As another round of musket shots swept across the fields, a howl of pain erupted from the figure who was lagging behind. He slumped forwards in his saddle, before toppling to the ground. Luke hurried to reach the figure, leaping down from his own saddle so he could apprehend the foe.
“Keep after them!” he called, as he focused on the fallen man.
Edmund pulled up beside him. “I will aid you, Brother.”
“Then aid me,” Luke barked, as he dove upon the wounded individual. They wrestled in the dirt, the highwaymen injured but desperate to get away. Fists pummeled his chest and tried to strike at Luke’s face, but Luke was too quick. He ducked and dived out of the way, struggling to grip the fellow’s wrists and pin him to the ground.
A moment later, Edmund jumped down and seized the wretch, jerking his arms behind his back until the highwayman yelped in Luke’s face. Freed from the weight of the fellow, Luke managed to get to his feet, gripping his arm around the highwayman’s neck in a tight hold, both brothers behind the highwayman, subduing him.
“Stop struggling,” Luke hissed. “You will not escape.”
“Let me go!” the highwayman snarled back. “Let me go or you’ll regret this. You’ve no idea what yer gettin’ yerself into.”
“I suggest you be quiet.” Luke gripped him tighter.
“Oh aye? And I suggest ye watch ye back.” The man writhed to break loose, but Luke would not relent. Even if he only managed to capture one of these villains this night, that would be enough of a start for him. Answers could be gained from someone like this. Getting him to talk might prove more difficult, but Luke was determined. More determined than he had ever been before.
“Stop struggling!” Luke repeated. “You are wounded, and if you have any hopes of surviving, you will cease your struggle this instant. We will see to it that a physician examines your injury. If you do not stop, there will be no such generosity. We will allow you to bleed to death, and then where will you be? Do you think your fellow highwaymen will come to your aid? I do not think that is likely, do you?”
The highwayman suddenly sagged in his arms. “Yer makin’ a mistake.”
“No, I do not think that I am.” Luke dragged him toward Moonstruck. As Edmund held the man tight, Luke took a coil of rope from Moonstruck’s saddlebag and wound it around the highwayman’s wrists, making sure he would not be able to escape.
In the near-distance, Luke watched the rest of the men pursue the remainder of the highwayman’s band. Weapons fired at random intervals, the echo sending a shudder up Luke’s spine. Let us take more than one, please. However, the highwaymen seemed to have found their pace, and were keeping ahead of the armed guards. Some of them even turned to fire their pistols back towards their pursuers, but Luke did not see any of his own men fall. Much to his relief.
After ten more minutes, he watched the highwaymen disappear into the forest that stretched across the far rise. A moment later, the guard turned around and began to make their way back to where Luke and Edmund were standing. It was clear they had given up, and Luke could not blame them. Somehow, these highwaymen knew the terrain better than his men, especially in the gloom. And if they were to enter the forest to continue their pursuit, there would only be bloodshed. There were too many places to hide, those wretches using the darkness to their advantage.
“Our apologies, My Lord,” the first guard said, as he pulled his horse to a halt. “They evaded us. Do you want us to pursue them into the forest?”
Luke balled his hands into frustrated fists. “No… no, that will not be necessary. You may investigate the woods at first light and see if you can find any trace of them. But I believe it would be unwise to follow them into the forest at this moment in time.”
“First clever thing ye’ve said,” the highwayman muttered.
“Keep quiet, or I will have you gagged,” Luke shot back.
The man shrugged. “Suit yerself.”
“Come, we should return this fellow to the house. There is an outbuilding by the stables where we may keep him, until we can decide what to do with him,” Edmund said.
“A good plan, Brother.” Luke cast him an appreciative smile.
Together, they bundled the highwayman onto the back of Edmund’s horse, strapping him to the saddle with another coil of rope. Once he was securely fastened, Edmund began to lead his horse back to the Rowfex Estate, limping considerably. Luke dismounted his own steed, and walked alongside. He wanted to offer Edmund the use of his horse, while he led the prisoner, but he knew that would only irritate his brother. He did not like to have his weaknesses pointed out. And so, Luke simply walked with his brother, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on the vile rogue they had captured. If he even so much as wriggled in a way that Luke did not like, he would pay for it dearly.
A sense of despondency settled across the group as they made their way back to the house, though there was a faint undercurrent of victory. After the reign of terror that these people had swept across the local area, it felt good to have finally caught one of them. Luke had hoped for more, but this would be enough for now.
“Can you ensure that this man is suitably incarcerated?” Luke asked Edmund, as they made their way through the gates of the estate.
Edmund frowned. “Why? What could be more important than this?”
“I must reassure Miss Dowels of your silence,” he replied. “After all, the terms of our race were clear. You will not speak a word of what you saw tonight. And you will not interfere any further.”
