A Reckless Runaway

by Jess Michaels

  “That explains a great deal.” Ellis looked even more grim. “Once he heard from this person, Leonard disappeared from London a few days ago. Rook, he’s headed to Harcourt Heights. He found out about the connection between the broken engagement and me. I think he intends to take what is his.”

  Rook’s heart felt like it had been torn from his chest. “He’s a killer,” he said, trying to process it. Trying to understand what in God’s name it meant for Anne and her family.

  “I know,” Ellis said. “No one knows that fact better. But right now we have to get back there. Because if he doesn’t find what he wants, he might just wipe them all out for spite.”

  Rook didn’t wait for more information. He simply pivoted his horse and nudged him into full speed on the path back to Harcourt Heights. This time he wasn’t searching for anyone and he was racing at a much higher speed, but he knew it would likely take him at least half an hour to make it back.

  What damage could Leonard do in that time?

  Ellis urged his horse faster as the path widened and positioned himself beside Rook as they ran. Rook glared at him. “You did this,” he growled.

  His cousin flinched. “I know. I know I did it. I have hated myself ever since.”

  “Some good that will do Anne and her family if we don’t reach them in time.”

  Ellis shook his head. “No. You and I are working together now. You and I will fix this.”

  Rook was happy to be riding because if he hadn’t been he knew he would have swung on his cousin for that comment. “You are out of your mind,” he snapped instead. “I am not working with you. I would never work with you again. I’m trying to save the woman I love. That is what matters to me now. If it happens to save your sorry hide, too, then fine. But hear this, Ellis—you and I are finished. I want nothing to do with you.”

  He saw that his words hit the mark by the way Ellis’s expression collapsed. There was a moment when he saw the same ten-year-old boy who had saved him from certain horror at the hands of his mother’s cock bawd. The same boy who had taken him under his wing and treated him like a brother rather than a cousin.

  But then Ellis hardened himself. The boy was gone, replaced by a man who had surrendered his scruples for money and power. The one who had gotten in so deep that he had lost who he was. The cocky bastard returned then and he gave Rook a half-smile.

  “Then you’ll have your wish,” he said, and slowed his horse so he was riding behind Rook again.

  Rook had no time to analyze that, though. They crested the hill overlooking Harcourt Heights, and Rook pushed his horse to the limit as they careened down the hill and through the gate. When he pulled the horse up short on the drive, he flung himself down and shouldered his way through the door before Willard could open it for him.

  The butler looked stunned as he stared at him. “M-Mr. Maitland,” he stammered. “Do you have Miss Shelley with you?”

  He stared at the man, his mouth dropped open in horror. “Anne? Where is Anne?”

  She entered the hall from an adjoining parlor. “Rook!” she cried, and ran toward him. He met her halfway, gathering her against his chest as Lord and Lady Harcourt and Mr. Shelley joined them in the foyer.

  He stared at their drawn expressions. “What happened?”

  Anne looked up at him, and he saw a bruise on her jawline, dark and purple. He brushed his fingers across it. “Winston Leonard?”

  “Yes.” Her voice shook. “He…he broke into the house and found your note. He knows you have the code, and he took Juliana thinking that she was me and he could bargain with you using her.”

  “Jesus,” Rook muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. “If only I’d known sooner, I might have been able to stop him.”

  “Known? Known about Leonard? How?” she asked.

  “I told him.”

  Rook had all but forgotten Ellis was behind him in his haste to reach Anne, but now the entire group turned toward his voice. For a moment there was stunned silence, but then all hell broke loose as everyone began shouting at once as they recognized Ellis from their various encounters.

  “What the hell are you doing in my house?” Harcourt cried out at last over top of the rest, and his commanding voice silenced the others.

  Ellis tipped his hat. “My lord, I apologize for our last meeting. But I think we’d best forget our difficult past because if Juliana Shelley has been taken by that bastard, we have a limited time to get to her before Leonard…” He looked at the other two women with an apologetic expression. “He kills for sport as much as purpose. So I’d suggest we figure out where he’s going and get there.”

