He's No Prince Charming (Ever After) (20 page)

T
he sun beat high overhead when they finally heard the rumble. As they closed in, words became more distinct. Danni could hear the jangle of horse tack as animals shook their heads. The distinctive sound of two men arguing vehemently was followed by the bite of a female voice.

Elation swept through her as she recognized it as Ginny’s. “Do you hear me, Bridger Bishop? I
hate
you!”

Marcus shot Danni a look of wry amusement. It seemed they were not the only ones to experience the force of Ginny’s wrath.

A deep baritone thundered, “You are a demon! I cannot believe you could fool all of London into thinking you are a ninny.”

Echoes of violence crashed through a copse of trees, followed by loud, inventive cursing. Another voice yelled over the pair, “Enough.”

Silence followed for several seconds before Ginny screamed, “I bloody hate you, too, Otieno!”

With a silent signal for Marcus to wait, Danni hunched close to the ground, moving as quietly as she could through the low underbrush. She stopped behind a towering oak. In the midst of a clearing was the highwaymen’s camp. Danni immediately sought out Ginny. She stood with her back against a large tree, arms outstretched and tied with a length of rope around its trunk. Her hair was in disarray, the mass of dark red threaded with leaves and twigs. Despite her ordeal, Ginny looked rather well composed. Danni was more surprised by the fact the men seemed to have secured a new dress for her since she’d been kidnapped. The woolen gown sagged in all the wrong places and stretched tight in others, but Danni would bet her life Ginny felt much warmer than in the simple day dress she had given her.

She turned her attention to the two highwaymen, evaluating their positions and weaponry. She knew that she and Marcus would have to rely on their wits rather than brawn if they were to succeed in re-kidnapping Ginny. She was half their size and Marcus could barely walk.

She immediately recognized the largest man as the one they witnessed selling Ginny’s shawl at the fair. Danni conceded he could possibly be bigger than Marcus. Even seated, he seemed to tower amid the clearing. He had tan skin and the deep ebony hair common with the Romany. Even his loose clothing with patches of color reminded her of what she’d heard about the nomadic people. His face was drawn and tired, his expression one of supreme strain as he glanced between Ginny and his companion.

The Green Bandit strode about with agitation as he shot Ginny looks of ill-disguised abhorrence. Her chin tilted higher with distain at each pass, further enraging the man. Although his disguise and mask had been discarded, Danni immediately identified him as the gunman she’d tackled when Ginny was taken from them. His dark brown hair flopped in the breeze and an angular face framed brown eyes. Slashing brows a darker shade than his hair were lowered in a fierce scowl. Suddenly, he halted in front of Ginny. He bore down on the girl until he stopped just inches from her face, his voice sharp. “I look forward to the moment I receive your ransom, and I can be free of you.”

With a cry of rage, Ginny drew up her leg and landed a lethal knee-blow to his groin. “Here!”

The man collapsed on all fours. Danni winced in sympathy as he promptly emptied his stomach. “Bitch!”

A soft rustle from behind drew Danni’s attention from the drama in the clearing. Marcus struggled forward, dragging himself forward by his elbow, his pained gaze riveted on the prone man.

“I warned him about those feet.”

Despite the situation, Danni smothered a snicker of laughter. Marcus moved closer to her, leaning heavily against a tree as the Bandit’s companion guided his friend to the edge of the clearing farthest from Ginny. He seated the hobbling man on a stump before sending a scathing look in Ginny’s direction. He crouched to speak with his friend intently.

Marcus’s face was drawn with pain, but humor sparked in his eyes. “As terrible a pun as it is, I’m grateful she’s alive and kicking.”

Danni rolled her eyes. “Brilliant. Now wait here while I go get Ginny.”

He frowned, catching her before she made to leave. His head bobbed towards the opposite side of the clearing. “I’ll get the horses.”

Seeing the distance, she immediately shook her head. “You won’t make it, not in that condition.”

