Innocence (11 page)

After lunch, tasty mutton pies bought from a street stall, the boys invited them to watch a puppet show they had seen setting up on the far side of the square. Lisa wanted to find the truffle merchant, but since they had to traverse the markets anyway, she stayed with the group and made inquiries on their journey.

While the Punch and Judy show was entertaining, Lisa had learned that a truffle merchant had set up his stall on the far side of the market and was impatient for it to finish. Sally and Ruth failed to appreciate her enthusiasm for hunting down an “ugly-looking fungus,” much preferring to follow the boys to where a group of musicians were tuning up near the area set aside for dancing . . . and drinking. The raucous laughter reminded Lisa a little too much of the public dining halls she had eaten in on her way from Henbury, but the girls seemed safe enough in the company of the young men from the Hall. She didn’t want to spoil their fun by insisting they accompany her, the thought of heading back amongst the closely packed stalls more than a little daunting.

“I’ll come with ye,” Sam offered, and Lisa smiled in relief, Ben admonishing the duo not to take too long.

Glad of the boy’s company, Lisa weaved her way amongst the alleys in search of their destination, eventually finding the right stall hidden in the depths of the market. The truffle merchant, a crotchety old fellow, and his equally ancient and wrinkled wife were initially suspicious of her request to view their wares. It took quite a while to convince them she was a genuine buyer, and once persuaded, they had to send for their son who kept the family’s treasure trove of truffles safely hidden. Then there was the process of choosing the perfect truffle and negotiating a price. After the transaction was complete, the merchant and his wife insisted Sam and Lisa stay and share a cup of tea and some fruitcake. While she was grateful for their hospitality, Lisa was unnerved to discover how late it was when they finally took their leave.
 

“Have you any idea which way we should go?” she asked Sam when they were back in the alleyway. “It all looks the same to me.”

He pointed with confidence, and they hurried along the vaguely familiar looking path. When the silhouette of a man darkened the end of the alley, Lisa tugged Sam closer to her side

“Let’s get out of ’ere,” he said, breathing a sigh when the man passed them with the barest glance. “The others’ll be wondering where we are.”
 

Lisa nodded, urging him to move quickly along the deserted lane. The markets would reopen the next day, but most of the stalls had packed up for the evening.
 

“This way.” Sam gestured when they came to a junction, the path hopefully leading them towards the music they could hear in the distance. When they reached the end, the way was blocked by a large, canvas-sided carriage Lisa was sure hadn’t been there earlier.
 

“Maybe we can get out the other way.” The boy looked as worried as she felt, as they began retracing their steps back into the rapidly darkening interior of the market.

“I’m real sorry, Miss Lisa.” Sam kicked his toe against the dirt-packed ground when they found themselves in a small opening, walled in on three sides. “I’m usually good with directions.”

“It’s not your fault, and it’s just Lisa,” she reminded him absently, the lad not the only member of the staff who occasionally added the appellation. “We’ll be all right. We just need to find someone to help us out of this maze.”

“I’ll help ye, sweetheart.”
 

A man’s gruff voice sounded behind them, and they spun to face him. He was big, with a straggly beard and several missing front teeth, but it wasn’t his appearance that worried Lisa so much as the look in his eyes.
 

“That won’t be necessary, but thank you for the kind offer.” She backed away, dragging Sam with her.

“Ain’t ye the high and mighty one?”
 

The man approached, crowding them against a rough timber partition. His breath was rancid, and Lisa averted her head, covering her mouth with her hand.
 

“Ah, don’t be like that.” He pressed closer. “I’m thinkin’ ye and me could ’ave
all
sorts of fun, but let’s see what ye got in that bag of yers first.”

“It’s nothing you would want.” Lisa tucked the satchel behind her, and the man grabbed hold of her upper arm.

“Leave her alone, Mister,” Sam shouted and caught hold of the man’s fingers, attempting to pry them loose.
 

