Angel in Black (10 page)

“A
RE YOU GOING TO
tell me what that was all about?” John asked Rina as Blake Roberts rode away. He sensed her anger and recognized the look in her eyes. Silence followed his question and he knew Rina well enough to be patient. John waited, knowing she needed time to collect her thoughts and gain control over her emotions. They walked over to Blackstar and led him to his stall. Rina picked up a brush and started to groom his silky black coat. He saw the tension leave her as the simple task worked its magic.

“If he’s hurt you, Kat, I’ll kill him. I don’t care who he is.” John’s heated words broke through the wall of silence Rina had put up. His confusion and anger was clear and she reached out and placed her hand on his face. Rina knew she could have no better friend.

“No, Johnny, he did not hurt me. He makes me so angry, though, I think I could kill him myself. I do not understand how he can affect me so strongly. I should have better control, but when he’s near me I lose all reason. I think I hate him, but when he kisses me, I want only to love him. I’m so confused.” Rina’s face flushed with embarrassment at her confession — at her desire for the man.

A surprised look registered on John’s face and concern edged his voice. “Kat, you are a grown woman now, and for the first time you’re experiencing the passion of a woman. I’m not sure I like it. I know you’re capable of making your own decisions concerning men, and I’m not so naïve to think it would never happen. But, because I feel so protective of you, it makes it hard. I don’t think I could stand it if someone hurt you.”

Together they lay down on the pile of hay, as they had since they were children. John chewed thoughtfully on a small straw and Rina leaned on an elbow facing him.

“He wants me to be his mistress.” Rina watched John for a reaction but saw none. Disappointed, she looked away.

“And you told him to go to hell.” John smiled confidently.

Rina sat up, her eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know?”

“You would never allow yourself to be tied to a man in this way. I believe you would give your love freely, with no inhibitions or obligations, but never as a kept woman.” John was amazed at his own thoughts when he actually voiced them out loud. He knew Rina was a virgin and, if he were to guess, the kiss she mentioned her first. But Rina never spoke of marriage, her future tied to a promise and Camray, a promise he knew she would never forget. If she gave her love to a man, marriage would not matter. And, he believed once given, it would be for life. Yes, his Kat would die before betraying a promise of the heart.

“You seem to know me better than I do, but it is something I must work out myself. So, enough of my problem, we have more to discuss.”

“Yes, if you’re still set on this harebrained scheme, we better plan a trip to London to sell your jewelry. I already have two men willing to ride with us. I heard Jenny return, Jake’s home too. Shall we go inside and tell them this crazy plan of yours?”

John rose to his feet and pulled Rina to hers. Rina squared her shoulders, preparing herself for the confrontation. Jake and Jenny were like family, and she knew they would object to her idea, but she must convince them.

Their reaction was as she’d feared it would be.

“Are you crazy, girl? If you’re caught, they’d hang you for sure. Have you thought of that?” Jake yelled, shaking his head in frustration. He saw by the tilt of her chin and the damned determined look in her eyes she would not be swayed, but he had to try to talk some sense into her thick, foolish head.

“Yes, I know the risks and it’s a chance I am willing to take. Anyone who rides with me must realize the danger as well.” Rina sighed and looked Jake in the eye. “My mind is set. I’ll do it with or without your help. It will be two more years before I can try to claim my inheritance. I cannot sit by any longer and watch people suffer. This is one way we can survive — we can take from those who have plenty. It’s the only way.”

“We canna’ let you take the chance,” sobbed Jenny, dabbing at her eyes with her giant apron. “’Tis too dangerous, luv.”

Rina took a deep breath and gathered her resolve for what she knew she must do. “I believe you both know how much I love you, but you cannot protect me any longer. Jake, you have spent eight years teaching and training me as my father wished. Did you teach me to think for myself and to be independent and strong just to sit idly by and do nothing? My future will be determined by the promises I made to my father. I will fulfill them or die. Will you stop me from doing what you know I have sworn to do? Would you willingly destroy me?”

Jake and Jenny exchanged glances. Would they deliberately interfere, knowing Katrina Easton could not live with a broken promise? They both knew the answer. She would pursue her destiny, no matter, and no one could stop her.

“All right, you can count me in,” Jake conceded.

“Oh, Rina, ’tis all you have left, you canna’ sell them,” Jenny protested. She kept the jewelry safe for all these years, the only thing Rina had left in the world. Several times Rina had wanted to sell them, but Jenny always remained obstinate.

Rina took Jenny’s withered hand in hers and looked with love into her saddened eyes. “We must sell them. I think mother and father would understand, Jenny. It will help and perhaps save some lives this winter.”

Without speaking, Jenny stood and went to her bedroom. She came back with a small leather pouch and handed it to Rina, her voice full of emotion. “I’m sure your mother an’ father would be proud of you, Katrina Easton. The Lord has watched o’er you so far, and I believe he will continue t’ do so.”

She gathered Rina in a warm hug, tears running down her cheeks. Rina knew how difficult it was for them to give in to her, for they only wanted to keep her out of harm’s way. But this was something she had to do. She stood by for years, now was the time to fight back.

“Thank you, Jenny. I’ll be careful, I promise, for I do not desire to dangle from the end of a noose. John and I will go to London to sell the jewelry, the sooner the better.”

John agreed with Rina and they continued to arrange their trip. In two days they would take the public coach from Sleaford to London, stopping for two nights along the way. The trip would take about a week, but they would get a much better price for the necklace and earrings in the city.

T
HE SUN PEEKED OVER
the hills and turned the horizon pink and orange. Rina sat on the hard bench, deep in thought, a frown creasing her forehead. She pulled her cape about her snugly to ward off the early-morning chill, her worn brown dress doing little to ward off the cold. A small tapestry bag lay in her lap; her fingers fidgeted absently with the frayed handle as her mind roamed over what she was about to do.

