Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
I remain steadfast, and when the horse is within reach, I turn with it as it passes and grab the reins, bracing myself to be hauled along and perhaps dragged to my death. ‘Flaming hell!’ I roar, my shoulder jarring violently, being pulled right back out of the socket.
But still, I do not let go, and my tenacity (and pain) pays off. The horse yells, bucks, and tosses the rider from its back, and she hits the ground with a harsh crack and a high-pitched yelp.
I release the horse, crashing to the ground beside her, but before I can instruct my good arm to reach for her and capture her in my arms, she’s up and running away, the horse bolting in the opposite direction. ‘No!’ I bellow, jumping up. I look down at my lifeless arm, grit my teeth, take hold of a nearby meat hook, and yank against it, coughing when it pops back into place. ‘Fuck!’ I choke, heaving, about ready to throw up. But … I look up and see her getting farther away. ‘Oh no,’ I say, running after her as fast as my agonising shoulder will allow, which isn’t fast enough. But she has a limp, hampering her, too, and I start to gain on her. She looks back. Starts to grab the rubbish that has been discarded in the alleyway, throwing back boxes and fruit crates, anything she can lay her hands on to slow me. Too bad for her, this is as close I have got, and will probably ever get, to ending this mystery. I must confirm my suspicions! I am within reach, and I swoop out my arm, grabbing her brown jacket, and tackle her to the ground. I take no pleasure in the sound of another pained yelp from her.
I wrestle with her, and boy does she put up a fight, thrashing her arms and legs, her hat getting lost in the fight, her dark hair coming loose flying everywhere. Our exhausted breaths drench the air, her grunts, my grunts, her hisses, my hisses. Neither of us are prepared to give up, but I am stronger, far stronger, and I eventually get her onto her back and straddle her waist, pinning her arms down above her head.
‘My God, woman,’ I pant, my damn shoulder screaming, a few cuts and scrapes stinging too. Aware she has lost, she accepts and settles, at my mercy, her chest swelling violently as she fights to catch her breath with me. I stare down at her long dark hair, as I transfer her wrists into my one good hold. I reach for a lock, twirling it between my fingers. Coarse. So coarse. And I frown as a familiar scent invades my nose.
My eyes dart to hers, now that I can see them.
Long lashes.
Green eyes,
I exhale sharply and yank her scarf down. ‘My God,’ I breathe, scrambling back, shock overcoming me. ‘Taya?’ What the hell? Am I dreaming? Having a nightmare? I blink rapidly, perhaps hoping the vision before me might morph into someone else, but when I open my eyes again, I am still staring at the woman I love.
She stands, reaching up to her head, and pulls the dark wig of horse hair off, revealing her mane of beautiful, wild blonde hair.
‘I … what … can …’ I shake my head and get to my feet, my mind completely tangled.
‘Hello, Frank.’
My mind is full of plenty of words and questions, but I cannot seem to string them together and get them out of my mouth. ‘You?’ This doesn’t make any sense. None at all. Why would she, a lady, the daughter of a duke, wreak havoc on the ton? Why would she rob her own people? Risk certain death if her identity is discovered?
‘Yes,’ she says, simply, flicking her hair out of her face, wincing and feeling at her neck, massaging her nape. ‘Me.’
My mouth falls open, and one of my million questions, when my brain chooses to enlighten me on them, is answered. ‘My God, you used me,’ I say, a hurt like I have never experienced before overcoming me. She made me fall in love with her to protect herself, so that I may never be able to reveal who she is.
‘I suppose I did.’ She breathes in deeply, nibbling her bottom lip.
Johnny is right. It is reckless to pursue outlaws.
My heart feels like it splits straight down the middle. ‘I cannot believe I have been so stupid.’
‘You must understand, Frank, that––’
I raise a hand to silence her, unable to find any words. My pain multiplies. I came here to plead to her emotionless brother for his blessing, and the whole time she was using me? She told me she loved me. My God, does she have a heart? Anger rises, and if I don’t walk away now, I might regret my words. But my mouth doesn’t appear to get the message. ‘I cannot bear so much as to look at you.’ I point a finger at her, outraged, and feeling so very foolish. My God, I bet she wasn’t even a virgin. I have been completely hoodwinked. ‘You are, without a doubt, the worst kind of harlot, and I have had plenty of those in my time, I assure you.’