Page 63 of The Lady’s No Angel

“Not to you,” Leo replied, and Angel gazed at him, startled by the sound of his voice, so very changed from what she was used to. “You’d best take me to whoever is the authority around here if you don’t want to find yourself in a rather difficult situation.”

Though she had always known him to be a gentleman, no matter what he was pretending to be, she had never heard him speak like this. Arrogance and a sense of power radiated from him, his voice icy with contempt, making him sound like… like a nobleman. Her stomach knotted with anxiety.

There was a discreet cough from one of the constables.

“Mr Ludlow, sir—”

Having gained the headborough’s attention, the man drew him to one side. The two engaged in a rather urgent conversation, and though Angel could not hear a word of what was said, that they were talking about Leo was obvious from the way they kept sending anxious glances in his direction.

“Where’re Milly and Toby?” Angel whispered to him, still feeling uneasy until he looked down and smiled at her, his warm expression just the same as always.

“Hidden away if they’ve got a bit of sense. Don’t worry, we’ll meet up with them once this is all sorted out.”

“Sorted out?” Angel repeated, her voice somewhat higher than usual, though she kept the volume down. “We’re being arrested for grave robbing.”

She stared at him, uncertain whether to be alarmed or reassured by the amused expression that settled over his handsome face. “I know, love. You certainly know how to show a fellow a good time.”

“Leo! It’s not funny,” she exclaimed, wanting to shake him.

His lips quirked. “Oh, it’s a bit funny,” he insisted. “And about to become farcical if I know anything, but bear with me, love. It’ll all come out right in the wash, you’ll see.”

Cautiously, the headborough returned to them, eyeing Leo doubtfully. “Well, er… yes. If you’d both come with me, and… and we’ll see if we can’t get things, er… straightened out.”

Leo assented with a bored sigh. “As you wish, Mr Ludlow. Miss Everdene.”

Angel stared in consternation as Leo offered her his arm, just as if she were about to take a turn about the heath with him. Too bewildered to do otherwise, she took it, and Leo escorted her, flanked by a dozen armed men, until they arrived at the constable’s cart.

Here, Leo frightened away any of the constables foolish enough to consider helping her up into the cart, by dint of glaring at them, and lifted her by the waist as if she weighed nothing at all. Climbing in after her, he demanded that they provide her with blankets, as the night was cold.

“We’ll collect them on the way, sir,” Mr Ludlow said firmly before climbing up beside the driver. Six of the constables climbed into the cart with them to guard them en route to the nearest gaol or watch house, or so Angel presumed.

A man ran up, panting and breathless, just as the cart was about to move off.

“We’ve got him, sir. The big fellow. He tried to run, but your man here gave him such a thorough beating he weren’t up to it,” he said, gesturing to Leo with a grin.

“Excellent work, Jenkins. Take him to the watch house and keep him under guard until I return.”

“Yes, Mr Ludlow.”

With that, the fellow ran off again, and the cart jolted into motion.

“Well, at least Stan didn’t get away,” Leo said in satisfaction.

“Never mind him, what about us? Are we being taken to the watch house too?” Angel asked in an undertone.

Leo shook his head. “Doubtful.” He slid an arm around her, tugging her closer and Angel shivered, grateful for the heat of his big body as she snuggled against him.

“Where, then?”

“Farther afield, if I had to guess. I should get some sleep, Angel, it’s been the very devil of a day, and you’ll need your wits about you in the morning.”

Angel glowered at him, certain he was being mysterious on purpose. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Never mind that. Have you considered my question?”

“Oh, yes,” Angel said sardonically. “Between watching you dig up a grave, being held at gunpoint, and getting arrested, I’ve had plenty of time to consider.”

“Excellent! And?” He gazed at her expectantly.