Ransom by Julie Garwood

him. “I’ve heard that Clifford is already making grand plans.”
    â€œYes, I know what I promised, but when have you ever known me to keep my word?” Alford asked with a grin.
    Hugh and Edwin laughed until tears streamed down their faces. Alford finally demanded silence with a wave of his hand.
    â€œYou’ve made me lose track of what I was saying.”
    â€œYou were telling Gillian how displeased you were with her defiance,” Edwin reminded him.
    â€œYes, so I was,” he said. “It simply cannot go on, Gillian. I’m a forgiving man—a flaw really—and I can’t help pitying the less fortunate, so I let your uncle’s outrageous behavior go unpunished. I also forgave you your resistance to my summons to come home.”
    He took another long swallow from his goblet before continuing. “And how do you repay me for my kindness? You try to help the little savage escape. As your guardian, I simply cannot allow your disobedience to go unpunished. It’s time for you and the boy to learn a lesson in humility.”
    â€œIf you beat her, Alford, she’ll need time to recover before she goes on your important quest,” Edwin cautioned.
    Alford drained the rest of the wine, then motioned for the servant to refill his goblet. “I’m aware of that possibility,” he said. “Have you noticed, Edwin, how the boy has attachedhimself to Gillian? He must foolishly believe she’ll protect him from harm. Shall we prove to him how mistaken he is? Hugh, since you so enjoy your work, you can beat the boy.”
    â€œYou will not touch him.” Gillian made the statement very softly. It was far more effective than shouting, and she could tell from Alford’s puzzled expression that she had caught him off guard.
    â€œI won’t?”
    â€œNo, you won’t.”
    He drummed his fingertips on the table. “Pain will convince the boy how futile it is to try to escape. Besides, you have both inconvenienced me and I really can’t disappoint Hugh. He so wants to hurt one of you.” Alford turned to his friend. “Try not to kill the boy. If Gillian fails me, I’ll have need of him.”
    â€œYou will not touch the child,” Gillian said again, though this time her voice was hard, emphatic.
    â€œAre you willing to take his beating?” Alford asked.
    â€œYes.”
    Alford was stunned by her quick agreement and infuriated because she didn’t look at all frightened. Courage was a foreign concept, and he had never been able to figure out why some men and women exhibited this strange phenomenon, while others did not. The trait had eluded him, and though he had certainly never felt the need to try to be courageous, those who did enraged him. What he lacked in his own character he detested in others.
    â€œI will do whatever pleases me, Gillian, and you cannot stop me. I just might decide to kill you.”
    She shrugged. “Yes, you’re right. You could kill me and I couldn’t stop you.”
    He raised an eyebrow and studied her. It was difficult to concentrate, for the wine had made him quite sleepy and allhe wanted to do was close his eyes for a few minutes. He took another drink instead.
    â€œYou’re up to something,” he said. “What is it, Gillian? What game do you dare play with the master?”
    â€œNo games,” she answered. “Kill me if that is your inclination. I’m sure you’ll come up with an adequate explanation to give our king. However, as you have just said, you have left me alone all these many years and then suddenly you force me to come back here. You obviously want something from me, and if you kill me—”
    â€œYes,” he interrupted, “I do want something from you.” He straightened up in his chair and looked triumphant when he continued, “I have joyous news. After years of searching, I have finally found your sister. I know where