“Pay just for the drinks,” Helen said as she gave her bandaged elbow a look of appraisal. “There’s no charge for the food.”
Caroline made an attempt to tell the woman there was no need, but the woman was steadfast in her decision.
When Helen left, William sat staring at Caroline. “Servant?” he asked. “I, at one time, had dozens of them.” He shook his head. “To think me just a servant…” He dropped his head. “I did not mean to degrade the place of a servant. I apologize.”
“I understand,” Caroline said, and she did understand. This man had spent his life being trained as a gentleman in order to enter society; a far cry from where he was now. “You can have servants again one day, can you not?”
“My aspirations are far greater than just having servants again,” William replied. He shook his head, as if trying to rid it of some unwanted thought and then returned to his food.
They spent the remainder of the meal in relative silence. The lamb was as wonderful as Helen had promised. Caroline was surprised when she found her plate empty. William, however, had finished long before her and was leaning in his chair enjoying another mug of ale.
When they rose to leave, Helen rushed up to Caroline and threw her arms around her as if they were long lost friends. “Thank you so much for what you did,” the woman lamented. “If you come this way again, stop in and say hello.”
“I will,” Caroline replied.
William gave an amused smile. “Miss Caroline, I would be happy to secure your bag with the dignity you require.” He bowed, but not before giving her a quick wink.
“Oh, I’d like a servant,” Helen said dreamily. “And a handsome one like him, to boot!”
“Yes,” Caroline said as she watched William walk toward the door. She could not stop the smile that formed on her lips. “He is handsome, is he not?”
***
Small clouds of dust flew around them as they continued their ride. They had left the pub not an hour earlier, and Caroline could not help but smile as she reflected on what had occurred. There was a satisfaction in helping the woman, but her declaration of how handsome William was only made Caroline’s smile widen.
It was not a new discovery, for Caroline always thought him an imposing man. However, it was the manner in which he pretended to be her servant—and the crooked smile that accompanied his performance. The kind spirit she had seen before and that she found endearing bloomed in him. Yet, truth be told, more than a smile had risen in her, for a stirring in her heart brought to her a mix of emotions. She found it pleasant, and yet a bit disconcerting.
She had no romantic notions toward the man, yet the feeling she had when he walked out of the pub had come dangerously close. Had they been romantic notions? She had only experienced them once, and with this man years before. It was all so confusing.
One thing was certain; for now, she would watch and wait to see if he held such emotions himself, for if there was one thing she did not want to do, it was to make a complete ninny of herself.
The horses trotted along, and they rode in silence surrounded by rolling hills, a large field ahead of them.
“You make a good servant,” she said with a tiny giggle. “I may employ you with my share of the treasure.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “I would serve you well,” he replied.
“Oh?” Caroline asked with amusement. “Do explain.”
“A good servant would remind you daily of how wonderful you are,” he said. “It would be with honor that I would serve your food.”
Caroline laughed. “I would have you clean…” She paused as if to think, “the stables! Yes, that is all I would allow you to do. What do you think of that?” The teasing made her heart flutter in ways it never had before.
William shook his head. “The stables?” he asked in mock astonishment. “I thought to serve you inside your home. It may be much more lucrative for you, as well, for the only payment I would require would be to see you every day.”
Caroline’s heart skipped a beat and her throat went dry.
“However,” he said with a sigh, “to be left in the stables away from you, that would be a punishment.”
She gripped the saddle, afraid she would fall from it. What had begun as a journey for treasure was turning into those romantic notions that had concerned her earlier, and she scolded herself inwardly for allowing that to happen. She had given thought to the advice Doctor Brown had given her, and she had no doubt that one day she would open her heart to someone. Though she had forgiven William, their past contained too much bad blood to allow more than a simple friendship. No, she needed to clarify their standing, and soon.
A tickle at the nape of her neck made her glance over her shoulder.
She returned her gaze ahead. “William,” she said as she stared at the forest that was still a ways away, “I need you to listen to me.” She tried not to glance behind her again, but it was difficult to not do so.
“What is wrong?” he asked.
“It is important you do not look,” she said, her neck muscles tight from her fight to keep from looking back herself, “but the two men from the pub? They are following us. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but they are not far behind.”
Caroline knew that many women held amorous ideals that included men who were brave, strong, and caring. Granted, those were all admirable traits, but one attribute of the perfect man never broached was his ability to listen and pay heed to what a woman had to say.
“Following us?” he said with a laugh. “Why would anyone follow us? We appear much too poor to own anything of value, and I doubt rather highly they want your medical bag.”
Against her instructions to not do so, he turned and looked behind them, and Caroline groaned. Romantic notions aside, the man was as deaf to a woman’s words as any other, and she wanted to scream at him in frustration.
Chapter Fifteen
When he had pretended to be a servant to Caroline, it did not escape William’s notice that the two women had referred to him as ‘handsome’. Hearing them speak in such a way had nearly made him stumble, for he found the words as sweet as wine. Of course, he still thought Caroline beautiful, and she found her words on what she would have him do if he were her servant amusing. Yet, he would do anything she asked of him if it meant atoning for his previous treatment of her, as well as having a means to be near her.
