Page 61 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
It was Miles.
She gazed at him, so stunned that she just couldn’t think clearly. How was he here, wherever this was? How had he found her? How was he even capable of searching for her in his current condition?
She saw his eyes change, and widen, filling with horror as he took in the situation. He had spotted her, and he had seen the rake, too. She watched him move away, towards the door.
Her heart started to hammer in her chest. She had to distract the thief, so that Miles could get in here without his knowledge.
“Hello!” she called wildly. “Please, can you unloosen the ropes, just a little bit? I think that your buyer will not like it if you deliver him damaged goods.” She paused. “My skin bruises very easily, you know.”
There was no answer. But then suddenly, like a weasel slithering down a burrow towards daylight, he was there, in front of her.
He frowned, staring at her ropes. “What you say is true,” he said, scratching his head. “But I cannot risk it. I know that you will try to escape if I loosen them. The buyer will just have to put up with some red marks on your wrists and ankles, lady.”
She smiled weakly. “You know, whatever your buyer is willing to pay for me, my own family will double the amount.” She took a deep breath. “They will triple it! My father is a very rich landowner, and I am his only daughter. You will make your money twice or three times over, if you let them know you have me, and barter a price…”
Her eyes flickered towards the door. Yes, she could see that the handle was turning slightly. Her heart hammered louder, but she forced herself to stare back at the rake and keep talking. It was imperative that he not turn around and see that the door was about to open. It was imperative that he be taken by surprise.
“Please,” she said frantically. “Youknowthat you want more money! You always need more money! This is a way to get even more, and you do not even have to take me anywhere to get it…”
He was staring straight at her, frowning, as if he were seriously considering what she was saying. He opened his mouth to say something at the exact same moment that the door burst open. He whipped around, taking out his gun as Miles rushed through the door.
Ara screamed. With horrified eyes, she watched as Miles attacked the man, knocking the gun out of his hand. It slid across the floor, landing not far away from where she was tied. There was a struggle. Both men were on the ground, wrestling with each other, each trying to get the upper hand.
Suddenly, Miles reared up, punching the rake in the head. The man abruptly slackened, lying limp on the ground. He appeared to be out cold.
Miles stood up, slowly, panting hard. He turned and stared at Ara.
“Are you alright?” he whispered, in a hoarse voice.
She nodded dumbly, unable to speak. He stumbled forward until he was next to her. A thin sheen of sweat covered his face, and she saw blood trickling down his neck. There was also a bright red stain, seeping through his jacket, from the wound where he had been shot.
“I cannot believe it,” she whispered, gazing at him. “It is a miracle…”
He reached forward, untying the ropes that bound her to the chair. She felt the sweet release as her hands and feet were freed. Gently, he pulled her up, so that she was standing in front of him.
They simply gazed at each other for a long moment, as if reassuring each other that they were whole, and sound. And then, as if an invisible string was pulling them, they fell into each other’s arms.
His lips found hers, desperately kissing her, holding her face as if he would never let her go. She responded to him as if in a dream, feeling his sweet lips on hers.
She had thought that she would never experience this again in her life.
He had saved her. She didn’t know yet how he had known where she was, or what had led him here. All that she knew was that she was safe. She clung to him, revelling in the embrace, feeling that if she died now, it would be a happy thing.
***
It seemed like an eternity before they pulled back, gazing at each other.
“Ara,” he said slowly, his dark eyes gleaming. “Wait one moment. I must secure him before he wakes up…”
She nodded as he grabbed the ropes that had just bound her, tying them roughly but firmly around the man’s wrists and ankles. He barely stirred as Miles worked. Then he turned to her again, gazing at her with such love that it almost took her breath away.
“How?” she whispered, trembling. “How did you know where he had taken me?”
He smiled slightly. “I did not know. I stumbled upon this hut. I almost didn’t see it, and the first time I was searching, I missed this lane entirely.” He took a deep, ragged breath. “It was just some instinct, I guess. The shack is well hidden. It was only when I went around the back that I knew this was the place that I was seeking even before I looked through the window.”
“How?” she asked again. “How did you know?”
His smile widened. Without saying a word, he took her hand, leading her towards the back door. He opened it suddenly, so that she blinked furiously in the abrupt bright daylight.
