“Really, Robert. It is a fine day. I do not think we are in any imminent danger.”
Louisa felt more than saw a presence come from around the corner of the building.
“‘ello.”
Louisa gave a quick start, jerking and clenching Robert’s arm. But once she recognized the man from the alley who had tried to kiss her, she relaxed. Robert had dealt with him before. Not to mention, Louisa was now fully aware of Robert’s capabilities. There was nothing to worry over.
“Did I not take care of you once before?” Robert said, not moving.
“Ye did.” The man walked in front of them, grinning, of all things.
“We don’t want any trouble,” Robert said, looking around for their carriage. “Please go about your business.”
“Oh, I want some trouble,” he said, not leaving his post before them.
“I think we have established that you are the weaker of the two of us.” Robert’s words came out in a lazy, aristocratic tone. “So why don’t you just leave.”
“I came more prepared this time.” The man shifted his feet, his grin widening. And then he whistled.
Robert’s arm tensed under Louisa’s hand, pulling her closer to him. Five men came from around the corner, grinning and looking them up and down. A curse slipped from Robert’s lips as his eyes scanned the growing crowd of men before them.
“Louisa,” he said, his lips barely moving. “Get ready.”
She dropped his arm, sighing as she stood back and gestured to the men. “Very well. Get this over with.”
His mouth dropped open and his eyes went wide. “You expect me to fight them all?”
“Of course.” She shrugged. “What else are we to do?”
He turned his head so his lips were hidden from the men, talking through clenched teeth. “I cannot fight them all.”
She leaned her head closer. “So what are we to do, then? You are the pugilist.”
He slipped his hand around hers and he let out a slow breath. The men began closing in, and Robert’s head swiveled to them before snapping back to her. “Run.”
His words didn’t take hold. “What?”
“Run!”
Before Louisa had even registered what he said, Robert was tugging her along after him down the alleyway. Shouts went up behind them, but Robert didn’t look back, both of them running as fast as they could.
“What is the plan, Robert?” Louisa gasped as her chest burned under the exertion.
“I don’t know,” he yelled, his breaths coming quickly.
“You don’t have a plan?” she yelled
He let go of her hand. “Keep running and follow me!”
She was grateful she chose to wear her half boots instead of her slippers, but they were still not ideal for running through the streets of London. As they ran, she heard the men shouting at their backs, still chasing after them. And then Robert began slipping out of his jacket as his feet pounded the ground.
“What . . . are . . . you . . . doing?” she gasped between breaths. Her chest was on fire, and fear was creeping in that they would not outrun their pursuers.
“They will recognize my jacket.” His words came out in a rush, but much less out of breath than hers. The thought only rankled a little. And then Robert reached inside the coat, took something in his grasp, then tossed his jacket over a fence into a churchyard as they passed. Had the gate been open, they could have hidden there, but it was shut and the fence was much too high to jump over.
They made it to a cross street and Robert rounded the bend, coming to an abrupt halt. “You there,” Robert said, addressing a man leaning against a wall. He looked Robert up and down witha well-deserved hint of reservation. Without hesitating, Robert strode toward him, hand extended. “Give me your jacket.”
The man’s eyes widened as he accepted the money that fell from Robert’s grasp.