He looked affronted. “Of course I will. I’ve survived much worse.”

Banishing the negative thoughts those words brought, Danni clenched her teeth. “Fine. Meet me at the pathway on the other side of the clearing. But if you’re captured, do not expect me to rescue you.”

Instead of forcing him to reconsider, his lip dimpled. “Now, Miss Green, you are far too kindhearted to ever leave me at the mercy of those men.”

“Don’t tempt me!”

The bandits’ voices grew into a heated debate, drawing the two from their own discussion. Ginny slumped against the tree, appearing worn and exhausted. Danni knew now was the time to move. Nodding to Marcus, she hustled forward, hunched close to the ground again. Her feet sank into the mossy earth as she carefully avoided leaves and twigs that would snap under her weight. Clinging close to the bushes, she moved among the forest’s shadows towards the tree to which Ginny was bound. All the while, Danni watched the two men from the corner of her eye.

She was almost at Ginny’s side when her foot landed heavily on a large stick. The snap of wood seemed to echo repeatedly across the entire clearing. She stood motionless, her gaze frozen on the men. The man who had been kicked still clutched his groin in agony, but the Romany turned his dark, alert gaze in the direction of the sound. Their eyes met with a flash of recognition. A slow smile spread its wings across his face.

Danni was certain she was doomed. He turned his head towards his companion, no doubt to warn him. He said a few words, but no alarm was raised. She frowned in confusion. Surely he would try to stop her?

Then he started to whistle. It was a loud and jaunty tune, its sound amplified by the dense canopy. Her confusion deepened. She was so sure he’d seen her. He
had
to have seen her. Shaking her head, she continued on, intensely vigilant.

She reached Ginny’s tree, hoping she could untie the ropes at the back. Danni searched the taut braid, traveling her hand over it, searching for the knot. She soon discovered the restraint was one long length. She leaned dangerously beyond her hiding place, her eyes following the length of rope. With a groan, she fell back into the shadows near the tree. The goddamned men had looped the ends around Ginny’s hands. It meant she would have to leave cover to untie the girl.

Danni watched attentively as the injured man continued his tirade against Ginny and the grievous injury she had inflicted upon him. The tanned man continued to whistle, his back towards her.

Danni slid out of the shadows. Before she attacked the ropes, she quickly caught hold of Ginny, clamping a hand over her mouth. The girl’s eyes widened in surprise, her gaze darting from Danni to the men. Her body sagged against the tree as genuine relief flooded her face. Danni held a finger to her lips, indicating that she remain silent, then, after a hasty nod of agreement from Ginny, she uncovered her mouth. Danni immediately set to work on the knots.

The rope was thick, rough, and prickly—not the kind one wanted against her skin for any length of time. As she moved it, she could already see the burning red rash around Ginny’s wrists. One of the rope fibers pricked her thumb, and an audible hiss escaped her. They both froze, turning to look at the men on the log. The only response was an increase in volume of the whistling from the Gypsy. Danni frowned at the man, her suspicions increasing.

There was no time for hesitation. Hurrying, Danni managed to free one of Ginny’s hands. A soft sigh of relieved pain slipped through her lips. Danni didn’t wait, she moved quickly to the other. Several moments later, the rope dropped to the base of the tree, camouflaging itself among the roots.

Ginny’s arms suddenly locked around her neck, her voice barely audible against her ear. “Thank you.”

Danni nodded but didn’t dare speak. She didn’t know how much longer they had for an escape. They moved quietly across the ground as fast as possible. Gleefully returning to their shelter, Danni found Marcus seated on the ground, horse reins draped in his fist, his drawn appearance worsened.

She crouched by his side. His breath was hot with pain. “That was more difficult than I expected.”

She snorted, brushing a lock of curl from his forehead. “But now we must move, Marcus.”

