Page 94 of When a Lady Dares
“It doesn’t matter. Not now.” She ran a fingertip over the gun in her hand, almost lovingly, as if to kindle Sophie’s fear.
A knot dug into Sophie’s belly. She braced herself against it. “If you think to frighten me, it’s not working.”
“My, I do think you’re protesting a bit too vigorously to be credible.” Rebecca shook her head, slow and reproachful.
The rumble of carriage wheels grew louder. Was fear getting the better of Rebecca? “I don’t understand what’s come over you. I understand you may be alarmed.”
“You’re not as clever as you like to think, Sophie. I have no cause for fear. As for you…well, that’s another story.”
Sophie turned toward the approaching coach and assumed a firing stance. Rebecca’s laugh cut through her like a dull dagger.
“Pity you didn’t think to check your weapon for ammunition.”
Sophie stared down at the weapon. Calmly, she checked the chambers.Empty!Shock squeezed the air from her lungs. For a moment, she could scarcely draw a breath.
“Rebecca, what have you done?”
“I’m sorry, Sophie…sorry you’re a part of this. After Trask’saccident, I thought you’d have the good sense to leave. You’ve always treated me as an equal, unlike the rest, but there’s no changing it now.” She sighed, regarding Sophie with eyes as hard and cold as blue diamonds. “If it’s any consolation, Campbell will be able to capitalize upon your fate. Tragedy sells a great deal of papers, or so I’m told. Your dear friend Jennie did me a great favor when she asked me to accompany you. I’d thought I would be stuck in that cramped little office, playing the part of the dutiful assistant, ferrying secrets to those who would pay to see you and Stanwyck suffer some dreadful mishap. But now, I will be able to disappear. No one will question where I’ve gone, what I’ve done. Miss Beddingham will simply fade away, presumably a victim in the melee. I will be a wealthy woman. I do believe Paris will be a lovely place to take up residence.”
“My God, have you gone mad?”
“Walking away from a fortune would be the true madness.” Rebecca’s mouth pressed into a malevolent smile. She raised her weapon, taking aim at Sophie’s heart. “I really should thank you. But I’ll leave that pleasure to our guests.”
A coach slowly made its way along the path—the same coach Sophie had spotted the night of the attempted abduction. Her heart raced. In the light of day, a gilded symbol stood out against the ebony wood. She knew that emblem—Lord Ellicott never wasted an opportunity to show off his distinguished family crest. The man was widely regarded as a confidant and advisor to the Queen. What role did he play in this deadly game?
Dear God, she had to warn Gavin—but how? She eyed Rebecca’s gun. One pull of the trigger would sound an alarm. She had to take control of it.
“You don’t have to do this… It’s not too late for you.” Sophie lowered her voice, infused her words with a gentleness she did not feel as she assessed the other woman’s vulnerabilities. Taller, bigger-boned, and trained in the art of self-defense, Rebecca would be a formidable opponent. Sophie would have to employ the element of surprise to gain an advantage.
“You’re right. It’s not. In fact, I’m only beginning to live.” Rebecca turned, signaling the coach to proceed with a wave of her hand.
Sophie seized the opportunity. She whipped around, slammed her elbow into the larger woman’s arm. Still, the traitor clutched the gun in an unyielding grip. Stunned, Rebecca staggered backward, stumbling over her skirts. Sophie seized her forearm and gave a vicious twist.
Rebecca fought Sophie’s hold. Her fist plowed into Sophie’s cheek. Pain shot through Sophie’s skull, but she held tight. Wrenching Rebecca’s wrist, she battled for possession of the weapon, all the while forcing its barrel away from her, keeping its aim toward the ground.
She twisted hard, driving her elbow into Rebecca’s belly.Oomph.Another blow, to her ribs.
Rebecca’s piercing scream reverberated against her ears.
Strong, wiry hands caught Sophie’s shoulders, dug into her upper arms. “Let her go, ye bitch, or I’ll kill ye now.”
Jack. There was no mistaking the rotter’s voice, nor the feel of the gunmetal pressing against her ribs. She released her hold.
Hatred gleaming in her gaze, her mouth twisted in contempt, Rebecca stared down at Sophie. “I should’ve known you’d try to save the day.” She shot Jack a glance. “Put her in the coach.”
“Take your hands off me.” Sophie bucked his hold.
“Get her out of here. Now.”
Jack twisted Sophie’s arm behind her back. “One move and I’ll break it in two. Understand?”
She bit back a moan against the pain. “Yes.”
“Miss Beddingham, is everything all right?” Henry called, approaching from the stables.
“Ah, here comes the cavalry.” Rebecca turned toward the voice in the distance. “Ever gallant, that gorgeous Scot.”
Sophie made to cry out, but Jack clamped a hand over her mouth, muffling the sound. She struggled against his hold, desperate to warn Henry of the danger, but her captor held her tighter, nearly cutting off her oxygen.
