“Miss Ashton, wait!” he called behind her.
But she kept running, pushing herself harder.
She had been a fool to venture out without Kavi. Her false sense of security within the viscount’s house had led her to make a bad decision. And she would be lucky if she didn’t pay for it with her life.
She ran faster as she heard footsteps behind her. His feet pounded the cobblestone street, and it urged her to greater speed. She dashed into the street, barely avoiding an oncoming carriage. The horse reared and the driver bellowed his displeasure at her as she streaked by.
Her heart pounded her chest. Painful. Her breaths came in torturous spurts. But she wouldn’t stop.
She dodged a vegetable cart, knocking over a cascade of beets as her hip banged the edge. Faster she raced, taking turn after turn in hopes of eluding her pursuer. Her lungs were screaming for air, her legs burning as she pushed herself harder.
Ahead she saw a hack slow to pick up a gentleman hailing it. She chanced a backwards look and saw the man chasing her a half block back. Summoning one last burst of speed, she caught up to the hack just as it was departing.
She reached up and grabbed the back rail and swung her feet against the carriage, bracing herself as it rumbled away. The muscles in her arm protested as she used her free arm to stuff the papers into her shirt.
Finally she reached up with her other arm and held on for dear life as the carriage picked up speed.
In the distance she saw her pursuer slow to a stop. He stared at her, his eyes making a promise. He would find her again.
She shivered and prayed she wouldn’t fall from her perch.
When she was out of sight, she waited for the carriage to slow enough so that she could safely hop down to the street. When the driver slowed for traffic, she seized her chance and bailed from the hack.
Her legs threatened to collapse beneath her as she hobbled from the street. She hurt in places she didn’t even know existed. Down the lane she saw an oncoming hack and she waved frantically at it.
It slowed to a stop beside her, and she stared beseechingly up at the driver.
“Good sir, would you please be so kind as to convey me to Lord Ridgewood’s residence? He will pay the fare.”
The driver cast a doubtful glance at her attire, and she flushed. She must look like a common street urchin in her boys clothing.
“Please sir.” Her voice cracked and she glanced in panic behind her to see if she was still being followed.
“Climb in,” the driver grumbled. “But you better be telling me the truth about Lord Ridgewood paying the fare. I’ve got a family to feed.”
She gratefully clamored in after giving the driver the direction. She slumped in the seat and closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling in quick succession as she caught her breath.
When they arrived at Ridge’s townhouse, a footman opened the carriage door for her and assisted her down. Her legs shook and threatened to buckle beneath her.
“Would you please summon Lord Ridgewood?” she asked the footman as she cast a nervous glance up at the driver.
She waited anxiously, and a few moments later, the footman returned with Ridge. Ridge strode up to her, concern creasing his brow.
“Is something amiss, India?”
She cleared her throat. “Can you pay the driver?” She avoided his gaze and looked instead at the expectant driver.
“Of course.” He dug into his pocket and tossed the driver the fare. “Thank you for seeing her home,” he said as the driver gathered the reins.
Ridge turned back to India, his expression questioning. “What happened? Why didn’t you wait for me if you needed to go out?”
Her trembling legs gave way, and he had to catch her arms to prevent her falling.
Before she could protest, he swung her into his arms and carried her toward the door.
“Ridge, I can walk,” she said firmly. When he didn’t respond, she struggled and attempted to put her feet down so she could slide from his grip.
He tightened his hold and ignored her as he walked into the foyer. He carried her into the sitting room and set her gently on the settee. Then he knelt in front of her.
