A Woman of Love by Marlow Kelly

Author:Marlow Kelly [Kelly, Marlow]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Victorian, Scarred Hero/Heroine
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2015-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

In the half-light before dawn, the figure loomed like a menacing apparition. Annabel grabbed James’ arm, thankful he was with her. It was hard to believe they had known each other for less than a day. She already trusted him, and felt safer with him by her side.

“Damn it, Nicholas, why didn’t you tell me she had a daughter?” James barked.

There was a striking resemblance between James and the stranger; both were tall and broad, with the same dark hair. Their facial features were so similar they could have been twins except the newcomer was clean-shaven, his hair clipped short, and his face unscarred. But where James was intense and brooding, this newcomer had a relaxed smile that was reassuring.

“Don’t smile at her,” James snapped. He turned to Annabel “He’s at his most dangerous when he grins like that. The only time you can trust him is when he’s growling.”

“Did you say a daughter?” Nicholas cut in, ignoring James’ gibe. His smile had vanished.

“You didn’t know?”

“No. I took her at face value. She was always so aloof. A beautiful young woman…How can you be sure she’s telling the truth? Everyone believes she wants the money and status. She married a lord, for God’s sake.”

“She doesn’t want the money. She wants to keep her daughter alive. Are you going to help us or not?”

They were facing off like two prize rams about to butt heads. As much as Annabel appreciated James’ faith in her, she couldn’t afford the delay. Something in the back of her mind, a tingle of cold fear, warned her, she had to reach Beth. Immediately.

“Shut up both of you.” She forced her way between them. “None of this is important.” She turned to Nicholas. “Do you have transportation?”

“Around the next bend.” Nicholas nodded toward another curve in the road.

Without waiting for them she ran, and was gratified when they followed. Annabel climbed inside the open carriage. James sat opposite while Nicholas took up the reins, goading the horses to a gallop.

“This crafty beggar is my brother, Nicholas Carlton of Carlton Investigations,” James shouted to be heard above the noise of the speeding coach.

“His illegitimate brother,” Nicholas said over his shoulder.

“Why do you need to point that out?”

“Because it’s obvious. She would have noticed. We have different last names.”

“Nobody cares.”

“They do. It’s you who doesn’t care.”

They were bickering again. Good God. How were they ever going to save Beth if they couldn’t stop fighting?

“At this moment, I don’t care,” Annabel announced.

“See.” James needed the last word, like a five-year-old arguing over a toy.

“Once Beth is safe in my arms you can revert to being young boys if that’s what you want, but for now I expect you to behave like grown men.”

She glared at James who stared out over the lush, green fields and hedgerows of the Berkshire countryside. She suspected he was trying not to smile. A glance at Nicholas’ back made her imagine he was doing the same.

Nicholas gained control first. “What’s your daughter’s name?”

“Beth.”

“How old is she? Will she be able to run for help if we need it?”

“I doubt it.

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