Jessica ignored him.
“We have to go,” the second highwayman snarled, turning his horse in a circle.
A look of regret crossed Brody’s face before he tugged his kerchief back into place. “Much as I hate to part company with you, madam, it’s time for me to leave.”
He took a step away from her.
Jessica’s hand shot out to grab the sleeve of his greatcoat.
“Take me with you,” she said.
The dowager, who had quieted in the midst of this scene, gasped. Her fellow passengers also exclaimed in shock. The young farmer murmured a curse that would have had him thrown out of church.
Brody looked down at Jessica’s hand on his forearm.
“Please,” Jessica urged, when he hesitated. “As you said, I rather enjoyed your kiss. It would profit us both to see where it might lead.”
Brody looked to the two other highwaymen. One rolled his eyes, but the other, who had raised his objections, said wearily, “Do as you please.”
When Brody shook off her hand, Jessica’s heart clenched. He was going to leave her behind.
She fumbled for the back of her gown, but after Brody swung himself up onto his chestnut mare in one fluid movement, and secured the sack of loot to the saddle, he brought the horse closer to her.
Leaning down, he offered Jessica his hand.
She stared at it. Such a large hand, the knuckles wide in broad but dexterous fingers. A hand capable of tremendous strength, confidence, command—and also gentleness. She’d felt it in his touch.
Was she going to do this? Was this the choice she intended to make?
She slid her hand into his.
He pulled her up in front of him as if she were as light as a moth. His arms formed an iron frame around her. No matter how hard they would ride, he wouldn’t drop her.
His breath was warm in her hair. “Is this truly what you want, my lady? To come with me?”
“It is.” Her voice came out tremulous and shaky, so she said again with greater force, “I want to go with you.”
“A courageous one, you are.” Approval warmed his words.
“Or foolhardy.”
He gave a soft chuckle. Beneath them, his horse danced.
“Two sides of the same coin,” he said. “And I’ve seen enough coins to know this for a fact.”
“Then, by all means,” she murmured, “let us hie from here.”
He turned to his companions. “Ready, lads?”
They both nodded at him.
“You took the fairest prize,” one said with a hint of envy.
“No one takes me,” Jessica insisted. “I decide where I go.”
A laugh escaped Brody. “So speaks the lady, and I’m inclined to agree. Now, we fly.”
He kicked his heels into his mount. The beast surged forward in a burst of speed and power.
