Falling In Love Again (Heroic Rogues Series) (2 page)

Fear gripped her throat and froze her limbs. She didn’t want to be torn from her companion.

Mrs. Winters grabbed Isabelle’s other elbow. “Captain Hawk? I must protest.”

He cocked his head. “I’m quite certain you must, but you’re wasting your breath. Miss Stanley will accompany me without your companionship. Should you choose to not follow my instructions, then you will be the first prisoner tortured.” He flashed an arrogant grin. “Do I make myself clear?”

Mrs. Winters lifted her chin. “Remarkably so.”

Simon pushed the older woman back into the line. Mrs. Winter’s wide-eyed gaze stayed on Isabelle as her companion’s face lost color the farther away she staggered. Tears filled Isabelle’s eyes. Nothing could change the situation. They had to obey the captain or suffer the consequences.

After the group had shuffled toward the large wagon, she spun to face her captor and glared. “What do you want with me? I have done nothing to deserve this punishment.”

Hawk grinned. “Punishment? Nay, fair maiden, I’m not punishing you at all. Women consider it a privilege to be in my favor. I have saved you from staying with the rats in a dark, nearly suffocating cellar of our hideout with your friends.”

She tilted her head. “You, sir, have saved me from nothing, for I will be with the biggest rat of them all.”

Hawk growled and grasped her shoulders. She stiffened, not daring to release the whimper bubbling up from her throat.
Show no fear.

“Miss Stanley, this is a warning. Speaking to me in such a tone will only provoke me. I’d hate to harm such a lovely woman, but I won’t tolerate such behavior from a prisoner. You should be grateful I saved you from venturing with the other prisoners. I cannot control my men when I have my back turned. I fear what they might do with you if they wanted a little diversion from today’s activities.”

She seethed. He was correct. It was either Hawk or his men. “Where I was raised, I wasn’t used to holding my tongue, Sir.”

His grip relaxed. “You had best learn quickly then, Miss Stanley. I don’t want my men thinking I cannot handle such a feisty woman.”

She nodded.

He stepped back and smiled. His face didn’t look as hard as it’d been earlier. “I’d like you to dine with me tonight. I’ll feed you the finest food, I have to offer. You can stay in my room until that time, unless of course you would rather remain with the others in the filthy cellar. I assure you, it won’t be as pleasant.”

As much as she preferred being with her friends, she might be able to defend herself better with him than his crew of scallywags. “I—I’m most appreciative of your offer, Captain, and I shall count myself privileged to dine with you.” The words were hard to say, and hopefully, Hawk wouldn’t know she had lied through her teeth.

“Splendid.” He offered his arm like a gentleman.

Suppressing the urge to sneer at the gesture, she slipped her hand around his elbow and allowed him to take her to his horse. He lifted her up before mounting behind. He tugged at a scarf wrapped around his arm until it fell loose.

“Before we go, however, I must blindfold you. I cannot have you or the other prisoners seeing the way to our hideout.”

She glanced at the others in the wagon. Hawk’s men were tying their hands behind their backs and blindfolding them as well. Isabelle was grateful the captain didn’t bind her hands.

Nodding, she held herself still. His nearness made her nervous. Was it because of his ruggedly handsome appearance or the fact that he had killed her father? She didn’t know why his deep voice had sent shivers through her more than once. As she gazed on the days-old growth covering his chin and cheeks, she couldn’t help but wonder what he would look like clean-shaven, and without his mask?

He placed the scarf over her eyes and tied it in the back of her head. A large, muscular arm secured her body against his as he urged the horse to a trot. She had no other choice but to grasp his arm for fear of slipping to the ground.

Against her ribs, the pressure of the hidden dagger gave her some comfort. She would certainly use it if Hawk made any improper advances toward her. Men like Captain Hawk didn’t deserve to live. He killed men in cold blood as he had her father.

What had her father ever done besides try to save his own life that fateful day? His valet had been freed after their stagecoach had been attacked and told her the story of how her father died a brave man. In the end, Captain Hawk and his crew of cutthroats still stole all the valuables they could get their greedy hands on, which in turn left Isabelle penniless.

Bile rose in her throat. If she couldn’t sell her father’s estate in New York, she would have to find the wealthy man her father betrothed her to and hurry along the marriage she didn’t want. Hopefully, the latter wouldn’t happen. She’d heard her betrothed, Matthew Winston, was ruthless and underhanded—a vile, selfish man. Why her father had picked him was beyond her knowledge, unless it had something to do with the man’s wealth.

She shivered. One obstacle at a time was all she could handle, and right now, she needed to keep a rodent from invading her person so she could walk away from all this when Hawk finally freed his prisoners.

* * * *

Marcus Thorne glanced at the enchantress sitting so close to him with her hands clutching his arm. Good fortune had been with him as of late and taking his enemy’s daughter prisoner topped the day. It didn’t matter if his men found nothing of consequence on the stagecoach, Marcus realized his world had brightened because of the treasure nearly sitting very close in front of him.

He didn’t know Miss Isabelle Stanhope, just her father. Marcus had done the world a service when he purged the scoundrel from society. Marcus had dealt with the older man on several occasions and concluded the weasel couldn’t be trusted. He hadn’t planned on killing Commodore Stanhope, but the foolish man tried to stab him in the back. Literally. On impulse, Marcus shot the man between the eyes, killing him instantly.

It wasn’t until later that day when Marcus, rummaging through the Commodore’s trunks, had found a miniature of an extremely beautiful woman. Several days afterwards, he studied the picture and read some of the missives the Commodore had written to his daughter, but never mailed.

Months later, Hawk realized the Commodore had somehow alerted the British soldiers to his hideout. Marcus was nearly arrested, and he and his men lost many valuable items during the raid.

