"You," Alice replied.
"What about me?"
"You, being a good friend I mean. Look around. You save me and then you put me in harm's way again."
Elizabet looked around the room and ridiculous situation they were in and smiled. "Suppose so."
"I don't know about you, but that's taken my mind off my bladder." Alice said.
"Who knew a few tears could do that," Elizabet added. "So any idea how we get out of this?" Feeling her chair move a little, she turned her head back over her shoulder and found Alice wriggling in her seat. Wondering what she was doing she found the woman call out in delight.
"Yes! Guess that chair wasn't up to the job."
"What are you talking about?" Elizabet asked. Hearing nothing but her friend exerting herself, she heard a crack behind her and asked. "What did you do?"
"Let's just say, the guy who made this thing wasn't a good carpenter," Alice said and held out one free hand with a piece of wood in it. "That fall popped out one of the spindles at the back."
"Oh, Alice, you're amazing," Elizabet said. Watching Alice as best she could with her limited view, Elizabet rested her head on the floor and looked behind her. Watching Alice bend at the waist, she heard her work on the restraints at her ankles. Throwing the rope to the far corner of the room and turning with a wide smile on her face, Alice pulled Elizabet and their chairs upright once more.
"Good job it's me lifting you and not the other way around," Alice smiled.
Watching Alice work on the ropes at her ankles, Elizabet lifted her head on hearing a noise. Looking to the door, there was no mistaking the shuffle of boots on the other side. Looking to Alice, she found the woman had heard the noise as well. Picking up the broken spindle, Alice put her finger to her lips and then ran to her chair. Looking toward the door and watching it open, Elizabet held her breath and wondered what would happen next.
Chapter 4
Not taking her eyes off the door, Elizabet felt her heart pulse wildly in her chest. Wondering who would enter, she was surprised to see only one of their captors come in.
Looking at the scene in front of him the younger man said. "Well, well, well. I thought Robert told you to stay put. How the hell did you drag her all the way over here?"
Not knowing what Alice had planned, Elizabet thought it best to keep him distracted. Still tied to her chair, she knew the only thing she could do was to keep him in conversation. "Please, whatever Charles has promised you, I'll double it." Taking up a position in front of her, she watched him smile and repeat it.
"You'll double it."
"Yes, whatever it was. Just let us go."
"Nice idea and all, but we've other plans for the two of you if this doesn't work out."
"Like what?"
Bending down, he grinned at her. "Listen, that's nothing you need worry your pretty head over. If this Charles of yours doesn't meet our new arrangement, well, there's plenty of brothels we could sell you to-"
"But that's slavery-"
"Call it what you want, but it's all money. Going from past experience—a couple of girls like yourselves will earn a tidy sum…"
Elizabet watched him stare at her chest and was brought back to her moment on the train with Frank. "You're sick, you know that?"
Ignoring her statement he pulled the bandanna back over her mouth and rubbed her cheek. "Might even take first go on you myself?"
Pulling away from his touch, Elizabet heard Alice moan softly.
"Looks like your friends coming to."
Still tied to the chair, Elizabet hoped that Alice knew what she was doing. Unable to help her, everything depended on what Alice did next. If she got taken or overpowered, any chance of escape would be over for them. She needn't have worried. Turning to see what happened next, Elizabet watched Alice spring from her seat just as her captor realized she was untied. Bringing the wooden spindle out from under her dress, she lashed out and stabbed wildly at his face. Taken by surprise and caught off balance, Elizabet watched as he tried to defend his face with one hand and reach for his gun with the other. He never got a chance. Attacking him like a wild animal, Alice never gave him a chance to recover. Lashing out with the spindle she slapped the gun from his hand and then picked it off the floor. Pointing it at him, Elizabet jumped as the gun went off. Her ears ringing with the first gun shot, she watched dumbfounded as Alice repeatedly pulled the trigger and the man fell dead to the floor. Emptying the gun of all its bullets, Elizabet watched her continue to pull the trigger. Now without the noise of the gun shots, the only noise in the room was Alice's ramblings and the hammer of the gun clicking repeatedly.
