When I hit, I slammed against something solid, and the air whooshed from my lungs. Only as I gasped, struggling for breath did I realize that I was being held by strong arms around my waist.
“Shh, it’s alright, sweeting. You’re safe now,” a voice murmured into my ear. When I realized that it was my abductor, come to fetch me after all, I could have wept. Whether those tears would have been in self-pity or relief, I wasn’t certain.
“May I ask what you think you’re doing?” he asked, directing his sharp, clipped words at the man who’d caused his horse to throw me.
“Oh, why, I was just trying to help your wife find her way home, sir. She seemed lost, walking out here alone, unescorted and all. A lady of her station, I don’t have to tell ye what could have happened. There are some unsavory persons in this part of the world, Yer Grace.”
Hearing the man who’d stolen me in the dark of night being referred to by my husband’s title was laughable. As if he could hear the giggles trying to burst free, my captor gave me a quelling glance before speaking.
“I believe you speak the truth on the matter, though it looked as thoughyourintentions toward my wife were far from honorable.”
“Forgive me, Yer Grace, I’m jus’ a humble farmer. I certainly didn’t intend to frighten the lass.”
“The duchess,” he corrected coolly. “And in fact, I saw you make your horse unseat her. Had I not been present, she would have been severely injured.”
The man looked at the ground, shamefaced and stuttering.
“A lesser man would see you put to death, but as I am the forgiving sort and am sure it was nothing but an unfortunate mishap, I’ll take the horse andallow these transgressions to be forgotten.”
The man had gone pale, his ruddy complexion becoming whiter than a bed sheet when the possibility of death was mentioned. Had my kidnapper been royalty, indeed, he could have seen to it. “Thank you, sir. I mean, Yer Grace! Thank you. I’m terribly sorry, I am. Thank you for pardoning such a humble—”
“Very well, sir. You may be on your way.” As he spoke, his grip on me tightened the slightest bit. “And if we should meet again, I doubt it would go well for you. Understand?”
The humble farmer nodded again and again, giving a clumsy bow that made it clear that his knees were practically knocking together from fear. “I… o’course, Yer Grace. Forgive me, Duchess, I did not mean… well, that is… I’m very sorry. My humblest apologies.”
I nodded, which was all I could muster at the moment. My abductor walked forward and collected the reins from the farmer and led the horse away while the man watched. When he reached me, he signaled that I should follow him, which I did, ignoring the farmer who was bowing so low he practically scraped the ground.
“What in all hells were you thinking?” he asked when we’d moved a good distance away.
Straight from one captor to another,I thought wryly. “I was thinking of getting home, nothing more.”
“That much is clear.” He barked a laugh. “You certainly didn’t think of a horse. Did you think of provisions? Did you—”
“No, I didn’t,” I snapped, eyes blazing as I whirled on him. “The only thought I had was getting away, and if that man hadn’t come along—”
“There would have been another man, one that perhaps wasn’t as easily fooled. You need to use that pretty little head, princess, before you end up killed yourself.”
His words made me shudder. “How do I know that isn’t whatyouintend for me, once you’ve… done whatever you intend?”
He stopped short, facing my glare with his usual unruffled gaze. “As of now, I’ve done nothing to make you think I mean you ill, princess.”
“I’ve told you!” I practically screeched. “I amnot—”
“And I’ll tell you another thing,” he continued as though I hadn’t spoken. “Right now, the only thing I intend for you is to understand the seriousness of your actions.”
“I was fine,” I snapped. “I was handling everything. I would have managed.”
“I see. Well, in that case, forgive me for trying to help you.”
The reply caught me off guard, as did the fact that he began to walk again, leading the horse alongside him. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that the farmer had finally left, presumably to return home. I gazed longingly at theroad. I’d been so close—so close! Would freedom always elude me?
“Go.” The one word pierced my thoughts. “I won’t stop you, if you’re so eager.”
My heartbeat quickened at the thought, even as my eyes took in the sun dipping in the sky, shadows being cast by its dimming sunlight. Reluctantly, I tore my eyes away and began to follow him. We walked toward the inn for several moments, neither of us saying a word. My belly tightened at the sight of the building, but I knew that I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t have anywhere to stay, and for the present I had no other alternative than to make the best of an undesirable situation. I’d get out of it, somehow. I had to.
“I know that you’re frightened,” he spoke up at last. “Given the circumstances, that’s understandable. But what you need to know is that as much as you desire to return to Hohenzollern, there’s no longer a home for you there.”
I blinked in surprise, trying to make sense of his words. “What do you mean?”