Now Marcus had something of value belonging to the Commodore. It didn’t matter if the older man was dead, Marcus would fulfill his revenge by keeping the daughter as his prisoner. Hopefully, he’d be able to discover what she knew about her father’s dealings with the King’s soldiers as well.

Not only was Miss Stanhope most becoming, but her fiery temper surprised him. Spirited women challenged him and kept him on his toes. Isabelle’s amazing blue eyes were like an ocean on a serene day, so different from her temper.

Her presence nearly made him forget his own reputation as a fearsome highwayman. At one time he’d been a pirate—as were his men—but soon Marcus realized he could accomplish more as a highwayman, and get things done much faster.

Clearing the turbulence Miss Stanhope had brought to his mind, he couldn’t understand why she lied about her name. Why didn’t she want him to know who her father had been? Most assuredly, Marcus looked forward to uncovering her secrets.

When the wagon full of prisoners caught up to him, he pushed his horse faster toward his hideout. Since the King’s soldiers had found his last place, Marcus had discovered another out-of-the-way spot to call home—at least home for his gang of thieves.

Miss Stanhope bounced on his horse so bad, so he pulled her closer to his chest.

“What are you doing?” she shrieked.

“Not to worry, fair maiden, I’m only trying to make you more comfortable.”

“If you want me to be more comfortable, then release me at once!”

He chuckled. “Do you wish to walk?”

“Um, no…I was referring to being your prisoner.”

“Oh, fair maiden, I cannot…and
will
not release you. So unless you want to walk the remainder of the way, you can lean against me. I promise not to bite…too hard.”

It took a few moments of him studying her stiff posture before she finally relented and leaned back against his chest.

He laughed. “Now, was that so difficult?”

“More than you could ever imagine, Captain Hawk.”

 
A half hour later, they reached the border of his hideout and he slowed the horse. Quickly, she pulled away from him and straightened. Several of his men stood guard at the tall, wooden gates and let them enter then secured the slats of wood after they passed through.

“Miss Stanley, you’re too quiet. Dare I ask what vengeful thoughts are swimming in your head?”

He watched her lips closely since he couldn’t see her eyes. Not even a semblance of a smile touched her mouth.

“Vengeful? Tell me, Captain. Why would I think such a thing about the man who holds me prisoner?”

He chuckled. “You’re most humorous, but after a few minutes in my charming presence, I promise you will change your mind about my character. I’m certainly not the rat you think I am, nor will I ever become one. Especially to a lovely woman such as yourself.”

Finally, the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. “I reserve the right to form my own opinion, Captain Hawk.”

“Absolutely.” He patted her soft hands.

He stopped the horse in front of the main house. “Here we are, my dove.” He jumped down then lifted her off. As he set her on her feet, she stumbled and quickly reached for him. He steadied her before removing her blindfold.

Blinking, she glanced around them, at the acres of land to the house and the separate buildings, then back to him. “I must say, Captain Hawk, I rather had a different picture in my head when imagining your hideout.”

“Were you picturing more of a dark castle with torture chambers?”

“Indeed, I was.”

He laughed. “That’s my
other
hideout.”

Marcus walked her into the house and down a hallway. He stopped in front of an empty room. His servant boy had died last year from the fever, and Marcus had yet to find a replacement. Although he had planned on dining with Miss Stanhope in his room this evening, he dared not take her there yet. She would undoubtedly snoop through his trunks and find her father’s belongings, especially the letters and miniature he had kept.

“What is this? My prison?” she asked.

“You will stay in my room until I’m ready for you.”

He slowly opened the door. She peered inside. Her brow wrinkled as disgust registered on her face.

The servant’s room would do for now albeit it was smaller than most in the main house. He’d give Miss Stanhope time to simmer. After being locked away in the windowless room only big enough for a small cot and trunk, he prayed she’d be more agreeable. Then again, he did enjoy her feisty personality.

She looked at him and gave him a quizzical stare. “Captain Hawk, I cannot believe you would stoop to accept a mere pittance of a room such as this. I highly doubt this is where you sleep.”

“It’s not.”

“Did you not just tell me it was your room?”

“I did…because I own this place.” He swept his hand around them, indicating the house. “I won’t take you to my room until after it’s clean.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Rest yourself my dove. I shall fetch you when our evening meal is ready.”

The glare in her eyes let him know she wasn’t satisfied.

After he closed and locked the door, he sprinted up the hall and outside to see if his men had found anything of merit in the trunks and satchels they’d confiscated from the stagecoach passengers. Marcus must get his mind off Miss Stanhope and concentrate on more important matters. Like finding those documents he knew were on the stagecoach.

In the past ten years, he’d been amongst men who sought revenge against Britain for one reason or another. Marcus had a personal reason for loathing the aristocrats, and especially those serving in the Royal Navy. Too many were like his father—cold-hearted men who didn’t care for anything but wealth and title. Too many of these men disowned their own families for dreams of power and prestige. And worse, they would ruthlessly kill without having any second thoughts.

Since taking over the role of the pirate, Captain Hawk, from a man who had been the pirate for many years, Marcus only attacked the King’s ships. However, now that he no longer trolled the seas, he took prisoners from the stagecoaches occupied by these soldiers. Today’s hold-up, however, had been different. Marcus had overheard the soldiers were trying to fool the elusive Captain Hawk by transporting the documents differently, carried by a civilian. Marcus was smarter than the King’s soldiers. He had spies everywhere.

For many years, his father had been a Commodore of the navy and didn’t have a clue to what his
sickly son
had been doing with his life.
Especially after the old man thought he’d killed me,
Marcus thought. He took advantage of his father’s ignorance and made friends with those his parent wouldn’t approve of. The old chap hadn’t been in his life since Marcus was a young lad, which was the reason he had become a pirate. Indeed, revenge was sweet.