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When she hit the ground, she looked around for a moment before running with all her might toward the field where she knew she would find John. She couldn’t risk being detected if she took the horse from the stables. So, she ran, panting, the valise dangling in her arms.
She was sweaty and out of breath when she finally saw the outline of John riding his horse. Her depleted strength suddenly found new wings, and she ran to him as fast as her legs would carry her, screaming for him to turn around. Her hair tumbled from the knot at her nape and was getting in her face as she ran. Her gown wove between her legs, almost making her trip. She probably looked a fright, but she didn’t care.
At that moment, John turned and spotted her. He turned his horse toward her, and a few short moments later, they were reunited.
“What happened?” he asked, jumping off the horse before it even slowed its pace.
“My father,” she said, breathing heavily and shaking. “He-he saw you last night.”
“What?”
Julie was still catching her breath, so she just nodded, gulping for air. “He’s taking me to London today. In a few hours,” she said, frantically clutching at his arms. “Unless you take me instead. Right now.”
“Relax, Julie.” He took her gently by the arms and ran soothing hands over her upper arms. “It’s alright. We’ll leave,” he said in a gentle voice.
“Now,” Julie begged, her heart clenching in fright.
“Now,” he repeated quietly.
Julie closed her eyes in relief, but before she could express her joy, they heard horse’s hooves coming upon them quickly.
John hugged her to him and whispered in her ear. “Climb up on the horse and leave. Now. Gallop as fast as you can. I’ll catch up to you.”
“But—” Julie’s eyes widened in horror, then filled with tears.
“Don’t argue, sweet. Go, now!” He nudged her toward the horse again as he stepped between her and the rider.
Julie scrambled to do as he commanded.
“Don’t you dare mount that horse, Julie!” her father sneered as she was about to grab the horse’s reins.
Julie froze with her hand mid-air. Too frightened to turn around and face him.
“She’s old enough. She doesn’t want to live with you,” John said in a loud, autocratic voice she hadn’t heard him use before.
“The law says she’s not. And who do you think you are to dictate to me?” The marquess’s voice grated on Julie’s nerves. She turned around to say a few choice words to him herself, but what she saw made her heart stick in her throat. Lord Norfolk had a pistol trained on John. “Yes,” he continued, seeing her fear-stricken face. “I’ll kill him before you make a single step.”
“You wouldn’t!” she yelled.
“Oh, trust me, I would!” Norfolk sneered back. “And no judge will prosecute me for killing my daughter’s kidnapper and rapist.”
“He is not—” she began fiercely.
“Who are they going to believe? You? Him?” He didn’t even attempt to hide his disgust while indicating John with a tilt of his head. “Or me, the marquess?”
Julie’s nostrils flared in anger, but she couldn’t do or say anything. She felt paralyzed.
“Be a good girl now and climb my mount.” Norfolk indicated the horse with a wave of his pistol. “And we’ll leave with everyone’s limbs intact.”
“I won’t let you!” John took a step forward.
“Careful, youth. Who’s going to protect her if you’re dead?” Her father smiled menacingly. “Now, Julie! Climb the horse. You don’t want your brave knight dead now, do you?”
Julie swallowed hard and walked forward to her father’s horse.
“Julie, no!” John’s voice was hoarse with emotion.
Julie turned to him and regarded him with sorrow-filled eyes. Then she silently shook her head and climbed atop the horse. Several moments later, she and the marquess were galloping toward their house, with John still standing there staring after them.