Edmund narrowed his eyes. “You cannot be so foolish. Come now, Luke, we must do this together.”
“She will be worried. I would like to ensure that her fears are dispelled.” Luke smiled. “You will keep your end of the bargain, will you not?”
“Luke, I—”
“It is a simple question, Brother. Either you uphold the terms of our bargain, or you break them. And I always knew you to be a gentleman of your word.”
Edmund sighed wearily. “Very well… I will uphold my end of the bargain. I will not say a word of what I saw, and I will not interfere. However, I urge you to stay away from her. Do not dishonor her. Do not put her in danger. She is not for you, Luke, and if you pursue her, you will only cause trouble—for the both of you.”
“I merely wish to comfort her, and quell her fears about losing her position,” Luke replied defensively.
“Well, see to it that is all you do.” The warning lingered in Edmund’s voice. “Miss Dowels is a lady of pure heart and generous soul. Do not take advantage of that, because, I promise you now, our family will not forgive you if you cause a scandal. And your younger siblings will not forgive you if Miss Dowels is sent away because of you.”
“If you stay quiet, there will be nothing to concern yourself over.” Luke held his ground. He had won the race, fair and square. “I will not do anything to bring dishonor to Miss Dowels or our family. I know you think me an idiot, Brother, but I am smarter than you think. I would never do anything to embarrass our family.”
“See that it stays that way,” Edmund replied curtly. “Now, if you are intent on abandoning us, I must continue with my duties. This fellow must be locked away.”
Luke nodded. “Make sure there is a guard on him at all times.”
“I suspect it is you who thinks me the idiot.” Edmund smirked. “This fellow will have no way to escape when I am done with him. You may be assured of that.”
“Good.” Luke handed the reins of his horse to the footman who had approached from the house. Yes, this was the moment he had been waiting for—the knowledge that he had captured one of those highwaymen, at long last. But, right now, he had something far more important to attend to.
Chapter 14
Teresa jolted as a knock echoed through the door. She had taken to her bed whilst she waited for Luke’s return, and realized she must have fallen asleep somewhere along the way. Disoriented, she got up and walked toward the door. Opening it, she peered out to find Luke standing on t
he landing, a smile upon his face.
“My Lord?” she gasped with relief.
“I hope I am not disturbing you?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. I confess, I was waiting to hear news from you.”
“You must have been worried?”
“Very worried.” She lowered her gaze. “I watched you depart with all of those guards, and I feared the worst.”
“You have nothing to fear.” He stepped closer. “We apprehended one of those devils, and we will find out what he knows as soon as the sun rises.”
She covered her mouth in surprise. “You managed to capture one of them?”
“We did, Teresa, and I would say that is cause for celebration. Would you not agree?”
Teresa’s throat constricted as she gazed upon him, wishing to feel his touch again. Their moment had been cut painfully short, and she hoped they might begin again, precisely where they had parted in the empty dining room.
He seemed to be thinking the exact same thing as he moved towards her, his hands slipping about her waist and pulling her close. Her breath hitched as she felt his body pushed flush against hers, her palms pressing against his firm chest in order to steady herself. Even without the touch of his lips against hers, she could not stop herself from trembling in anticipation of that delicious connection.
“I have thought of nothing but you,” he murmured, lifting one hand to her face.
“It is the same for me,” she replied, with a shy smile.
“I will get your necklace back. Now that we have captured one of them, we are one step closer to discovering who is responsible for this. And they will be made to suffer for what they have done to you.” He stared at her in earnest, making her heart race.
“I appreciate everything you are doing for me, though I wish it did not have to be quite so dangerous. I worry for you, so very much, Luke.”
He grinned. “Say my name again.”
“Luke.” She chuckled softly, the laughter stolen away as his mouth caught hers. It felt as though no time had passed as she sank into his embrace, relishing in the sensation of his lips teasing hers. Her arms looped about his neck, while his hands held her hips, pulling her against him. She gasped in surprise as his tongue coaxed her mouth slightly open, allowing herself to adjust to this new feeling.
Emboldened, and following his example, she let her tongue dance with his, finding the sensation very pleasant indeed. Spurred on, she kissed him more deeply, her fingertips running through his curls and tugging gently. He moaned with pleasure, his teeth grazing her lower lip and making her whimper with desire. There was something about the roughness of the act that made her pulse quicken.
All her life, she had been sheltered from this part of humanity. Naturally, she had known that such things went on, and that love-making was a necessary part of marriage, but she had never thought she would find someone who inspired such passion in her. She’d overheard men in the inn of her village boasting about their coarse encounters, but there was nothing coarse about this at all. Even the way he gently bit her lip felt sensual, instead of violent.
“I adore you, Teresa,” Luke rasped against her neck, as he kissed her throat.
