. They hadn’t locked the other door.
    “All I ever wanted was for you to love me, Elise. I swear it! I’ve waited, postured, and pleaded. I can’t wait any longer. Tonight, I’ll force you, by God!”
    He was shouting it as he fell onto her legs. Elise slammed the lamp onto him. He didn’t know what hit him. She pitched the lamp from her with both hands, and then had to contend with his weight. There was warm, sticky liquid everywhere. She seemed to be covered with it. It got worse as she pushed and struggled to get free. The thump as she fell from the bed was loud. Then she was on her feet and she was shaking. There wasn’t a sound from Roald.
    “Oh my God! I’ve killed him!” What started as a whisper, ended in a shriek as Elise wrapped her arms about herself and continued, “What can I do? Where can I go? Think, Elise, think!”
    She could leave. She could get a groom to saddle a horse and race for London. No, that wouldn’t do. She had to find Daisy. She had to have help to escape. It’s all she could think of. She’d have to run. There was too much blood in her chamber. She didn’t need to see it. She could still feel it on her nearly everywhere.
    “Oh, God, help me. Help me!”
    She was whispering the prayer over and over as she went through the connecting door into Roald’s