“My pride,” he rasped as he leaned back against the carriage. “Ladies? Are you all—”
“We’re fine,” Sadie said. She was already on the ground picking up Connall’s coins. She knew the value of what was spilled and would not let it go to waste. “Connall’s got a fever. He’s been sick since Edinburgh.”
Reuben braced Connall against the carriage, then gently offered him a flask. “It’s water, but I can get you something stronger.”
Connall shook his head. Water would be all he’d manage for a bit now. God, he hurt. His head was pounding either from the thief’s boot or his illness. “I’ll be fine,” he said, his eyes going to Iseabail. “Miss Spalding,” he said. “Was that your necklace?”
Stupid way to ask it. Of course, she’d lost a necklace. He’d seen it happen. But was itthe necklaceor just a trinket?
The woman couldn’t answer. She was trembling and her eyes were wet with tears. Damn. It must have beenthe necklace, the one that told one and all who she was. Without it, her uncle could cast her aside, say she’d died on the road to London, and keep her dowry for himself.
“Hey now,” Reuben was saying as he gently came close to Iseabail. “What’s your name, miss?”
Iseabail’s eyes widened as the man came close to her and no wonder. Reuben was a huge man with thick muscle and a dark tattoo of a bastardized crest of London across his chest. It was the symbol of his control over areas of London best left unknown to women such as Iseabail. It was covered now, of course, but he couldn’t hide his size or his sheer raw presence.
“Are you hurt?” Reuben asked.
She shook her head, but Sadie spoke up.
“He touched her.”
Reuben made a noise akin to a growl, but then he kept his voice gentle. “It’s a monster for sure who preys on women. But it was naught but a little rough up, yes?”
“Yes,” Iseabail finally whispered as she straightened her spine. “I’m fine.” Her voice broke on that last word and Reuben held out a hand to catch her should she fall. She didn’t. But Connall knew the true reason for her anguish.
“He got her necklace, Reuban. The one that tells who she is.”
“And just who is she?”
“A lady with a fat dowry and a brutal guardian.”
Iseabail’s gaze skipped to Connall. “You know?”
“Aye,” he said as he let his gaze encompass Sadie. “But you should have told me.”
His cousin stepped forward. “She needs to get out of Scotland. She’s in danger up there.”
Probably true, but by involving Connall, they’d endangered his clan as well.
“This necklace,” Reuben pressed. “It’s important?”
“Very,” Connall answered. “It’s the only way she’ll get her dowry.”
Sadie sighed. “And the only way she’ll get married.”
“Then I’ll get it back for her,” Reuben said. He was smiling, this rogue for hire, in that way all dangerous men do when they want to attract a pretty lady. Connall was too clean cut to accomplish the look, but Reuban had practiced flirtation from the moment he knew how to wink. He did so now as he turned all his charm onto Iseabail.
“She’s the granddaughter of an earl,” he said firmly. Or as firmly as he could given that he was very lightheaded.
Typically, that only interested the rogue more. “Always good to have the favor of a lady,” he said as he gently raised Iseabail’s hand and kissed it. It was a courtly gesture that wasn’t lost on either woman. To see a man that large do the pretty was a sight that impressed every fair heart. And some of the darker ones as well.
“Damn it, Reuben…” Connall began. The man was a kingpin in the London underworld. He was not a good choice as a husband for anyone, least of all the granddaughter of an earl.
“My men will protect you down to London,” Reuben said. The words were a command to his companions. “Me, I’m on a hunt for an heiress’s necklace.”
“I’m not an heiress,” Iseabail said, her breath short.
“There’s all sorts of treasure, my lady, and I’ll bet you’ve got plenty to offer beyond gold.” Then he bowed with exquisite style before jumping on his horse and riding away. Both women watched the man, their eyes wide and their mouths open.
“Don’t even think about him,” Connall commanded. “He’s a rascal of the worst kind.”
The three remaining men agreed. One even said, “A terrible choice for any gal.”
Neither woman appeared to hear the warning.
