“And yet enough to knock the wind out of you!” She then hacked out a cough.
“You are sick. We need to get back to the inn.”
She knelt before him, hair a mess, a red mark on her cheek. He grabbed her chin and examined.
“Someone hit you!” Warwick yelled.
“I am all right. You saved me.”
“You saved yourself.”
She bit her lip, her eyes filling with tears, and then she launched herself at him. Warwick’s arms closed around her, and he held her tight.
She was here with him. She was safe.
In the early years, Samantha had reached for only James when upset. After his marriage to Eden, she’d learned to trust someone else. Over the years, that had changed to encompass more of their growing family. She now did not hesitate to grab the nearest family member, blood or otherwise, when distressed.
“I have you.” He pushed his face into her hair and held on. “You’re safe now.” He said the words as much for her as himself.
“Why did that happen, Warwick?”
“Tell me what you saw and heard in that carriage, Samantha. Who was in there? Try and remember everything while it is fresh in your head.”
“A woman, and a man were in there. Both wore masks. He never spoke. Dressed in a black long coat, I think. They both wore those. D-do you think they wanted money?”
“That’s my guess.” He smoothed down her hair. “They may have realized who you were and decided to chance ransoming you for money.”
She shuddered, and he tightened his grip on her.
“Do you remember anything else?”
“I don’t think so. It all happened so fast.”
“We need to be cautious from now on, and you do not leave my side unless absolutely necessary. We must reach London as quickly as we can.”
“Penny—”
“We will be careful with your maid and ensure she is comfortable on the journey, but we must make haste to return. I will protect you until then.”
She held his neck in a fierce grip, and he let her. Took the precious minutes seated on the roadside to calm them both down. Warwick could feel her heartbeat thudding against his.
Someone had tried to take Samantha from him. He’d been angry yesterday, but it was so much more today. Fury raged through him. Had it been a random attempt? Had that couple been at the inn and known who Samantha was?
“We must get back to the carriage now, Samantha.”
“Of course.” She scrambled off his thighs.
The horse he’d stolen was grazing a few feet away, so Warwick collected it. Lifting her onto the animal’s back, he climbed on behind. He placed an arm around her and the other held the reins. There was no sign of a carriage or anyone else on the road as he directed the horse back to the inn. Bids was waiting for them at the gate.
“What is amiss, sir?” He was wringing his hands. “I watched you ride out.”
“All is well, Bids. We are leaving in five minutes. Is everything ready?”
“It is, sir.”
Warwick rode the horse into the stables with Bids following. He then dismounted and lifted Samantha down. He kept a hand on her arm for no other reason than if he held her, she was safe. A foolish thought, but in that moment, it was how he felt. Opening the carriage door, he lifted her inside.
“Do not leave this carriage until I return, Samantha.”