"Think it's funny raping a woman?"-Click-"Who's laughing now?"-Click-"No man will ever rape me again."-Click-"You piece of scum-"
"Alice!"
Elizabet watched as Alice turned to her. Still lost in a moment of madness, her friend looked at her as if she was a complete stranger.
"Alice. He's dead, Alice. You can put the gun down. It's me, Elizabet."
Alice looked at the gun as if seeing it for the first time and then dropped it. Coming over to untie her, Elizabet watched as Alice's hands shook. "I couldn't go through that ever again. The way he joked about it—it-"
"I know," Elizabet said and nodded her head. Helping her untie the last restraint and once free, she threw her arms around her. “Thank you, Alice-"
"I just couldn't see that happening to-"
Elizabet looked to the door and took her hand. "I know, I know. But we better get out of here. Those gunshots might be normal around this part of town, but someone's bound to come snooping around. I don't know about you, but I want to be far from here by then. I bet Tom and John are pulling this city apart looking for us." Hearing the names, Elizabet saw a weak smile come on Alice's face. "And don't forget, Missy, you still have to give me away at my wedding."
"Yeah, your wedding. That's right…"
Checking the hallway outside, Elizabet was relieved to find it empty. Not knowing how long it would stay that way, she ran back inside and headed to where the gun was. Picking it up and avoiding the corpse beside it, she met Alice at the door and took her hand. "I know it's unloaded, but it might come in handy in case we meet someone." Giving her hand a squeeze, Alice took the lead, and the pair took off running.
*****
Running through what she presumed was China town, Elizabet felt Alice tug on her arm.
"Stop."
Slowing her run, she turned and watched her friend double over at the waist. Holding her hand out as if waiting to make a statement, Alice fought to get her breath back.
"Are you alright?"
"Listen—running—through the city—might be a walk—in the park for you—but-"
"We're not far, if you like we can stop a passing carriage and-"
"No—I've already had my fill of crazy people for one day. The last thing I'm doing is getting into a carriage with a complete stranger. Just give me a minute."
Seeing a nearby shop with sacks of vegetables stacked outside its door, Elizabet led her friend there and sat her down on them. Looking around she said, "Take your time and get your breath back. I doubt anyone will try anything in the open-"
"You have heard of crimping, haven't you?"
"What's that?"
"You know taken and put on a ship against your will."
Elizabet looked around to see if they were being watched. "You think anyone would do that?"
"This isn't the best neighborhood we're in. And the way our day's been going, who knows," Alice replied and patted a spot near her. "Sit down for a moment."
Elizabet sat down and turned to her. "What's up?"
"We haven't talked about my moment back there."
"What's to talk about, you saw an opportunity and you took it. Heck if you didn't, we'd still be tied up or maybe even worse."
"I'd rather you didn't say anything," Alice said. "You still got the gun?"
Elizabet felt the heavyweight and nodded.
"We've got to get rid of it. Whatever way you paint it, I murdered that man back there. Having that gun on us isn't doing us any favors."
Elizabet nodded her head. Running around with a murder weapon probably wasn't the cleverest thing she'd ever done. Seeing a nearby storm drain, she walked to it and bent over pretending to fix her shoe. Checking that no one was looking and getting a thumbs up from Alice, she flicked it inside. Going back to her shoe, she stayed there working at it for another few moments before re-joining Alice.
"Well?"
"Nice work, didn't know you had it in you."
Looking around her nervously, Elizabet said, "We better get moving. I feel worse now not having it for protection."
"Wouldn't have mattered much anyway. It was empty."
"Come on, let's get out of here."
"One more thing—and you've got to promise me something."
Impatient to get going Elizabet asked. "What, what is it?"
"Neither of us speaks a word of what happened back there. If anyone asks, we were tied up somewhere around here and broke free before our captors came back. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Elizabet said, pulling her friend to her feet. "Now lets the hell out of here."
