by Liana Lefey
He turned to Primero, who after a quiet chat, a few carrots, and a rub between the ears, decided he was tolerable. Quickly, he and Charlie loaded everything into satchels and saddlebags. The horse made no objection when he mounted and took the reins.
They set out across the fields. When they reached the eaves of the darkening wood, he leaned forward. “Find her, Primero. Find Victoria.” He let go the reins.
For what seemed an eternity, Primero picked his way through the wood, and Julius prayed with his whole heart that the horse wasn’t simply wandering. He nearly wept with relief when they emerged onto the bald hills of the downs. Giving the horse a quick pat of gratitude, he urged him on.
The sun sank toward the horizon, and his heart sank with it. They couldn’t run, even with a nearly full moon overhead. It would be too dangerous. But Primero seemed to sense his urgency and made as much haste as possible.
It seemed forever before they at last reached the little dell, and as they topped the rise, Julius’s heart skipped several beats. Against the darkening sky he saw smoke rising from the chimney.
She was here.
Then he spied the light of a campfire outside as well. Cursing softly, he backed off and dismounted. Creeping around to the rocky side of the valley, he peered over the lip.
There were men below. Several men. Their harsh laughter hung in the chill air.
He took Primero off beyond the lee of the hill and removed his cloak and took two pistols from the saddlebag. They were already loaded. He’d seen three men, but there could be more in the cottage. He would have no time to reload. Digging in the saddlebag, he drew out a knife. Bless you, Amelia. He tucked it into his belt.
Slipping down into the valley, he reached the edge of the clearing and waited, listening.
“I don’t care if she’s a toff or not, she’s a nice lookin’ bit o’ woman,” said one man. “Why shouldn’t we ’ave a bit o’ fun? It won’t matter none if she’s been ’ad. They’ll still pay to get ’er back.”
“It’ll bloody well matter if we’re caught and brought up before the magistrate, you idiot!” hissed another, slightly more refined voice. “She’s a duke’s daughter. We’ll be lucky not to get hung as it is, but we’re sure to get the axe if we touch her.”
Julius slowly let out the breath he’d been holding. She hadn’t been molested.
“Only if we gets caught,” sneered the other. “An’ if she’s so high an’ mighty, then wot’s she doin’ out ’ere all alone? I think she’s lied to save ’er pretty ’ide, that’s wot I think.”
“Did you not see the clothes she were wearing?” snapped the one he’d designated as being the leader.
A snort erupted from the other. “Wot, them breeches?”
“The quality, man! Use your head. She’s who she says she is, right enough. None but a spoiled rich toff wears clothes like that and talks the way she do. Her father’ll pay to have her back, never you fear. He’ll pay what we ask, or he won’t never see her again.” The man threw another log onto the fire, sending up a shower of sparks. “Where the hell is Geoff? He should have been out by now with that fancy paper. I’ll want to read that note before he runs off with it.”
Julius smiled tightly. They were going to send a ransom note. And when they did, he’d be waiting. That message would never make it to Richmond Manor, and his odds would be much improved by the removal of one of this foul company.
Carefully, he made his way back to Primero and rifled through his saddlebags, looking for anything else that might help. The hard edge of a tinderbox grazed the back of his hand, and an idea came to him.
Once the little pile of brush was ready, Julius went back and stationed himself along the only path up out of the wood to wait for the messenger. As the unfortunate man passed by, Julius stepped from behind the tree and with all his might, struck the thug in the back of the head with a large rock.
The man went down without so much as a grunt. As he lowered him quietly to the ground, Julius felt the man’s neck. Nothing. He was dead. One down.
Hurrying back around to the pile of tinder he’d laid on the far side of the dell, he struck a spark and nursed it carefully into a healthy flame. In a matter of minutes, it would catch on the dry bark of the dead, hollow tree beside it. He remained only long enough to make sure it wouldn’t die out and then returned to Primero to circle the little valley once more.
