Page 64 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
He wanted to grab her, off the horse, and drag her into his arms. He wanted to hold her forever. He wanted to forget entirely about the rake on the back of his horse, and her family waiting for her back at her home, and take her in these fields as if they were the only two people left on earth.
But just at that moment the man groaned loudly, stirring. Miles glanced back at him, shaking his head.
“We cannot dally any longer,” he said reluctantly. “He will wake soon, and we need to get him back to the house to secure him properly…” His voice trailed away. “Will you wait for me, after all of this is over, then?”
Her smile widened. “Yes. No matter how long it takes, I will wait for you.”
***
He saw the family waiting for them anxiously as they rode towards the house. Mr. and Mrs. Nott were standing side by side, and Ruth was a little further away, hanging back. They all gasped as they saw the man, lying prone over the horse.
The next moment, they were running towards Ara, crying out. She smiled wearily as they practically dragged her off the horse, fiercely embracing her.
“Oh, my dearest, what happened?” cried Mrs. Nott, staring back at the unconscious man. “Who is he? Is hedead?”
But the man stirred again in that moment, groaning loudly. They all jumped as if they had been suddenly scalded, glancing at him fearfully.
“This is the thief who has been causing havoc,” said Miles grimly. “He abducted Ara. He had her tied up in a hidden shack, not far from here.” He gazed at them. “We need to secure him properly, this minute. Do you have a place that would be suitable, Mr. Nott, until we can figure out what happens next?”
Mr. Nott nodded, staring at Miles as if an apparition had just appeared before him. “Yes, yes, of course. I will get men to take him to a lock up room that we have on the property….”
He shook his head incredulously. “Young man, I cannot thank you enough for doing this. For rescuing my daughter, at great risk to yourself, and injured…”
Miles felt awkward. They were all staring at him now with wide, admiring eyes. It was all a little overwhelming. Only this morning they had still been wary of him, and now they were treating him as if a saviour had suddenly walked into their midst. The shift was disconcerting, to say the least.
“There is no time to tarry,” cried Mrs. Nott, a firm arm around her daughter. “We must get Ara seen to, back at the house, and that…that…man, must be contained, Moses.”
“Yes, of course,” barked Mr. Nott, sweeping into action.
The next moment Ara was being dragged away, back to the house, with her mother on one side and Ruth on the other. Mr. Nott called his men, and the rapidly awakening thief was hauled away to the lock up room, secured at last.
Miles swayed on his feet. It had all happened so quickly that he could barely comprehend it. His arm was throbbing, and he needed a drink. But even his pain and discomfort couldn’t wipe the deep smile off his face. He suddenly felt as light as a feather, as if he could battle anything. As if he could take on the world.
***
Miles walked into the small room, ducking his head so that he didn’t hit it on the low hanging overhead beam.
The room was as bare as a monk’s cell, with only one chair in a corner, on which the thief was sitting, tied securely. In the opposite corner, a large man with a head as smooth and shiny as an acorn stood, arms crossed over his chest and an impassive expression on his face. He didn’t acknowledge Miles as he came in.
Miles turned back to the rogue. The man was awake, staring at him with hostile blue eyes. Miles was gratified to see that the purple bruise on his forehead had turned into a lump the size of an egg. It looked painful.
The door opened again, and Mr. Nott entered. His face darkened as he stared at the man tied to the chair. “Shall we?” he said, turning to Miles, his lips thin.
Miles nodded, clearing his throat. “What is your name?”
The man kept staring at him, unblinking. “What is it to you? Who the hell are you anyway?”
Miles grimaced. “You do not recognise me?” He touched the wound on his arm. “You did this to me, when you held up my carriage and stole my horse. And I am the reason you are sitting here now…”
The man’s lip curled defiantly, but Miles could see by the desperate expression in his eyes that he knew he was caught, hook, line and sinker.
“My name is Edward Stalk,” he mumbled, frowning. “What are you going to do with me?”
“A good question,” said Miles. “If I had my way I would string you up from the nearest tree, for daring to do what you have done. For daring to lay afingeron the young lady, never mind for what you were planning to do with her…”
He knew now what the man’s intentions with Ara had been. He had been planning tosellher, as if she were a pure breed pony. As he stared into the man’s face, it took all his might to stop himself lunging across the room, and pummelling him to a pulp until he was a bloody mess lying at his feet.
He swore underneath his breath, running up to the restrained man, raising his fist. The man shrank back, staring at him fearfully.
