“I thought you might have been about to ask me if I had my derringer readily available, and then I’d use my derringer to back you up after you whipped out your Colt Dragoons.”
“I didn’t have my Colt Dragoons on me.”
“Why not?”
“Well, not that this is exactly the moment for this, but I was considering wearing my holster with Colt Dragoons in it until Leopold pointed out that the bulkiness would ruin the lines of my evening attire. That’s why I left them in the carriage because who would have thought a paddle steamer would get ambushed?”
“So we’re currently being swept down a river because you’ve decided to embrace a more fashionable approach regarding evening attire?”
“That about sums it up.” He pulled her closer to him when she started sinking underneath the water. “Did you actually bring your derringer with you?”
“I tried, but after Bernadette realized I’d stuffed it into my corset since I know better than to attach it to my leg, she made me hand it over. She and Lottie then went about discussing how fortunate I was to have them in my life since I could’ve very well ended up, er, charm-less if not for their intervention.”
He felt his lips twitch, but before he could do anything other than realize it was a very peculiar time to be amused, they reached a bend in the river, the current substantially increasing.
With Owen keeping a firm hold on Camilla, the weight of her gown continuing to drag her under the water, they bobbed their way through rapids that left both of them gasping for breath before they hurtled into calmer waters, where he began swimming for shore.
His breathing became more labored than ever as he fought their way through the current, but finally, and after what seemed like hours instead of just minutes, his feet touched the muddy bottom of the river. Taking a moment to find his balance, he lifted Camilla into his arms and staggered through the increasingly shallow water, making it to dry land a moment later.
After setting Camilla down in the high grass that covered the bank, Owen bent over and took a second to catch his breath, returning his attention to Camilla when she let out a bit of a grunt as she pulled a strand of what seemed to be weeds out of her hair right before she sent him a grin.
“Care to share what’s amusing you?” he asked.
“I was just thinking about how, in my almost twenty-six years on this earth, I’d never been in a river before, but after having met you, it seems to be quite a frequent occurrence.”
“You don’t sound overly upset about that.”
“Considering both times I’ve ended up in a river has allowed me to escape from would-be abductors, I’m not upset in the least,although...” She sat up. “I have to wonder how those men found me, and if Victor Malvado is the criminal mastermind who seems determined to snatch me. Clearly, with me being the obvious target tonight, Lottie was probably never in danger.”
“From what Lottie has said about Victor, he seems to be an incredibly powerful crime boss who has far-reaching connections. If he is behind this, and maybe he is because he would glean a hefty ransom for your safe return, he’s evidently either sent men down here or has found some criminal connection in West Virginia that he used to plan this attack.”
“But how could anyone have known where to find me?”
“I’m not sure, although I suppose it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that someone from Wheeling traveled to New York and mentioned something about you, because you know people like to mention names of well-known people in order to increase their standing within whatever group they’re mingling with. Maybe Victor, or another criminal boss, heard about the conversation.”
“It could also be that Lord Shrewsbury might have heard a conversation like that, especially when we know he’s back in the city, attending events with Ward McAllister,” Camilla said.
“I suppose however someone found out doesn’t really matter right now, but what does matter is that we need to get you back to New York posthaste.”
“But that’s where Lord Shrewsbury is, as well as Victor Malvado.”
“True, but it’s also where the Accounting Firm is, and I have to believe they have the resources needed to truly keep you safe, unlike me.”
“You just saved me from another abduction attempt.”
Owen inclined his head. “I did, but you must know they’ll try again since they’ve gone to the bother of tracking you here. Even with the number of men we have watching over you, I’m not sure that’ll be enough to keep you safe.”
Holding out his hand, Owen helped Camilla to her feet beforehe took a moment to survey their surroundings, nodding to his right a moment later. “I have a friend, Amos Rook, who has a house not far from here. He’ll be happy to give us a ride back to the island.”
Entwining his fingers with Camilla’s, Owen headed along the riverbank, stopping when Camilla stumbled over the drenched hem of her gown. He eyed her for just a second before he moved closer and hauled her up and into his arms.
Her arms immediately looped around his neck, causing a wave of heat to shoot through him even though he was sopping wet and the wind that was blowing over them held a touch of a chill.
“This really isn’t necessary,” she muttered as he began striding through the tall grass of a clearing.
“It is when I don’t want you to break a limb by tripping over your skirt.”
Her arms went a little slack.
