The leader uttered a curse as he eyed the contents of the hat. “I think we can do better’n that.” He turned and strode up to Katie. “Them’s pretty baubles ’round yer pretty lady’s neck. Toss ’em into the hat,” he ordered, the tip of his knife touching the delicate strand of pearls.
Katie gasped and stepped back, clutching the pearls.
“I told you to stay behind me. Now they’ve gotten a good look at you,” Wendel said in a harsh whisper. “Hand over the pearls.”
“No! I-I can’t,” Katie cried in a panic. “These were m-my grandmother’s.” Katie was named after her father’s mother, the late Viscountess Kathleen Latham. Lady Latham had gifted Katie the necklace at her coming out. She cherished the pearls.
“We have no choice,” Wendel hissed.
Her eyes blurred with tears. “P-please, Wendel. It’s all I have l-left of N-nana.”
“Allow me, m’lady,” the leader said, reaching out for the strand around her neck, a leering grin on his face.
Katie slapped his hand away.
“’At was a mistake,” he rasped. In a swift motion, he closed the space between them and pressed the tip of his blade to her throat.
Katie gasped and closed her eyes, feeling the heat of his foul breath laced with spirits on her face. Where was their carriage? Why hadn’t Timmons found them by now?
“Leave her alone!” Colborne shouted, but Doogan and Gummy had already grabbed hold of his arms.
The leader barked out a laugh. “I’m thinkin’ twill be far more fun to take ’em from ye, with yer toff watchin’.” In a swift movement, the brute pulled her hard against his chest. “Maybe I’ll even take ye home wit’ me. Give you a taste of a real man between yer thighs,” he growled, rubbing himself against her as his teeth bit into the side of her neck.
“Stop! Please stop!” Tears flooded Katie’s eyes and she began to tremble.
“Get your filthy hands off her,” Colborne shouted, breaking free of the men holding him, he rushed forward, barreling into the leader, the force of his momentum knocking both men to the ground.
“Someone, please help! Help us!” Katie didn’t know what to do. She wanted to help Wendel, but he was wrestling with the brute on the ground.
And then Katie saw the flash of metal in the brute’s hand and Wendel’s grunt of pain.
“No!” Katie screamed as she watched the thief stab her fiancé twice in the abdomen and roll him over.”
Katie tore the pearls from her neck and threw them at the thieves. “Here, take them! Take them! Just please leave us in peace!”
She fell to her knees beside Wendel. “My darling! It will be all right. I promise.”
“Katie,” he whispered. “Run. Get away.”
“No, I won’t leave you,” she said, taking off her cloak and covering Wendel’s shivering form.
“Ye said no one wud be hurt,” Doogan grumbled.
“Shut yer trap,” the leader ordered, cuffing him. “Stupid toffs. Value money more’n their lives. Damn woman pushed me too far—made me lose m’temper.”
“Let’s get out of here before we get caught,” Gummy said. “We’ve enough coin fer a fine night at The Rooster, and I’ve a hankering for Sweet Molly to warm m’lap,” he guffawed.
The thieves ran off, their laughter floating back to mock her.
Katie pressed her trembling hands against Wendel’s abdomen. Even through the wool of her heavy cloak, she could feel his life’s blood seeping through her fingers.
“Forgive me,” Wendel whispered.
“It’s all right, my darling.” She smoothed the hair from his face, unable to stop the deluge of tears washing down her cheeks. “It’s going to be all right.”
“Only wanted to protect…you.”
“Hush, my dearest. Save your strength.”
