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“Edward!” Charles shouted. “You’re no good to her dead.”

“I have to get to her.”

“You will. Slow down.”

Edward sighed, pulling the reins to slow his beast.

They rode at a much slower pace, crossing into a town alive with night festivities.

“We should ask around if anyone has seen anything suspicious,” the head constable suggested, and they nodded, agreeing to separate and meet up in a quarter of an hour.

Edward scanned his surroundings for any familiar face, but when he saw none, he decided to visit places travelers would most likely frequent.

He stopped by the stables, but no one had come in for fresh horses. The baker and apothecary told him they hadn’t seen anything suspicious, but when he went to the blacksmith, he knew Providence was on their side, for he overheard a conversation that piqued his interest.

He stayed off to the side of the shop but close enough that he could hear the conversation.

“The blonde whore thinks we’ll let her go.” A man laughed. “We’ll make a fortune off the two of ‘em.”

“Didn’t I tell ye our luck will soon turn around, Sam?”

“Aye, ye did.” The first man laughed. “It’s too bad the wheel broke now.”

“There’s no way the lass’s husband will find us so quickly.”

Edward spotted Charles and the constables approaching and motioned for them to wait.

When the men emerged from the shop, wheel in hand, he snuck behind them, making sure to stay out of sight.

He apparently didn’t need to explain anything to the other members of his party. They followed his plan, taking up different positions until they neared their final destination.

Edward was grateful they’d made camp in the woods away from the town, so their arrest would be easy.

When he spotted Arabella tied to a tree trunk, his heart pounded hard against his ribcage, but relief washed over him. They found her.

When the men entered their makeshift tent, Joana stepped out of the shadows to meet them.

“Well?” she snapped. “Were you able to fix it?”

“Aye.”

“Good. Fix it and let’s move.”

“We make camp here tonight,” the bigger man answered.

“No. We move now. That was the deal.”

“That was before ye stepped out of yer lands.” He cackled, stepping closer to her. “Ye have to play by our rules now.”

“And if they find us?”

“They cannot.” He laughed. “We made sure of it.”

“You do not know Edward.” She looked around. “He’s very persistent.”

“I thought you said you made sure he won’t follow us.”

“I did, but…”