His green eyes lit with determination. One arm shifted around her neck and he clutched his side with the other. Danni gritted her teeth, straining against his weight. But then suddenly, he wasn’t so heavy. She opened her eyes to meet Ginny’s blue ones. Her head was ducked under his other arm, evenly distributing the weight. She nodded, and together they hauled him to his feet.

When they approached the horses, one of them tossed its head in agitation, a soft snort echoing through the woods. Danni reassured herself that the bandits were not approaching them. The whistler had stopped his tune, but she noticed the way he kept his companion’s gaze from the tree. He was allowing them to escape. But why?

Ginny approached the animal’s side, stroking the white stripe between the mare’s eyes to comfort her. She quickly wrapped the straps of her pack to its saddle.

“Can you mount?” Danni hissed to Marcus.

His body tensed beneath her hands, but he nodded grimly. He truly had no choice. With Ginny’s help, they managed to steady him on the most docile of the horses.

When Danni was certain he was secure, she helped Ginny onto the large bay mare. It was then that she mounted her own, the largest and fiercest looking of them all. He was a sleek stallion, his tan coat brushed to perfection. She stroked the horse with appreciation.

“That’s Otieno’s most prized possession.” At Danni’s confused look, Ginny clarified, “The Romany.”

She felt a pang of regret she would deprive the man of his horse when he’d helped them escape, even if he was the one who’d insisted she be taken for less than savory activities. “I
almost
feel sorry.”

Ginny’s grim smile only reinforced her sentiments. “Do not. He stole it from someone else.”

“What lovely irony to steal it back from him.”

“I could not agree more.”

Danni examined the other woman closely. She had noticed how Ginny’s gaze shifted in every direction, her mind working, absorbing everything around her. She walked with confidence few would feel after being taken hostage not once, but twice, in short order. Danni also saw the gleam of intelligence in her eyes. The Bandit’s comments from earlier floated back to her.
She let London think she was a ninny?

She could almost laugh. So the
ton
had yet again misnamed one of its members. What Danni wanted to know was why Ginny didn’t correct their perception.

They shared a quiet smile, then Danni placed her foot in the stirrup and swung her leg over. Settling in the saddle, she glanced at her companions. Ginny looked eager to be gone and Danni had no objection. Marcus had fallen silent, clutching his hip. He needed proper medical attention and staying in the forest would not provide that.

“The main road and an inn is this way.”

Ginny turned purposefully, leading her horse west. As Marcus followed, Danni twisted towards the clearing. She froze when she spied the brigands.

Marcus called to her, his face concerned. “Why are you waiting? We must flee.”

Danni waved him off, her eyes riveted on the bandit with ebony hair still talking to his partner.

“What’s amiss?”

Finally, she shook her head. “Nothing.”

Danni directed her horse’s head towards her companions, pressing softly against its sensitive underbelly. As the group burst through the forest, her mind was still in the clearing.

She could have sworn Otieno mouthed “Good riddance” and waved good-bye.

T
he moon was halfway over the horizon when they reached the next inn. Traveling hard and fast on their stolen horses, they put as much distance as possible between themselves and the robbers. The party remained silent through much of the ride, and Danni periodically caught Ginny peering anxiously behind them. However, her main concern was not their newly recovered captive. It was Marcus.

Face drawn, his eyes were dark with pain and his expression stony. Bleary green focused intently on the point ahead, as if looking elsewhere would cause him to tumble from his saddle.

The ache in her own shoulders burned. She knew it was from the tense, vigilant state she had maintained for many hours, in addition to the strain of carrying Marcus’s weight earlier. At any moment she feared hysteria from Ginny, a collapsing marquis, and an attack from the bandits or the admiral. Not to mention other unknown dangers of the road they had yet to encounter. She was both physically and mentally exhausted.

So catching sight of the wooden sign of the Dancing Dragon brought her instant relief. Reining their horses to a stop inside the courtyard, she quickly dismounted. All she needed to do was safely tuck everyone in for the night before she could crumple into sleep.

