The Widow Vanishes by Grace Callaway

Author:Grace Callaway [Callaway, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical Regency Romance
ISBN: 9781502461698
Google: MfPZrQEACAAJ
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Createspace
Published: 2013-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

As much as she'd enjoyed Percy's company, Annabel was relieved when McLeod politely declined the other's invitation for supper. She had so many questions, all of them better asked in private. She managed to contain herself until he and she boarded the hackney to his residence.

"Did Todd accept your payment on my behalf?" she said.

Seated beside her in the jostling vehicle, McLeod took her hand. "The matter's settled, Annabel," he said in a deep, calming voice. "You have nothing to worry about any longer."

Unease tiptoed up her spine. "You're not answering my question. Did he take your money? Whatever expenses you've incurred on my behalf, I will find a way to pay you back."

"I've already told you that is unnecessary."

"Not to me," she persisted. "Did he want more than five hundred pounds?"

McLeod released her hand. "It wasn't that simple."

She should have known. "What did he want?" she said through dry lips. When he remained silent, she said more insistently, "Tell me, McLeod. I have a right to know."

He sighed. Scrubbed the back of his neck. "Todd wants me to deliver his enemy to him. A rival by the name of Harding."

Annabel's blood chilled. Her hands flew to her mouth. "McLeod, you can't!"

"It's one job. After that, you'll be safe. And I'll wash my hands of Todd for good."

"But the danger—" Her chest constricted at the thought of harm befalling the Scot. Because of her. "I cannot allow you to take such a risk for me."

"It's naught to fret over. I'm to monitor Harding's schedule and report the information back to Todd. When the time comes to the actual capture, Todd's men will do the dirty work."

She shook her head. "It's too dangerous. First thing on the morrow, I'll go to Todd and—"

"The hell you will." He grabbed her arm, his dark eyes burning into hers. "Todd will hurt you, do you understand? He won't be satisfied with five hundred quid or even a thousand. It's no longer about the money. In his eyes, you've smeared his reputation by running, and the vicious bastard will take pleasure in making you pay. The same way he made your dead husband pay."

"He—he said that?" she said, her voice quaking.

"He vowed it, unless I give him Harding." McLeod tipped her chin up. "Accept that this must be, lass. I have no choice—and neither do you."

Heat pushed behind her eyes. "I'm sorry, McLeod. I've brought you nothing but trouble."

"Aye, you've brought some trouble. Brought something else, too—which I'd like to discuss if we're done with the matter of Todd."

What else could she say? Remorse clogged her throat. She'd placed them both in vulnerable positions. If she went to Todd now, she might end up dangling from a tree like Randall. But if anything happened to McLeod ...

Her heart throbbed in her ears. She felt woozy, disoriented as the truth blazed in her head. Though she'd only known William McLeod for a short time, she cared about him. Their fates had been forged together by sheer intensity, the life or death game they played with a dangerous foe.

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