by Wendy Vella
Tired, worried, and still simmering with anger, Alex dismounted at the Red Breast behind the stagecoach. If Hannah had remained on the coach, she should be inside. She was cunning, however, so he could not afford to discount the possibility she would not be. Running a hand over his face, Alex prayed he would walk inside the door and find her. He needed to know she was well, because his stomach was twisted into knots after hours of imagining terrible scenarios that had befallen her.
He’d realized over the miles he and his brother had travelled that Hannah was in his blood now. Yes, he’d felt something for Hannah Wooller the minute he saw her, but had not allowed himself to see it clearly. Implicating him in her charade had forced them closer together, but it was not until he had held her in his arms and tasted her sweet lips that he realized just what she had come to mean to him.
“Good day to you, sir.” Alex took off his hat and nodded to the man he found tending the horses. “Are you the driver of this stagecoach?”
“I am.”
“Excellent. I’m seeking a passenger.”
“They’re all inside eating their evening meal before retiring, sir.”
“Is there a young woman among them?” Alex pulled out several coins and handed them to the man. “Dark hair, blue coat and bonnet?” The woman he’d met called Letty had told him about Hannah’s coat and how fine it had been, because a friend of hers was a seamstress and had made if for her. One thing Alex had also learned about Miss Wooller was that she had excellent storytelling capabilities.
“Yes, she’s on board.”
“Thank you.” Alex looked to the door that would lead inside and thought about how Hannah would react when she saw him. He had to remain calm, talk to her rationally, because there was no doubt she would be upset. Walking toward the inn, he battled the need inside him, but seconds later he was running. Taking the steps in a single leap, he headed for the noise of several combined voices and entered the room. His eyes passed over each person, but of Hannah there was no sign and Alex felt his heart plunge back to his toes.
“Who arrived on the stage?”
“I did.” A man stepped forward.
“The young woman who accompanied you here, where is she?”
“Not sure. She got off the stage with us, but we haven’t seen her since, sir. Lovely lady, Helen was her name. Actress, and is heading north to join her father’s travelling show.”
God’s blood, his head hurt, Alex thought, pinching the bridge of his nose. The other occupants of the room eyed him warily, and Alex guessed that was because his hands were clenched and he looked ready to beat the hell out of someone.
“She’s playing Miranda in The Tempest,” another man said. “Is that the lady you’re after?”
“The very one,” Alex snapped, then turned on his heel and stalked through the door, to begin checking every room, even the kitchens, for Hannah. When he had completed his search of the rooms upstairs he headed back outside.
“Hannah!” He threw back his head and roared. “Show yourself at once!” It was a futile hope, Alex knew that, but still he was furious enough to try.
“No sign of her then, sir?” A lady carrying a basket joined him. “For what it’s worth, you may be better off without her. She took me to task about carrying my boys in the coach. Right uppity, she was.”
“Boys?” Alex questioned in an angry growl the woman failed to heed.
“Indeed, Bill and Jed,” she said, lifting the lid. Inside, curled into a ball sleeping, were two ferrets. “They hurt nobody, and keep an old body company, and the miss wanted them gone she did.”
“You have my sympathy, madam,” Alex snarled before making his way back to the coach. He opened the door, but there was no sign of Hannah inside. He headed for the stables; he would check there next.
“Can I help you, sir?” The voice came from behind a horse.
“Is there a woman in this stable, average height, pretty with dark hair?” She had to be somewhere Alex thought, looking around. Her bags were still there.
The man straightened, resting a forearm on the horse’s rump. “There was a woman here, she just left on a horse.”
“What!”
“Paid me handsomely, said it was urgent and that she would send for her luggage soon if we would hold it for her.”
“I need my horse at once!” Alex ran down the stalls until he found it. Opening the door, he was relieved it was still saddled. Leading him out, he quickly mounted. “Which way did she go?”
“Right,” the man said as Alex cantered past him and out the doors.
You won’t escape me, Hannah Wooller, Alex thought, urging his horse on. She hated riding, and according to her father was hopeless at it, even after a handful of lessons, so she had simply given up and travelled everywhere by carriage… until now. Looking at the darkening sky, he cursed. Stupid, bloody woman.
Hannah held the reins in one hand and the horse’s mane in the other. The man had given her a sidesaddle, but that had proved to be unstable at a gallop, so she had swung her leg over and while that was uncomfortable, she was steadier. At least, she tried to tell herself she was. She wasn’t dressed for riding, and her skirts were up her thighs, and soon her legs were chafed, but Hannah had only one thought when she’d seen Alex. Run, and do it fast. She needed to put distance between them, and would have to do so in the dark. How had he found her so soon, when she had covered her tracks carefully?
She would have to get off the road, as he would come after her when he questioned the stable master and catch her in no time, as his equestrian skills were excellent, unlike hers. When she’d seen him there was a moment of pure joy where her heart had urged her to run to him, and then she’d remembered the danger he would be in if she did so.
Slowing to a walk, she entered the trees and followed a narrow path that she hoped would lead to a posting house or somewhere to stay for the night. The light had dwindled and with the leaves now forming a ceiling over her head, she knew the going would be difficult.