Yet, that notion was silly. He did not love her, and she certainly had no such feelings for him. He had been stripped of everything meaningful, and though he did not believe she was a woman after money or title, she could do far better than he. Any man of common stock who had work, who had not spent time in prison, or been caught with a dead prostitute—or a live one, for that matter—would be much more appealing to any woman. No, he and Caroline would part ways once the treasure was divided, and he would not blame her one bit for making such a decision.
He had other plans that did not include her; though, if she were at his side, perhaps he would feel whole once more. If he had ever truly felt whole, which, after so many years to consider his life, he doubted he ever had. Regardless, he wished fulfillment of whatever dreams she had, including opening a charity in order to help others, a noble and worthy cause that exemplified her spirit.
Their banter had been a welcome distraction from the monotony of the journey. The remainder of the time had been spent in consideration for his plans. However, when she stated that men were following them, he could not help but laugh.
“Following us? Why would anyone follow us?” He gave his clothing a meaningful glance and laughed again. “We have no carriage, nor do we wear clothing that would say we have money to give. I can assure you they are travelers like us and nothing more.”
“You fool!” she hissed, her voice low.” Do you think these men are out for a stroll? Perhaps they are going to the forest to recite poetry, then?”
His anger flared. “I am no fool,” he said. “They are on the same path as us. You worry for
nothing.”
Caroline shook her head, and he clenched his jaw. He might admire the fact that she had taken notice of the two men, for William had paid no mind to anyone they encountered on their journey thus far. The poor simply did not rob the poor.
He glanced back again. The men had drawn closer, had they not? However, he dismissed it as his imagination. Her words had made him become suspicious.
Then she increased her speed, her jaw set and her eyes forward, and he clicked his tongue to get his horse to move alongside hers.
“You truly believe they wish to rob us?” he said, unable to keep the shock from his tone.
“Yes,” she replied. “Or worse.”
He went to tell her she was allowing her imagination to get the better of her, but when he looked over his shoulder once more, he realized that the men had gained ground and were drawing even closer. “You just might be right,” he said. “They are following us, and they are gaining ground.”
“To the forest,” Caroline said, “It is our only chance.” She snapped her reins and leaned over the horse’s neck as it darted ahead.
William, amazed at her riding skill, did the same.
***
William could now make out the malevolent grins of the men, and they had yet to reach the forest. He glanced at Caroline and knew what he had to do; he may have lost everything in life, but one thing he still possessed—pride. He was still a gentleman and therefore could not allow any hard to come to Caroline, even if it meant giving his life in exchange for hers.
“Do you remember how to get to the cave?” William asked in a loud hiss. “The one about which I told you?”
“I do. Why?”
He looked over his shoulder once more; the men had drawn closer. They had little time to waste. “It is all yours,” he said. “Now, ride ahead. Find a way through the forest other than the main road. I will take care of these men.”
His hope had been that she would be difficult to find in the woods, and too far ahead for them to catch up with her. One of the riders made an attempt to pass him, but he reached out and grabbed the man by the shirt. Both fell to the ground with a thump. William rolled to his knees and raised himself to a standing position in one swift movement, but the man who had fallen with him struggled to catch the breath that had been knocked out of him, giving William the opportunity to grab him by his shirt and pummel him.
Unfortunately, the second man had jumped from his horse. “Let ‘im go,” he demanded, the sun glinting off the steel of the knife he held in his hand.
William had no choice but to do as the man requested. As long as Caroline was able to get away, that was all that mattered.
“What’re ye running for?” the man with the knife asked before giving him a grin that showed multiple missing teeth. “Scared, are ye?”
William squared his shoulders. “I am scared of no man,” he said. When both men took a step toward him, he added, “Cowards fight in groups.”
“We ain’t no cowards,” the other man said, his face covered with gray stubble. “Just hand over what ya got.”
“We shall fight as gentlemen—one at a time,” William said, raising his fists and placing himself in a fighting stance, which brought about laughter from the men. “If you win, you may have the two coins in my pocket.”
“Keep ‘em,” the stubble-faced man said. “We just want ye horses and yer woman.”
When the man licked his lips, anger exploded in William. He would not allow these men to lay a hand on Caroline. He would fight until dusk if it prevented them from doing so. However, any notion of that disappeared when Caroline’s voice came to his ear.
“Gentlemen,” she said in a loud, clear tone, “step away from him.”
William turned and his eyes went wide. In her hand, she held a large scalpel, and the manner in which she held it showed she knew how to use it.
“Or what?” the man with the knife said with a mocking laugh. “Are ya gonna hurt me?”
William considered attacking him right then, but with Caroline so close, he did not want to risk it.
“Yes,” came Caroline’s firm reply. “Or your friend. I am not foolish enough to believe that I am able to kill you both, but I will kill one of you, for that I am certain.”