Chapter 5
Elizabet threw herself into Tom's embrace and held him as tight as she could, feeling him try to peel her away and ask what her what had happened, she ignored him and kept holding tightly. Waiting until she felt safe and secure, she took her head away from his chest and looked into his eyes. Now able to talk about their ordeal, Alice got there before her. "It was Charles—he had us snatched off the street."
Looking to Alice for a second, Tom turned back to Elizabet and asked. "He did what?"
"We set out early this morning, I wanted to get Alice a little keepsake—then there was this little kid and-"
Tom let her go. "I'll going to kill him. Where is he?"
"Please Tom, I don't want you to get hurt," Elizabet begged and held tight to his arm.
"I'm sorry, Elizabet, but that man's going to pay for what-"
"She's right Tom."
Elizabet watched as John came over and put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I know what you're like, let me get the local law-"
Tom took his brothers hand away. "I'm sorry, John. But I won't rest until that scum—who the hell does he think he is coming here-"
Seeing him angry and fearing that he'd do something foolish, Elizabet grabbed his face and muffled him with a kiss. Kissing him hard and not letting him go, she felt his tense body relax a little. Lifting her head away, she said, "Don't, Tom. Listen to John, he's probably on the run now-"
"But Elizabet-"
Elizabet held his head in her hands and looked deep into his eyes. "He's lost, Tom. He knows he'll never have me-"
"Plus if you hurry up and marry her, she won't be a single woman anymore."
Elizabet turned to Alice and smiled. Turning back to Tom she added, "She's right—unless you'd rather run around the city instead of marry me."
"But, Elizabet, I need to-"
Leaning in close to his ear, she whispered into it. "There's only one thing you need to do Tom. Marry me and then take me to bed." Looking at his face, she could see a flicker of a smile start to grow. Not giving him a chance to argue she leaned in again and whispered. "I'd rather you saved all your energy for that." Leaning back to see his expression she was relieved to see him smirking.
"You little madam. I could-"
"Hurry up and you can-"
"Alright I've heard enough. I don't know about you John, but the sexual tension in this room is unbearable," Alice interrupted.
Now laughing along with her, Tom had his shoulder slapped by his brother. "Well, are we having this wedding, or not?"
"You think we can get the preacher back, it is a bit late?" Tom asked.
John smiled. "I think if I raise that donation he's been asking for, I think he'll drop what he's doing."
"That's settled then?" Tom said. "So, Elizabet, fancy getting married under the stars?"
"What do you think?" Elizabet smiled.
"Right!" John slapped his hands together. "That's that settled. Ladies if you'd like to pack your things. We better get a move on, I don't know about Tom, but I'd rather you were safely back at our house in the countryside. You can do all you need to do there. I know you'll probably want a hot wash after what you've both be through." Grabbing Tom by the arm, he pulled him toward the door. "Now let's leave these ladies to get themselves organized."
"I'll be just outside the door-" Tom said.
Pushing him out the door, John closed the door on him and turned back. "Thanks, Elizabet."
"For what?"
"For earlier. I was afraid he'd so something stupid, I know what he's like when angered."
"You're welcome, you know I-."
"Shush. I understand. You're good with him, you know that. He picked a good woman."
Elizabet felt her face flush a little. "Thank you."
Nodding his head to her, John then turned to Alice and asked. "Are you any good with kids, Alice?"
Elizabet smiled as her friend stammered over her words. "Well, I—yes, why?"
"Let's just say, there's a little girl who appointed herself as flower girl. You don't mind if she helps you out with the ceremony, do you?"
"No. No, that would be great, John."
Closing the door and leaving them to themselves, Elizabet couldn't help but mock her friend. Putting her hands to her chest, she fluttered her eye lids at her. "Yes, John. I'd love to, John." Ducking her head to avoid a flying pillow, Elizabet laughed. “You'll have to do better than that.”
