Regina cursed at that. She had based her plans on escaping right here and now. Instead, it seemed that she would have to rethink it. If they brought her into custody, there was one definite problem for the Mallencourts. Dalton had said it earlier—if the coroner had already ruled the death an accident five years ago, it would take a great deal to overturn it.
If she clung to that, insisting her innocence, she might be able to avoid a trial.
Outside, the rattling noise continued, until at last, Hobson pulled the door open. He got inside, and she could smell the heavenly aroma of fresh bread. She had never wanted to eat so much in all her life.
Within moments, the coach was back on the road, and she watched as Hobson took out a piece of the bread. ‘I suppose you want this, don’t you?’
Don’t answer, she warned herself. The price is too high.
He took a bite, chewing with his mouth open. ‘I’ll give you a piece. But you’ll have to pay me.’
She knew the sort of payment he wanted, and again, she behaved as if he wasn’t there. He reached out to pinch her roughly. ‘Do you think you’re something special, milady? You’re naught but a whore anyhow. Living as mistress to that viscount. You might as well give me what I want.’ He leaned in as if to kiss her, and Regina spat in his face.
Pain exploded across her cheek when he struck her with his fist. She was stunned into silence, and Hobson added, ‘You won’t escape, if that’s what you’re thinking. Remember who is your master, milady, and you’ll find that I can be generous to those who please me.’
She lifted her chin and glared back at him. ‘You should think of what happened to the last man who touched me against my will.’ A trickle of blood ran down from her nose, but she refused to back down. Her words were an open threat, but she hardly cared.
‘Use your wits, Hobson. What do you think will happen to you if you violate the daughter of an earl? I will tell him what you did, and my father will use his position and power to ensure that you suffer. Whereas if you bring me home, who do you think will pay more? The Mallencourts, who have nothing, or an earl? Even my husband will offer more than enough for my safe return.’
He was starting to falter, but he argued, ‘You’d just have me arrested as a thief-taker. I’d be in prison for this.’
‘It’s not too late,’ she insisted. ‘You made a mistake, but one that can be corrected.’
She would not be a victim again, too terrified to fight back. This time, she would use her arguments, her words as weapons. He was still trying to think, but she could see that her words were starting to change his mind.
Hobson continued to eat in front of her, and her stomach growled with raging hunger. She gladly accepted the pangs, as long as he kept his hands to himself. It would be another long night of travelling. She dared not close her eyes, though.
‘Think upon it,’ she told the man. ‘There is still time to change your mind.’ Her courage kept her voice calm, but inwardly, she remained troubled. To keep herself from panicking, she forced herself to think of Dalton.
Dear God, she missed him. She had loved waking up in the morning with his arms around her. He’d made her feel beloved, and turning away from him had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. It was a physical ache to be apart from him.
But love was about choosing what was right, not her own selfish needs. She’d had to give him the choice, the chance to walk away from this scandal. Letting him go was the right thing to do, even if it tore her heart out. Even now, she didn’t know what he would say or do when he saw her again. She didn’t know if he’d gone to help her father out of obligation, or whether he still loved her.
Hobson continued drinking from the flask, and in time, his head drifted back, and he began to snore. Regina renewed her efforts to free herself from the ropes, though she wasn’t entirely certain what she could do, even if her hands were unbound.
Even so, she refused to give up.
Three days later
The last thing Dalton expected to see was a pirate and a housekeeper charging into his father’s house. His grandfather’s hair was tucked beneath a cap, and he had a cutlass strapped to his side. A blend of exhaustion and excitement lined the old man’s face.
His father, Lord Brevershire, was staring at his father-in-law. ‘Cairnross, is that you? What the devil are you wearing?’
The older man came forward and brandished his cutlass. To Dalton, he said, ‘Laddie, we must go and rescue the princess. She was taken by ruffians, and we tracked them to the southern islands.’
‘Who took her?’ Dalton’s instincts flared up, and he immediately understood that Regina was in danger.
‘A thief-taker,’ Mrs Howard said. ‘Bold as you please. He rode up in a coach and snatched her out from under us. But Lord Cairnross and I followed her. We ne’er let her out of our sight, not once, did we?’
‘Not once,’ he repeated. ‘And we must go now to fetch her back. Now that we have reinforcements.’ The look in his eyes made it clear that he considered Dalton to be the reinforcements.
And Grandfather was right about that. He would do everything to help Regina, but he needed more information. ‘Where did he take her?’
‘Near the Tower,’ he whispered. ‘I’ll have to show you where they are.’
‘The driver knows?’ Dalton verified, and his grandfather nodded.
