Callie knew she should say no. No respectable woman would travel unescorted, but she was already marked. Accused of being virtue-less by her family, so would it matter? “Yes… I would love to.”
After Callie instructed the kitchen staff to pack cold meat, cheese, and bread, Ellis had his carriage brought around and pressed the packed food into a leather pouch in the chaise. The chaise carriage barely offered enough room for both of them and Ellis mentally chastised himself again. He should have taken the time to bring a full size carriage with a driver. But he did it for selfish reasons. He wanted to be alone with Callie.
He steered the horse toward his family’s land, which presented many beautiful spots for picnics and close enough to reach in an hour’s time. Would she remember how they played in the fields as children? In the last few weeks since she’d been back in his life, he recalled every moment he’d spent with Callie over the years.
Callie was warm and soft pressed against him and the sweet smell of her freshly washed hair drove him insane. Lavender and vanilla. He tried not to look at the side of her head, but he was fascinated by the myriad of tiny pins holding her silky blonde hair in place. How long would it take to pull each pin loose and let all that luxurious hair fall free, preferably over the pale flesh of bare breasts?
God save me, he had to stop. If he became aroused, riding this close, there would be no disguising it in his britches. He had to think of something other than her. Callie’s Aunt Agnes, the one with the large hairy mole on the side of her cheek would surely do.
“Agnes.” He tried focusing his attention on his disgusted memories of the mole.
“My aunt? Or are you thinking of someone else?” she asked.
Had he said that aloud? Ellis cleared his throat. “How is your aunt?”
“She’s fine.” She gave him a questioning look. “She’s in France trying to get a handle on her gout. The flowers you brought me this morning were beautiful.” She smiled and changed the subject back to them. So much for Agnes
“I know you like tulips, but...” he never had a chance to finish his sentence.
There was a sudden rustle in the tall grass, and a young man leapt out in the horse’s path. There was a second man in the bushes. The horse startled and Callie’s body tensed. One of the men cracked a leather whip in the air. It sounded like a gunshot and Ellis’ body nearly turned liquid. With a sheer act of will, he tamped back the bile in his throat. He didn’t have the luxury of falling apart.
“Get out of the carriage!” the blonde one yelled, dropped the whip and pulled a pistol from the waistband of his trousers.
“There is no reason for violence,” Ellis said as calmly as he could muster. “I have a few shillings you can happily have.” He grabbed his cane and pulled himself out leaving Callie in the chaise. There was a pistol within arm’s reach in his bag, but could he risk making a move to retrieve it?
“Bring the woman out,” the man demanded.
Ellis reached for Callie’s hand. She shook her head violently. “It’s alright. We need to do as they ask. Give me your hand.” He could feel the tremble in her fingers when they wrapped around his. After a long moment, and her eyes clenched tightly closed, she finally obeyed.
He didn’t have a clear look at the second man, but both attackers couldn’t be over twenty years of age.
As the blonde stepped closer, Ellis pushed Callie behind him. The man leveled his gun at Ellis. Callie drew in a breath and then a choked sob. When he glanced over, her eyes were so wide the whites around the irises were visible.
In battle, he wasn’t afraid of death. He wasn’t afraid now, but at this moment there was something to live for… Callie. His mind raced with how he could get to his gun. The blonde took a step toward Callie.
“No! Stay away from me!” She screamed. Not just any scream. It was a scream that chilled Ellis’ blood to ice. Pure terror. Tears streamed down her face. She frantically waved a hand in front of her as if it would ward him away. “Please, don’t hurt me again.”
Again? She knew these highway men? But, did she realize what she was saying? No. Her eyes were blank, as she screamed again until her voice grew hoarse.
Doubt clouded the blonde man’s face. “Jesus- settle down, lass. I wasn’t going to hurt ya. I just want your necklace.” He looked back at his partner.
It came to Ellis in a split second. He didn’t need his gun- he just needed a gun. He grabbed the young man, twisted the weapon from his hand and pulled him in front of him and Callie as a human shield. The military had taught him something.