Bright flames shot up just as he reached the other side, and shouts erupted from below as the two men leaped to their feet in alarm. One ran immediately to his horse and mounted, leaving the other behind to fend for himself. He rode up and out of the dell as if the devil were on his heels.
And he was.
Julius smiled grimly as he caught up to him. The man didn’t even turn to see who he was, apparently assuming that his accomplice had taken the better part of valor along with him. Pulling the startled man from his seat, Julius tossed him to the ground. The man had no time to recover before Primero reared up on his hind legs and slashed at him with his hooves.
Julius was nearly unseated and had to grab hold of the horse’s mane to remain in the saddle.
Once his victim lay quiescent, Primero stood, snorting and trembling. Julius lay across his neck, shaking as well. Destrier indeed! There was little doubt this horse had seen battle at some point. He patted him, murmuring into his ear, and gently urged him to return to the dell.
He halted at the rim again, peering through the smoke. Blast. The last man, or so he’d thought him to be, had been joined by another. He must have been inside the cottage.
Julius gritted his teeth and pulled out a pistol and cocked it. The other he left tucked into the back of his breeches. He left Primero untethered and went down into the copse. Primero would lead Richmond’s men back here if he did not return. The ruffians’ horses were still tied near the cottage. He could use them to get Victoria back to the manor.
A scream rent the night, and Julius’s heart stopped. Victoria! He ran into the clearing in time to see one of the men trying to heave her struggling form up onto the saddle of a horse. He took aim, praying he didn’t hit Victoria, and fired.
A dark spot bloomed in the center of the man’s back, and he slumped to the ground. Victoria tumbled down after him and lay kicking and screaming atop him. The other man, seeing his partner fall, had sense enough to run for cover and slipped back into the cottage.
Tossing the spent weapon aside and cocking the other, Julius went after him. He couldn’t leave an enemy loose while he freed Victoria. He ran across the clearing. As expected, a shot rang out.
No pain followed the report, however, and Julius continued onward.
Another shot cracked through the chill air.
This time, he felt a stinging in his arm. He ducked behind a tree, not knowing how many guns might have been stashed within the cottage. Taking up a sturdy branch, he tied his cloak to it and slowly exposed it to view.
No more shots were fired. The man inside must be reloading. Quickly, he rose and dashed to the side of the hut. The sky glowed orange above, and flames licked the rim of the shallow depression; his fire had taken hold better than he’d hoped. With any luck, it would draw the attention of those at Richmond Manor and they’d send help.
Turning back to the task at hand, he kicked in the door and leaped quickly to the side. A shout from within begged for mercy, but he had none to give.
“Come out, or I’ll set fire to this place and burn it to the ground with you inside it!”
“Wot, an ’ave you shoot me dead soon as I show meself?” It was the voice of the one who’d suggested “a bit of fun.”
Julius’s blood heated, and he sprang through the door, pistol raised. A filthy-looking man huddled in the corner, dressed in what were obviously stolen garments: a stained and rumpled but well-made jacket of grey watered silk, a pair of finely crafted leather boots—and Victoria’s thick riding cloak.
The thief stared up at him, terrified. “Take ’er, for all I care! Jus�
� leave me be!” he whined, showing a mouth full of holes where teeth ought to have been.
Julius pulled a look of disgust and made as if to turn away. Watching from the corner of his eye, he saw the man shift. Whirling, he fired. His target slumped to the ground, the dagger he’d concealed falling from his hand. After nudging the thief with his boot to satisfy himself that the man was indeed dead, he went back to the door and scanned the area.
Victoria now lay at the edge of the wood, trying her best to worm her way out of the bindings at her wrists and ankles as she scooted toward freedom. When she heard him approach, she screamed and rolled aside, kicking viciously with her bound legs.
“Victoria, stop! It’s me!”
She stilled and turned. “Julius?” she gasped. “But how did—”
“We must leave this place. At once.” He cut her bindings away and peered nervously into the gloom beyond the firelight’s reach. “I counted only four, but there may be more.”
