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“I can take a hard ride, Tobias.”
The illicit images of giving his wife a very hard ride, and the brutal desires her words evoked, robbed him of breath.
He cleared his throat. “We will not beat the rain. If my memory serves, there is an old hunting cottage a few minutes east of here.” He glanced around him. “Stay here, in the open plain. I will check to ensure there are no occupants.”
“I shall follow you.”
Exasperation rushed through him. “No. Anyone could be using the cottage as a refuge. It would be better if I am allowed to assume the risk to investigate.”
“And I am safe here?” she demanded incredulously, her eyes sweeping the land far and wide.
“Yes,” he said drily. “You can see if anyone approaches for miles out. Ride in my direction if you feel threatened.”
She pouted but nodded in acquiescence. Stifling his grin, he urged his horse in the direction where he knew the cottage to be. A few minutes later, he broke through a thicket into a clearing. There were brambles and wild flowers on the forest floor and the place had an air of abandonment. He launched off the horse and allowed the reins to dangle. The trees there were so thick, the horses should have some relief from the icy rain that was about to come.
He marched up the three steps leading to the cottage and tested the handle. It opened. Inside was empty but very dusty. It would have to do. A quick check showed there was a stockpile of logs and a lantern on the small wooden table beneath the window.
Thunder rumbled, and Tobias moved with quick efficiency and in a short time had the lantern lit and the fireplace kindling. The fire would be roaring by the time he returned with Olivia. He went outside and whistled for his horse. He mounted and rode off back to where he left his wife. In the distance, he saw Arius unmounted. He slowed to a canter. Tobias stilled, certain he heard voices.
“I will most certainly not allow you to search my person. I will not hesitate to box your ears,” a clipped voice said sternly.
The woman sounded like his countess, but the idea was so ludicrous it did not bear contemplation. He had told her to wait while he investigated the cottage. Silently dismounting and lowering the reins, he slipped his hand inside his coat and gripped the curved handle of his dagger. Then he padded quietly toward the voice.
A loud crack sounded, and he belatedly realized it was a slap from the curse spilling from the man.
“Ouch, lass. Yer a strong one, mon.”
“How dare you, sir. You touched my bosoms. I assure you, I have no hidden jewels in my décolletage, and when my husband, the Earl of Blade, hears about this, you will sorely regret it.”
God’s blood.
Tobias scrubbed a hand over his face in disbelief. Silly woman did not realize it was best to pretend to have no connections.
“An earl, ye said?” the man asked speculatively.
“Yes, and he has a fearsome and terrifying temper. I assure you, sir, he will be very displeased that you have accosted his countess.”
Fearsome and terrifying temper? What had his wife heard about him? He assessed the robber, noting he was more a boy than a full-grown man. He appeared lean, of a similar height to Olivia, and had a cloth covering his face partially. Tobias knew better than to underestimate him because of his young years.
The robber rubbed his chin. “Countess, ye say?”
With a sigh, Tobias strolled forward from behind the trees. He was still at loss if he should be amused or infuriated. When she spied him, her eyes lighted with pleasure and relief. The daft woman had no notion of the depth of trouble she was in.
“Oh, thank heavens, To
bias.”
The robber spun around, his aim steady with the pistol pointing at Tobias. “You be the earl?”
“I am,” he answered, standing so the dagger was held close to his sleeve.
“A rich earl?”
“Yes.”
Delight widened the highwayman’s eyes, then they narrowed in suspicion. “Yer awfully accommodating, aren’t you?” he asked, taking a few steps back from Tobias and toward Olivia. He knew his size was not reassuring and the boy grew jittery after his thorough inspection of Tobias.
“A bit.” He did not want to alarm the already nervous boy, because he might accidentally harm Olivia. The very idea of any injury befalling his reckless lady had a bitter taste filling his mouth. “I have several gold coins you may have. And a dagger. Its handle is encrusted with emeralds. Take them and leave.”
