by Vella, Wendy
“Money?”
“A little in my reticule.”
“You will hand the reticule to them when they ask for money and we will hand over what is left in our pockets.”
“Dear God, is this really happening?” she whispered as the carriage pulled to a rapid halt.
“We will let nothing happen to you, Bella.” Luke stroked her cheek briefly, the contact reassuring because it was the first time he had touched her since the journey began. “Just do exactly as they tell us to, and at all times, you must stand between Will and me. Moses and Jessie will be behind us. Luckily, the other carriage has gone on ahead.”
The door was wrenched open suddenly and a man appeared. The lower half of his face was covered, leaving only the dark glimmer of his eyes.
“Good evening to you all.”
She felt the tension in Luke and Will as the man spoke.
“If I may have the pleasure of your company outside,” he said, holding his hand out to Bella.
“Step back!” Will moved to the door first, shielding Bella behind him. “She can stay in the carriage. We hold the money.”
“I don’t think so,” the man said. “I’d be a fool to trust a woman.”
Will stepped down and Luke followed before turning to help her. Taking her hand in his, he pulled her into his right side. Will moved to her left, and then together they turned to face the men.
Bella counted four. All wore scarves as Livvy and Phoebe had done when they had robbed carriages. Lord, how truly terrified her sisters must have been, Bella thought. And how frightened their victims must have been, too, she added as a shiver stole through her.
“Looks like we have ourselves a couple of wealthy noblemen and one sweet little lady.”
The man from the carriage had moved back to mount his horse, his pistol now trained on Will.
“State what you wish from us.” Will spoke, not overly loud, but Bella heard the cold threat of menace.
“Money and jewels,” the man answered.
Each man had a gun, and Bella guessed at this distance they would easily kill or maim one of them. The hand Luke had on her waist held her against his side and she could feel the tension coiled in his body.
“I’d like you all to hand any money you have to the woman. She can then bring it to us.”
“No. If you want it, then I will bring it.”
Before Bella could react, Luke had stepped forward as he spoke. Will had moved to flank him, putting her behind the wall they’d made.
“I want her to bring it. Now step aside!”
“One of us will bring it,” Luke said, and his voice made the hair on the back of Bella’s neck stand up. She’d never heard this tone from either of them before.
“If I give the word, I can have you all shot and the woman, if she’s not hurt, will be at my mercy, anyway.”
Bella couldn’t see, but she’d heard enough.
“I’ll do it.” She ducked around Luke before he could stop her. “I won’t have either of you shot because of me, nor will I have the wrath of my sister unleashed on you if you get injured.”
They tried to stop her, but she shook her head. “It’s all right. Let me do this, then we can leave.”
“It seems the only one of you with any sense is the pretty little lady.”
Bella knew the man was taunting them, so she spun to face him. “Be quiet, if you please. You will get your money, so there is no need to comment further.”
“Bella, be quiet,” Luke said softly.
“I will not,” she snapped. “Now hand over your money.” Holding out her hand she walked to Will first. His eyes were worried but he did as she asked, his hand gripping hers briefly. Luke removed his and handed it to her, but his eyes were furious, the blue depths filled with rage.
“Do nothing silly, Bella. Just hand them the money then come back to us,” Will cautioned.
“I’m coming with her.”
Before she could react, Luke had moved to her side, pressing himself against her.
“Stay there!” the man roared, but Luke just shook his head and, holding Bella’s arm, began to walk forward with her.
“Walk slowly, nothing sudden, and keep your eyes on the men at all times.”
Bella nodded at the whispered words and did exactly as Luke had directed her to. Her heart was thumping, but she felt better with him at her side. The distance was not great, yet with each step she took, her nerves stretched tighter.
The man lifted his hand, palm out, to stop them. “You, stand there. She can come to me,” he said, pointing at Luke.
“No.”
It was only one word, but Bella heard the determination behind it. Luke was not going to do as the man asked unless she could convince him otherwise.
“Don’t be foolish, Luke. I will give them to him and then we can leave.” She started to walk forward, but his hand clamped around her arm and she was hauled back to his side.
“I will not let you.” His face was fierce. “They could hurt you, and I cannot allow that to happen.”
She touched him then, placing her hand on his chest, her fingers curling around the lapel of his jacket, the backs brushing the solid plains of his chest. “They will not hurt me with you so close. Please trust me to do this, and then we will soon be on our way to Twoaks.”
“I am growing tired of waiting!” The man was becoming restless and she needed to move quickly before he used his gun to expedite things.
“I must do this, Luke, please see that. Please let my arm go.”
The grip loosened and then she was free. Taking a steady breath, Bella walked forward slowly. It was only a matter of four, perhaps five paces, but she had never walked such a distance driven by fear and panic. One wrong move from the men behind her and disaster could strike. They were both intent on keeping her safe, but in fact, Bella knew that this time, it was her role to protect them.
The man held out a hand to her as she drew near and she lifted her arm and suddenly he had his fingers around it. She struggled, tried to get free, but he simply lifted her, pulling her across his thighs.
“Ride now!”