“There were only four.” Tears streamed down her dirty—but still beautiful—face. “You were right. I should never have come back. I didn’t see any smoke when I arrived, but it was late in the day and I wasn’t really paying attention. They must have heard me scolding Primero as I brought him down the path. They surrounded us before I knew it. I wounded one of them, but before I could get away, the others had grabbed me. Primero tried to attack one of them, but when I saw another take aim at him, I shouted for him to run.”
“He came back without you. Your little Charlie was beside himself when he found him. Primero led me back here to you.”
“I’m very lucky that he is so smart.”
“You’re very damned lucky they didn’t kill you!” Julius growled, trembling with fatigue—and relief. Now that the fight was over, he could afford to vent a little of his anger over her recklessness.
“I was so afraid.” Her eyes were haunted. “I heard them talking about me, and I knew there was nothing I could do to stop them if they…”
He held her as she wept, held her until the cold of the earth beneath him seeped into his bones. When warmth spread across his back, he looked up to see flames creeping toward them through the bracken. “We have to get out before it reaches the path and traps us down here.” He pulled himself to his feet and immediately dropped back down. The air above was thick with smoke. “Keep low. And when I tell you, run.”
The path itself was clear; however, the air was anything but. “Hold your breath for as long as you can and move as quickly as possible,” he urged, pushing her ahead of him.
At last, gasping and coughing, they emerged above the smoke. He looked back just in time to see the cottage go up in a tower of sparks.
A loud, shrill whistle sounded behind him, and he turned as Victoria brought her fingers down from her lips. A distant whinny followed, and soon Primero’s bulk loomed out of the darkness.
“You wonderful, wonderful darling!” she cried, leaping up and hugging his great neck. “Thank you. Thank you, Primero,” she sobbed, stroking his cheek as he stood, his legs trembling, his sides heaving. “All is well now. The fight is over, and we are safe.”
He watched in amazement as she blew gently into the beast’s nostrils and began to murmur to him in Romani. She stroked him slowly as she talked, until the whites slowly disappeared from around his eyes and his breathing slowed. After a little while, he chuffed and butted her shoulder. Smiling, she patted his forehead and leaned against him.
“We can’t wait for daylight, not without shelter,” Julius said softly.
“The other horses?”
“They fled from the fire, and I dare not attempt to find them in the dark.”
“We can ride double on Primero,” she said after a moment. “He’s tired, so we’ll have to take it slow, but it’ll still be faster than walking.”
He nodded and looked again toward the dell, which was now entirely engulfed in flames. “I’m hoping your father’s people see that and send help in this direction.”
She shook her head. “They won’t. It’s hidden by the hills. It’ll probably draw attention from the village, but it’s unlikely anyone will come to investigate. More likely they’ll see it and ready themselves for trouble.”
She was right. “Then we have no choice. We cannot stay here in the open.” He helped her up onto Primero’s back and then wrapped her in one of the thick woolen blankets he’d brought. His cloak had been lost to the fire. He mounted behind her and wrapped a second blanket around them both.
“I’ve food, if you’re hungry,” he offered.
She shook her head. “Food is the last thing I want right now. I’ll eat when I get home.”
“It might be a while,” he warned. “At least have some brandy to warm you. It’ll help settle your nerves as well,” he added, offering his flask.
She took a mouthful, made a face, and swallowed. “Thank you,” she said, passing it back. “Take us home, Primero.”
Letting him set his own pace, Julius wrapped his arms around Victoria and held her close. Soon, her head fell back against him. She must be exhausted.
“Why did you come for me?”
Startled, he looked down to see that her eyes were wide open. He’d thought her asleep. “Amelia told me what happened.” His gut twisted. “Victoria, I cannot apologize enough. I let something in my past taint my perception of you. I should never have believed you capable of such a betrayal. None of this would have happened, had I come to you before taking action. I was a coward and a fool, and I am entirely to blame. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”
“I already have. I love you, Julius.”
