Stand and Deliver Your Love Read Free Page B

slick leather. It took but a second before he hit the ground on his side. His breath fled his lungs. Mind engulfing pain shot through his shoulder and everything faded to black.
     
    * * * *
     
    Something cold pelted his cheek. Wet goop oozed into his clothing, nose and mouth. He registered a gritty, earthy flavor on his tongue. Am I alive or dead? The wretched uncomfortable position he lay in convinced him was not in heaven yet. No, heaven will not want me. This must be hell. I thought the underworld is supposed to be hot? Voices rose and fell against the background of wailing wind. Keeping his eyes closed he sought to make out the words.
    “Did you shoot him?”
    “Nay, I did not.”
    A feminine voice cut in. “What is the matter with him then?”
    “Not sure.” Someone nudged him, “In his cups, I’d say.”
    Byron groaned and eased open his eyes. Three figures dressed in black stood in the rain looking down at him.
    “Who are you?” one of them asked.
    Byron blinked and turned his head. Was he imagining it or did he really hear a woman’s voice?
    “Who are you?” the dark figure repeated.
    Byron rubbed the rain and mud from his eyes and contemplated the one who spoke to him. The figure was dressed in black the same as the other three, but the voice was definitely lighter and softer.
    “I am … Lord Byron Cobbet t… the Marquis of Hampton…. Who are you?”
    “That is none of your concern. What are you doing here?” T he slight softening of her tone was not lost on him. “My carriage overturned … I am hurt … I was looking for help.” The woman knelt down beside him and touched his shoulder.
    Byron clenched his teeth, letting a tortured groan h iss from his lips. “Bloody hell … do not do that!”
    The woman straightened and motioned to the man next to her. “Help him up. His shoulder is injured.”
    The men grasped Byron’s arms and hauled him to his feet, their callous treatment wrenching a cry from his lips.
    She held up a hand. “Have a care, men. Now let us get out of here before Lady Willbrook sends for the constables. Bring me my horse.”
    “What do we do with the lord’s horse?” one of the men asked.
    “Bring him along, but put the marquis up behind me.”
    The man holding Bacchus shook his head. “Begging your pardon mistress, but what if his lordship here should try to hurt you?”
    “Then I shall hit him in his sore shoulder.”
    Though Byron could not see the look she cast him, the warning in her tone was clear.“I think we should tie his hands and blindfold him,” another man suggested.
    Byron made an effort to go limp in their grip. “I assure you … I mean the lady here no harm.”
    She shrugged. “Tie his hands and blindfold him then, if it so pleases you.”
    Byron struggled to throw the men’s hands off as they wrestled him to the ground.
    “Knock him out, Bert!” one man grunted when Byron caught him in the shin with his boot.
    Before Byron could duck his head the man named Bert swung his fist. It connected with astounding force to his jaw. The scene blurred, slipping from his sight as his mind dulled.
     

 
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Sarah frowned as the men bou nd Lord Cobbett’s hands behind his back. “Not too tight fellows, I would not like to be responsible for any further damage to his shoulder.”
    Bert tied his bandana across the lord’s eyes. “Why not leave him here? Someone is bound to come along soon.”
    She shot Bert a dirty look. “He will surely die left here to the elements if someone does not come along soon. I may be a thief but I am not a murderer!”
    A couple of men lifted the unconscious man up and slung him over the saddle of her horse. With a practiced leap Sarah jumped up behind, perching on the horse’s soft wet loins.
    The old sailor grasped the horse’s headstall. “You cannot ride like that, ‘tis not decent!”
    “Why not? I did as a child. Besides, Shadow w ill not mind. Will you, girl?” Sarah patted the mare and