An idea began to form in her mind. She did not have the luxury of time to plot it out fully, but she knew she must act.
Leaving Colin and Gabe’s side, she staggered forward.
“Mary!” Gabe called in an undertone.
She ignored him and fell onto the cobblestones in the path of the traitors.
* * *
Gabe’s heart stopped.
Turning to Colin, Gabe muttered, “Donnae move.”
He rushed toward Mary. His very skin was hurting from his fear for her safety. That man was a ruthless killer as was so very plain from what they just witnessed. And now Mary would throw herself at the mercy of that villain’s compassion? Inconceivable!
Please, God, donnae let anything happen te Mary.
“Could ye spare a shilling?” he heard Mary say in a masculine tone.
“Don’t give him anything, my lord,” one of the unknown men said. “He’s drunk and will only spend it on more liquor.”
“I willnae, I swear! I’m hungry, I am…” she pleaded with them on her knees.
Their leader recoiled from her.
“Beat some sense into ‘im your lordship,” the other man jeered.
Staggering nearer, Gabe’s breath caught in his throat as the man lifted his leg to kick her.Nae!He would not see her beaten.
Gabe deliberately tripped over his own feet, falling in front of her and taking the hard blow to his ribs. He was absurdly grateful for the extra padding of his bandages, though his wounds from Lady Kerr’s whipping stung.
“Why’d ye hurt me, sirrah?” Gabe whimpered. “I only fell, is all!”
The leader scoffed. “Get out of my sight.”
Gabe gripped Mary under one arm and stumbled away, the group of traitors continuing along the street, their shoes and boots clicking along the stones.
He waited until they were out of earshot and he wheeled on Mary. “How could ye do tha’, Mary? Ye scared the devil out of me! Are ye hurt? Are ye well?”
She shook her head.
“Nae?” Gabe said, dismayed.
“No, no.” She pressed a placating hand to his sleeve. “I am just displeased that I did not see his face.”
With a cautious glance behind them, Gabe ushered Mary quickly back to where Colin stood waiting for them.
“Holy hell,” Colin muttered. “When I said that my assignment was waning and I needed some excitement, I certainly didn’t anticipate somuch. Are you well, Gabe?”
“Well enough,” Gabe grunted, his ribs paining him.
“Did you see the—”
“No,” Mary cut over Colin’s question. “I did not see the leader’s face. His hat kept his features in shadow. But we now know he is a lord of the realm, at least.”
“Aye.”
Mary’s grey gaze met his. “Ididsee the other man, though, Gabe.”