His arms tightened around her, and he kissed the top of her head. “Rest now. As soon as we arrive, I’ll wake you.”
THE MORNING SUN streamed in through her window, and Victoria wondered if she’d dreamed it all. Until she tried to move.
Definitely not a dream. Carefully, she lay back. The sound of gentle breathing told her she was not alone.
Turning, she saw Amelia beside her. Her face was softened in slumber, the years smoothed away by oblivion’s gentle brush. At some subconscious level, her sister must have been aware of her scrutiny. After a moment, she opened her eyes.
Victoria steeled herself, ready to see the return of the wary cynicism and disapproval that had crept into her sister’s gaze since their mother’s death. Instead, however, she saw only a profound sadness.
“I don’t deserve forgiveness for what I did to you,” said Amelia quietly. “But at least let me explain myself. The reason I was so determined to keep you from the follies of love was because I once fell in love.”
Forgetting her aches and pains, Victoria sat up, intrigued. “When? And more importantly, who?”
“The year before Mama died,” said Amelia. “He was charming, intelligent, handsome. The embodiment of every dream I’d had since I’d grown old enough to have them. I was giddy with excitement when he showed interest in me, and when he asked me to marry him I thought I’d die of happiness. He told me he would love me forever and promised that he would speak to Papa the very next day. Swept away by sentiment and thinking it would last forever, I very foolishly succumbed to persuasion and surrendered my virtue to him.”
Victoria’s mouth hung slack. It just did not seem possible that her prim and proper sister would have done such a thing.
“But he never came to speak with Papa,” continued Amelia, her voice brittle. “He sent his excuses the following day, claiming illness. Too excited to contain myself, I told Papa and my dearest friend about his proposal. I waited the next day, but he never came. I sent a message. He never answered. The day after that”—she stopped and took a deep breath—“the day after that I learned of his engagement to her, the friend in whom I’d confided.”
“Who was he?” Victoria again prompted, dying to know.
Her sister’s cheeks grew bright. “The Duke of Sutherland.”
Victoria’s mouth fell open. Gossip surrounded Suth
erland. The man openly kept two mistresses in luxury, much to the annoyance of his lady wife. The spats between the pair were regular fodder for London’s rags. She thought back. Lady Sutherland had indeed been a member of her sister’s circle at one time. “Why did I never hear of this? The scandal of it—”
“There was no scandal,” explained Amelia. “I’d only told two people that he’d asked me to marry him, and neither Papa nor Lynnette wanted it bruited about. And I never told anyone that I’d been compromised. As soon as I was sure I was not with child, which thankfully I learned very quickly, I vowed never to tell. Sutherland married Lynnette by special license just three weeks later. Seven months after their wedding, she bore his child.”
Victoria reached out, took her sister’s hand, and gave it a squeeze.
Blinking back tears, Amelia laughed softly. “It shouldn’t hurt anymore, but it does. I’d been nothing more than a conquest to him. The worst of it is that Lynnette knew.” Her mouth twisted. “When I shared with her the secret of his proposal, she actually congratulated me on my success.”
“Well, she got what she deserved in the end, didn’t she,” Victoria muttered.
“I do not blame her,” said Amelia. “She wrote to me shortly after the birth of her child and told me she’d had no choice. He had seduced her, promising marriage—but requiring that they wait until his inheritance was settled before announcing their engagement. When I told her of his interest in me almost a month later, she knew he had lied to her. He’d inherited a large amount of debt rather than a fortune, and my dowry was significantly greater than hers. She had no alternative but to force his hand, especially upon discovering she was with child.”
“But she was your friend. She ought to have warned you about him.”
Amelia shook her head. “She could not do so without exposing herself.”
“She had his child two months too early,” Victoria snapped. “I should think that would be exposure enough.”
“There was speculation, yes, but no proof. Many ladies give birth early.”
