Run Wild (Escape with a Scoundrel) - By Shelly Thacker Page 0,102

even summon a feeling of relief. Trudging up the steps in the dark, she realized she was going to have to pick the lock on her own door. Her small purse, containing her keys, had been confiscated by Bickford when she’d been arrested.

There was little space to move and less light at the top of the stairs. By memory alone, she felt for the lock, and went to work. She had it open in a matter of seconds. Sighing, she pushed the door open, stepped inside, and closed it behind her.

Moonlight spilled in through the window. She moved forward in the darkness—and tripped over something.

“What in the world...”

It was her little hall table, lying on the floor. Stumbling, she froze.

By the scant silvery light, she could see a vase lying smashed on her threadbare rug. Chairs broken. Her few clothes and belongings strewn across the floor.

Her place had been ransacked! Damnation, in her melancholy mood, she had neglected to check her one security measure—a thread that she always placed carefully in the door.

A prickle of danger went down her neck. Lawmen.

Remaining utterly still, she didn’t even breathe, wondering whether she was alone.

She didn’t hear a sound. Not a footstep. Not a breath. Nothing but her own terrified heartbeat.

She was alone. But they could be watching from outside. It might be only a matter of minutes before they rushed in to arrest her.

Whispering oaths, she ran to the far corner, to the hiding place where she kept her money. She had to get out of here. Fast.

Pushing her dresser out of the way, she fell to her knees and found the hidden compartment behind it, felt for the box concealed deep within the wall. She bit her lip, straining for it in the darkness. Was it there? Had they found it and taken it?

Her fingers closed on the smooth walnut jewelry case. She clutched it in shaking fingers, yanked it free, opened it. Her money was still there.

With a sob of relief, she shut it and stood up.

And sensed the movement behind her an instant too late.

She heard the footstep and the click of a pistol being cocked in the same second that a thick, masculine arm grabbed her from behind. A hand clamped over her mouth, cutting off her scream.

The box slid from her numb fingers and hit the floor as the man’s other arm circled her waist.

“Good evening, my dear niece,” a familiar voice hissed in her ear as the barrel of a pistol jabbed into her ribs. “So nice to see you again.”

Shock and terror spiraled through her. It was her worst nightmare come to life. Her uncle had found her.

Struggling, kicking, she fought his hold on her with all her strength. No! She kept screaming but his hand smothered the sound.

“Now, now, Samantha. Don’t make trouble for yourself.” He fought to subdue her, shifting the gun until the cold metal pressed against her temple. “It will go easier for you if you cooperate.”

She went still, breathing in shallow gasps, shutting her eyes. God, please, help me. This was impossible. How had he found her?

“I must say, I’m surprised to discover you still alive,” he whispered in that soft voice that had haunted her nightmares. “And pleased. It didn’t even cost me very much. The people of this poor district were pitifully eager to trade information on your whereabouts for a few coins. I’m sure you’ll be worth every shilling.” He shifted his hold on her, squeezing her breast. “We have such a lot of catching up to do.”

A white-hot flash of panic rendered her momentarily blind and immobile. Moonlight and darkness swam around her, her stunned senses reeling in disgust and disbelief. No!

“But not here and not now, unfortunately,” He loosened his hold on her just long enough to stuff a rag in her mouth, tying the gag behind her head. “As you can see from the remains of your room, the marshalmen are rather overzealous in their quest to bring you to justice. They might return before long, and hanging is not what I have in mind for you, my dear.” He jerked her hands behind her back, binding them tightly with a length of rope. “I’ve a lovely place awaiting you in London. A private suite where you’ll be available to me whenever I please.” He chuckled, a low, unpleasant sound. “We’ll have ample time to get reacquainted at my leisure. Years.”

The roar in her ears was like the rush of a waterfall. She was