Love Disguised by Lisa Klein

Author:Lisa Klein
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2013-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

When Peter and Davy ran, Will ran after them. He did not stop to think. He knew only that he could not stand by like an idle lackey while Mack took on Roger Ruffneck. Without a sword he was swift and agile. He had Mack’s pistol securely tucked inside his belt. The desire for revenge pulsed through his veins.

Will’s mind was working as fast as his legs. What would he do if he caught Davy and Peter? The odds were against him in a fight. He would demand their purses, and if they had twenty-five crowns between them he would take the money and let them go. If they tried to overcome him he would fire the pistol. What if he happened to kill one of them? His dreams would die at the end of a hangman’s rope. He decided he would only threaten to use the pistol.

Keeping Peter and Davy in his sight, Will dashed through the maze of streets, dodging chickens and small children. Slowly he gained ground. He was close enough to smell the cloying French perfume that trailed Davy like a cloud. He could see the dandy’s boots coming apart, the heels flapping.

“Just take them off,” Will heard Peter shout.

“Nay, these cost me ten shillings!” said Davy, mincing along on his toes.

Will saw the crash coming. But Davy was looking over his shoulder at Will while the handcart piled with straw and dung creaked its way toward him. By the time he turned around again, the cart was upon him and he ran headlong into it. The carter lost control and tipped his load and Davy into the street. With a loud crack the cart broke into pieces.

Will supposed it was a sort of thieves’ honor that made Peter stop running when Davy fell. Or it was dumb surprise. Will soon caught up with them, halting just short of the malodorous mess.

Davy crawled out of the slime and shouted at the carter, “You rank and crusty dung dealer! I’ll sue you for ruining my clothes.”

“The devil take you! I’ll sue you for breaking my cart.” The enraged carter began to beat him with a shovel.

Peter pushed the carter, who growled and turned on him. Will heard the crack of a bone breaking. Peter howled and grabbed his twisted left arm with his right. The carter swung around again and hit Davy in the head. He was a powerful fellow with arms as big around as hams. Will knew he should act and stop the mayhem. He put his hand on the pistol.

The blast stunned even Will. The carter dropped his shovel and fell backward onto his buttocks.

“You killed him!” said Peter.

Will stared at his hand holding the smoking pistol. The carter didn’t appear to be bleeding. About three feet away was a blackened, bowl-shaped hole in the street. Will’s relief was immense but momentary. He was holding three miscreants at bay with an empty pistol.

“Hold, all of you. I’ll shoot the next man who moves!” he said.

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