Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady by Innocent Lady Notorious Rake

Author:Innocent Lady Notorious Rake [Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady]
Language: ron
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Julia doggedly gripped the reins that separated the narrow box seat from the ground several feet below. Her shoulders and arms ached from the strain. She needed all her strength to keep the team of four on the road as the coach bounced towards Dursley Hall. They had conquered Oswalt’s men, managing to subdue them. Once they recovered they would have to spend precious time regrouping, redrafting their plans. It was unlikely Oswalt’s men would catch up to them before they reached Dursley Hall. But that victory had been accomplished at a great price.

The coachman lay dead in the carriage and Paine was wounded. The cut must be a burning torture on this rutted road. Beside her, grim-lipped and pale, Paine had his eyes fixed on the road before them, watching for any sign of trouble as a way of staying alert.

A man dead and another wounded. All because of her. Julia could not overlook the facts. Her mad scheme to elude Oswalt had led directly to the coachman’s death. She had meant to be smart in outwitting Oswalt’s perverse desire for a virgin bride. At the outset, she’d honestly believed she was only risking herself. The falsity of that belief had been made painfully clear to her today.

‘Are we still clear?’ Julia asked, trying to make conversation, fearing Paine might lapse into unconsciousness if she didn’t keep him engaged.

Next to her, Paine dared a glance backwards, checking to see if Oswalt’s men had caught up and were even now darting out of the woods that lined the road.

‘Nothing. We’re safe,’ he breathed.

‘How much farther?’ she asked. It seemed she’d been driving for ever. Time had become meaningless. Darkness would settle shortly and she feared that the most. If they were far enough from Dursley Hall, perhaps Oswalt’s men were waiting for the light to fail. In the dark, she and Paine would be hard pressed to out-manoeuvre them again.

‘Just two miles.’ Paine grimaced, turning paler than he had been. ‘Julia, listen to me, there’ll be a turn in the road, it marks the entrance to the Dursley parkland. Turn and then head straight, the road will lead you to the hall.’

Just two miles. Julia said the words over in her head like a Catholic litany. They had to be the longest two miles she’d ever travelled. Then, just when she thought they were safe, five riders loomed in front of them as they neared the turn in the road.

Five magnificent dark horses spanned the road like a barricade. Julia felt her panic rise. She would never make the turn or be able to crash through them and remain unscathed. Her skill was only hours old. Julia fought back her terror, but she couldn’t refrain from the scream that bubbled up in her throat.

Paine laughed beside her in spite of his injury and weariness. ‘Don’t be frightened, Julia love, it’s merely my brother. We’re safe now.’

Julia’s fear turned to relief. At last, she could lay down her burden. She pulled the carriage to a halt with the last of her arms’ strength.

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