  Anne stepped forward. “He said Donovan Hill.”

  Harcourt pivoted. “I know the place. It’s about ten miles from here. An hour’s ride on fast mounts.”

  “Then you best get those mounts up here, my lord,” Rook said. “One for me and for my cousin, as well, to replace our tired horses. Because we need to leave right now.”

  Harcourt nodded and, with a quick glance toward Thomasina, raced from the house. Anne glared at Ellis, but then grabbed Rook’s hands. The feel of her touching him filled him with relief once more.

  “He wanted to take you,” he said, pulling one hand free and pushing a loose curl from her forehead.

  She nodded. “He thinks I matter enough to make you do what he wants.”

  “You do,” he said, because he wasn’t going to lie when only Juliana’s bravery had saved her.

  “But he told me only you could come to meet him,” she gasped. “Please, he said he’d kill Juliana if he saw anyone other than you.”

  Rook shot his cousin a look. Ellis had slunk back to the door and was now pretending not to see the icy glares Thomasina was shooting him as she spoke to Willard near the stairs. Mr. Shelley just looked confused, like he wasn’t entirely certain what was happening.

  “I am the only one he will see,” he said. “I swear to you, I’ll get your sister back and put an end to this.”

  Horses thundered to the doorway, servants coming down from two of them as Harcourt called out, “Let’s ride.”

  Rook leaned down and pressed a kiss to Anne’s lips before he moved away at last. “I’ll see you soon, with your sister by my side.”

  Anne and Thomasina followed the men out. As Rook and Ellis seated themselves on the fine horses, Harcourt leaned down to kiss Thomasina deeply. “Be careful,” she whispered.

  Anne looked at Rook. “Yes, please be careful. That man is unhinged. And I don’t trust your cousin.”

  Rook glanced at Ellis again. “You don’t have to trust him. Please trust me.”

  “I do trust you.” She lifted her chin and that strength of steel came into her expression again. “And I love you.”

  Rook held her stare for a beat, and then turned the horse and followed Harcourt and Ellis from the house. As a farewell went, it was not a satisfying one.

  He hoped he’d be able to return soon for a better one.

  Anne reached back to catch Thomasina’s hand as the men exited the gate on their horses, riding hard with dust pluming up behind them.

  She didn’t look at her sister as she said, “We’re following them, aren’t we?”

  Thomasina laughed and looped an arm around her waist. “Our horses are being brought up now.”

  “Just a moment,” Mr. Shelley said, blinking as he staggered down the stairs toward them. “You two are in no way going to chase after those men on this fool’s errand.”

  Anger lifted in Anne and she was about to retort, but Thomasina shocked her by stepping up to their father. “Everything that has happened is thanks to you, sir. To you and your cruel arrangements that never took your daughters’ happiness or comfort or safety into account.” She poked a finger against his chest. “And this is my house. And my decision. You have nothing to do with it. You don’t care about any of us. So go drink yourself stupid while you wait to find out if you have any daughters left.”

  Their father blinked an
d so did Anne. Thomasina had never been the one to confront anyone. And yet here she was, giving their wretched father the set down he had deserved since the moment their mother left this earth.

  Thomasina was stronger now. Because of love, it seemed. As their father staggered off into the house, muttering curses under his breath, Anne tucked her beloved sister closer. She felt Thomasina trembling as they watched two more fine horses being ridden up from the stable.

  Everything had changed in a few short weeks. In her life she had always been the bad sister. Thomasina had been the good one. Juliana had been the strong one.

  But in that moment she knew she and her sister would have to be strong together now. For Juliana. And Anne would have to be strong for Rook, too, even if he claimed not to want that.

  Chapter 22

  Donovan Hill was a desolate place. There had been a fire in the woods a few years before, and the vegetation was low and scrubby but for a circle of trees on the top of the hill that hadn’t been touched. It was an eerie sight to ride toward it.

  Rook brought his horse up short. “He chose the place because he’ll be able to see an attack. You two will have to walk up, probably even belly crawl.”

