Page 71 of Fairest of Heart

Narcissa threaded her way through the prone forms of Penelope and her three sleeping guards, then clambered into the wagon and released the brake. After sparing a moment to tug her veil back into place just in case she passed anyone on the road, she slapped the reins and set her team into motion. The pair of nags Cecil had rented for her moved with all the speed of a pair of drunk turtles. Fine for a widow lady peddling cider. Not so good for a pirate rowing for open water.

“Yah! Get up there!”

The barking grew louder. Closer. Narcissa snatched up a buggy whip from the wagon’s floorboard and applied it with gusto to the backs of the sluggish team. The horses tossed their heads in protest, but they picked up their pace and ran in earnest. Finally.

The more distance Narcissa placed between herself and the Diamond D, the more her confidence grew. By the time she reached the hidden clearing where Cecil waited for her, triumph surged through her veins.

She’d done it! Now she just needed to dispose of her last loose end and her future would be assured.

Cecil met the wagon, taking charge of the horses and working to calm them as she set the brake. He frowned over their lathered state, but when she moved to disembark, he abandoned the animals to tend to her. He fit his hands to her waist and helped her down.

“Are you all right? I thought I heard a gunshot.”

“You did.” She pushed away from him and started peeling off her costume. “One of the hands got a shot off,” she explained as she removed the hatpin securing the mourning bonnet to her hair. “We’ve got no time to waste.” She turned her back to him. “Help me get this off.”

His fingers fumbled with the buttons, but he managed to get the dress undone enough for her to drag it down her hips and step out of it. The padding came off next, followed by her lumpy chemise. Blessed coolness hit her skin, but she didn’t take the time to enjoy it. Like a quick change between scenes, she had to strip away every last vestige of Agatha Bower and become Madame LaBelle once again.

Cecil produced a gunnysack and held it open while she stuffed the costume inside.

“I’ll take it for you,” he offered when she took the sack from him, but she shook her head.

“No, I’ll keep it with me.” Couldn’t risk losing all the treasure she’d stuffed into the dress pockets. “You need to get to Fort Worth. I’ll meet you there in a couple days. You have the address I gave you, right?”

He nodded.

“Good.”

More than likely, Titus Kingsley had the address by now, too. She rather enjoyed the irony of having a lawman do her dirty work.

Narcissa bent down to open the second sack Cecil had brought over. She pulled out a brown split skirt along with an ivory blouse, cropped red jacket, and a pair of boots. No reason she couldn’t look stylish while making her getaway. She’d be taking Cecil’s mount south, while he traveled north to return the wagon and dispose of the cider.

Cecil offered a steadying hand as she stepped into her skirt. “Did you find the stones?” he asked.

She frowned at the reminder of her failure. “No. I think that little shrew gave them to Kingsley. I ransacked the house, though, and came up with enough cash to get us started in that new life you were talking about.” She pouted her lips slightly. “You still want that, right?”

He snaked his arm around her waist and drew her tight against his chest. “You know I do.”

“Good. Then meet me in Fort Worth, and we’ll disappear together.”

His grip tightened. “No more acting?”

She shook her head. “I’m weary of the stage, Cecil.” She sagged into his strength as if she’d be lost without his support. “I’m ready to settle down. To belong to one man. To let that man take care of me for the rest of my days.”

Heat flared in his eyes. He slanted his mouth over hers in a hard, possessive kiss. One meant to dominate. To celebrate. To stake a claim.

She played along, of course. Rising up to meet him. Clasping his shirt. Inflaming his passion. Making sure he’d do exactly as she bid.

As his kiss roughened and grew more desperate, her last loose end tied itself into a nice, tidy knot.

30

Enoch Kingsley had never been fond of dark, enclosed spaces, so when Rowdy led their little expedition back to the caves, he had volunteered to stay outside to keep watch. Rather cowardly of him, he knew, but he was willing to let his ego take the hit. It didn’t require four men to retrieve a handful of gems.

“I appreciate you keepin’ me company.” Enoch patted Lucky’s head as he leaned against the rock wall to the right of the cave entrance. “Wouldn’t want you gettin’ lost in there. It’d break Penny’s heart to lose you.”

Lucky whined softly and bumped his head into Enoch’s leg.

“I know. It’d break all our hearts if anything happened to her. That’s why we gotta clear up this mess with the jewels. Once Titus gets that thievin’ actress and her huntsman behind bars, Penny will be safe. That’s what mat—”