“She’s lyin’," scar-faced said. “Kill him and then grab her.”
Caroline shrugged. “Go on, then. He’s just a servant, and servants are easily replaced. However, know that, as a trained doctor, it will take but one cut from this,” —she held up the tool— “to make you bleed. I know precisely where to cut to draw blood that cannot be stopped. Well, not by the common man. One of you will bleed to death before either of you have touched me. Or my servant.”
The men hesitated, and Caroline took a step forward. “Have you heard of Butcher Mary?” she asked as if asking for directions.
Butcher Mary? William wondered. Who was this woman?
However, these men seemed to know of whom she spoke, for Stubble-face nodded. “Yeah. What about ‘er?”
Caroline narrowed her eyes. “Who do you believe taught her the skills she possesses?”
Scarred-face reached out and took hold of his friend’s arm. “No need to get nasty,” he said in a shaky voice. “We meant no ‘arm.”
Both men walked backwards, though the man with the missing teeth did not put away his knife until they reached their horses. Then they both mounted and rose back toward the village from which they had come.
Though William breathed a sigh of relief, he turned and looked at Caroline. “You should not have done that,” he snapped. “I had planned your escape. You were safe, and then you…” His words cut off as she turned and glared at him, her cheeks a bright red.
“They could have killed you,” she said angrily. “They had a weapon, and you did not. To send me ahead just so you could die is neither brave nor heroic. It is only foolish. Now, we should be on our way. I believe we are safe, but they may find their courage again and return to search for us.”
He returned to his horse, but he could not stop the shame and ire that built in him. This was the second time she had called him a fool, and her words did not bode well. What had been meant as a noble deed in order to redeem himself had failed, and she could not have been more right in naming him as she had.
After one more glance in the direction of the village, he clicked his tongue and dug his heels into the horse’s flank. Would he ever become the man he once was? Or was he destined to be simply a man no better than the two Caroline had managed to drive away?
What bothered him more was the relief he felt when he realized that, when he had looked back behind them, no one was following them.
Chapter Sixteen
Sunset was fast approaching, and though they had stopped twice in order to water the horses and to take a short reprieve, Caroline was exhausted. During both stops, she had strained to listen for any signs their earlier pursuers had returned, but they had not, for which she was relieved. Since entering the woods, William had said little, and she regretted naming him a fool. He, like most men, was proud, and as soon as the words had left her lips, she wished she could have taken them back. However, what he had done—besides ignoring her initial warning—was indeed foolish.
A small creek came into view. They had left the main road early on, a means to keep the men from finding them, and the forest grew thick around them. They followed what she assumed was a path used by wildlife, and if they did not stop soon, the sun would set, leaving them in complete darkness.
“We should stay here this evening,” she said.
William grunted what she assumed was agreement, though he did not speak any words. Leave it to a man to communicate like an animal!
They dismounted, removed what they needed for the night from the back of their horses, and then led the animals to a patch of grass beside the creek. Despite her initial assessment of the animals, they had done a fine job thus far and were deserving of a treat.
She glanced over at
William, whose jaw was clenched, and she sighed. “Is there a problem?” she asked. If they were heading for an argument, it was best to have it out now rather than later when it had more time to fester. However, William simply shook his head as he tied his horse to a nearby tree. He said nothing as they returned to the campsite.
“I will gather the tinder,” he said finally, the first words spoken, besides short commands, since their encounter earlier. He did not wait for her response before heading off.
Caroline could not stop another sigh from escaping her lips. She flicked out her blanket and then removed the bottle of brandy and the two mugs from the bag. Without warning, images of what had happened earlier returned, and she shivered at the thought of what the men would have done if they had called her bluff.
William returned and placed the tinder on the ground. He used several large stones to create a ring, and Caroline removed the flint and steel from their sack.
“Would you care to try?” she asked, hoping to offer an olive branch. However, rather than accepting her offer, he snorted. She pursed her lips as she squatted to light the fire, and soon the tinder was crackling.
He continued to stare at the fire as she poured the brandy. “I believe tomorrow we should stop at a village, if it is possible. We are in need of more supplies. As well as brandy.” She added a small laugh, but it did nothing to bring one forth from him.
“Whatever you wish,” he replied dully. “I am but your humble servant. If it were not for you, I would have died today. Never again will I attempt to make a fire or say where we must go.”
Caroline had had enough of this man’s immature behavior. “I no longer wish to hear any more of your complaining,” she snapped as she rose and placed her hands on her hips. “I know my words hurt you, but I was correct in saying them.”
“Is that so?” William asked, rising as well. “I am a fool, am I?”
Though she did not want to hurt him further, it was imperative she speak the truth, for it was the only way this man would be forced to see it. “Yes,” she replied, firm in her answer. “Those men were dangerous. I warned you, and you refused to believe me.” Her anger was so great, she was breathing hard and she fought back tears. “You seem to forget, or perhaps you simply did not know, but there are those out there who mean to do others harm for their own gain.”
Redeeming The Rake (Delicate Hearts Book 3) Page 9