  Harcourt nodded and shot Ellis a dirty look as he dismounted. “Can he be trusted?”

  Ellis got off his own horse and glanced at Rook. “My cousin feels as darkly about me as you do, my lord. You both have your reasons. But trust that I want to end this with Leonard, if nothing else. I won’t fail you.”

  Harcourt still sent a questioning look toward Rook and shrugged.

  “I don’t think he’s lying.” Rook sighed. “We have little choice but to believe him either way, we need all the help we can get.”

  Ellis hardly reacted to his dismissal except for the slightest tightening of his jaw. But Rook saw it. Knew the pain it represented.

  “There’s a low scattering of scrub to the north side of the hill,” Ellis said. “I’ll come from that approach. Harcourt, I would suggest the west, as there is similar cover.”

  As Ellis crept away to find position, Harcourt surprised Rook by squeezing his arm. “Good luck and be careful. We have your back.”

  “I don’t deserve it,” Rook said. “But I thank you. Be careful.”

  Harcourt didn’t argue and there was a grim line to his mouth as he crept away to his position. That left Rook to ride closer alone. He took his time to give the men the opportunity to find their places, and also because he thought Leonard would keep his attention on his approach. That might give the other two more cover.

  But at last he reached the base of the hill. He swung off his mount and moved up the hill path. As he crested the hill, he saw Winston Leonard in the middle of the clearing. Juliana was tied hand and foot before him, a dirty rag in her mouth. Her eyes widened as Rook neared, and he saw the terror on her tear-streaked face.

  “Don’t worry, darlin’,” he drawled, playing along that she was Anne. “I’m here now.”

  “See, I told you he’d come,” Leonard said with a nudge for Juliana with his foot. “Besotted as he is.”

  She stared at Rook, holding his gaze. Her eyes were so like Anne’s, and all he could think about was if he failed and had to tell the woman he loved that he’d lost her beloved sister. It would break her. So it couldn’t happen. It wouldn’t.

  “And I’m here,” he said softly. “I want to give you what you want, so why don’t you let Anne go?”

  “I don’t think so,” Leonard drawled as he reached down to place a hand on Juliana’s head. He smoothed her hair almost gently. “You’ll stay in line if she’s right here with me. And there must be a price to pay for all the foolishness your cousin has put me through.”

  Rook stepped closer. “Then let me pay it,” he said. “Take me and what I have. You can torture me if you need to count a cost. You can kill me if you must. Just let her go.”

  “Now that is a fine idea,” Leonard said. “Maybe we can get Ellis to come along. Let him watch me kill you like he watched me kill Harcourt’s brother. What do you say, gentlemen?”

  He called the last question into the air, and Rook flinched. Leonard knew he hadn’t come alone.

  “Come on out now or I put in bullet in both of them,” Leonard said louder.

  There were rustlings in the bushes. Ellis came up onto the hill first and shook his head at Rook apologetically. Harcourt came next, his face lined with pain and devastation.

  “You murdered my brother,” he hissed as he stepped up next to Rook. “I will see you hang.”

  “I don’t think so,” Leonard said. “You didn’t listen, gentlemen. I told that little girl to make sure only Rook came and that if the rules were broken, Anne Shelley would die. I keep my promises.”

  “No!”

  Rook froze at Anne’s voice, coming from the pathway below. He spun around to watch her racing toward him, Thomasina at her heels.

  “Thomasina!” Harcourt cried out in anguished horror to see his wife coming into danger. Rook couldn’t blame him. He felt much the same way. Though he supposed he should have known Anne wouldn’t listen. She did what she did. She protected who she protected. He loved her for that as much as anything else that was wonderful about her.

  “Please,” Anne begged, her gaze still locked on Leonard. “I am Anne Shelley. That is Juliana, I vow to you it is true. Take me if you must. Let my sister go.”

  Leonard stared at her, then down at Juliana. And in that moment if confusion, Ellis looked at Rook.

  “I’m sorry,” he said softly. Then he lunged forward and hit Leonard at the knees.

