Laura couldn’t understand what he was doing. From the way his green eyes had narrowed, there was more to his offer than just trying to save her money.
What is your plan?
The highwayman seemed to agree that Erskine could be right.
“Very well,” he said, turning his eyes back to Erskine. “Toss the wallet,” he ordered, with his other arm outstretched, ready to catch it.
“Nay,” Erskine shook his head. “If ye want the money, come here and take it from me.”
“I do not think you understand the situation, Scot,” the highwayman spat on the floor. Laura was too busy looking at Erskine, thinking how awful it could be if the highwayman turned the pistol on him, that she did not notice the highwayman suddenly leaping toward her. Not until his arm was around her neck.
She struggled against it, but the press of the pistol against her forehead made her fall still.
“Stop moving!” The highwayman warned, leaning over her shoulder to catch Erskine’s gaze again. “So, Scot, toss the pouch if you want your little friend here to live.”
For a moment, Erskine said nothing. Laura was watching him, her breath shuddery, and their gazes connected. He seemed to be watching her with just as much care, those astounding green eyes now just slits. When still no words came, Laura’s fear grew worse.
Surely, he would not let me die.
“Just take my money,” Laura said sharply, making the highwayman’s grasp around her neck tighten.
“Be quiet, Billie,” Erskine warned, his voice even harsher than hers.
“Enough!” The highwayman’s words echoed in Laura’s ear from how close his mouth was to her. “Throw me the money if you want the boy to live.”
“I would,” Erskine nodded, “but I am sufferin’ an injury. Me arm, it is weak.”
Injury? What injury? He is lying!
Laura had seen him ride with vigor just earlier in the day, his arm pulling strongly on the reins. There was no chance he was injured.
“So weak you cannot throw a wallet as small as that?” The highwayman was in disbelief.
“I am afraid so,” Erskine admitted, as though pained to do so. “Ye will have to come here and take it from me. There is nay need to worry. Ye’re still the one holdin’ a pistol at us, after all.”
Laura examined Erskine’s face in detail, trying to understand what he was planning, but she could discern nothing there. His green eyes merely flicked to her again before returning to the highwayman.
“Fine,” the highwayman was clearly unhappy about the idea but satisfied he was the one in control. He jerkily released Laura, making her stumble on her feet as one of her hands went to rub the new sore spot on her neck.
The highwayman slowly walked toward Erskine, with the pistol now trained on him. Laura’s breathing was growing restless again, seeing that Erskine had successfully drawn the barrel of the pistol away from her and toward himself.
Clever.
As the highwayman stepped beside him, he held his other hand out, expectantly waiting for the pouch.
“Give it to me, then.”
“Ye’ll have to come closer, still. Me arm is in great pain,” Erskine lied seamlessly. The highwayman was clearly wary, but still, he slowly stepped forward until his hand was right beside the horse.
“Now, give it to me.” The pistol was now so close to Erskine, Laura held her breath, terrified of it going off.
“Aye, as ye wish,” Erskine dropped the pouch. The highwayman went to catch it, and with the distraction, he moved the pistol. Erskine shifted on the horse, drawing his foot high and delivering a swift kick, knocking the pistol from the man’s hand.
The pistol went off, making Laura cower down, just dodging the fire. She looked up again from her crouched position to see the highwayman still scrambling to pick up the pouch as Erskine jumped off the horse. He reached for his own pistol, but before he could place it at the highwayman’s head, there was a scuffle.
The highwayman forgot about the pouch and brought a knife from his pocket. He struck out at Erskine, delivering a swift cut to his cheek. Erskine used the pistol to knock the knife from his opponent’s hand, but they were soon locked in fierce combat. The highwayman was smaller but quicker in his movements—his elbow came up on Erskine’s jaw, just as Erskine delivered a hefty blow to the highwayman’s ribs. As the latter was so quick, he managed to trip Erskine up.
No!
