Bronwyn Scott's Sexy Regency Bundle (153 page)

'What do you want with me that would be worth dying for?

get one of you before you get me,' Paine argued,

his wit as a weapon.

'We want the chit with the cinnamon hair. You have her. The boss wants her. The boss
owns
her. We've come to reclaim stolen property.' The big man's tone was menacing.

'I don't have her. You can check the coach, but

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there's nothing inside except my dead coachman,'

Paine replied.

Julia blanched at the news, thinking of the bullet that had pierced the side of the coach. The men confronting Paine were not bothered by the results of their errant bullet. 'That bullet was for you,

If you'd been

where you were supposed to be, this would all be over now.' The smaller of the two men lunged for Paine, opposite side to the hand that held the knife.

Julia fought back a gasp. It would be difficult for Paine to reach across his body and make an effective effort with his weapon. Instead, Paine kicked out with his leg in a fluid movement Julia had never seen before.

The sweep of his leg caught the man at the knees and brought him to the ground. Quickly, before the last man could react, Paine delivered a sharp jab to the downed man's abdomen, rendering him temporarily useless.

But Paine wobbled as he spun to face the last man and the man saw it for what it was-weakness that would only grow with time. He had only to wait and he would be victorious. He'd used his comrades and their failures to take Paine's measure. He'd seen Paine's arsenal of wit and strange, foreign moves. Now Paine was exposed.

He charged Paine like a bull, head down and fast for a man so large. His head caught Paine in mid-torso, the impact taking Paine to the hard ground and causing the knife hand to release its grip. The knife spun out of reach on the road.

Julia went into action, loading one of her stones into

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Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

the hastily fashioned sling from her torn dress. She could hear the grunts and yells of the men's fight, Paine taking the brunt of it in his weakened state.

She had more rocks at her disposal but her shot

would be her best shot, full of surprise. She edged closer to give herself better range. The man reared up over Paine, giving her a clear target without the risk of hitting Paine instead. Julia cocked the sling and called out, using her voice as an additional distraction. It worked.

The man kept his head up, glancing about to find the source of the sound. With dead-set determination, Julia fired the sling. The stone found purchase in the centre of his forehead. He slumped forwards.

Paine oomphed at taking the burden of the heavy weight and shoved at him, quickly gaining his feet, then looked around warily for the unexpected assistance.

Julia rose up out of the brush and strode towards him.

'Paine!' She ran the last of the short distance.

'You? It was

Paine asked, his expression in-

scrutable, taking in the pink sling dangling in Julia's hand.

'Don't be mad. I looked back and saw those four men coming after you. I couldn't let you face them alone.'

The words came out in a rush.

Julia.' Paine's face cracked into a smile in spite of the bruises it had sustained. 'I'm not mad. I'm amazed.

I am sure Madame Broussard would be. I'm not certain she ever envisioned her precious satin being used in such a

Paine took the sling from her hand and held it up, saying with an amount of jocularity, 'Yes, I think this just might be the most expensive sling shot in the world.'

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'Well, it won't last for ever. Let's get going.' Julia insisted, tugging at Paine's hand. The scene of such violence was starting to unnerve her.

'Wait, Julia, there's time for this.' Paine pulled her back to him and kissed her hard on the mouth. 'I was never so glad to see someone as I was to see you come out of the woods, striding like an avenging tree nymph,'

he whispered. 'I do believe you saved me today.'

'And I will continue to do so,' Julia said with a bravado she didn't feel. She trembled, fighting back the shock that threatened to settle over her now that the ordeal was done. But Paine still needed her. 'Sit down and let me tend that wound. It's a nasty gash, Paine. I don't like how it's bleeding.'

Paine sat on the carriage step without complaint. It worried Julia that he'd given into her request so easily.

Part of her had hoped he'd protest, declaring the wound only a 'scratch'. But anyone could see it was more than a scratch.

Julia bit her lip and gingerly probed the cut through the slashed fabric, wishing she had some medical but beyond a few instances of cleaning up minor hunting accidents, she was vague on what should be done. Well, she would make do with what she knew and rely on common sense for the rest, she told herself steadfastly.

Fortunately, there was water in the coach from the last coaching inn where they'd taken on some provisions. Julia tore the tails of Paine's shirt to make a rag and some spare wadding. She poured water in the rag and sponged the affected area.