Compromised by the Duke (Completed)

Chapter 11. 1812 

Three hours into the ball, Jacqueline decided to take some air. Telling Nathaniel James and Bridget where she was going, she stepped out of the stifling ballroom and out onto the terrace. She walked over to the garden overlooking her childhood home, smiling softly. She remembered a happy childhood, running around that exact garden with James when they were pups.
Jacqueline took a breath, allowing the sweet fragrance of the flowers to waft through her nostrils and cascade through her body. The evening air was cool yet pleasant. She closed her eyes, placing her hand on her belly and feeling her pups move.
Suddenly, Jacqueline became very alert as the familiar and sickly sweet smell of caramel flowed to her nostrils. Fear gripped her heart like a vice. No, it couldn't be.
The deep and menacing voice of Lord Charles Watson was at her ear, making Jacqueline shiver. "I am so sorry that I have to resort to doing this, but you have given me no choice your grace."
Before Jacqueline had any time to react, she felt Charles connect his fist with the back of her head. She cried out, dropping to her knees with pain. Her vision blurred, but then cleared for a split second as she saw the tip of a dagger at her throat.
Charles smiled wickedly, his dark gray eyes glowing with triumph. "This won't hurt a bit."
Her heart pounding with fear, Jacqueline felt the tip of the dagger slice into her right shoulder. She opened her mouth to scream, but then felt the excruciating burn of wolf Spain flow through her bloodstream. She whimpered, trying to remain conscious, but it worked to no avail. Her eyes closed, and she fell into darkness.
***
Nathaniel felt his wolf tense, his eyes flying to the window overlooking the terrace. His heart stopped. Jacqueline was gone.
Dropping his glass of whiskey to the marble floor, nathaniel burst through the double doors leading out onto the terrace. He froze, immediately catching the smell of sugar cookies and caramel. His eyes swept across the garden, a growl deep in his chest.
James and Bridget rushed out after Nathaniel, their eyes sweeping across the garden as well. Something was wrong, they could feel it. Jacqueline was nowhere to be seen.
James. "What is it Rutland?"
Nathaniel growled, his eyes glowing with his wolf. "Jacqueline has been taken."
Bridget gassed. "What?"
James. "By who?"
Nathaniel's voice came out as a blistering snarl. "Lord Charles Watson."
James snarled viciously. "That bloody bastard!"
Bridget. "What are we going to do?"
Nathaniel glanced at them. "The two of you stay here, tell Olivia what has happened."
James. "And what are you going to do?"
Nathaniel's eyes flashed with anger and determination. "I am going to rescue my Duchess and put an end to Watson."
James nodded. "Good luck my brother."
Nathaniel nodded before turning away from his brother-in-law and closing his eyes. Moments later, he felt his body transform into his wolf, his clothes turning to shreds. That was the least of his concern, he needed to get to Jacqueline. Jumping off the terrace and landing firmly on the ground, he growled before following the sweet smell of sugar cookies toward Watson Park.
***
The first thing Jacqueline was aware of when she opened her eyes an hour later was the burning inside her body. The wolf Spain was running rampant in her bloodstream. She felt feverish, her head aching.
Sitting up slowly, grateful that she wasn't chained down, Jacqueline took in her surroundings. She was in a dimly lit room that had a tall glass window, a large bed, a chamber pot, and dressing table. Her hand immediately flew to her belly, panic seeping through her veins. Were her pups all right? Had the wolf Spain affected them?
After several tense moments, Jacqueline felt her pups move. Thank the goddess, she thought. She closed her eyes, listening to the pups and their powerful heartbeats. The wolf Spain hadn't affected them.
Her head beginning to pound, Jacqueline carefully laid back down. She kept her hands firmly and protectively over her belly, hearing the sound of the bedroom door opening. Seconds later, the disgusting smell of caramel flew to her nostrils.
Charles. "I know you're awake."
Jacqueline opened her eyes, glaring at him. Of course she was awake. Did the bastard really believe he had knocked her out completely?
Charles stepped toward the bed, his eyes glowing with excitement. "Well, now that you are awake, I believe I will have some fun with you."
Jacqueline growled, her eyes flashing. "Don't touch me."
Charles chuckled darkly. "And why not? You are a beautiful woman."
Jacqueline. "Because I have a mate. I am the Duchess of Rutland and I am carrying Nathaniel's pups."
Charles rolled his eyes. "Yes yes I know, but I would love to see my mark on your neck instead of his. I think it would look lovely."
Grimacing, Jacqueline moved into a sitting position, leaning against the headboard. "It certainly would not!"
Charles growled. "It seems I didn't give you enough Wolfspane."
Jacqueline. "It seems you did not."
Growling, Charles picked up the dagger he had used for his initial stabbing. "Then I believe we are going to have to change that."