“But we are not scared, are we, horse?” Hannah said the words out loud to calm herself. The only sounds here were the rustling of leaves and soft thud of hooves on the hard-packed earth. Where was she? Would this path lead anywhere, or was it taking her back the way she had come? Her eyes swung left as she heard the sound of a branch snapping.
“Is someone there?” Should she turn and retrace her steps? Looking behind her, she thought that was possibly the best prospect. Perhaps Alex had gone now and it would be safe. Her horse stopped suddenly, and Hannah grappled for the reins as she started to slide sideways, but she was too late, and ended up on the path.
“Are you hurt?”
She tried to breathe, but no air was forthcoming so she simply continued to gasp. Hands steadied her and leaned her forward.
“Easy, breathe slowly now, Hannah.”
She did as Alex told her to, and finally the air came back into her lungs with a rush and Hannah was able to breathe deeply.
“G-go home, Alex, please.” She was reluctant to look at him because if she did, she feared she would never look away again.
“Are you hurt, Hannah?”
“No.” She let him lift her to her feet, and then stepped away, putting distance between them before she gave in to temptation and hurled herself into his arms. Forcing herself to look at him, she saw his anger. It clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes. “I am well,” she lied, ignoring the pain in her wrist. “I wish to continue my journey alone.” Trying not to wince at the abused muscles in her body, Hannah made for her horse.
“Do you really believe I will let you simply mount up and ride away from me again?”
Hannah glared at the horse as she grabbed its reins. Bloody beast, had it not stopped when she was ill-prepared, she could have escaped. No, you couldn’t have, and you’re a fool for even thinking it.
“I am an adult and it is my choice to do this, Alexander, therefore, you must respect my wishes.” She was quite pleased that her tone was calm, even composed.
“Now I should like to leave. Good day to you.” She did not look at him, so when a hand wrapped around her waist she shrieked. Her scream echoed around the forest as Alex swung her up in the saddle before him.
“Move and I shall bind your arms; say one word and I shall gag you.” The words were growled into her right ear. Seconds later he had collected her horse’s reins and they were starting back down the track she had just ridden.
Something in his tone made her skin prickle. It had been intimidating. But this was Alex, Hannah reminded herself. He would never harm her. Still, there was no doubting the fact that he had been changing before her eyes since she had enticed him into being her pretend beau.
“Alex, I—”
She felt him move and then he was stuffing his handkerchief in her mouth. Hannah gagged and spat it out, but she did not speak again. She would marshal her arguments for when he was calmer, then she would explain why she could not return with him to London.
It was dark when they reached the Red Breast. Hannah doubted the inhabitants had all found their beds, and wondered what Alex would do now. He could not force her to accompany him into the Red Breast, and if she screamed, surely help would come and she could have him restrained, which would give her time to flee. But then if she did flee, he would simply follow when he was able.
He rode into the stable and dismounted, leaving her on top of his horse. He led them along the row of stalls until he found an empty one.
“Duck,” he said.
She did, lying along the horse’s withers as they walked into the small box.
“Help me dismount please, Alex.” Hannah looked down. This horse was taller than hers, and the ground seemed a long way.
“You can stay up there until I return, and if you do manage to get down and run, Hannah, I will follow, and this time you will wish I had not caught you.”
“I wish that already,” she said, watching him close the stable door with a decisive thud, he then shot the bolt, locking her inside with his horse.
“How am I to run if the door is locked!”
“I would put nothing past you, madam!”
Taking a much-needed breath, Hannah then looked to the ground once more. If she fell it would hurt, but no more so than what she had endured from her last tumble. She attempted to slide off the horse, then was halted rather abruptly as her coat and skirt caught on the pommel. Pulling the coat free, she was not so lucky with her dress, and it tore.
“Why am I surprised?” Hannah muttered.
Her body hurt, her wrist throbbed, but fear and anger were keeping the pain to a manageable thud. She had to convince Alex to let her leave, if not tonight, then at first light with the stage. It was the only way to protect him.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Alex organized a room, had Hannah’s bags taken up to it, and explained to the proprietor that she was his wife and they had been quarrelling, but had now reunited. It seemed she was not the only one with theatrical tendencies. He then threw enough money at the man to stop him asking questions and opening his mouth to the other guests, who were all still eating and supping ale with their ferrets.
Stalking back to the stable, he thought about the woman who awaited him. That fall must have caused her pain, yet she had simply brushed it off, raised her chin and walked back to her horse, determined to leave him once more. He would have laughed if he still knew how. Although his fears had eased, anger still simmered. She should have trusted him.
Reaching the stable, he took the saddle off her horse and gave him food and water before throwing the bolt on the stable door he’d locked her in, and walking back inside.
“What the hell are you doing?” Standing on her toes, she was wrestling with his horse’s head.
“Removing its headwear.”
The horse was not impressed, throwing his head upward repeatedly, dislodging her hands. Alex stepped forward before she got hurt.
“Why?”
“Because he cannot be comfortable wearing that and its seat.”