***
Luke had watched Bella draw near; his body tense as the man leaned down, holding out his hand. Something didn’t feel right. He started forward seconds before the man grabbed her. He didn’t hesitate as the rider turned his horse. Removing the knife from his boot, Luke ran, took aim, and threw. He watched its flight as he continued to run, leaping over logs and pushing aside branches, until it was imbedded in the man’s back. The hands holding Bella slackened and suddenly she was falling, her body plunging towards the ground as the horse galloped behind the others, and he could do nothing to reach her as she landed hard on the cold earth.
“Bella!” The roar was not only his as he heard Will running over the ground behind him, both intent on reaching her.
The men had fled, their leader slumped over his horse, but Luke had eyes only for Bella who was lying still on the ground. His heart thumped as he finally reached her. “Bella, are you hurt?” his voice was hoarse as he dropped down beside her. His hands shook as they straightened her legs and pushed down her skirts. “Talk to me, love.” Cupping her cheek he turned her face towards him.
“I-I’m all right, just lost my breath.” Her voice sounded shaken as she tried to rise.
“Dear Christ.” He caught her and held her against his chest. She didn’t resist; instead, gripping his coat hard, she held him tight, her body shaking from the shock of what had happened.
“Bella!” Will arrived, words tumbling one over the other. “Tell me you are unhurt.”
“I’m all right.” He released her as she pushed at his chest. Will dropped to his knees on the other side, his face ashen.
“Dear God, Bella.” His hands reached for her, hugging her close, and Luke understood the fear in his friend as it matched his own. They could have lost her. Stumbling to his feet, Luke mumbled something about Jessie and Moses, and made his way back to the
carriage. He couldn’t think; his heart thumped and his head was filled with visions of her being taken away from him.
“Is she all right?”
“Yes.”He answered Jessie’s question and then walked around the horses, checking each, patting a forehead or muzzle, giving himself time to calm down. He’d never known fear like he had just experienced. From the minute their carriage had been pulled over, he’d been consumed with worry for Bella. When that man had pulled her up in front of him, Luke had felt as if ice had replaced the blood in his veins. Instinct had him reaching for his knife, but fear had pushed him on.
“She’s all right.”
He turned to find Will behind him. His face was pale, and worry still haunted his eyes.
“Thank you, my friend, for saving her.” He accepted the hand that gripped his shoulder, even found comfort in the gesture.
“Are you sure she is unhurt?”
“She will be bruised and scraped, but there is nothing more serious. I will have the doctor called when we arrive at Twoaks, if Livvy feels it necessary.”
They stood in silence for seconds, both happy to let the night settle around them as they struggled to push aside what could have happened.
“How far do you think, till we arrive home?”
“About two hours is my estimation,” Luke said, fiddling with a neck strap on one of the horses.
“Are you all right?”
Luke looked at Will then and found a smile. “I seem to have a way with disarming highwaymen.”
Will shuddered, and then gripped Luke’s shoulder again as he remembered the last time Luke had thrown his knife. It had been Will’s wife, Olivia, who had been robbing their carriage and received Luke’s knife in her shoulder for her efforts.
“Pray you never have to do so again, my friend.”
He didn’t answer, just nodded. His heart was still thumping; he could see the moment so clearly in his mind. Bella’s scream as the man pulled her onto his horse. If Luke hadn’t stopped him, how would they have found her?
“Don’t think about what if, Luke. Think only that she is inside the carriage awaiting us, though God alone knows how I will rid my head of it. And then there is the recounting of the story to her sisters.”
“We would not have found her, Will—”
“She is safe, Luke. Focus on that fact alone.”
Luke nodded and headed for the carriage as Will moved to talk with his drivers. He needed to see her now the shock had passed, to assure himself she was all right.
“How do you feel?” He questioned her as he stepped inside.
Bella allowed Luke to wrap a blanket around her legs and then took the flask he handed her. His face was solemn, eyes shadowed.
“Sip it slowly. It will warm you and help lessen the shock.” He sat on the edge of his seat, looking at her.
“I-I’m all right, really,” she added, lifting the flask to her lips. Tipping it slowly, she tasted the liquid, enjoying the burn as it traveled down her throat. Now she was inside and the danger was over, she couldn’t seem to stop shaking.
“It all happened so fast, Luke. There was no time to think.”
“It’s all right now, Bella. We have you,” he soothed, lifting the flask back to her mouth. “I won’t let anyone else hurt you.”
“It’s not your fault,” she protested, as Will opened the door and joined them.
“The two of us could not keep you safe, Bella,” Will said, taking the seat beside her. “And we could have lost you were it not for Luke. Allow us a few self-recriminations, if you please.” He put his arm around her.
She reached for Luke, gripping the fingers he had braced on his thigh. “If you had not stopped that man when he had me before him—”
“I just told Luke not to think about it and now I am telling you the same thing, Bella. No good will come from what if’s, even though we will all have them. I urge you to put this incident to the back of your mind.”
Luke had saved her.
“Are…are you all right, Luke?”
“I’m all right, now I know you are safe.” His fingers turned and engulfed hers briefly before he released them.
