Pieces began fittingtogether in her mind. He knew they were wealthy. He knew when they died. When her parents’ carriage accident was investigated, the police told her it was a terrible mishap, but in the back of her mind, she doubted.
“Oh, no…” she said slowly. “You killed them, didn’t you?”
His eyes widened and his smile stretched. “Forgive me, Judith, but I never gave you credit for having a brain. You proved me wrong just now.”
Jumping out of her chair, she screamed and lunged for him. The table knocked over, and when she landed on him, his chair collapsed, bringing them both to the floor. She clawed at his face and beat on his chest. Anything to punish him. Tears clogged her vision, but she continued to bring upon him as much pain as she could.
He finally grabbed hold of her hands and rolled them until he loomed over her. He lifted his fist and it swooped down, connecting to her jaw. Pain exploded in her face and her head jerked back and hit the hard wooden floor.
Sounds all around her faded in and out as she struggled to keep from sinking into an unconscious state. The more she tried to focus on the murderer in front of her, the more pain filled her skull.
Closing her eyes, she rested her head against the ground and breathed deeply, fighting to keep from going into the blackabyss. Other voices swarmed around her, none that sounded familiar. Her head spun, and waves of nausea assailed her stomach. If she didn’t move, she would be fine. The deeper she breathed, the quicker her stomach eased.
A strong pair of hands lifted her up. Dirt and sweat wafted around her, making her want to gag again.
“Miss? Are you all right?”
The small amount of alcohol on the man’s breath wasn’t a lot, but mixed with the other smells surrounding him, caused her to turn away.
“I will be in a moment.”
She sat on the floor, still keeping her eyes closed until the dizziness settled. His hands continued to hold her shoulders.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. The man from the corner of the room sat in front of her. His dull blue eyes staring deep at her face as if studying her.
She shook away his touch. “Thank you, but I’m feeling better now.”
As she tenderly touched her throbbing jaw, she glanced around for Alex. He lay on the ground, unconscious. She looked back at the man next to her. “What happened?”
“I gave him a good pounding. I could not allow him to harm you that way.”
Not many strangers were so kind. She smiled, then winced when her cut lip bled. “I thank you again, sir.”
She struggled to stand, and the man helped her up. When she swayed, he grabbed her shoulders again to steady her. Glancing down at Alex, her heartbeat quickened. Was he out cold? Now was the time to escape. But, where would she go to hide?
“Miss?” the stranger asked.
She looked back at him. “Yes.”
“You look very familiar.”
Underneath all the dirt, there was probably a man she’d like to meet. Obviously he had a giving heart even though his straggly hair and beard, and ragged clothes kept her from looking deeper. Unfortunately, his stench was enough to make a pig swoon. Yet, there was something familiar in his blue eyes. If only his hair was shorter and clean, maybe she’d know him.
“I don’t know, sir. I’m Miss Faraday. What’s your name?”
He frowned and dropped his hands. “That, I do not know.”
“Pardon? How could you not know your name?”
He shrugged. “That slips my mind, also. I had a head injury a while back and I cannot remember anything.”
She sucked in her breath. Amazing. She’d heard of things like this happening, but she’d never met anyone with this problem.
On the floor, Alex groaned and stirred. She jumped away from him, closer to the stranger.
“Is he your husband?” the man asked.
“No. He has kidnapped me and intends to take me to Gretna Green to get married.” She turned toward him and clutched his filthy shirt. “Please help me. He killed my parents.” Her voice broke and tears gathered in her eyes again.