Ginny hurried to help as Danni approached Marcus’s horse. Danni was grateful the girl had not yet confronted them about her captivity or their future plans. She remained silent, observant. Together, the two women supported the injured man as he slid from the horse. A groan escaped him as his arm slipped about her shoulder, pulling her close. His weight shifted, leaning heavily on them. “Sorry I’m so heavy, little one.”

She snorted, straining under most of his weight. “It’s not as if you can help it.”

Ginny’s eyes widened when Marcus managed a weak laugh. “No. I suppose I can’t.”

Their captive gave him an assessing gaze, confirming Danni’s suspicions in the forest. She was no ninny, after all.

Danni was the first to greet the innkeeper when he hurried out of the lighted common room. He was a small man, the same height as Danni. “Welcome, ladies and sir. I’m Mr. Pensly, the owner here. Welcome to the Dancing Dragon!”

He paused, eyes widening as he took in their tattered appearances and Marcus’s stark face. Danni scrambled for some sort of explanation, but her fogged mind was slow. Ginny unexpectedly came to the rescue. Her expression blanked and her head listed to the side as she stared owlishly at the innkeeper. “Dragons don’t really dance, do they?”

Danni opened her mouth and clicked it shut, at a loss for what to say. Had she really thought Ginny possessed intelligence? She bit back a groan as the innkeeper floundered for a response. He obviously didn’t want to offend them, but she could see he was struggling. He decided to laugh uneasily. “Well, I am not certain, ma’am.”

Danni grimaced as Marcus suddenly dropped more weight on her. She glanced at his pale countenance. He needed food, water, and a warm bed.

Clearing her throat, Danni diverted the innkeeper’s attention to her. He seemed almost relieved. “Sir, this is the Marquis of Fleetwood. He needs attention immediately.”

The man seemed to jump at the title, his color lightening a shade. “F-Fleetwood?”

Marcus straightened suddenly, bearing down on the shorter man with a feral smile. She knew he was at the end of his rope. “What my wife means to say is that I have been shot and require a doctor.
Now.
”

Danni stiffened at being called his wife, but did not protest. It would give her access to his room so she could tend to him. Pretending to be his wife was too close to her dreams. But she was far too weary to deal with those thoughts right now.

The man gasped, his hand fluttering to his neck. “Oh, my! Yes, yes. I shall summon the doctor posthaste.”

Ginny followed without comment as the innkeeper led them inside the worn, aged inn. Danni pointedly ignored her. She had no answer for the girl’s probing looks.

The inn was filled with activity. Boisterous men seated about small round tables laughed and guzzled from large mugs. Anxiety engulfed her when one of the men grabbed a barmaid’s behind. What kind of establishment was this? Uncertainty dashed her hopes for safety and rest. She turned red on the barmaid’s behalf before hurrying to keep close to the innkeeper. He snapped sharp orders to a young man, who then sprinted off. Danni hoped he was fetching the doctor.

Mr. Pensly frantically motioned for them to follow him to the second level. Ginny led the way, allowing Marcus to brace himself on the rail for the climb. It was a painstaking business. She felt his agony with each step, the wound splitting at each shift of his hip. His face beaded with sweat. Danni panted with the effort of supporting him.

It was much easier for Marcus to shuffle down the flat, wooden surface of the second floor hall. The owner’s keys jingled as he fiddled with the set at his waist. Handing a small one to Ginny, he said, “I hope this room will be acceptable to you, miss.”

The redhead glanced at Danni, apparently unsure she would be allowed this freedom. Danni did not particularly care where the girl stayed. She had no resources with which to escape, and after this strenuous day, she most likely wanted to bolt the latch and collapse into an endless sleep. Nodding her agreement, Ginny quickly turned the key in the door and disappeared.

