Page 151 of Kathryn

A hand closed around her ankle, and she shrieked. Robin reared, but a huge man appeared at his head and caught the reins.

“Shhh, lad,” the man mumbled, easily holding the skittish horse.

“What’s this? Breeches?” Jasper asked, laughing raucously. “You are a spirited wench and will make a most invigorating traveling companion.”

“I am not going anywhere with you,” she said, pulling on her leg.

Jasper’s grip tightened. “Ah, I beg to differ, darling.”

“Why would you want a woman who hates you?”

“Because it’s not you I want, you fool; it’s your money.”

“I have no money—it all belongs to Dulverton.”

“Keep lying if it makes you happy.”

Katie wanted to scream. “Even if I did have a fortune, I would die before signing so much as a ha’penny over to you.”

He gave an ugly laugh. “That is what you say now.” He tugged on her ankle, almost pulling her to the ground. “Get down or I’ll drag you off.”

Katie heard the barely restrained violence in his voice and scrambled down. “There. Now what do you want?” she demanded, trying to sound brave but failing.

“Here is something I’ve wanted to do for weeks.” He struck her across the face so hard it knocked her back a step.

Katie cried out and clutched her cheek while Jasper grabbed her other arm and yanked her against him.

“I have put up with your nonsense for far too long, you little bitch.” His fingers ground her bones together. “If you give me any more trouble it won’t be a slap next time.” He turned to his huge companion. “You! Get over here and hold her.”

“I dunno ‘bout this, me lor. I din’t sign up for no rough and tumble. You said as ‘ow ‘Er Grace would go willing like.” The giant absently stroked Robin’s neck while the horse danced nervously.

“You idiot! What sort of business did you honestly think you were hired to do at this time of night? Now come here and hold her while I mount and then you can lift her up.” He turned to Katie and hissed, “Unless you are going to misbehave and I need to tie you up, my dear?”

“I do not think that will be happening,” a low voice said behind them.

It was Jasper’s turn to yelp as he spun them both around.

Dulverton rode out of the dark shadows into a beam of moonlight, his harsh features as hard as a cliff face. “Unhand my wife or I will tear your arm off your body, Staines.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

“Whatever you think is happening here, Dulverton, you are probably wrong,” Jasper yelled shrilly, gripping Katie’s arm even harder.

Dulverton dismounted with the fluid grace that always left Katie feeling a bit breathless and strode toward them. “Unhand her,” he snarled.

Jasper stumbled back a step and yanked on Katie’s arm, but she dug in her heels. “Grab him, you fool!” Jasper shouted over his shoulder. But there was no answer and when Jasper twisted them both around, she saw that Robin was alone.

“I think your minion decided that discretion was the better part of valor, Staines.” The duke’s quiet, toneless voice was more terrifying than a shout.

Jasper whirled them around. “You want her?” He shoved Katie so hard she stumbled. “Here she is!”

Dulverton caught Katie before she could fall and steadied her, seemingly unconcerned as Jasper’s footsteps receded into the darkness. He lifted her chin and his pale eyes turned to ice when he saw her cheek. “He struck you.”

“It—it doesn’t hurt,” she lied. “I’m so sorry about all this, Dulverton. I never thought he would—”

“Shhh,” he murmured as he leaned down and lightly kissed the offended cheek.

A scream shattered the night. “Aaargh! What the hell do you think you are doing?” Jasper demanded in a high-pitched voice.