A Notorious Love (Swanlea Spinsters Book 2) by Sabrina Jeffries

Author:Sabrina Jeffries [Jeffries, Sabrina]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2009-10-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Then here is a health to the lass,

That the risk of her life she has run;

She tricked the highwayman completely

Out of his horse, money and gun.

“The Highwayman Outwitted,”

from a broadside by Harkness

A sickening premonition settled in Helena’s belly as she watched Mr. Wallace come abreast of them. He reined in his dappled mare but did not dismount. Instead he sat staring down at them with a superior gaze, his hands resting on the pommel of his saddle. So Daniel suspected him of cutting the traces? Or had she misunderstood?

Mr. Wallace did seem inordinately satisfied by the damage to the gig. “Looks like the traces broke—a pity, that. But it was half in the grave anyway. I s’pose it was only a matter of time afore it fell in.”

“Or was pushed in,” Daniel said evenly.

Mr. Wallace ignored Daniel’s comment. “I tell you what. I shouldn’t want yer missus to have to walk. I can’t carry you both, but I can carry her, at least. So why don’t I take Mrs. Brennan into the next town and send somebody back for you and the gig while you wait here?”

“Not bloody likely,” Daniel ground out, coming to her side with instant protectiveness.

“I may be ‘crippled,’ Mr. Wallace,” she put in, “but I can walk sufficiently to reach town, I assure you.” It was a blatant falsehood, but the very thought of going anywhere with the villain made her cringe. She slid her hand into the crook of Daniel’s elbow. “Besides, I prefer to stay with my husband. But we would be obliged if you would send someone to our aid once you reach town.”

Her hand shook, and Daniel slid his over hers to give it a reassuring squeeze.

“Come now, Mrs. Brennan,” Mr. Wallace said in a placating tone, “you wouldn’t want to be sittin’ out here till evenin’ waitin’ for help, would you? After dark it can be dangerous.”

“She isn’t going anyplace with you,” Daniel said, “so you’d best be on your way. If you truly want to help, you can send someone back for us both. But we’ll manage all right if you don’t.”

Shaking his head, Mr. Wallace reached into his pocket and pulled out a cruel-looking flintlock. “I didn’t want to have to do this, Brennan, but you force me to it. Yer wife is comin’ with me, one way or t’other.”

Helena dug her fingers into Daniel’s arm. Merciful heavens, anyone who’d go so far as to draw a pistol was surely not to be trifled with!

“You might as well put that away,” Daniel warned. “You only have one shot, and you’ll have to kill me with it before I’ll let you take her.”

Mr. Wallace leveled the pistol on Daniel. “Now that’s a tempting thought—”

“No!” Releasing Daniel’s arm, Helena stepped between him and Mr. Wallace. This was partly her fault for blundering in last night where she hadn’t belonged, and she wouldn’t allow Daniel to die for it. Besides, she had a plan. “I’ll go with you as long as you don’t harm Daniel.

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