“Ye stay out of this boy,” the brute growled and struck Sam across the face, sending him sprawling to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth.

“Sam!” Lisa struggled in earnest, but her attacker shoved her roughly against the wall, forcing a thigh between her legs.

“Let her go!” Sam lurched to his feet, and began to hit the man on the back.
 

“I said, stay out of it, lad, or ye’ll be even sorrier than the gal will be when I’m done with ’er.”
 

Jabbing his elbow backwards, he sent Sam reeling once more.
 

“Go for help, Sam,” Lisa pleaded when the boy stumbled to his feet, fearing if he stayed he would be seriously hurt.

“There’ll be no help for ye, missy.” The man laughed, and tore her bonnet from her head, causing her hair to tumble down around her shoulders. “Oh, ho! A red ’ead. We
are
goin’ to ’ave us some fun.”

Fumbling with her skirt, he raised it and pawed at her leg beneath. Not wanting him to touch her intimately, which was what she feared he intended to do, Lisa pushed against him with all her might. If she could force a few inches between them, she might be able to raise her knee between his legs the way she had when she’d felled Owen . . . or that was her plan. The man’s strength was too great for her.

“Stop yer strugglin’, missy.” He shook her roughly by the arm, and she whimpered.

“Don’t ’urt her!” Sam shouted again, picking up an old crate and raising it above his head.
 

“Sam, no!” Lisa mouthed the words, afraid the brute would only hurt the boy again, but he inched closer.

Not knowing what else to do, Lisa sucked in a breath and screamed with all her might, hoping to attract someone to their plight.
 

“Enough.” The man raised his fist, and she cringed in anticipation of the blow . . . but it never came. Before he could strike her, a loud boom sounded in the confined space, and her attacker spun around to find its source. Breathing hard, Lisa looked past his shoulder to see a man seated upon a black horse, a pistol in his hand and smoke pouring from the muzzle.

“Let her go!” the rider shouted, and Lisa sagged with relief.
 

Nathaniel had found them.

“Bleedin’ ’eck. It’s one of the toffs from the Hall,” her attacker muttered, pushing Lisa in front of him to use her as a shield. “No ’arm done, guvnor. I was just ’aving some fun with the lass.”

“I said, let . . . her . . . go.” Nathaniel pointed his pistol at the man’s head, his voice like ice.

Shoving Lisa hard, the man turned and ran down the alley, leaving her sprawled on the ground. Winded, she looked up to see Nathaniel leap from his horse and place his pistol in the back of his breeches. In three strides, he was at her side.

“God, Lisa.” He knelt down and pulled her into his arms. “Are you all right?”

“I think so.” Her voice broke. “But he tried to steal my bag, and he hit Sam, and then he . . . he . . .”
 

“It’s all right. You’re safe now.”
 

Shaken, Lisa huddled into Nathaniel’s embrace. His hand brushed her arm where the horrid man had grabbed her roughly, and she winced.

“You’re hurt.” Nathaniel’s gaze was frantic as he looked her over.

“Only a little,” she whispered, though she feared her arm would be bruised and her knees smarted from the fall. At the sound of more hooves on the cobblestone, she looked up to see Lord McGivern crowding his horse into the alley.
 

“I’ll alert the watch,” he said after Nathaniel gave him a description of her assailant. “I doubt he’ll get too far.”

“Good,” Nathaniel said grimly.
 

“Is the lass injured?” Lord McGivern raised a brow at the sight of Nathaniel cradling Lisa in his arms.
 

“She says not badly, but I’ll have her seen by the doctor.”
 

“I'm fine, really,” she insisted. “It’s Sam I’m worried about. The brute struck him across the face, then knocked him down.”

“I’ll make sure he’s taken care of,” Nathaniel said, and she smiled her thanks.
 

Ben and the other footmen arrived, their eyes widening at the sight of Lisa being embraced by one of the lordships. She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.

“Don’t struggle,” he murmured close to her ear. “I’ve no intention of letting you go.”
 

