Someone plowed into Reese from the side. The force of the blow knocked the wind out of her, and she hit the ground hard. As she was gasping for breath, he was on top of her, forcing her arms over her head. Reggie bent over and grinned wolfishly, his breath reeking with garlic and his after-dinner port.
“Now we’ll see which one of us gets the pretty American and her fortune.” He tried to kiss her. She bit his lip until she tasted blood. He cried out. With a growl, he straightened and slapped her across the face.
Cheek stinging, Reese lunged upward like she was doing a fast sit-up. Her forehead smashed his nose. It made her see stars but knocked him off her. She scrambled to the side.
Ned grabbed her and hauled her to her feet, his grasp hurting her wrist.
“Cheeky American females need to learn to bow to their betters.” He put pressure on her wrist, like he meant to force her to her knees.
Reese cried out but used her pain and anger to fuel her motion. She pinned his hand on top of her wrist, and jerked up his elbow. He grunted and went down on his knees. She released him, jumped out of his reach, and ran into Reggie.
“Oh no you don’t,” he growled, blood smeared across his face from his mouth and nose.
“Oh yes she does.” A hand, heel of the palm extended, flew over her shoulder. It struck Reggie’s nose. Screaming, he flew backward and clutched his face.
Jem stepped up beside her and took up the same defensive position she’d shown him at Nellie’s. Reese swallowed a hard lump in her throat and faced their opponents together.
Ned knelt by his friend, the expression on his face made uglier in the dim light of the lantern. He stood.
“You’re going to pay for that.” He stood and looked about to lunge at them.
“Stand down, Ned.” Breathing hard, the Earl ran to Reese and stood at her other side. Ned looked about to charge anyway. “I saidstand down.”
Gareth’s tone must have finally broken through Ned’s rage. He seemed to shrink as the fight went out of him.
“I want you both gone.Tonight,” the Earl said. “You will never set foot on my property again. If I hear even the slightest rumor that either of you have talked about this to anyone, I willruinyou. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my lord.” Ned helped Reggie to his feet and led him toward the house.
Reese and Jem straightened, his arm resting against hers. She was grateful for the warmth of his skin.
“Be here in an hour at your peril,” Gareth called after the men, the danger in his voice powerful. He shot Jem a quick glance. “Miss Clarisse, did they hurt you?”
“I’m okay,” Reese whispered. She needed to get up to her room, or she was going to lose it.
“And who might you be?” Gareth asked Jem.
“Jem Taylor.” He didn’t move.
“Ah. The cousin. Well timed.” The Earl’s gaze had shifted back the departing men. “I must see to their departure. Can I trust you to escort Miss Clarisse safely back to my house?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Gareth looked at her one more time before striding away.
Reese bent over to pick up her cloak, but her hands were shaking. She blinked back tears. Jem picked it up and gently placed it over her shoulders.
“Are you really okay?” Jem asked softly. He reached out as though to wipe something from her face. She jerked her head away, and he dropped his hand. “When I saw those guys jump you—” His voice broke.
As she looked into his blue eyes, so full of concern, a lump grew in Reese’s throat. Jem had come. How had he known? She reached up and touched his cheek.
“Thank you,” she said.
Jem covered her hand and held it against his face and said, his voice rough, “I’m just glad I got here in time.”
“Me too.” The adrenaline rush had gone, and Reese felt drained. She sniffed, wanting to be in her bed.
Jem must have seen it because he dropped his hand and picked up the lantern. He held the light to her face. The muscles of his jaw worked, and he brushed the place where Reggie had hit her.
