Caroline and the Captain: A Regency Novella by Maggi Andersen Page B

didn’t intent to kill him with the gun, they’d know it wasn’t an accident. I banked on him stopping to find out where the shot came from. When he came into the trees it was easy. I then dragged him to where you found him. But I didn’t expect you to be riding with him and raise the alarm. I couldn’t get into the house after that. Had to score off to London. And London is hard when the money runs out.”
    He sounded as though it was her fault. “My husband is after you. He and the Bow Street runner will be here any minute. You’d better escape while you can.”
    “Searching London for me, they are. Last I heard. Move.” He shoved her. “I need money.”
    “There isn’t any money.”
    “Don’t lie to me.” His hand came up like lighting and struck her across the cheek.
    Caroline reeled back at the stinging slap, her face burning. “I tell you there isn’t. The bills have just been paid.”
    “We’ll see about that. I bet he got a fortune for them jewels, so there must be.” His hand gripped her arm digging his fingers into her flesh. “Get moving.”

Chapter Thirteen
 
    Nicholas felt his horse falter under him. “Dammit!” He reined the horse in and jumped to the ground.
    “Looks like he’s lost a shoe, milord,” said Holmes.
    He bent down and examined the leg the horse favored. “The shoe’s intact, it’s a stone he’s picked up.” Taking out his knife Nicholas gently levered the stone away. He led the horse by the reins to observe its action. “Looks good to me, milord,” Phillips said. “I think we’re right to go.”
    Nicholas vaulted into the saddle and gingerly eased his mount into a canter. There was no sign of soreness, thank God.
    At full gallop they rode through the quiet village passing small farms and cottages, most of which lay in darkness, and turned toward Debenham Park.
     
    ♥♥♥
     
    In anger, she pulled her arm away from Post. “I have no idea where any money is kept. I haven’t been here very long.”
    “You’ll get that money for me, if you know what’s good for you. Or I’ll enjoy another ride with you to soften you up.”
    Caroline quaked her mind spinning. She needed more time. “I might be able to open the safe in the study downstairs.”
    “Good girl. Let’s go down, shall we?” He gave her a push, the hard edge of the pistol digging into her back.
    “Let me put on my dressing gown. I’m cold.”
    “I’ll warm you up good and proper. After you get me the money.”
    “And then you’ll murder me.” She fought to modulate her voice, but it quavered, annoyingly high pitched with fear.
    “Not if you’re nice to me. I might take you along. We can have fun together with all that coin.”
    He was delusional. Could she use that against him? Caroline grabbed her dressing gown and shrugged into it, wishing she could stop her teeth chattering.
    Years ago when he’d forced himself on her, she’d been a green girl. Now she was older and shrewder, and had a chance to get the better of him. She led him to the stairs hoping to push him down, but he shoved her ahead of him.
    It was dark in the corridors where the candles had burned away in the wall sconces. She fumbled her way to the study mostly by memory with him breathing heavily behind her. “I need to light a candle,” she said. “There’s a candelabra with a flint and tapers on the table by the window.”
    Post dragged the curtains open and the moonlight stole in, revealing vague shapes. “Light it.”
    Her hands shaky, Caroline made several attempts, until Post dug the gun into her back. “You’re stalling.”
    “I’m not!” At last the wicks flickered into life. The candlelight threw deep shadows over Post’s face painting him the demon he was. She shuddered. If she had a knife, she would drive it into his ribs and never regret it.
    “Get on with it, then.”
    “George kept the keys in the desk drawer.”
    Hoping to find a pistol, Caroline moved behind the satinwood desk and pulled the