“And I adore you,” she replied, her body feverish against his touch.
Lazily, she looped her arms about his neck as she pulled him in, kissing him hard on the mouth. Who needed the stiff, formal dances that were still going on in the ballroom below, when she could have this instead?
Truly, as worried as she had been, this felt as though it was worth every possible risk. And yet, she hoped they would not have to suffer for their affections, for how could something so wonderful be a punishable act?
Chapter 15
Edmund stared at Luke across the breakfast table, trying to sense any sort of change in his brother. After depositing the highwayman in the outbuilding beside the stables, and ensuring a guard watched over him at all hours, Edmund had gone in search of his brother, but had been unable to find him. He had paused outside the door to Miss Dowels’ bedchamber and had listened closely for any untoward sounds, but only silence had echoed back.
“How is our captive?” Luke broke the silence. They were the only two dining, given the early hour. After all, dawn had only just risen on the horizon, casting its dusky light through the dining room windows. It would be hours before the rest of the family awoke, having stayed up so late for the ball.
“Safely locked away,” Edmund replied. “Did you speak with Miss Dowels?” He had to ask. He could not remain quite any longer. If Luke had done anything to dishonor her, he knew he would not be able to keep it from his mother and father. The Rowfex Estate meant everything to Edmund, and he would not allow Luke to ruin it. In any way.
Luke nodded, giving nothing away. “I did, and she was glad to hear that I had won our race. She was worried, as I said she would be. But now, she knows she has nothing to fear.”
“I trust you did not linger long with her? You know it is uncouth for a gentleman to be alone with a lady, with no chaperone.”
“I was the perfect gentleman,” he replied, his expression still frustratingly blank. “I spoke with her upon the threshold of her bedchamber, and then I took a turn about the gardens to gather my thoughts.”
“You did?” Edmund frowned.
“Yes, I did.”
“Are you sure of that?” Edmund could not read Luke, but he did not quite believe what he was being told. And yet, he did not have any evidence to prove that Luke had behaved otherwise.
Luke sipped his tea. “I am, Brother. I needed a moment to breathe, and so I walked towards the forest.” He paused. “I suppose I hoped I might happen upon the rest of those highwaymen, though I doubt it would have ended too well for me, if I had.”
“We should interrogate the fellow as soon as we can,” Edmund said. He was not going to get any other story out of his brother. Of that, he was certain. Luke had always had an exceptional ability to lie. “I thought it might be best if you were to lead it, as you were the one to capture him.”
“I thought the very same thing,” Luke replied. “Are you finished with your breakfast?”
“I am.”
“Then we should not waste another moment.” Luke scraped back his chair and wiped his mouth on his serviette. Dropping it to the table, he crossed the room and disappeared into the hallway before Edmund had even set down his knife and fork.
Rolling his eyes, Edmund hurried after his brother, the two of them exiting the house and heading for the outbuilding by the stables. A faint dew clung to the lawns, and a subtle chill drifted across the estate. However, the sky was clear overhead, suggesting a warm day was on its way.
Two guards stood on either side of the rickety door, their muskets propped against their shoulders. They bowed as the brothers approached, then stepped aside to grant them entry. Luke went first, much to Edmund’s chagrin. Even though he had suggested that Luke should be the one to lead the interrogation, he hated the way that Luke expected the privilege. After all, Edmund was the elder brother.
Entering the outbuilding, Edmund spotted the crouched figure in the corner. At least you had the sense to remain where I put you. The fellow shuffled slightly, blinking up at the brothers as the pale sunlight glanced through the open doorway.
“I won’t say aught te ye, so ye needn’t bother,” he rasped.
“We shall see about that.” Edmund glowered at the fellow. A strange, confused look flickered across the man’s face, as though he had not expected harsh words to come out of Edmund’s mouth. He thinks me weak, no doubt, as everyone does.
“Tell us who you work for,” Luke added, the two brothers closing in on the hunched figure.
“I won’t,” he replied.
Casually, Edmund turned and took a riding crop down from the wall, where all of the extra stable accoutrements were kept. Stepping past Luke, he brought the crop down on the arm of the vagabond, the slap of it ricocheting through the room. The man yelped in pain, quickly co
vering the spot with his hand.
“I believe my brother asked you a question,” Edmund said.
“I won’t say a word!” the highwayman retorted.
Sighing, Edmund snapped the crop harder against the fellow’s chest, forcing the man to hiss sharply through his teeth. Another whip followed, and another, until tears began to form in the highwayman’s eyes.
“Then perhaps we should start with your name.” Edmund narrowed his eyes.
“I won’t tell ye that neither,” the man snarled.
“Then, I fear this is only the beginning,” Edmund warned, as the guards outside closed the door, leaving the highwaymen at the mercy of the two brothers.
An Untamed Governess For The Rogue (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 12