“I missed on purpose,” Alice said.
“Let's hope cupid has a better aim than you have,” Elizabet smiled.
Chapter 6
"Pinch me."
"What?" Elizabet asked, before screaming out and rubbing her leg. "What was that for?"
"You are seeing this aren't you? I mean, we both can't be dreaming, can we?" Alice asked.
Saying nothing in response, Elizabet leaned out of her side of the carriage and took in the enormous house that loomed before them. Although hard to make out in the dying light of the day, its silhouette gave away its huge size.
"Impressive isn't it?"
Turning to John, Elizabet saw him smile back at her. "You're not the first to be overawed by it. But you'll get used to it."
"It's gorgeous-"
"Gorgeous, it's as big as a palace-" Alice interrupted. "This place must have cost a fortune."
"You'd think that, but you'd be surprised at the price of land outside the city, Alice. You also have to remember that my father built this home twenty years ago…"
Ignoring the conversation between the two, Elizabet took in the view of Tom's family home and subconsciously rubbed the spot Alice had pinched earlier. Feeling the spot still sore, she knew she wasn't dreaming, but it still felt like a dream. In a few hours from now, this would be her new address. Even in her wildest dreams, the sights around her were beyond anything that she could have ever imagined. Feeling like the princess from one of her father's bedtime stories, she felt her heart sadden a little at his loss. If only he was here to see what she'd become. Feeling a little sad that he wasn't here to give her away, she heard John ask.
"You OK?"
"Yes, fine. Just thinking about my dad."
"I understand. Maybe he's up there with my own," John said and laughed. "I'd love to see his face on hearing that Tom is getting married. You know he'd given all hope-"
"On what?" Elizabet jumped at finding Tom hanging off her side of the carriage. Leaning in to give her a quick peck on the cheek, he asked again. "On what?"
"Dad—seeing you settle down," Tom added, "You know—you being a lost cause."
Tom cast his eyes skyward.
"Well? Have you got things organized?" John asked. "I better rephrase that. Tom, did you-?"
"Me? You still think I'm that little boy you always took c
are of, don't you?"
"So you left it to Mum and May then," John asked and shook his head on seeing Tom grin. Turning to Elizabet he asked, "You sure you still want to marry this layabout?"
Elizabet looked to the face beside her and said, "I do."
"See," Tom smirked.
Feeling their carriage slow, Elizabet watched Tom jump off and join up with a small reception group at the front steps of the house. Running up and taking an older woman's hand, he led the group toward the carriage. Moving back to allow John open the door and climb down, Elizabet took his hand and was helped down. Feeling her hand shake a little in his, he leaned in and whispered. "Relax, you'll be fine. She might look fierce, but she doesn't bite."
"Thanks."
"Now you, Alice."
Moving aside and watching him help Alice down, Elizabet turned on hearing her name mentioned.
"Mother, this is, Elizabet," Tom said.
Elizabet froze and tried to find the right greeting. "Mrs Winston."
"So this is the famous, Elizabet. I've heard so much about you," the woman remarked and took her hand.
Elizabet felt her face blush. "Nothing bad I hope."
"You've had quite an adventure since you've come to San Francisco."
"A little, yes."
"Well, you're safe now Elizabet. We've got an associate of John's tracking down that horrid man as we speak."
"Thank you."
"And you must be Alice."
Elizabet turned as her friend came forward. Watching them exchange pleasantry's the whole group turned on hearing a child cry out.
"Father!"
Coming down the stairs, Elizabet watched a little girl who she presumed was Amy pulling an older lady in tow. Looking as excited as any little girl could on seeing her father, Elizabet watched John picked her up and look her over.
"You look beautiful, button."
"Oh father, is it true, Tom's getting married tonight?"
John nodded his head. "Are you sure you're not too tired to be flower girl? I mean if you, are we could get someone else to do it."
Mail Order Bride: Journey's End: A Mail Order Brides Western Romance (Love On The Line Book 2) Page 2