Page 38 of A Bonny Pretender
“Dead,” interrupted Frank, holding Evie’s gaze. “She was cut off by the heir with some fancy legal maneuvers. The poor chit only has what’s in her bags, though she still pretends she’s a woman of position. And the other is her churlish companion. She has no money and is a hell cat when you stoke her temper. I’m being paid to deliver them safely out of England.”
Frank nodded at Brigid, now pinning her with dark stormy eyes. “Keep your mouth shut and don’t start anything. I’m tired of your constant complaining and don’t want any trouble. They can have what they want, and we’ll be on our way. The sooner we’re over the border, the sooner I can collect my fee.”
Brigid’s mouth flattened, and she glared daggers at him, playing her part. They’d ransom the women if they thought there was a chance at bigger stakes. And this ploy might just keep Gray Teeth from using the ladies against Frank.
Is he asking me to distract the men?He’d never reach his pistol or sword with the beefy ogre watching him.
So she screamed. The loudest, highest-pitched, glass-shattering scream she could conjure. They all stared at her. And then…Click!
Brigid looked over her shoulder to see Frank with his gun aimed at the giant.
“Drop your pistol and don’t pretend you’ve got the safety off. I’ll shoot you as soon as you try anything,” Frank said in a steady voice, waving at the boy to join the giant. Twisted Nose dropped his weapon. “Let the women walk away, and I won’t kill him.”
Gray Teeth guffawed. “Do ye think I care? He’s no kin to me, though he’s good to have around in a fight. I kinda like the boy, though.” He turned back to Brigid. “I’m more concerned wi’ this one. A wild card, she is.”
Brigid held back a shiver as the man licked his lips. His grimy hand reached out to stroke her cheek. Without thinking, she grabbed his fingers and bent them backwards. A trick she’d learned as a child when her brothers liked to pulled her braids and not let go.
“Why, ye li’l whore.” He backhanded her, then smiled when her head snapped back and her eyes watered.
“Touch her again, and you’ll die,” came a soft threat from the front of the carriage.
But with the threat came Twisted Nose’s chance. He leapt forward, and Frank turned in time to pull the trigger. The man fell to his knees, clutching his chest near his shoulder. A look of shock washed over his face as he stared at the blood on his fingers. The boy turned tail and ran into the woods.
“I’ll kill ye fer that,” the big ogre mumbled and stood, one arm dangling at his side. He advanced on Frank who had no time to reload.
Sssssk!He drew his sword and circled around Twisted Nose, intent darkening his steely eyes. The giant lunged at him; Frank jumped back and tripped on one of the unconscious postillions. He lost his balance, just stumbling out of reach as Twisted Nose swiped at him. The great paw caught the end of Frank’s sword and sent it flying. Blood dripped from Twisted’s hand, and he wiped it against the red already spreading across his shirt. He advanced, a bloody giant with blind rage glittering in his eyes.
“While they’re enjoyin’ themselves, let’s get back to our conversation.” Gray Teeth’s fingers gripped her chin and squeezed. “Ye’ll be my Scotch warming pan tonight,lassie. Learn to play nice or suffer the consequences.”
Evie growled next to her and began pummeling Gray Teeth with her fists.
Louella wailed.
“Shut yer bloody chops, or I’ll put a lead ball in yer pretty face,” sneered Missing Teeth, pointing the barrel at the maid’s head. The fingers of his free hand inched her dress up until he found bare skin. Silent tears rolled down Louella’s face.
“Ye got something to say, ol’ man?” he asked Barker.
The valet leveled his stare on the man and never blinked. “Yes, sir.”
“Sir?” Missing Teeth snickered, his hand sliding down the maid’s thigh. “Say it, then.”
“You will die today, sir.”
Silence. Then both ruffians cackled.
The grip loosened on Brigid’s chin. Gray Teeth’s hot, foul breath washed over her skin, and she held back the gag. “I’m no’ done wi’ ye yet, girlie. Behave yerself.”
Brigid nodded and blew out a breath, her hand cradling her stomach. For all her bravado, her stomach threatened to release her breakfast. Gray Teeth’s eyes followed her hand and focused on the velvet bag. Before she could put her arm behind her back, he reached out and snapped the pouch off her wrist. She clutched her burning skin, cursing him in Gaelic.
“It’s heavy,” he said, swinging the bag. “Must be worth something.”
“No!” she cried, realizing her mistake as the word slipped past her lips. Frank turned at the sound.
“Look out!” yelled Evie as the giant swung at Frank. The viscount ducked, jabbed a right to the gut, and moved away.
When the Gray Teeth opened the bag and peeked inside at her grandmother’s precious stone, Brigid snapped. She hated bullies, and she hated being bullied. Even more, she hated feeling helpless. With the bloodcurdling cry of a banshee, Brigid charged the brute, arms straight out to push him off balance. He remained upright, but she managed to push him backward into a tree. His arms went around her, and Brigid jerked her knee up with all her might. She pushed away as Gray Teeth doubled over with a loud moan. Grabbing her pouch from his slimy grip, she fisted it in her palm and slammed it on the brute’s head. With a moan, his head slumped to his chest.
Brigid turned to see Missing Teeth staring at his accomplice, his mouth hanging open. Behind him, Barker calmly reached under and behind his coat and pulled out a small pistol. He removed the safety and cocked it, carefully aimed at the back of the villain’s head, and pulled the trigger. At the sound of theclick,Missing Teeth turned, teetered, and crumpled to the ground with a small hole in his forehead.