They moved farther down the hall. Danni counted three rooms before he stopped and loosened a key from a large ring. He unlocked the door and swung it wide open. A giant sleigh bed took up a majority of the wood-paneled room. The bedding shimmered a beautiful dark blue as the innkeeper lit the candles in the falling darkness. She felt her brows lift in surprise as Marcus’s grip tightened about her shoulders.

The proprietor grinned proudly. “This is our newlywed room, my lady.”

An audible choking sound escaped her.
Dear God.

Marcus didn’t help. He managed to remain silent, but she could feel him trembling with painful laughter. A wheeze suddenly escaped him and his twisted features deepened. Again, hands fluttered as the innkeeper was spurred into action. “Dr. Grogg should be along shortly. We should get him into bed.”

Danni nodded, more than ready to be relieved of her load. By the time they had him seated on the edge of the bed, she was perspiring with exertion.

“We should undress him, my lady. He’d be more comfortable.”

Danni froze, glancing at the innkeeper. He could not be serious? His expectant look told her otherwise. But it was something a wife would do for her husband.

She swallowed the squirming in her stomach. She needed to maintain their cover. The challenging rise of Marcus’s split brow and the smirk upon his crooked lip dared her to comply. Grumbling, Danni squatted down at his feet and yanked none too kindly on his boots.

The innkeeper cleared his throat. “I shall just fetch some warm water and cloths to clean the wound.”

“Mr. Pensly,” Marcus groaned. “Please have the doctor check on the other young woman first, when he arrives.”

“Of course.” He nodded, placing the key on the nightstand before exiting. The man thought they required privacy. She wanted to laugh.

“Thank you for thinking of that,” Danni murmured as she managed to pull off Marcus’s first boot and stocking.

He grunted as she started on the second. It was then, feeling his eyes on her, and her own gaze wandering about, that she felt her face heat. She couldn’t help but stare at his naked foot. It was a massive thing, lightly dusted with blond hair that glinted in the lantern light. She felt a familiar coil grow in her stomach, and her throat grew thick. She had no idea she could find feet attractive.

She was sure she was bright red. A quick glance at Marcus’s smug expression confirmed her suspicion. Her frayed patience in danger of snapping, she made quick work of the second boot and stocking. To add insult to injury, Marcus carefully lifted his arms like a child being dressed by his nursemaid. Danni glared, her hands coming to her hips. “It’s very ungentlemanly of you to enjoy my discomfort so.”

A devilish glint sparked his eyes. “And very unladylike of you to enjoy undressing me so.”

“You—” Danni choked, rendered mute as her face heated. Blast it, but it was true.

He chuckled, arching his split brow.

Boldly, she stepped between his legs and roughly pulled his shirt over his head. The minute his hands were free, he caught her hips, dragged her close, and rested his forehead against her stomach. “I cannot tell you how relieved I am that Ginny has been recovered safely.”

His voice trailed away. She smiled, soothing and kneading the muscles of his naked shoulders. She knew exactly what he meant. After their long and onerous journey, they’d managed to find and rescue Ginny. An incredible weight had been lifted now that the girl was back in their possession. However, Danni dreaded the oncoming battle. She needed to think of some way to resolve Marcus’s problem before he was well enough to move on.

First, she needed rest. “I know. Ginny seems fine, but I’m glad a doctor will be checking on the both of you.”

He snorted, his eyes drifting closed. “Making sure the doctor sees Ginny first is the least I can do. This is all my fault and I couldn’t bear to think…if she were injured…”

“Everything will work out.” Her smile brightened and her heart skipped a beat.

“But how could you possibly know that?”

She attempted to lighten the mood. “I’m all-knowing.”

His fingers tightened briefly as he puffed a weak laugh. “If only, Danni. If only…”

He raised his head, allowing her a glimpse of sad and vulnerable eyes before his lips connected with hers. He kissed her with a need so strong, a desire so deep, she was breathless. Her hand stole around his neck, holding tight. Strong, rough palms spanned her ribs, clasping her firmly against his chest. Her thighs tightened from the heat his touch always created there.

