An Inconvenient Arrangement

Chapter 57: Sylvie and Rafe

"I don't want to frighten you, or to hurt you," Major Fitzgerald looked apologetic as he said those words to Sylvie, who was rubbing her wrist from where one of his men had gripped her and dragged her down. It seemed her attempt at masking her fear had not been particularly effective.

Two days Rafe had sent her an express from Edinburgh, warning her that if The Major, she must stall him at all costs until he arrived. She was not to try and run, she was not to send Jane away, lest it roused suspicion. She just had to wait him out long enough for Rafe to get home. And just as he'd predicted, The Major had shown up, claiming that he was concerned for them and offering them his protection. So far, she had feigned being ill for two days in a row and it seemed that The Major was finally at the end of his patience. His men had all but dragged her out of her room, they hadn't even afforded her the time to change into a morning dress. She was now sitting in the parlor, his men surrounding her.

"Well, forgive me if I have a hard time believing you, seeing as you are pointing a gun at me." She replied calmly, though her insides were twisting with fear. How far behind could Rafe be from the messenger that had brought his missive? Two days had passed already.

"This wouldn't have been necessary if you hadn't tried to play games with me, Miss Heartwood. You really thought you could out-trick me? I realized that Carlisle must have gotten word to you with the way you were so studiously avoiding me."

The truth was that he had not, she had only wished to stall long enough for Rafe to come and save them, but it seemed that she was on her own.

She had to think. She had to find a way out of this.

"Now, I am almost certain your brother hid his evidence somewhere that he showed little Jane. So, won't you fetch her for me?"

And then suddenly it clicked.

Thomas' unexpected visit all those weeks ago.

Him goading Jane into playing hide and seek.

Father played hide and seek with me today. He showed me all the best hiding places, mama, and next time we play, I will be the winner!

Oh God. That bastard. If Sylvie ever found him in the afterlife she was going to throttle him.

How could he have involved Jane like this? How could he have done this to his own daughter?

"What guarantee do I have that you will not kill both of us the moment you've found what you want?"

"Oh, my naïve Miss Heartwood," The Major tsked. "Obviously I cannot leave a witness alive! What would be the point of all of this, then? If I go through so much trouble to erase evidence but there is someone who knows about the truth then all of it is moot, no?"

"So, then what incentive do I have to give you what you want?" Sylvie glared at him with conviction she did not feel.

"Isn't it obvious? Miss Heartwood, your compliance is the only way little Jane lives. If you disobey, I will kill both of you.....Or perhaps I'll kill you and make little Jane disappear. Do you know how much a white slave would sell for in an Ottoman brothel? Better yet, a slave that cannot speak or make trouble with her mouth?"

"You despicable man!" Sylvie's hand connected with his face with a loud smack, The Major's face jerking to the side. The Major grinned and in a lightning-fast movement, he backhanded her so hard that she saw spots in her vision. Pain radiated from her cheek and she felt her lip bleed where the edge of his ring caught her mouth.

"Ah, you're a saucy little bitch, aren't you? I can see why he's so smitten with you." He grinned and Sylvia finally came to terms with the fact that his man was quite out of his mind.