Page 74 of Foolish Bride
Elinor moved beside Everett. “Who are you, and what do you mean, bursting in on private land?”
He came closer and Everett stepped out again.
“You are in no position to ask questions, my lady. I have the guns; therefore, I have the upper hand.” He might have been reading instructions from some kind of “attacking innocence” handbook.
It would do no good to panic. The man must want something, and it was better to discover what it was from the start. “May I inquire as to the nature of your visit, sir?”
He smiled and bowed as she were a queen and they’d met at a ball. “I have come to take you away from all of this.” He gestured to the surroundings.
“The hell you say.” Sheldon pushed forward, trying to get past Elinor and Everett.
She put out her arm and stopped Sheldon, who now had guns pointed at him. “May I have your name, sir? You cannot expect me to run off with a man to whom I have not even been introduced.”
“Indeed.” The bow that followed was so low, his face turned cherry red, and his hair flapped in the breeze. “I am Carter Roxton,” he declared.
She almost laughed.
“Lemmy’s brother? Pretender!” Sheldon renewed his effort to push through.
It was all Elinor and Everett could do to hold back Sheldon.
“Sheldon, be calm. Those guns are not toys. Stay back now,” she whispered.
“Better listen to her, boy. I do not want to kill you, but I certainly will if need be.”
“And if I do not wish to go?” she asked Roxton.
He sighed. “I am afraid that is not an option, my lady. You must come with me in order for justice to be served.”
“What justice?” Everett demanded.
Roxton had been gazing at Elinor as if she were the moon, but now he turned to Everett. His eyes narrowed, and his voice clipped. “Justice your brother has denied me until this point.”
It made no sense. Elinor looked at Everett, who shrugged. Clearly, this man was deranged.
“Hold these whelps while I load the woman,” Roxton ordered the armed men.
The two brutes rushed forward, grabbing Everett and Sheldon in their meaty hands. Both boys fought, but they were no match for the ruffians.
Elinor beat on the arms of the one holding Sheldon. “Let them go.”
Sweaty arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her away.
She clutched Everett’s arm.
Roxton tugged harder, robbing her of her breath and her grip. “Time to go.”
“You’re mad if you think I am going anywhere with you.” Turning, she scratched his face only a hair away from his eye.
His hand lashed out and struck her across the face with such force, her own eye might become dislodged. Pain seared her cheek and she tasted blood. Shocked, she clutched her cheek and stared wide-eyed at her assailant.
“Terribly sorry you made me do that, my dear. Please refrain from such behavior in the future. I should hate to have to harm you.” He spoke in a calm voice that sent chills up Elinor’s spine.
He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her toward the trees.
The boys hollered and called out.
Praying they would not be harmed, she struggled to free herself.
