Page 24 of The Pirate's Stolen Bride
What if you fall pregnant from this and he’s arrested? What will you do then?
She really had not thought this through. She buttoned her spencer with shaking hands. Rémy strode over to her and kissed her forehead.
“Don’t worry, mon trésor, I have cultivated friendships throughout Cornwall. The Riders do not endear themselves to the locals. They are arrogant and demanding, but dislike having to pay for services they want. No one here will turn me in and risk the wrath of their neighbors.”
“It certainly won’t be me claiming the prize,” she said vehemently.
“I trust that you won’t turn me in.” Now that they were both fully dressed, he offered her his arm. “Shall we continue our journey?”
Smiling, Harriet tucked her hand into his elbow. This would work out. Uncle Monty was stubborn, but he believed in fairness as a general principle. He would come around. They could survive without her dowry for a while, then use her inheritance to buy a sweet little cottage.
That sounded much more appealing than having to be the lady of a huge manor. Or having to navigate social politics in London every Season. All they needed was a few hours of luck to make their escape.
Rémy reached for the handle of the sagging door. Shock whipped through Harriet like a cold storm when the wood flew back before he could touch it, revealing two scowling men. One she didn’t recognize.
The other was her Uncle Monty.
CHAPTER TWELVE
CRIMINALLY BAD LUCK
“Harriet!” her uncle exclaimed. His features twisted into a furious thundercloud when he glanced at Rémy. “Arrest that man. He stole my niece.”
“Uncle Monty, no!” She tried to intervene, but he yanked her away from Rémy’s side. Behind them were three men on horseback. The Riders. One scowling Guardsman dismounted and strode over to them.
“Are you the French scoundrel known as Rémy Desmarais, yes or no?” Warily, Rémy raised his hands and eyed the pistol aimed at his chest. The Rider advanced, forcing him back a step. “Known smuggler. Captain of theSpectre,a ship that sank a ship of His Majesty’s fleet?”
“Do something,” she demanded, tugging her uncle’s sleeve.
“Stay out of this, Harriet.”
Her heart galloped as the angry Guardsman cornered Rémy. The other two Riders went in after him.
“Correct me if I’m am wrong, gentlemen. The Waterguard’s petit boats are not part of the English Navy?” Rémy raised one eyebrow.
Harriet fought the desperate urge to laugh. A giggle escaped before she managed to stifle it. Her uncle cast her a sidelong glare.
“There is talk of moving us into the Admiralty.” The lead Rider cocked his pistol and advanced upon Rémy with narrowed eyes. “Not that it has any relevance to you, pirate. You are under arrest for kidnapping, smuggling, and attacking His Majesty’s ship.”
“But he wasn’t the one who?—”
Rémy shot her a furious glare. Harriet’s jaw snapped shut. He was protecting his cousin, the one who had married a spinster in Cavalier Cove.
“Harriet, come. Prescott has offered to host us until Lucarran can come to collect you. He will call his physician to examine you and ensure no lasting harm has come of your ordeal.”
Horrified, she cast him a beseeching look. “I am fine, Uncle Monty. I don’t need a doctor, and I won’t marry Lord Lucarran.” She couldn’t believe the crotchety old man would consider going through with it. Perhaps she had misjudged his kindness, but she still didn’t want to marry him. “This has all been a misunderstanding.”
“Harriet.”
Her uncle’s grip on her arm tightened. He dragged her to a sleek bay and pointed at the saddle. “Get on that horse. I have been frantic. Do you know how much money it has cost me to bribe half of Cornwall into silence to salvage your reputation?”
She gaped at him.
“You have two choices: either marry Lucarran when he arrives from London, or return to Acton Heathat once and prepare never to leave.”
Lord Montague’s immense estate would be a gilded prison, but no matter how many well-tended acres she had to roam, she would live the rest of her life as a reviled guest.
“I want to marry him, Uncle Monty,” she said in a tone barely above a whisper, watching as the guards shoved Rémy through the doorway and into the bright sun. He blinked, found her, and stared hard as they dragged him to the horses.
