Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) Read Free Page A

her cloak. There hadn’t been time—or money—for a proper burial. When Mercedes arrived at the hospital, the physician had already placed Katherine in the box and lowered her into the ground. All Mercedes could do was pray and lay a rose on top of the long wooden box. Not long after that, hatred had fueled her and she couldn’t wait to confront her brother-in-law. I will make William Braxton pay one way or another!
    When she imagined meeting her brother-in-law for the first time, her heart pounded fiercely and fear caused her palms to moisten. She hadn’t yet written to him to inform him of his wife’s demise or about the added expenses of the hospital and burial. But that wasn’t foremost on her mind any longer.
    Staying in Philadelphia, Mercedes had planned to watch Mr. Braxton closely and gather as much information as she could dealing with his traitorous actions. What words would convince him to treat her like family? She must figure out what she would say to him in order to get close enough to spy on him. If he were the demon Kat had accused him of being, he wasn’t going to welcome Mercedes into his home with open arms.
    Off to the side, a street urchin drew her attention. The young lad stood close to an apple cart, his gaze darting around the street. Dirt streaked his face and tattered clothes, and his hair appeared as if he hadn’t combed it for weeks, let alone washed it. When the owner of the cart turned his back on the boy, the lad’s hand snaked out and he grabbed an apple.
    That little thief! She stood as he ran past. Reaching, she tried to grab the imp, but only succeeded in stumbling forward. The owner of the cart swung around and faced her, his eyes widened the longer he stared.
    “Oh…it’s you,” he accused, pointing his finger.
    Her heart dropped. “No! I didn’t take it. It was that little boy.”
    The man glanced up the street and cupped his hands around his mouth. “Constable, over here.”
    She shook her head, but the cart owner wouldn’t listen. He continued calling for help, pushing aside patrons as he hurried toward her. He wouldn’t arrest her…would he? She couldn’t take that chance!
    I must get out of here. Panic surged through her and energy pumped to her legs. She lifted her skirt and ran—to nowhere in particular—just to get away from the cart owner and the man of the law. Ahead of her stood a building with hedges planted in the back. If she could get there and hide...
    She turned the corner and paused, resting against the wooden frame of the building. Deep breaths heaved from her chest that burned from lack of air. Cautiously, she peeked to see if they’d noticed her. They had and were still running after her, calling for her to stop.
    Clutching her cumbersome skirt, she scurried toward the end of the building and ducked behind the far corner. Another street opened before her, spectators gawked at the commotion she created.
    Where was Timothy?
    She didn’t stop to rest, but kept running until another alleyway loomed ahead. Looking over her shoulder, she breathed a heavy sigh that the men following were farther behind. But within seconds, more men had joined the chase.
    She turned another corner and ran into a solid form. A scream tore from her throat as she grasped his arms to keep from falling. Two strong arms circled her waist. She looked up into the face of a soldier wearing a red coat; the symbol of those men serving England, her mother country. The white periwig covered his head, the queue held in place by a jaunty black ribbon.
    “My, my.” He grinned, tightening his arms around her. “What lovely package do I have here?”
    Instead of being relieved to see him, she worried he would believe she stole the apple just as the others did. “Please sir, release me at once.” She squirmed, but to no avail.
    “ ’Tis all right, my dear. I shall protect you.” He gave her a wink. “Have I not always been your champion?”
    His words confused her, but she