Gasping, she pulled away. His mouth did not break contact; instead, his lips traveled in a hot arc down, behind her ear, along her neck, approaching her breast.

“Marcus,” she murmured, cupping his head, guiding his journey down…

“I do not think his condition is as dire as you may have thought, Mr. Pensly.”

Danni jumped back, aghast at being interrupted, humiliated at being seen. Standing in the doorway, the innkeeper and a man she assumed to be the doctor smothered their amusement.

“Ah, to be young again,” the elderly man said as he lifted a dark leather bag onto a nearby chair.

The innkeeper’s hands fluttered helplessly about him. “A thousand apologies, my lord, my lady. I did not think…”

A satisfied laugh erupted from Marcus as he pulled his shirt closed, hiding his scarred chest. Despite his self-consciousness, the rotter looked well pleased with himself, while she wanted the floor to swallow her up.

“There is no need to apologize, Mr. Pensly. My bride and I cannot seem to control ourselves.”

Danni’s face flamed and her fists clenched at her sides. She was going to kill him.

The innkeeper’s face cleared, a dreamy smile budding on his face. “Oh, newlyweds! I knew it.”

Dr. Grogg gave her a conspiratorial wink. Even Danni’s palms burned with the blood rushing through her system. A hole in the floor wouldn’t be big enough to hide her, she decided.

Marcus’s grin seemed to grow brighter. “I find her the perfect pain relief.”

“Understandable.” The doctor chuckled good-naturedly. “If I may say so, your lady is very pretty, my lord. Even in such an obviously exhausted state.”

Oh, God. I must leave this room.
Clearing her throat, she nodded to the kind doctor. “I shall leave you to your examination now, Doctor. I must check on my cousin.”

She darted for the door, intent on escape, even if it was only to Ginny’s room, but Mr. Pensly, the innkeeper, stood in her path. The doctor waved her to the bedside. “There is no need. Certainly, your husband wishes you to stay.”

Marcus’s eyes danced devilishly. “Yes, she is such a comfort.”

Gritting her teeth, she haltingly stepped to the head of the bed as her
husband
eased himself back for a proper examination. She bent close, whispering in his ear, “Would the bullet have aimed true.”

His intense gaze made her heart skip. A slow smile lingered, transforming his face and stealing her breath. How had she ever thought him ugly?

“Darling, as much as I love hearing all the things you wish to do to me as soon as we are alone, now is not the appropriate time. The good doctor is trying to tend to me.”

Danni gaped at him. The doctor and the innkeeper gaped at her.

Simply shooting him was too easy for him. She’d need to think of something more torturous. Glaring, she snapped, “I think I may require a separate room this evening, Mr. Pensly.”

A dreamy expression floated across his face again. “A lover’s quarrel! I simply love lover’s quarrels.”

She transferred her glare to the short man. All she needed was for Ginny to enter the room and ask some inane question, such as, Is the sky falling?

Dr. Grogg came to her rescue. “Now, now, let us leave the poor lady be. I think we have embarrassed her enough for the evening.” He turned his attention back to the wound. “How exactly were you shot, my lord?”

“We were held up by highwaymen. My wife’s poor cousin suffered a terrible fright.”

It wasn’t a bad story. Especially since most of it was true.

The doctor halted a moment and reported, “Ah, yes. At your request, I just examined her. Such a sweet young woman. Some minor rope burns on her wrists, for which I gave her a balm. Also told me she was not…manhandled”—he met the Marcus’s eyes knowingly—“by those heathens. They have been particularly bad in this area of late. Something must be done before a death results.”

Danni could feel Marcus’s relief at the news, and she squeezed his hand to signal she felt the same. She nodded her agreement to the doctor, especially since the Green Bandit and his companion were complete dolts. How they had not yet killed anyone was miraculous.