Beyond a Doubt - By Felicia Rogers Page 0,22

damp air wasn’t good for a person. Next time they should take better care to be on time.

“Did you get it?”

The unexpected voice from behind caused Charles to jerk and turn around. “Must you always sneak up on me?”

The newcomer shrugged, repeating, “Well, did you get it?”

“Nay.”

“What! The boss won’t be pleased.” He picked between yellowed teeth, a grin of delight flitting across his wrinkled face. “Nay, he will not be pleased. Especially after you tried to convince him you were the best. Said you’d never lost a one. Why, I was there when his eyebrow rose up to his hairline in doubt and you kept saying they were all wrong. You claimed superiority over all others. Charged a pretty price for your expertise, you did. And now we’ve discovered your miserable failure.”

“Who says I failed?” asked Charles, straightening his spine with false bravado.

“Well, it’s obvious. Otherwise you would have contacted us earlier.”

“I’m afraid earlier contact was quite impossible.”

The man’s head twisted fiercely. “You fool!”

Before Charles’ words of reassurance could be heard, the newcomer turned on his heel and fled, leaving Charles to gawk at his retreating form.

****

How could the man be so stupid as to lead someone to their meeting place? The rumors of Charles’ temporary imprisonment had been correct. French agents were no doubt on the trail even as they spoke.

Using his sleeve, he swabbed at the yellow covering his teeth. Removing his hat and shirt, he left them in the sewage which flowed along the city streets. A cane rested beside a set of stairs. Grabbing the instrument, his spine erect, he strode with purpose, confident his disguise would not be recognized as he headed back to the inn. As he walked, he mulled over the words he would share with his boss.

Success or failure would now depend on Charles Dubois alone. If they continued to associate with the fool, there was little doubt they would be implicated in the plot. Letting Charles believe he worked for the good of the Crown would be enough to drive the man. Besides, every now and then a monarch needed a sacrifice to perpetuate their reign.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The danger involved caused Bryce to hesitate. Once alongside the fleeing horse, he could see Lucy’s pale face. Her eyes were closed and dried blood clotted on her forehead. Worries shifted. Now Lucy needed off the bobbing horse to ensure she was still alive.

Rearing back, his fist flew through the air and connected with the assailant. The man wobbled and fell off the back of the horse, landing upon the hard earth. Not sparing a backward glance, Bryce grabbed the reins. The beasts stopped. He moved closer to untie Lucy but before he could reach her, he was jerked off Emissary and thrown to the ground. The horse carrying Lucy skidded away, skirting the edge of a deep ravine, and stopped.

Bryce spit dirt from between his teeth. His hand reached out but he was too far away to grasp the fleeing horse.

“That’s me lady.”

Standing upon wobbly legs, Bryce answered, “Nay, she is not.”

“Aye, she is! I won her fair and square. Now ye leave me be or I’ll have to fight ye for her. And I don’t think ye want me to do that.”

“Won her?” asked Bryce incredulously.

“That stupid player wouldn’t know a good card player if it bit him in the aft end. Best hand I ever played.”

Bryce was flabbergasted. The troupe leader had bet Lucy in a card game?

“Now step aside,” the man said, shoving against Bryce’s chest.

“I’m afraid I can’t do such a thing. Ye see, the lass was in my express care. I trusted that group to carry her to London. She was never meant for gambling away.”

“Sorry to hear that. But the lass is mine.”

“What would ye take for her?”

His large head reared back in laughter, only falling forward when Bryce remained silent. He stroked his hand over his dirty beard in thought. “I might play ye a game of cards.”

“But—“

“I know ye are intimidated by my vast skills. But fear not. If ye lose I’ll not take nothin’ else from ye. Ye just allow me to leave with my woman in peace.”

Bryce nodded. As Lucy lay limply upon the grazing horse that stood at a dangerous cliff edge, they played for her. The game finished in a matter of minutes, with Bryce as victor.

“How — but — what, I don’t understand. Ye tricked me!”

“How so?”

“Ye said ye couldn’t play.”

“I said nothing about me playin’ skills.”

The man stalked to