Surrender by Amanda Quick Page B

companion
    piled into him. They both toppled into the
    muck. The lantern fell to the ground, glass
    shattering in a shower of small sparks. The
    weak flame continued to flicker a moment
    longer, casting strange, menacing shadows
    over the tense scene.
      Bloody damn" ell," the first man said
    again, clearly frustrated." Ye try to make
    a decent livin" and look at what" appens."
    He found his balance and scrambled back
    toward the alley entrance.
    The other would-be footpad needed no
    further encouragement. There was a clatter
    of boots on stone, muffled curses, and a
    few seconds later Victoria and Lucas had
    the alley to themselves.
    But Lucas wasted no time. His long
    fingers clamped around Victoria's wrist
    once more and he hauled her through
    the dark alley into the next street.
    The mob had not yet spilled over in
    this direction, and they were met with
    blessed silence. Victoria tried to slow
    her step in order to catch her breath
    but stone vale refused to stop, and she
    stumbled obediently after him, panting.
      Lucas, I must say, that was very well
    done of you back there in the alley."
    Lucas tightened his grip on her wrist.
      It would have been entirely unnecessary
    if you had not taken it into your head to
    attend the fair tonight."
      Really, Lucas, must you"
      We can only hope Lyndwood's coach
    man followed orders," Lucas interrupted
    as he continued pulling Victoria along at
    a rapid pace.
    I'm worried about Annabella and Bertie,"
    Victoria got out between sharp, strained
    breaths.
      Yes. So you should be."
    Victoria winced, aware he had no
    compunction about pointing out her guilt
    in the matter. The worst of it was he was
    right; this had all been her idea.
    Mercifully, stone vale said no more as he
    guided her around the corner and into the
    street where the coachman had been told
    to wait in case of emergency. Victoria saw
    the familiar lines of the Lyndwood coach
    pulled up in front of the tavern and she
    heaved a sigh of relief when she spotted
    two people inside.
      They're here, Lucas. They're safe."
    Victoria flushed as she realized she had
    unthinkingly been using stone vale's given
    name since the excitement started.
      Yes. It appears we are to be favored
    with some luck tonight, after all." He said
    nothing else as they neared the carriage.
      Good God, we were worried about you,"
    Lyndwood said, pushing open the carriage
    door." Thought for certain you'd been run
    down by the mob. Hurry. We don't want
    to hang out in this street for long. No
    telling when the crowd might take a notion
      to come this way."
      Rest assured, Lyndwood, I have no
    intention of dawdling." Lucas tossed Vic
    toria up into the carriage and followed
    quickly, slamming the door behind him.
    The carriage took off at once and none
    too soon. In the distance the shouts of the
    mob filled the night air.
    Victoria looked anxiously at Annabella.
      Are you all right, Bella?"

Annabella    clasped    her    friend's    hand.
     
    I.
     
      I'm fine. Bertie and I were on the fringes
    of the crowd when the trouble broke out.
    We managed to get out of the way almost
    at once. But I was so worried about you
    two. You were right in the heart of the
    throng, were you not?"
      It was a near thing," Victoria said. A
    wave of euphoria was washing over her
    now, rapidly replacing the tension that had
    gripped her a moment earlier." We were
    accosted in an alley by two men intent
    on robbing us. But stone vale produced a
    pistol and stopped them instantly. He was
    magnificent."
      Good heavens," Annabella whispered,
    shocked.
      Damme, stone vale." Lyndwood frowned
    with obvious concern." A near thing, is
    right. Neither of you was hurt, I take it?"
      We are both perfectly fit, Lyndwood, as
    you can see." Lucas dismissed the inquiry
    with a deceptively neutral tone." Although
    Miss Huntington's disguise appears to have
    suffered somewhat."
    Victoria belatedly checked her hair and
    realized something was amiss."