Page 62 of Forever Her Bachelor

Standing, St. Clara went in search of the pistol he had packed hoping he would never have to use it. Once he located it under the opposite seat, he checked the chamber, pulling Pippa up as the horses slowed, and they jerked back and forth.

They were running out of time, and she must be protected. “Take this and pull the trigger at the first sign of danger.” He shoved the gun in her hand. “Do you understand me?”

She nodded, her eyes welling with tears. “W-what about you?” Her voice shook with the weight of her fear.

“I’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried about.” He helped her up, causing her to drop Newton. His mind was desperately trying to come up with a plan that would save them.

“Reaper said no one gets hurt, Culpepper. You fucking idiot!” A deep voice shouted before there was a loud bang against the carriage door, causing it to rock side to side.

“How else was I supposed to get the carriage to stop?” the second voice asked in a high pitch voice that shook with fear.

“Open the door!” The instruction was barked out, causing St. Clara’s wife to jump in his arms.

Preparing himself, St. Clara moved in front of Pippa just as the carriage door opened. Without thinking, he jumped out, his hands wrapping around the strange man’s neck. Throwing him to the ground, St. Clara began pummeling the assailant repeatedly. The man had dropped his own gun, leaving him defenseless against a relentless St. Clara.

“Let go of me!” The desperation and fear in Pippa’s voice pierced through St. Clara’s murderous haze.

He stopped punching the man beneath him and turned around. His wife was being held by her dark hair, fear coursing through her hazel eyes.

The man holding her was tall, nearly taller than St. Clara, long blond hair reached his shoulders, his body much larger. “Reaper wanted me to send you a message, gov.”

CHAPTER 19

Dear Kitten,

Often, I think of my mother and sister, but when I do, it is as if I am betraying my father. He is of course the wronged party, and when I think of what my mother did to our family, I do not believe she deserves my sympathy at all.

Yours,

Chauncey (The Assistant)

“Reaper wanted me to send you a message, gov.”

Pippa’s head reeled over and over. She had heard the nameReaperbefore, but she wasn’t entirely sure where. It sounded vaguely familiar. A shiver of fear ran down her spine. She had always prided herself on having an excellent memory, but being held at gunpoint made it difficult for Pippa to process anything at all. The meaty arm around her neck tightened as the gun dug deeper into her side.

Unable to breathe or move from fear, Pippa desperately tried to stop herself from crying or panicking. This was the time that she needed a cool, level head. She couldn’t afford to be aswooning lady of theton.Her husband needed her to be strong if they were to survive this.

Chauncey had given her their only source of protection, leaving himself vulnerable in the process. She was finding it difficult to comprehend that he had considered her safety before his own.

Her gaze swept the area. The servants’ carriage had fallen to its side, and she hoped with all her heart that its occupants were well. Across from her, Chauncey’s body vibrated, coiled so tightly he looked like a snake ready to strike.

His unfocused gaze traveled from her to the man holding her, and his jerky movements forward showed Pippa that he was warring with himself.

Behind her the gunman pulled her closer; his sweet scent nearly made her sick. “Let’s calm down, shall we?” The masked man had a deep cockney accent, and Pippa thought it strange with them being so far from London. “If you move, your wife will pay.”

Releasing her neck, he took Pippa by the hair and pulled forcibly. She cried out from the pain, her head feeling like he was yanking strands of hair out.

Chauncey leapt forward. “If you touch her, I will murder you. Then I’ll go to hell, find you, and murder you again,” A shiver of pleasure that had nothing to do with fear swirled low in her abdomen at the sound of Chauncey’s voice. He was spectacular in his rage, all to protect her.

The rustling of the trees, chirping of birds, and Pippa’s pounding heart were the only sounds around her as Chauncey and the highwayman glared at each other.

The body of the man who held her shook with the force of his laughter, the sound maniacal to her ears. “Reaper said you were tough for a gent.” The highwayman waved his pistol in Chauncey’s direction.

Pippa feared for their lives, but her real concern was for Chauncey. At least she had the weapon he gave her tucked safely into the pocket of her traveling dress. She squirmed to move her arms, but the scoundrel held onto her tighter.

“Nothing will happen to her. You have my word.” He eased his hold on Pippa’s hair but still held onto her. She welcomed the reprieve from the pain and could finally focus her senses on the conversation around her.

Chauncey shook his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “Your word means nothing. Now, release my wife and be on your way.”