Pulling her head back inside, she considered her options. She could wait, hope for a passing carriage and shout for assistance then… but who knew when the next carriage would come along? Or if the people inside would even hear her?
Besides, she hated waiting.
Which meant she needed another plan. Something to break the main window perhaps? She looked around the cabin for a tool to use… and her gaze snagged on the leather handles lying next to her feet.Her knitting bag.
Leaning over, she lifted it with reverent hands. She’d tossed the bag in before Goggs had shoved her into the conveyance. He’d clearly forgotten about it—or maybe he hadn’t even given it a thought. After all, what danger could a lady’s accoutrement possibly pose?
Pulling out her miniature crossbow, she grinned. Some men gave jewels, other poesies and books of poetry. But it was the rare man who gave the perfect gift.
God love you, Richard… and I love you, too.
She counted out her ammunition: three arrows. Given the blunted ends, they wouldn’t significantly injure Goggs, but they would definitely distract him. Maybe he’d get irritated enough to pull the carriage to the side of the road and try to take the crossbow from her. At least then she’d have an opportunity to escape.
Her strategy in place, she loaded the first arrow. She firmed her grip on her weapon, and, leaning out the window at an angle, managed to align her shot with Goggs’ head. She pressed the trigger.
“Ow!” he yelled. “What the bloody hell…?”
With one hand, he swiped at his cheek. She saw with satisfaction the thin line of blood trickling toward his jaw. His bewildered gaze landed on her, narrowing at the sight of her weapon.
“You stop that, you plaguey chit, or you’ll be sorry!”
“Let me go, or there’ll be more where that came from!” she shouted back.
“Don’t you threaten me, you little bitch—”
Vi ducked inside and reloaded. Assumed her position at the window again.Pfftt.
This time she broke the skin by his ear.
“I’ll kill you if I have to!” Mad desperation glinted in his eyes. “Just like that French bitch, do you hear me? She laughed at me, taunted me when I tried to take the necklace from her—and now she’sdead. Have a care, or I’ll do to you what I did to her!”
Vi reloaded a third time. She aimed and fired. At that same instant, Goggs turned toward her, still shouting obscenities… and the arrow hit him straight in theeye.
Oops.
He let out a scream of pain. Both hands went to cover his bloody eye, leaving none on the reins.
“Gadzooks,” she breathed.
That was her last thought before the carriage hit a rock and careened out of control.
~~~
Richard’s heart seized when he saw the carriage lying on its side just up ahead. Its team had broken free, the horses specks in the distance. He brought Aiolos to a halt, jumped down, and raced to the carriage.
The door facing up was open.
“Violet!” he shouted, leaning in.
Empty. No sign of her.
He raised his head, scanned the surrounding fields—and saw them. Violet dashing through the knee-high grasses… beingchasedby Goggs. His momentary relief at seeing her alive and in one piece was replaced by a rush of pure rage.
In an instant, he was on Aiolos, riding toward them. Behind him, he heard his name being called, but he rode on with only one purpose in mind.Protect my lass.
Dirt flew as Aiolos’ hooves cut through the field, Richard closing in on his target. Registering his approach, Goggs spun around. Richard got one look at the other’s startled expression before he launched himself off his saddle and tackled the bastard.
They landed with a bone-jarring thud. Gaining the upper position, Richard rained blows down on his foe. He landed a resounding facer.