She nodded, and then leaned her head back on the seat. The brandy had warmed her and made her feel as though she were floating. Her eyes stayed on Luke and his on her. She remembered how he had held her when she fell, called her “love”. How could he ever believe she would stop loving him?
“Were you telling me the truth when you said nothing hurt?”
“Yes.” She nodded her head. “I will be a bit sore tomorrow, but I am all right, Luke.”
“Livvy is going to kill me for letting this happen,” Will said, leaning closer to look in her eyes. “Are you sure you didn’t get a knock to the head? Your pupils don’t look right.”
“Call for the doctor as soon as we arrive, Will.”
Waving their words aside, Bella decided to close her eyes as her head felt wobbly, and in seconds she was asleep.
***
“Wake up, Bella, we’re home.”
She opened her eyes and let Will help her upright.
“I’m sorry. I seem to have used you for a pillow, Will.” Yawning, she looked for Luke but he was already out of the carriage. The window showed her nothing but darkness.
“How do you feel?” Bella could see the worry still lingering in both her brother-in-law’s eyes.
“I am well, Will, and I am not made of glass, nor will I fall into a fit of vapors continually when this story is recounted,” Bella said. “I will be a bit stiff and sore, but I have had worse. I appreciate all you have done for me, truly, more than I can ever say,” She then added, hugging him, “However, you will no longer treat me like a fragile doll that needs help to get about the place, nor will you watch my every move.”
“You sound like both your sisters, now. Where has our shy young lady gone?” Will grumbled. “It will be hard,” he added. “You were hurting and in pain and often trying to hide it. I saw how you suffered, Bella, and because of that I wanted to protect you.”
“I know.” She patted his hand. “But now I’m a lot better, and a lot stronger, so I would ask you to try to take a step back.”
He nodded solemnly, and Bella knew he understood; however, she was unsure if he would actually listen.
The weary travelers climbed down and, after stretching, made their way up the path of Willow Hall. The door flew open and then there they were, her sisters. Bella felt the first of her tears fall. For so long, it had just been the three of them. They had supported and loved her, just as she had them, and now seeing Phoebe and Livvy again, she realized just how much she had missed them.
“Bella!”
“Phoebe! Livvy!” Bella cried, hurrying towards them to fall into their waiting arms. They crushed her between them, and she felt the babies who one day she would become auntie to pressed against her, welcoming her home.
“This may take some time.” Bella heard Will’s voice as he joined them, shaking the hand of Lord Finneous Levermarch, Phoebe’s husband.
“They’ll hug and cry and then talk over the top of each other until finally running out of breath,” Finn said, herding the sisters inside out of the cold. “Only to cry again, and there will probably be more tears later, as Phoebe seems to be able to cry on command these days.”
“As does Livvy.”
“Beast!” Phoebe sniffed, and Bella laughed as she turned and fell into her husband’s open arms, while Livvy did the same with Will.
She watched them hold each other, saw the love in the small gestures, the gentle kiss and brush of a hand down a face. She wanted this, wanted a man to love her above all others. Her eyes moved to the door at that moment as Luke walked in, carrying her luggage. Would she have it with him?
“What has happened?” Phoebe had moved from Finn’s arms to stand before Luke. She took his hand when he turned to leave. “Tell me, Luke. I can see it in your eyes. Something has put those storm clouds in there.”
“Tis nothing to worry over,” he said gently to Livvy as she moved to look at him also. The smile he gave her sisters made Bella’s heart thud a little faster.
“Well, now, how about we begin the interrogation in the warmth of the parlor?”
“Freddy, Jenny!” Bella rushed to hug them both as they appeared in the hall. Jenny had been the Langley’s housekeeper and Freddy, Will’s old man of affairs; they had fallen in love at first sight, although it had taken Jenny longer to acknowledge that love. Now, however, they were happily married and lived here, at Willow Hall.
“Excellent idea,” Will said, ushering them all towards the room. “Luke, you come, too.”
“I have work—”
“Luke Fletcher, you will come with us and I don’t want to hear another word from you. There is nothing that need be done at this hour that cannot be put off until tomorrow.” Phoebe jabbed her finger into his chest. He rolled his eyes, which made her laugh, and then shooting Bella a fleeting look which she could not interpret, he followed them.
“Look at you walk!” Livvy cried, watching Bella. “There is no limp at all. It worked, didn’t it?”
“More tears,” Will said, pulling out his handkerchief as he guided his wife through the door.
Bella felt the walls of her old home wrap around her as she took a seat before the fire. This had been the Langley family home until Livvy had married Will, and she was pleased it belonged to Freddy and Jenny now. She was home with the people she loved, the people who now made up her family.
Jenny soon brought tea, and with it the demand for what had taken place on the journey. Will took over the telling; he did not hide anything. They’d all agreed that if they did, someone would let it slip and Phoebe and Livvy would not be happy.
Luke, who was standing beside the fire drinking tea, quickly put down his cup as Livvy waddled towards him. Bella watched color fill his cheeks as she cupped them.
