Too Hot For A Rake. Pearl Wolf

curtains to let in the light. She proceeded to set out Helena’s clothing.

      “Very well.” Helena sighed and rose from the bed. After Amy had helped her dress, Helena opened her diary and began to write quickly, before she lost her thoughts. The words poured out of her soul like swift arrows piercing her heart. She wrote what she felt. The doubt. The wanting. The anguish. The rejection.

      “The landlord’s prepared your breakfast in the dining parlor, milady.”

      Helena nodded. She let Amy help her with her pelisse, but she would not relinquish the bag that held her journal, in order to make sure prying eyes could not read it.

      She was alone in the private parlor when Casper knocked and entered. “What is it, Casper?”

      “Lord Waverley’s not back from his morning ride, milady. He left word with the landlord that we’re to wait for him to return before we leave for Bodmin.”

      “Wait for his lordship? Indeed we will not. It isn’t necessary. We’re not far from Bodmin. We’ll go on as planned and the marquis may meet us there. Tell his valet to join us.”

      “I asked him already, milady. Rabu says he won’t budge without his master.”

      “He will when you tell him it is his master’s wish. We can’t leave him behind, you know. Tell him to be ready to leave in fifteen minutes.”

      “Safe journey, milady. Pleased to be at your service,” said the landlord as he helped her into the carriage, his mind already on the bill he planned to send to her father. Casper cracked his whip and the chaise was under way.

      Helena smiled to herself at the landlord’s final words. She hadn’t bothered to question his bill, which made the man effusive. She sighed, her thoughts on the family she had left behind. Would she be able to hold her head up at Georgiana’s debut ball so as not to embarrass her family? She allowed herself a small smile at a thought that crossed her mind. She would have to hold her head up high at Georgie’s debut ball whatever the cost. The Duke of Heatham’s children were not allowed to fail.

      Their carriage came to a screeching halt. Helena’s quill flew out of her hand, for she had been writing in her journal. She and Amy were tossed every which way, the contents of their small bags spilling out in a jumble.

      Amy recovered first. “Ouch! You all right, milady?” She rolled down the window and stuck her head out. “Casper, you lout. Why’d you stop so sudden like? My lady’s all shook up.”

      Casper climbed down from his perch, his rifle in hand, and opened their door. “Hush, lass,” he whispered. “Don’t be making a fuss. Stay inside and protect milady. There’s a robbery just ahead, mayhap. Two highwaymen are tryin’ to murder a proper gentleman, by the look of him. Be quiet while Rabu and I see what the lay of the land is. We have to stop them or we’ll be next.” He tied the horses to a tree and crept forward, rifle at the ready. Rabu followed him resolutely, his fists clenched, poised for battle.

      “Oooh, milady! We’re done for!” Amy moaned.

      “Stop that whimpering, you silly chit. Casper and Rabu will protect us. It’s their duty. Quick! We must prepare ourselves. What can we use if they fail? No, no. Don’t look so alarmed and don’t you dare start wailing. Let’s search the carriage. There must be something here we can…”

      A loud shot reached their ears. Amy jumped closer to her mistress. “They…they’ve murdered Casper.”

      “Stop it this instant,” said Helena, exasperated, yet frightened in spite of her admonition. She pushed her abigail to the floor. “Stay right there. Don’t move unless you hear me scream. Then get out and run as fast as you can and find help.”

      Helena cracked the door open just enough to slide down to the ground. She crept quietly toward the direction of the rifle shot. Her eyes flew open at the sight of Casper struggling with one of the masked men while the other held his bleeding leg and groaned. Rabu stood frozen at the side of the road, all resolve to fight now lost. Casper’s rifle lay on the ground near the figure of a third man lying face down, not moving at all.

      She tore her eyes away from him and concentrated on the immediate danger. Rabu was no help and Casper appeared to be losing the struggle. The man with the bleeding leg was trying to inch his way toward the fallen rifle. She found a sturdy branch lying nearby, gripped it with both hands and rushed into the fray.

      “Stop, thief! We’ll have no more of this nonsense!” The startled thug let go of Casper and turned to see where the voice was coming from, giving Casper time to thrust him off.

      “Smith! Watch yer back!” screamed his accomplice. He reached for the rifle just as Helena ran to him and kicked it out of reach. She dropped the branch, picked up the rifle and aimed it at the man called Smith, never taking her eyes off his wounded partner.

      “Casper, can you find something to bind these two brutes with? Rabu and I will stand watch until you return.” She turned to Smith and added, “I also have you in my sight. I’m an excellent shot, my man.”

      Rabu came to his senses and joined her, a look of fearlessness on his face despite his shaking knees.

      “Right and tight, milady.” Casper stood up and brushed himself off. “Can you two hold them until I return, milady?”

      “Of course.”

      “Yes, sah!” said Rabu, recovered from fright.

      The wounded man snorted. “Women don’ know how to shoot and that little man is worthless.”

      “Shut up, Isley. Don’t set ’em off. I don’t fancy me death.”

      Helena let out a harsh laugh. “Try me, Isley. Move one muscle and I’ll shoot the other leg. Lie down, Smith.”

      “All right, miss.” The man lay flat on his back and crossed his arms over his chest as if already dead.

      “You too, Isley. On your back next to your friend. No. Not that close. Just close enough so we can watch you both. That’s right. Now fold your arms over your chest and don’t move.”

      “Can ye let us go just this once, your la’ship? We never done this ’afore, but there’s no honest work to be had and…and we have families to feed,” Smith whined.

      Helena didn’t take her eyes off either highwayman. “You should have thought of that before you murdered that poor gentleman lying over there.”

      “He ain’t dead, miss. Just stunned-like. Go see fer yerself.”

      “Not on your life, you glib-tongued thief. I’ll see to him once you’re both safely bound. If he’s dead, heaven help you. You’ll both hang for it.”

      Casper returned with Amy in tow. “Got the rope, milady. We’re gonna tie ’em up. Give us a hand, Rabu.”

      “All right, but be quick about it,” Helena said. “Tie them each to a separate tree. And be sure to tie them tight, so they can’t run away. We’ll ride ahead to Bodmin. We’re staying at the Pig and Whistle, an inn I know well. The landlord will summon the constable to fetch these two. If that poor man lying over there is still alive, we’ll have to take him with us. The innkeeper will send for a doctor.”

      Helena watched Casper and Rabu roll Isley over and tie his hands behind his back while Amy secured his feet. “Ow,” cried Isley. “Watch me wounded leg.”

      “And whose fault is that, lad? You only got what you deserved. Be thankful you’re still alive,” lectured Amy as she helped Casper and Rabu. They dragged him to a tree, where they sat him up and bound him securely.

      Smith made as if to move. “Ladies don’t know how to shoot,” he snarled.

      Helena lifted the rifle. “Care to test my skill? As you wish, but be prepared. I may be a bit rusty. I might miss your leg and blow your head off instead. Go ahead, you cur. Make one move and we’ll see if I can shoot.” She raised the rifle higher and