A rustling came from the brush, the sound of rough voices.
"O'er here!" The blinded footpad shouted an alert to his comrades. "They're gettin' away!"
Hunt grabbed her hand. "Run."
14
He draggedher through the winding maze, his eyes scouting the darkness. He sensed that whoever they were, the ruffians were not far off. He had to get Percy to safety.
His lungs burned, his mind racing through the options. The cutthroats had planned their attack well, chasing him and Percy farther and farther away from the populated areas. Here, deep in the heart of Vauxhall's dark gardens, the bastards could slit their throats with none the wiser. Alone, Gavin might consider fighting them off, but he would not risk endangering Percy.
He would have to find some way to evade their pursuers.
He saw a wavering brightness in the distance, and it hit him. The bloody meadow. He'd found it at last. In the next instant, he recalibrated his sense of direction.
He slowed, and Percy rammed into him. "Oof."
"We haven't much time," he said, keeping his voice low. "Give me your wig and domino then lay low until I return."
Eyes huge, she wordlessly removed the red curls and cape and handed them over.
He motioned for her to crouch behind a bush, and then he crept with stealthy speed toward the clearing. He raced along the perimeter until he found a path that led westward through the trees. Tossing the wig upon a bush, he sprinted down the path several paces. He tore a strip from the domino and hung it from a branch. A decoy to throw off their scent.
He circled back to Percy.
"I think I hear them coming," she whispered.
"Follow me and keep low," he whispered back.
He led her eastward through the labyrinth. Now that he knew exactly where they were, they made speedy passage. Before long, he saw the sparkle of garden lights in the distance, and within minutes they were free of the twisting hedges and upon a deserted walk. There was no sign of their pursuers; with any luck, the brutes had fallen for his trick and were headed in the opposite direction.
"Those men…" Percy was standing close enough for him to feel the tremor travel through her. "Why are they after us? Money?"
He didn't think so. They'd been intent on killing him, not taking his purse. But now was not the time to get into specifics. "We're not out of the clear yet. A guard station is up ahead where we can get help. Can you make it?"
"Of course."
They hadn't gone several steps when he noticed her limping. He grabbed her arm, assessed her swiftly. His gaze caught on her right foot, which was missing its slipper; her delicate toes poked out from the tattered stocking. He remembered what she'd done, the reckless bravery of her actions. An unbalanced feeling came over him.
Without a word, he caught her up in his arms.
"That isn't nec—"
"Hush," he said without breaking his stride. "We're almost there."
Minutes later, they arrived at a wood hut no bigger than a horse stall. The door was unlocked, but no one was inside. A lamp had been left burning on the small table, which stood crammed against the wall. Setting Percy down on the wooden surface, Gavin closed the door and bolted it. He drew the curtain over the small window and doused the light.
"The guard is likely out on patrol," he said. "He'll be back soon. How is your foot?"
"It's f-fine."
Just to be sure, he lifted the small appendage. He ran his hands over the slim ankle, the pretty arch. When he satisfied himself that there was no damage, he let out a breath… one he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Releasing her foot gently, he looked up at her. The faint sliver of light from the curtains turned her eyes into luminous pools. At some point during the chase, she'd lost her mask. Her lashes lowered, and he could see the rapid rise and fall of her bosom.
"I... I c-can't believe... that was..." she stammered.
"I know." He found himself running a hand lightly over her hair. Her real hair, softer than silk. The idea that those bastards might have harmed even a single strand of the fine stuff... Angry beyond words, mostly at himself, he gritted out, "Believe me when I say I had no intention of putting you in harm's way. It won't happen again."
She bit her lip, and her shoulders began to shake. She shook her head. "Oh, no, that's not—"
