Read Online Lord Grayson's Bride by Tarah Scott - Free Book Online Page A

highwayman holding the woman shouted.
    The young man who stood at gunpoint rammed an elbow into the ribs of the brigand behind him, then whirled and threw a punch to his jaw. The gun roared. The driver dove off the carriage to the other side of the vehicle, and the man pointing his pistol at him fired. Lord Deeds spurred his horse forward just as his wife screamed.
    “Ride, ladies!” Mr. Halloway shouted, and urged his horse after Lord Deeds.
    Jo’s mother looked at Jane, who had stopped beside her. “Go, Jane.” Her gaze cut to the other ladies. “Mrs. Halloway, Lady Carlisle, Amanda—for God’s sake, ride!”
    Lady Carlisle and her daughter obeyed, but Jane sat frozen, eyes glued to her father who raced toward the chaos. Jo’s stomach pitched when the brigand gripping the woman’s arm yanked her against his chest and jammed a gun to her temple. He looked wildly about as he dragged her backwards, away from the men fighting.
    “Jane,” Mrs. Halloway cried.
    Josephine’s mother reached across the distance between her and Jane, and yanked Jane’s horse’s reins. The beast took several quick backwards steps. Jane broke from the stupor and yanked the reins. Josephine wheeled her horse around to avoid collision with Jane as she turned her mount in a hard circle. She lunged past Josephine in unison with another shot that split the air. Jo gasped when Lord Deeds suddenly listed in the saddle. Mr. Halloway sped past him while the man who had shot at the driver lunged toward the horses.
    Her mother’s eyes came around hard on Josephine. “Ride to Barthmont Keep for help. Now .” She kicked her mount’s belly and he sprang toward the commotion in one great leap.
    “Mother!” Jo cried.
    Confusion washed over Josephine. Her mother had ordered her to go for help but—She looked over her shoulder. The road lay empty. Surely, the other women would send help? She returned her gaze to her mother, who had reached Lord Deeds, slumped over his horse. Her mother grabbed his horse’s reins and, with one hand on his arm to steady him, drove the beast off the road. Jo’s heart rammed against her chest when her mother disappeared into the trees with the viscount.
    Eyes on the man still holding the woman, Josephine urged her horse toward the trees on the opposite side of the road where her mother had gone. The brigand who had shot the driver managed to grab the reins of the nearest horse, and leapt into the saddle as Mr. Halloway reached the carriage.
    Josephine nearly cried out when the giant highwayman yanked the woman around and shouted, “William!” to his comrade in the saddle.
    The man galloped away.
    With the highwayman’s back to her, Josephine spurred her horse into the woods and began circling around the carriage. Through the trees, the young man was visible, panting over the motionless body of the brigand he’d been fighting. The driver stood beside him and, he, along with Mr. Halloway who still sat atop his horse, stared at the remaining highwayman. He backed away, using the woman as a shield. She looked like a pale rag doll against his massive frame. The young man took a step toward them.
    The brigand jerked. “Stop, or I kill her.”
    The young man halted.
    Mr. Halloway said, “Kill her, and you face a rope.”
    The man gave a harsh laugh. “Ye will hang me one way or another. Get off your horse.” 
    Mr. Halloway didn’t move.
    “Get off, or I shoot her!” the highwayman shouted.
    “For God’s sake, man, dismount,” the young man said.
    Mr. Halloway complied.
    “Move away,” the giant ordered, and the three men backed away from the horse. The man edged around with the girl until he neared the horse.
    “Let her go and we won’t chase you,” the young man said. “We care only for her safety.”
    The brigand swung the gun and fired into the group, shoving the girl toward them. The young man stumbled, and Jo gasped when he collapsed to the ground. The driver caught the girl in his arms, but she