She threw herself off the seat and into his arms. He caught her. His arms fierce as he held her close.
“Dear God, Ruby.”
“I-I knew you’d come.” She gripped him tight, her face pressed into his neck.
“I will always find you.”
“Let me go now, Forrest.”
“Never.”
“I need to see to the women.”
“What women?”
He lowered her to her feet but stayed close.
“Come down now, Rani. These are good men,” Ruby said to the lady still perched on the driver’s seat. Zach stood beneath her, holding out his hand. “Her father is friends with the king.”
“Miss Khatri?” Forrest asked her in Hindi. Shocked, she looked at him, and then slowly nodded. “Come down now; you are safe with us.”
She did, taking Zach’s hand. He helped her to the ground.
“We escaped from that place where he was holding the women. I am unsure if there are others there. It is horrid—”
“Slowly now, love.” Forrest wrapped his arm around Ruby’s shoulders. He could hear the fear in her voice. “I have you.”
“Inside the carriage are three women. We must go back and see if there are others. We cannot leave them to that fate.”
Will went to the carriage and opened the door. “Christ.” The breath hissed from his throat as he looked inside.
Forrest moved closer, with Ruby’s hand now in his, and looked inside. Three women stared back at him.
“We mean you no harm and will take you somewhere where you will not be hurt again,” Will said.
“They were drugging them,” Ruby said. “We must get them away from here before they find us.”
“We will take care of them,” the duke said. “Will and I can drive the carriage. There is a posting house a few miles away. We will secure rooms for them.”
“And stay with them,” Gabe added.
“Of course. But I am sure they will be nervous around us, so I will find women at the posting house to watch over and care for them.
“Will they let you secure a room for so many?” Ruby asked.
His smile was gentle. “I am a duke, Miss Knight. Not many would refuse me.”
His brother snorted.
“Miss Khatri, if you will come with us we will get you to safety, and then send word to the king that you have been found,” Will added.
“And Ruby. She can go too,” Forrest said, wanting her safe.
“No. I am coming with you because I know you are going back to that place, and I know where it is and you do not. Plus, if there are other women in there they will be more likely to come with me than you.”
“I don’t want you going back there. Give us the directions.”
She was dirty, with smudges under her eyes, and so tired, her shoulders were stooped.