She nodded, privately relieved, as her legs were far from steady. “Thank you for coming to our aid.”

“You’re very welcome.” He leaned down to capture her gaze. “But what were you thinking going off with only a small boy for protection?”

“I’m sorry, my lord.” Sam stepped forward, his head bowed. “I tried me best to protect Miss Lisa, but the man was too strong.”
 

“You did admirably.” Nathaniel reached to pat Sam’s shoulder while keeping Lisa tucked against his side. “It looked like you were ready to brain the brute when I arrived. You hardly needed my help.”

Sam’s crestfallen expression lightened, but his smile was lopsided due to his swollen lip. “It doesn’t look
too
bad.” Nathaniel gripped the boy’s chin to examine his injury. “Do you think you’re up to the trip back home with the others?”

Sam shrugged. “I’ll be right, my lord. But what about Lisa?”

“She stays with me.” Nathaniel pulled her tighter to his side before turning to Ben. “Send my carriage back to collect us. We’ll have dinner at the inn.”

“Yes, my lord.” The groom bobbed his head then glanced Lisa’s way. “Shall I let Mrs Donaldson know Lisa is
safe?
”
 

“Yes, do that, and ask her to see to Sam’s lip,” Nathaniel said before addressing Lord McGivern. “Would you mind riding back with them, Hugh? It’s getting late, and I think an escort might be wise.”

“Very well.” The earl looked to Lisa. “I can certainly understand the appeal, but your father won’t be impressed. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“Only what I’ve resisted doing for
weeks
,” Nathaniel snapped before releasing a sigh. “Do you honestly think he’ll begrudge me?”

Lord McGivern laughed. “His Grace will applaud your taste. It’s the method and timing to which he’ll object.”
 

“I’ll be discreet.” Nathaniel turned back to face Lisa, his expression softening. “Are you up to riding with me to the inn?”
 

She nodded, wishing she understood the subtext to the conversation.

The others departed, and Nathaniel led her to his enormous black stallion. She looked up at the stirrups then down at her skirt, but before she could comment, he caught her around the waist and lifted her onto the saddle. Her skirt was not designed for riding, and bunched around her knees, but there was nothing to be done.

“Hold on,” Nathaniel ordered, vaulting into the saddle behind her. With one hand around her waist and the other on the reins, he urged their mount into a canter. Lisa clutched the horse’s mane with both hands and ducked down as they passed under a low awning. After thundering down a narrow, cobblestone alley, they emerged into an open street beyond the markets. When they reached a small copse of trees near the inn, Nathaniel halted the horse, secured the reins around the pommel of the saddle, and then wrapped both his arms around her waist.

“Are you sure you’re not badly hurt?” he asked, his voice low and rough. “I heard you cry out. Please tell me I got there in time.”

“I’m fine, just a bit shaken and sore. I was so afraid for Sam . . . and for myself. If you hadn’t come . . .”
 

“It’s all right. I’m here now.”
 

Lisa soaked up the sensation of being encircled by Nathaniel’s arms, wishing they could stay that way forever. But of course, they couldn’t. She sighed when he released her and dismounted, missing the comfort of his touch. After securing the horse’s reins, his gaze alighted on her exposed lower leg.
 

“Don’t,” he whispered when she tugged at her skirt. He placed his hand on her knee, and she flinched.
 

“It’s all right.” He slid his hand down her calf before encircling her ankle. “Swing your other leg over the pommel, and I’ll help you down.”
 

Clutching her skirt in front of her, Lisa did as he asked, coming to rest sideways in the saddle. Her skirt bunched at mid thigh, and Nathaniel drew in a deep breath, bringing both his hands to rest just below her knees. His thumbs drew circles on her inner calves, his touch provoking sensations unlike any she had experienced before. She should have protested, her lack of reaction as scandalous as allowing a gentleman to see her ankles, let alone calves and knees. But Lisa stayed quiet, mesmerised by the sight and feel of his hands touching her legs.