The Black Knave by Patricia Potter

Author:Patricia Potter
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
ISBN: 9781504002899
Publisher: Open Road Media Romance

Seventeen

Bethia had never been so physically frightened in her life.

She had been frightened for her brothers when they joined Prince Charlie’s army, and particularly after she heard of the slaughter. She had been frightened for herself when she’d been married to a man she did not know. But she’d never experienced anything like this pounding in her heart.

For the first time she understood the male predilection for battle. She had never been so terrified; neither had she ever felt so alive.

She’d had to hide her uncertainty well. If she’d shown one second of fear, she would have lost every one of the small group the innkeeper’s brother had found. They had been dubious enough about her size, but her plan had changed their minds. ’Twas a fine plan, everyone agreed. A plan worthy of the Black Knave.

Each also wanted Geordie Grant to receive his due. He gave them all a bad name. To scare the life from him, and also to take his boat, seemed suitable repayment, enough to gag other potential traitors.

Miraculously, it had all gone as planned. There were six of them, all masked, including Bethia. The five local men easily captured the three English soldiers still watching Geordie’s small stone house while Bethia remained in the shadows. ’Twas important that she not be injured, since she was the only one to talk. He might recognize the voices of the others.

Heavy, dark clouds blotted any moon or starlight, and a light fog made visibility impossible. Her heart beat faster than it ever had before, and once—when she heard a grunt, then a heavy thump—her breath caught in her throat. Her entire body tensed, shivers of apprehension running through her. What right had she to endanger these men? She, who had no skill at any of this?

A great hulking form dressed in dark oil cloth materialized over her. “It is done, lad. None of ’em will be botherin’ us this night.”

They approached the house and Bethia, clad in the black cloak and a piece of cloth masking all but her eyes, drew herself as tall as she could and entered with the rest. With pistols trained on Geordie Grant, Bethia threw down the jack of spades and watched the man’s face pale with terror.

With more confidence than she thought she possessed, she castigated him in a husky voice for turning on his countrymen. Then she told him they were taking his boat, that Drummond was waiting outside.

She watched as he was tied loosely, while three other men ran down and pushed the boat into the sea, holding it there until Bethia had finished her part, making Grant believe he was indeed talking to the Black Knave. Leaving the card on the table, she ran down to the beach with the innkeeper’s brother. He helped her into the boat, and the small craft swept out into the sea as its sails were unfurled.

The sea scared her witless. The small fishing boat plunged and lifted with the heavy seas; she nearly tumbled off before she learned to keep a good hold.

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