  Anne screamed as everything on the hilltop seemed to move in slow motion. As Ellis Maitland hit Leonard and toppled the man off kilter, his gun went off with a bang so loud her ears rang from it. She saw Ellis flinch, saw blood expand in an immediate circle from his right shoulder, but before she could fully understand what was happening, Rook had her hand and was hauling her down and covering her body with his.

  Harcourt jumped for Thomasina and did almost the same thing, diving on top of her as they watched Ellis and Leonard struggle together, locked in combat. But it was evident Ellis was injured from the gunshot, and Leonard flipped him over, rising up to rain down punches as Ellis tried to fight him off.

  “No!” Rook screamed, pain lacing his voice. He pushed Anne behind him and reached into his boot. He withdrew one of those throwing knives he’d shown her on the island what felt like a lifetime ago. He flicked his wrist the same way she’d watched him do so many times, and the knife circled in the air over and over.

  It found its mark, hitting Leonard high in the shoulder, near the neck. He let out a howl of pain and Ellis flipped him, sending him rolling off and partway down the hill away from the rest.

  “Get him!” Ellis roared. Harcourt and Rook both stumbled to their feet. Harcourt began to look for the gun that had been abandoned in the fight. Rook flatfooted his way toward Leonard, who was yanking the knife from his shoulder with a curse. He flopped onto his back, panting as blood poured from the wound.

  Ellis was obviously injured, but he didn’t stop there. Anne watched as the man who had tricked her, the man she hated for his lies, inched toward her sister. He cradled Juliana gently, working at the ropes around her wrist as he said something softly that Anne couldn’t hear.

  Rook was just inches from Leonard when the bastard darted out a foot and caught Rook in the chin.

  “No!” Anne cried out as the man she loved staggered slightly, and that gave Leonard enough time to flip to his feet. He lunged forward, slashing the blade he’d tugged from his shoulder toward Ellis and Juliana.

  Anne heard her sister’s muffled scream of pain and felt the tingle of sensation on her own cheek as the blade found its mark in the side of Juliana’s face. Ellis roared and grabbed for the knife, yanking it by the blade as if the knife didn’t cut him as he did so. He kicked Leonard hard and twisted the knife away, causing Leonard to fall back as Rook and Harcourt rushed forward toward him.r />
  The bastard got up and ran down the hill, the other men at his heels.

  “Juliana!” Anne screamed.

  She and Thomasina both rushed for their sister. Her eyes were wide, and she reached her hands up to touch her bloody face as she looked from them to Ellis. He was racing to untie her wrists and ankles now, and then reached up to cover the wound on her cheek.

  “There now,” he said softly as he applied pressure. “You’re fine. Look at me now, angel. You’re fine.”

  Juliana’s breath came short as she stared up at him. “It hurts.”

  He flinched at that statement. “I know it does.” He grabbed for Anne’s hand and yanked it forward to cover Juliana’s cheek. He pressed it hard there, against the warmth and wetness, and glared at her. “Push hard. I have to help Rook and Harcourt.”

  He rushed away then, leaving the sisters to tend to their wounded. Anne held tight against Juliana’s injury, shaking her head as she sobbed. “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. It’s my fault.”

  Thomasina cradled Juliana against her chest, smoothing her hair as she gently rocked her to comfort her. “It’s not your fault,” she whispered. “It’s not your fault.”

  But as Anne tried to help her sister, she knew that wasn’t true. And she also knew it wasn’t over.

  Harcourt raced back up the hill toward the sisters with Rook and Ellis close behind. Rook’s anger burned within him. Leonard had escaped. They couldn’t catch him, for his horse was tethered too close by. He had ridden away, finally reaching a wood in the distance, and vanished.

  With Juliana injured, none of them felt they could make chase. Which left them returning to the women, empty handed and unable to stop the horror that had taken place.

  Ellis stopped as they neared the top of the hill and grasped Rook’s elbow. Rook stared down at his cousin’s mangled hand, then back to his face. Ellis had never looked so drawn, so pale, in his entire life. “You’re injured,” Rook said.