Page 66 of Love Set Apart
Edna turned to see where Robert was. He’d made it to the boat and had climbed aboard. Indiscernible shouting came from the boat and a moment later Robert was seen tossing the boatman overboard.
“Angus!” Edna shouted. “The boatman. Get him before he tries to run.”
She took the sword from Angus and held it at Allard’s throat. “Doona even think of trying anything. I’m better with a sword than ye may think.”
* * *
Robert heard Angus drag the boatman to shore while he scanned the boat looking for anywhere Emilie might be hidden. It was not a large boat and there were no others aboard that he could see, but he drew his dirk anyway. He’d be prepared if anyone tried to stop him. “Emilie!” he called, but there was no answer. There was no movement either. It seemed it was a one-man crew. He spotted a small wooden cabin towards the back of the boat and headed that way. Opening the door, he found Emilie seated in a corner of the small closet-like room tied and gagged. Relief washed over him as he descended on her, taking her into his arms. “Emilie. Emilie.” He kissed her head. “Are ye all right?” He didn’t wait for an answer before he began examining her and checking to see if she was hurt.
The muffled sounds of her crying brought his attention to the gag in her mouth. He tore it away and Emilie, with hands still tied in front of her, reached up to hold his face, drawing him close. Robert took a moment to look into her eyes before covering her lips with his own in a kiss that was filled with so many emotions. All would be well. He had her here in his arms once again.
“Did they hurt ye?” Robert asked, knowing that if they did the two men would pay dearly for it.
“I’m fine. I knew you would save me.” She gazed adoringly into his eyes.
“I promise I always will.” He untied her wrists and helped her stand.
Once they were safely on deck, Robert grabbed the long oar and brought the boat back to the dock, where Angus met them and helped Emilie off the boat.
Robert hopped from the boat and joined them, taking Emilie into his arms and holding her close.
“What about my money?” The boatman asked. He was now soaking wet and down on the ground with Allard.
“Talk to him about it,” Angus pointed to Allard who had remained motionless under Edna’s glare.
“Emilie, we were so worried for ye. These two had better no’ have laid a hand on ye.” Edna glared at the two men.
“I didn’t touch her. I promise,” Allard shouted from his position on the ground. He scrambled to his feet and went for his horse.
Before he could get there, Angus yanked him back down to the ground. With a quick search of Allard’s bags, he retrieved some rope to bind both men’s hands and feet while Edna held them at sword point. “Ye dinna think we’d let ye get away with what ye’ve done, did ye?”
“What they’ve been doing,” Edna corrected him.
Robert could tell she wanted to make good use of the sword in her hand but knew there was another way. “We’ll take them to the nearest town and leave them with the authorities there,” he said.
Edna reluctantly nodded then stepped back from the prisoners and handed the sword back to Angus. Turning to Emilie, she took her into her arms and held her tight. Robert could see the tears on her cheeks, but couldn’t bring himself to let go of his Emilie. He had so afraid he would lose her. If he had a choice in the matter, she wouldn’t leave his side for a long time.
“Watch it there!” Robert turned in time to see that Angus had hoisted both men across Allard’s horse and had them secured so they wouldn’t fall. “Do ye need a hand there, Angus?”
“I think I can handle these two. Ye have yer hands full there.”
With that, Edna chuckled and let go of Emilie. “I’m so pleased yer safe, lass.” With a smile to Robert, she walked away to give them some privacy.
Robert continued holding her close to his chest. “I thought we’d lost ye.”
“I’m so happy you didn’t.” Emilie buried her head in his chest. “We can be together now.”
A sense of relief came over all of them.
“Aye, ye can,” Edna said. “Now, plans will need to be made to see that ye have a place to go where ye can live yer lives without trouble. I’m no’ sure Marie will be happy that ye’ve escaped, but we’ll be sure ye are far enough away that she cannae get to ye.”
Edna and Angus mounted their horses. Angus ponied the two men on Allard’s horse alongside his own. Emilie rode with Robert, who seemed more than happy to hold onto her forever. Emilie yawned and then a small, relieved smile appeared on her face. “We rode all night to get here. I didn’t sleep a wink.”
“I believe we all need a good rest before we make our plans,” Edna said, feeling the effects of her magic wearing off.
“There is a town nearby. We should be able to find a place to rest and have a good meal there,” Robert said.
“We’ll celebrate,” Edna said. “It does me heart good to see ye two together.”
