Lady in Demand (26 page)

Will watched the horse lift its head as the man’s hand tightened on the reins. Interesting. It was dark, and the moonlight was weak, but the highwayman had recognized him immediately, if that reaction was any indication. He’d seen the worst life could offer, yet it saddened him that someone who had crossed his path would need to steal to survive.
 

“This is not a social call, Lord Ryder. Just hand over the pouch and we shall leave you to continue your journey.”

“And if I say no, will you kill me where I stand?”

“We don’t want to kill you!”
 

“Then turn your horse around and leave,” Will said, his voice now low and menacing. The gun wavered and then steadied as the man transferred the reins into the same hand as the gun, the empty one he now held out to Will.

“Throw me that pouch.”

“No.” He watched the two highwaymen look at each other after he spoke. A suspicion formed in his head as the leader raised a shoulder in a gesture that looked far too feminine for a man.
 

“I will shoot your driver.”

Will had not survived the last few years to be shot just miles from his home, and he realized that a young, desperate man aiming a gun at his head was a situation that could get out of hand quickly.
 

“Here.” He threw the bag at the leader, who caught it easily.

“Now go, before I decide that you two need to be taught a bloody good lesson in manners,” Will added, scowling at them.
 

They turned their horses and began to leave.

“I’ll stop them!”

“No, Luke!”

Too late, Will watched his driver’s knife sail through the air and lodge itself in the shoulder of the lead highwayman. The scream that filled the air told him his original guess had been incorrect. They weren’t youths; in fact, they were women. He took a step towards her as she lurched sideways in the saddle, but she saved herself by gripping the horse’s mane, and soon they were gone from his sight.

Want to read the rest?
Lady In Disguise
is available now.

      •Here’s a small unedited excerpt from my current work in progress. Book 3 in The Langley Sisters Series – Lady In Distress:

Chapter One

      Luke Fletcher knew he looked outwardly composed as he maneuvered the horses into the driveway of the clinic. He concentrated on the smooth turn, making sure the four horses made it through in unison and only when they were trotting up the drive did he allow himself to look at the building ahead of him. His stomach clenched and the palms of his hands inside his gloves began to sweat.

      Bella would step from it in a matter of minutes, and he would see her again. These past months without her, had been a combination of heaven and hell for Luke. He'd not seen her daily, not felt the jolt of longing that always made him start as she appeared before him. Then, there was the constant worry of not seeing her. Was she well, did she cry with longing for her family or him? No, not for him, she'd made that clear when she'd left all those long weeks ago.

      ‘I have loved you my entire life, Luke Fletcher, but you will never allow yourself to reciprocate that love. Therefore, from this day forth the only thing I can offer you is friendship.’

      The joy at hearing Bella declare her love for him had soon been dashed as she had added the rest. She'd then turned around and walked away from him, and he'd let her. There could be no future for them, he knew that. She was the daughter of a Lord, and he, the son of a stable-hand. However, at that moment, he'd wanted it, wanted it more than he had wanted anything in his life before.

      Pulling the carriage to a halt, he turned to the man who sat beside him.

      "Jessie, go and open the door, and I'll stay up here and look after the horses."

Jessie was eighteen and eager to please so he hurried to do as Luke asked.
 

      Luke then heard the deep rumble of voices as Bella’s brother in law’s, Lord Finneous Levermarch and Lord William Ryder, stepped from the carriage. His hope that Will would ignore him and simply make his way inside was of course futile.

      “Will you not get down and greet her, Luke?”

      Finn and Will moved to stand beneath him, both looking up. Both were dark haired. However, Finn’s was liberally laced with silver. Big and strong, they were men who understood their place in the world, a place dictated to them by birth. He envied them that. Luke straddled both worlds and fitted in neither.
 

Bella didn't look at the carriage, didn't check to see if Luke Fletcher was driving. Will had told her he was there, but she wouldn't be confirming it. She nodded to Finn as she reached the bottom step and began walking toward the carriage; she could feel Luke's eyes on her but hers remained focused on her brother-in-law. Only when she stopped beside the carriage did she glance up at him. She had practiced this smile many times, cool and calm. It did not offer intimacy nor did it suggest they were familiar with each other. He had chosen not to acknowledge what lay between them, so she would respect his wishes, even if it broke her heart.
 

      Tall and lean, Bella could recall Luke Fletcher’s face even with her eyes closed. He had eyes the color of a clear summer’s day and thick brown hair that curled around his head and was usually streaked with gold by the end of summer, as often he worked outside without a hat. He had a small blonde patch behind his right ear that he loathed, but Bella secretly loved.
Did once love
, she corrected.
 

      Nodding her head, she said nothing further and then climbed into the carriage. He’d looked shocked that she did not speak to him, but from this day forth, this was how it would be between them.

Other Books by Wendy are available here:
http://www.wendyvella.com/wendys-books/

The Reluctant Countess

Christmas Wishes

The Regency Rakes

Duchess By Chance

Rescued By A Viscount
 

The Langley Sisters Series
 

Lady In Disguise

Lady In Demand