Rina knew Jake and Jenny would be angry with her, but John, he would be furious. Common sense told her she should not go alone, but urgency prompted her to ignore logic. She glanced up at the cloudy sky and knew it was going to rain again. The roads were already muddy from yesterday’s downpour, and if she waited much longer, the roads might be impassable for weeks, or more. No, she had to go now. Rina looked down the empty road, wished the coach from Lincoln would hurry up and get there.

Yes, John would be furious with her for sneaking off without him. Why did he have to slip and sprain his ankle now? He wouldn’t be able to walk for several days, or travel for a week, so their trip would have been delayed. Selling her jewelry was of great importance; so, without telling anyone, she’d risen early and left. She managed to get a ride to Sleaford and now she waited for the coach, as planned, only without John by her side. Rina sighed, worried, all hell would break loose when Jenny found her note. But she would be on her way to London by then.

It started to drizzle and Rina pulled her hood up. She sighed with relief when the coach finally lumbered down the road. It pulled up, coming to a halt in front of her. She paid her fare and climbed in, choosing to sit in the corner by the window. All eyes watched her as she made herself as comfortable as possible on the hard bench. The rig jerked into motion, reminding everyone of the unpleasant ride ahead of them. Rina stared out the window, ignored the curious stares and watched the passing countryside.

Chapter Seven

B
LAKE PULLED HIS COLLAR
up and cursed the rain. He watched the dark clouds gather, blocking the sun to cast everyone and everything in wet obscurity. Again, he wondered why he was out on a day as this, much less on his way to London. The little fool — whatever possessed her to go to London alone? Blake’s mood turned blacker than the clouds looming above him.

He remembered his grim argument with Rina the last time he saw her, and also the promise he had made to himself to forget her. Damnation, he swore to himself, his anger growing with each miserable minute that passed. His mind raced over the morning’s occurrences.

Despite his determination not to do so, he rode over to see Rina. Once there he found Jenny in tears and Jake about to storm out, his manner near hysterical. Eventually, he managed to make sense of it all; that was when his temper exploded and he took over the whole situation.

Blake all but ordered Jake to stay put; he would go after Rina. He knew he had spoken harshly to the elderly couple, demanding to know how they could allow her to do such a foolish thing. He noticed the look exchanged between them before Jenny answered him. “Lord Roberts, if you knew Rina well enough, you would know she does what she feels she must do. This trip were important t’ her, an’ knowin’ her as we do, she thought nothin’ of goin’ by herself. But you’re right, she shouldna’ be alone, so please, go, an’ make sure our girl comes t’ no harm.”

Would he ever understand what went on in her pretty little head? Probably not — he didn’t understand his own actions anymore. What on earth could possibly be so important she would risk traveling alone? Questions continued to plague Blake as he made his way through the drenching rain to London. The roads were quickly becoming muddy bogs, slowing his progress to a snail’s pace. He knew the rain would impede the coach even more, and if he was lucky, he would arrive in London before she did.

T
HE RAIN CONTINUED TO
fall throughout the day, everyone’s spirits dampened as the coach lumbered along. Rina listened to all the other passengers’ complaints and ailments, only nodded when a reply was required of her. By the time they pulled into the inn the first night, Rina’s patience was gone and she declined to dine with the small group. The men were overzealous in their pleading, but the headache she used as an excuse indeed caused her pain. After she requested a tray taken to her room, Rina climbed the steep stairs, thinking only of the bed awaiting her.

Rina paid no attention to the tall man who entered the taproom, shaking the rain from his hair. Hooded eyes watched until she disappeared down the hall. When he walked to an empty table, he couldn’t help but notice he was not the only one who watched her. All the men, down to the oldest of them, noticed the beautiful, golden-haired girl, and this troubled him immensely.

Blake sat down and ordered; his mood darkened further when he heard the whispered comments passed among them. Foolish woman — didn’t she realize the trouble she caused?

T
HE NEXT MORNING RINA
woke early and went down to the kitchen where they were busy cooking the morning meal. No one else was up and about yet, so Rina had time to enjoy her tea in peace. It wasn’t long until the guests appeared, and soon they were on their way.

The rain persisted, making their progress slow and uncomfortable. Rina thoroughly enjoyed the unusual spell of sunshine they had had of late, but now fall was upon them and with it the miserable rain. Tattershall would soon feel the brisk winds from the cold North Sea and before long, snow and ice would cover the ground.

Rina turned her thoughts to their new purpose and steeled herself against the discomfort. She was taking the first step in starting something that could bring a better life to those she loved. If not, she would know she had tried.

The second day tired her more, and the night was sleepless as dreams disturbed her. Exhausted by the time morning arrived, the new day offered the same monotonous fare as the day before. Finally, the coach pulled into London. The streets were deserted and dark as they bumped over the wet cobblestones, the noise loud in the still night. The rain caused the gutters to overflow and the putrid smell made Rina feel ill. Fog mixed with the smoke laden air, choking and stagnant. Tall gray buildings lined the gloomy, overcrowded streets, the cities mood matching hers.

Blake stood in the window of his room and watched the coach lumber into the empty yard. So his little she-fox finally made it to London. He watched as all the men fell over each other trying to be the one to assist her. Jealousy pushed its way into his thoughts and his disposition grew dark and dangerous.

Rina smiled tiredly at the young man who helped her from the coach. An uneasiness inside of her surfaced, as if someone watched her. She glanced up and saw a man standing at a window of the inn, his face shadowed and unrecognizable. With a shiver, she disappeared inside to the warmth and dryness the building provided.