Fright washed over her as she stared at Joseph Donnelly. Normally, she wouldn’t be afraid of him, but in her weakened condition, she couldn’t help but feel defenseless right now. She’d quickly assumed he knew she was watching him sell the opium to Mrs. Larson. After all, why else would he confront her?
Talking her way out of this was essential at this time, but knowing Donnelly the way she did, he wouldn’t believe her. Especially since he knew she had been responsible for getting his woman friend arrested in London.
“Indeed, this is a surprise, Mr. Donnelly.” She tried to make her voice cheerful, but she doubted it sounded that way to him. “Pray, what are you doing so far from home?”
His darkened gaze zeroed in on her, appearing more menacing. “Och! Don’t ye go actin’ like ye weren’t watchin’ me earlier because I’m not that foolish. Ye were able to git tae me in London, but I no’ whot tae watch for now.”
He grasped her injured arm, and she let out a small cry. “Please release me at once. I have done nothing to bring on your abusive nature.”
“Really?” He arched an eyebrow. “Dinna ye hear me, woman? I just said I no’ ye were watchin’ me earlier.”
Helplessness grew inside her, but she must stay strong. And pray...yes, she must pray for someone to help her. “Watching you, sir? I was just taking a nap by this tree. How could I have been watching you when my eyes were closed?”
He rolled his eyes. “Oh, ye still think I’m foolish, don’cha? Well, I’m not.”
His grip tightened, and pain sliced through her arm once again. But she must not let him know about her injury. He would just use it to his advantage. “Please, Mr. Donnelly, unhand me. I assure you, I do not know what you’re talking about.”
“Whot case are ye workin’ on now?” he sneered. “Are ye searchin’ for an opium den again?”
She tried to peel his fingers off her arm, but his hold was too strong. Either that, or she was too weak. “Actually, no. We are working on something else entirely.”
“So whot are ye doin’ by yerself in the park, restin’ under a tree? If ye were so tired, why weren’t ye restin’ at home?” He nodded assuredly. “It’s like I told ye, Miss Bastian, I no’ ye, and I don’t believe a word yer sayin’.”
Her hopes sank. She was in deep trouble now.
ASHTON CRUMBLED THE note from Patsy in his hand. His housekeeper had a servant inform him that Nicole had gone for a walk and hadn’t returned. That confounded woman!
Grumbling under his breath, he hurried out of his office and mounted his horse. He’d never in his life met anyone so bullheaded...and yet so charming. Sometimes he wondered if she had a brain at all, and then, most times, he couldn’t believe how intelligent she really was.
Right now, however, his thoughts were leaning toward her absent brain. Why would she want to take a walk in her weakened condition? Patsy had kept him abreast of Nicole’s recovery, and although she was healing nicely, she for certain couldn’t have regained all her strength, especially to walk back to his house by now.
Not knowing which way Nicole could have gone, he pushed his horse in the direction of his house, hoping he’d spot her on the way. If he didn’t...well, perhaps he shouldn’t worry about it. Yet how could he not? Even as upset as he was because she lied to him, she was the only one who could save his hide. He needed her to help him find the true thief before the police figured they had evidence against him and arrested him instead.
As he headed through town, he swept his gaze from one side to the other, trying to see her. Because the weather was so beautiful today, there were many couples out strolling, and so many more carriages than he wanted for this time of the day. The crowded street made searching for her more difficult. Yet he knew the curves of her body, and the tilt of her face, and by now he had memorized the alluring swing of her hips when walking away from him.
Funny to think he could recall all of that. No matter what happened between him and Nicole, he would always remember her and the way she made his heart beat with renewed life. He frowned. He’d also remember how badly his heart crumbled when he discovered her treachery, too.
Just as he was reaching the edge of town, out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed a man and woman in the park. At first glance, he realized the woman struggled to get out of the man’s clasp. When he studied them a little closer, his heart dropped. It was Nicole. She was in trouble!
Kicking his horse in the sides, he urged the animal faster, riding toward the struggling couple. Just before reaching them, they both turned and looked in his direction. He doubted Nicole recognized him at first, but the stranger with her had wide frightened eyes.
Ashton swung off the horse and grasped the other man by the front of his shirt. The action made the man release Nicole. She stumbled back and fell to the ground.
“I suggest you get out of here quickly, before I’m tempted to whip you with these reins,” he ground out, aiming his fierce stare at the man. Nodding, he muttered some Scottish sounding words before turning and running away.
Ashton knelt beside Nicole. Her whole body shivered. “Blasted woman,” he said, scooping her up in his arms. “What made you think you could walk this far into town when you’re still healing?”
Closing her eyes, she laid her head against his chest. He carried her to the horse and situated her on the saddle first before climbing behind her. He adjusted her on his lap a little more closely before gathering the reins and urging the horse into a trot.
“Th-thank y-you,” she whispered, cuddling against his body.
“What were you thinking?” he asked, wrapping one arm around her.
“I-I sup-pose I wasn’t thinking at all, was I?”
“Not one bit,” he grumbled. “Hold on tight. I’ll get you home as quickly as I can.”
He pushed the animal a little faster. She clutched his waistcoat, burying her face against his chest. She didn’t say another word, for which he was relieved. As upset as he was right now, he didn’t know what he’d say to her that he’d regret later. And who was that man in the park and what was he trying to make her do? Ashton would ask questions later when she had more strength.