“Bridle and saddle,” Alex said, lifting her to one side before deftly removing first the bridle, and then the saddle.
“I don’t care what they are called,” she snapped. “I was attempting to help him, but he seemed determined to refuse my help.”
“Wise boy.” Alex left the stable to get water and feed. Returning, he was surprised to see Hannah where he’d left her, as he’d half expected her to make a run for it.
“There is no need to be insulting, Alexander.”
“There is every bloody need, Miss Wooller. Now be quiet until we enter our room, as I have no wish for your travelling companions to come to the aid of the governess whose friend makes her clothes from nobles’ castoffs, who is now travelling to Bristol to meet up with her actor father and join his travelling show where she will play Miranda in The Tempest!”
That shut her up. Taking her elbow, he towed her from the stable and into the Red Breast. They did not encounter anyone as they walked up the stairs to the room the proprietor had given him. Opening the door, he nudged Hannah inside and followed. Locking the door, he pocketed the key.
He was pleased to see steam rising off the bath water and a tray of food awaiting them, as he had requested.
“Talk, food, or bath?” he said in a clipped tone. She ignored him and walked to the window. Back rigid, she looked out at the night sky.
“You should not have followed me.”
“Did you really believe someone wouldn’t, Hannah? Are you that foolish to think that the combined resources of your father and myself, plus our friends, would not be able to locate you if we chose to?”
“Y-you told someone else what I had done?”
“Hannah, you told us you were in danger. Surely you had to realize that we would not stop until we had found the threat, and to do that we had to have help. Luke, Ace, Will, and my brothers were needed.”
“No.” She shook her head, fear filling her face. “You must not, he…” Her words fell away.
“Who? The man who was blackmailing you? Is that the he in question? We already know of him.”
Her face was so pale Alex thought she may faint. “No, you all must stay away from him, Alex, h-he is a horrible person and capable of n-nefarious deeds. You don’t know what he will do if—”
“I know he killed Lionel Jacobs before your eyes, Hannah, and once your footman gave us the parcel you left him to deliver, we went to meet with him.”
“Dear Lord.” She collapsed against the wall. Sliding down it, she slumped to the floor, her legs folding beneath her in an inelegant heap. Her skirts rode up her long legs, exposing silk stockings and dirty black ankle boots.
“We confronted him, and then he and I exchanged a few words, and now he is in the hands of Ace, Luke, and Will, and will be no further danger to you.”
“I-I…” She shook her head. “You should not have.”
“He murdered a man before your eyes. Did you expect me to pat him on the back, Hannah? Because of him you have a memory that will take some time to fade.”
“I expected you not to find out who he was. I expected you not to locate me, and…” She ran out of words, her head now resting against the wall. “Are my father and Bridgette well, Alex?”
He nodded. “They are well, and your father knows everything, Bridgette only that you fled London due to something.”
“Surely you must see I had no choice but to run?”
Her whispered words inflamed him. “You should have run to me!” Bloody hell. He was either angry or laughing with this woman. Rarely was there anything comfortable between.
“I could not.”
“And what about when we made love, did you do so in gratitude?”
“No!” Her head snapped upright. “How could you think such a thing?”
“How could I not? You were in my arms one night, and gone the next; what did you expect me to think?” Alex began to pace, at least then he would not grab her and shake her until her teeth rattled. “To
wake and find you had fled London, leaving behind a note, with a few pitiful words—”
“They were not pitiful,” she denied, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. It was a defensive gesture, but Alex didn’t care. He would have his say, and she would bloody well listen.
“The entire story is extremely complicated, therefore I shall say only that the danger was too great for me to remain in London,” Alex growled. “What did you expect me to think, to feel, after reading those words?”
“I-I had hoped…” She lowered her eyes.
“You asked me to help you,” Alex said when she did not continue. “Asked me to be your beau, and then proceeded to lie to me the entire time. Notes, blackmailers, what else have you not told me?”
“You are not my beau; it was make-believe—”
“This is not a fairy tale, Hannah, nothing is make-believe and after what happened between us. This,” Alex pointed to her then stuck the finger into his chest, “is very real.”
“I did not need to tell you anything.”
“And what of the danger to me?”
She inhaled and he knew there was more she was not telling him.
“Tell me.”
She shook her head so he moved closer, deliberately intimidating her by standing over her. “Tell me now, or I will never let you leave this bloody room, and we will be trapped in here together for days.”
“I don’t have to tell you anything.” She tried to look defiant, but failed horribly. Her hair had come down, her face was smudged with dirt, and she looked far removed from the woman he’d encountered daily in London. This one was tired, hurting, and in need of comfort, but Alex could not find that in him at the moment. He had no empathy, only anger, and she was his outlet.
“Hannah.” He crouched before her. “I beat up a man for you, I have ridden for days with little food and sleep. My brother is God knows where, also searching for you, and I am in no mood to be toyed with.”
“The man who blackmailed me, he was responsible for hitting you over the head.” She looked at him, begging him to understand why she had done what she had. “Can’t you see, Alex, I could not risk him hurting you further.”