Page 29 of The Highwayman's Bite

Chapter Eleven

A scream built in Vivian’sthroat as Rhys came at her with the knife. But before she was able to let it out, he already withdrew. Her gaze lit on the blade, its sharp steel surface reflecting the light of the lanterns.

No blood.

Still, she tentatively reached up to touch her neck and feel for the cut she’d anticipated.

Rhys held up a lock of her hair. “I will include this in my next missive.”

Madame Renarde snorted in derision. “Now you prove that you are so ruthless that you will damage her coiffure. So terrifying! What shall you do then? Tell His Lordship that next time it will be a finger?”

Vivian turned to her companion in horror. “Jeanette! Do not give him ideas!”

Rhys laughed. “I think your wise companion was calling my bluff and pointing out that I lack the stomach for such brutality. Jeanette, is it? A lovely name.”

“You will address me as Madame Renarde.” Her companion’s stern gaze swept between Vivian and Rhys. “Both of you.”

Vivian bowed her head in contrition. Madame Renarde may be her dearest friend, but she was old-fashioned and a stickler for formality. Then the implications of her companion’s exchange with their captor sank in. Though she was greatly relieved that he didn’t wish to inflict any violence upon them, she couldn’t help but wonder what sort of fool would admit to his own hostages that he lacked the nerve to pose a threat? He must be a poor kidnapper indeed.

But she kept that sentiment to herself. “And when will you deliver this letter to my uncle?”

“I will send it with tomorrow’s post, which will unfortunately take a few days to reach your uncle, so that means that you will be enjoying my hospitality longer than I anticipated.” Rhys shrugged as if in apology.

Madame Renarde sniffed in disgust. “Hospitality is not at all the word I’d use to describe the dreadful conditions you are subjecting us to.” Her righteous indignation was ruined with an indelicate sneeze.

“Bless you,” Rhys and Vivian echoed in tandem.

Vivian found that she did not share her companion’s outrage at this awkward state of affairs. Instead, she’d somehow come to regard her time in this cave as a sort of adventure, though she’d never dare admit to something that had to be morally wrong. To atone for her traitorous thoughts, she forced a defiant tone. “And what will you do if my uncle still refuses to pay the ransom?”

Rhys leaned forward and curled his long fingers around her shoulders. “You had better pray that he sees reason. Just because I do not wish to sever your finger does not mean that I am incapable of doing other things that would horrify your uncle and that you would doubtless find unpleasant.”

Vivian shivered under his piercing gaze. And yet, not out of fear. He wouldn’t hurt her. He’d already made that clear.

Madame Renarde coughed. “And I suppose you’ll start by driving us mad from boredom.”

Rhys laughed. “Actually, I intended to keep you occupied. For example, I will permit one of you at a time to ride one of the horses along the beach, so you may have fresh air and exercise.”

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