Page 37 of Reckless Desire

“My wife will confirm that all of you were mistaken,” Lord Hensley said.

I will not, she thought.

“What do you hope to gain from forcing her to marry you?” Lord Newhall demanded.

“We are in love, that is enough.”

“I doubt you have ever loved anyone in your life, Hensley. Sir Stirling will never countenance the marriage, even if you’re able to convince a parson to marry you.”

“Sir Stirling will be pleased when he sees how happy she and I are. It is you who do not want us to marry. You want her for yourself. Where is she?”

Lord Newhall shook his head. “I lost Miss Ramsay in the river. She was swept down the rapids. I searched for her, but could find no sign of her.”

“I do not believe you.”

“She is not here, as you can see,” he said through tight lips. “Her death is on your head.”

“If she really is dead, it is you who killed her. Joseph told me you attacked him and abducted her.”

His voice grew more desperate.

Kenna scanned the ground for a rock with which to hit him. She caught sight of a branch about as long and as thick as her arm. She scooped it up, then lifted her skirts and tiptoed across the road toward the carriage. She knew Lord Newhall had seen her. The tiny narrowing of his eyes told her so. But, as she knew would be the case, he didn’t give away her approach.

“At this point, you can have her,” Lord Newhall said. “The wench is far more trouble than she’s worth, if you ask me.”

“I am afraid I cannot let you leave,” Lord Hensley said.

Lord Newhall grunted a laugh. “You do not seriously mean to kill me?”

Kenna reached the carriage and edged toward the men.

“You should’ve left well enough alone,” Lord Hensley growled. “You have ruined everything.”

“What is stopping you?” Lord Newhall said.

Kenna had nearly reached the back of the carriage where they stood.

“I want to know where Miss Ramsay is.”

Lord Newhall laughed. “You plan to kill me. Why should I tell you anything—even if I knew?”

Kenna eased around the back of the carriage and lifted the branch over her head. Lord Hensley turned as she swung. He pointed the gun at her. Lord Newhall lunged for him. Lord Newhall collided with Lord Hensley. The gun roared. Kenna screamed and dropped the branch. Her vision blurred. She staggered two steps forward as they hit the ground and rolled five feet.

He’d been shot. Lord Newhall had been shot.

She grabbed the branch from the ground and whirled. Lord Hensley shifted on top of Lord Newhall. Tears blurred her vision. She would brain the bastard. Kenna swung the branch as Lord Hensley rolled off Lord Newhall.

Lord Newhall sat up and the branch collided with his shoulder.

Kenna dropped the branch. “Lord Almighty! I killed him.”

Lord Newhall pushed onto one knee and seized Lord Hensley’s lapel. He dragged the man to a sitting position and drew back his fist, chest heaving. He hesitated.

“Wake up, you bastard.” He shook Lord Hensley.

The viscount’s head lolled to one side. Lord Newhall growled and released him. Lord Hensley thudded onto the road on his back. Lord Newhall searched the viscount’s pockets, found a watch, which he dropped onto the man’s chest, then shoved to his feet.

Kenna stared. “I did not kill you?”