Read Online His Captive by Diana J. Cosby - Free Book Online Page B

rich bank laden with moss and grass. Alexander halted his horse and dismounted. He turned and carefully helped her down.
    “My thanks.” Without meeting his gaze, she laid her hand over her right temple as if it throbbed, the other cradled low over her belly. “If I could sit for a short while and rest,” she whispered.
    “Aye.” He guided her to where several large boulders lay nestled along the water’s bank.
    She sat, careful to keep her movements slow.
    “I will bring you some fresh water.”
    Nichola nodded.
    Alexander retrieved his water pouch. He emptied the contents into the grass, then knelt at the stream’s edge to refill it.
    With his attention diverted, she searched their surroundings. To her left, she spied the broken length of a fallen limb.
    Inspiration bloomed.
    Nichola checked on Alexander, relieved to find him hunkered down at the water’s edge, still refilling the water pouch.
    Do it.
    She hesitated at the thought of causing him harm.
    He abducted you!
    Taking a deep breath she rose. Her heart slammed against her chest. Nichola waited for him to turn, to catch her moving.
    He continued filling his water pouch.
    With care, she lifted the branch in her hand, thankful to find it firm and not rotting as she’d feared. She stepped forward. The moss absorbed the sound of her steps; Alexander hadn’t looked in her direction.
    Her hands began to tremble.
    Do not weaken. He only wants the coin your ransom will provide .
    She inched closer. Two more steps and Nichola stood an arm’s length behind him. With a prayer for forgiveness, she raised the limb and took aim.
    He pulled the leather pouch out of the water and started to turn toward her. “That should do—”
    Closing her eyes, she swung with all her might.
    Wood thunked as it slammed against his skull.
    Nauseated, she peered out, desperate to know if she’d succeeded in rendering him unconscious.
    Eyes wide with disbelief, he wove and tried to stand. On a curse Alexander tried to step toward her, but his legs buckled. He crumbled to the ground.
    Horrified, Nichola stared at his unmoving body. What had she done?
    Run!
    She made to take a step away, but her conscience had her watching him to ensure she’d not severely injured him. Seconds passed.
    He didn’t move.
    Nichola dropped the limb and crept closer. Blood oozed down the back of his neck. She clamped her hands over her mouth and staggered back.
    Oh, God, she’d killed him!

Chapter Five
    Nichola sagged to the ground on her knees. “What have I done?” She’d not meant to kill him, only to knock him out. Her heart ached as she lifted her head and stared at him.
    Alexander’s body lay sprawled on the moss, one arm slung carelessly over his head. His other hand curled peacefully on his chest. If not for the blood matting his hair and seeping down his neck, one would think him asleep.
    Move. Stand up, damn you! Curse me. Anything.
    Please.
    Water churned along the moss-edged banks. Leaves rustled overhead in a delicate ripple. A rabbit darted into the clearing, then sprinted into the cover of the woods.
    Alexander remained still.
    Nichola scanned the woods. She couldn’t leave him here, but with his well-muscled frame, she wasn’t strong enough to drag him away from the bank. Even if she could, how would she bury him?
    She pressed her brow against her knees. The ache in her chest exploded into great, heaving sobs. Dark splotches stained her gown—the wanton dress yet another reminder of Alexander.
    She wished the moment back, that she’d never picked up the broken limb. Other opportunities to escape would have presented themselves. Fear had provoked her to make an ill-conceived choice.
    Is that what had happened to her brother, Griffin? Had his confrontation with Lord James tragically stumbled into murder? The forest blurred through the tears. Before, she would have dismissed such an explanation. Now, she understood all too well how an act of innocence could decay into a lethal