her reticule. Claire tried to snatch it back, but he held on. His four companions gathered round, grinning. Seeing herself surrounded she fought panic, knowing instinctively it would be a mistake to show fear. He shook the reticule and heard the chink of coins. Her last few shillings!
‘Sounds like money to me,’ he remarked with a wink to the general audience.
‘Give that back.’
He grinned. ‘What if I don’t, eh?’
Claire glared at her tormentor. She had not risked so much and come all this way merely to fall victim to another bully. Resentment welled up, fuelling her anger, and without warning she lashed out, dealing him a ringing crack across the cheek.
‘Give it back, you oaf!’
In sheer surprise he let go of the reticule while his companions drew audible breaths and looked on in delighted anticipation. Claire lifted her chin.
‘Get out of my way!’
She would have pushed past, but he recovered and seized her arm in a painful grip.
‘You’ll pay for that, you little bitch.’
Glaring up at him, she forced herself to meet the cold blue eyes.
‘Unhand me.’
‘High and mighty, aren’t we? But I’ll take you down a peg or two.’
‘Aye, that’s it, Jed,’ said a voice from the group. ‘Show her.’
A chorus of agreement followed and with pounding heart Claire saw them move in closer. Jed smiled, revealing stained and decaying teeth.
‘Since you won’t give a coin I’ll take payment in kind. Perhaps we all will, eh, lads?’
A murmur of agreement followed. Her captor glanced toward the alley that ran alongside the tavern. Claire, following that look, felt her stomach lurch.
‘Let go of me.’
She tried to twist free, but his grip only tightened. In desperation she kicked out. The blow connected and she heard him swear, but it was a temporary victory. Moments later she was dragged into the alley and shoved up against the outer wall of the inn. Then his arm was round her waist and his free hand exploring her breast. She could feel his hot breath on her neck. Claire struggled harder.
‘Aye, go on, fight me. I like it better that way.’
‘Let me go!’
‘Not before I’ve given you what you need, lass.’
‘Save some for us, Jed,’ said a voice from behind him.
He grinned appreciatively. ‘I reckon there’s enough here to go round. You’ll get your turns when I’m done.’
More laughter greeted this. Claire screamed as Jed’s hands fumbled with her skirt.
‘Let her go!’
Hearing that hard, cold command, the group fell silent, turning to look at the newcomer who had approached unnoticed. Claire swallowed hard, her heart pounding even as her gaze drank in every detail of her rescuer’s appearance. An arresting figure, he was a head taller than any present. His dress proclaimed the working man, but there the similarity ended: if anything his upright bearing smacked more of a military background. The brown serge coat had seen better days but it was clean and neat and covered powerful shoulders; waistcoat, breeches and boots adorned a lean, athletic figure that had not an ounce of fat on it. Dark hair was visible from beneath a low-crowned felt hat. However, it was the face that really held attention, with its strong bone structure and slightly aquiline nose, the chiselled, clean-shaven lines accentuated by a narrow scar that ran down the left side from cheek to jaw. The sculpted mouth was set in a hard, uncompromising line, as uncompromising as the expression in the grey eyes.
For a moment or two there was silence, but the hold on Claire’s arm slackened. With pounding heart she glanced up at the newcomer, but he wasn’t looking at her. The hawk-like gaze was fixed on her persecutor. The latter sneered.
‘This is none of your business, Eden.’
‘Then I’ll make it my business, Stone.’ The quiet voice had the same Yorkshire burr as the others, but it also held an inflexion of steel.
‘We were just having a little fun, that’s all.’
‘The lady doesn’t seem to share your idea of amusement.’
‘What’s it to you?’
The reply was a large clenched fist that connected with Stone’s jaw. The force of the blow pitched him backwards and sent him sprawling, stunned, in the mud of the alley. Before he could stir, one of his companions threw a punch at Eden. He blocked it and brought his knee up hard into his attacker’s groin. The man doubled over in agony. As he staggered away a third stepped in. Eden ducked under the swinging fist and landed his opponent a savage upper cut that lifted him off his feet and flung him backwards to lie in the mud with Stone. Seeing the fate of their fellows, the remaining two men hesitated, then backed away. Eden threw them one contemptuous glance and then looked at Claire.
‘Are you hurt, miss?’
‘No. I… I’m all right,’ she replied, hoping her voice wouldn’t shake.
‘Good. Then I’ll set you on your way.’
He looked round at the others as though daring them to challenge the words, but no one did. Instead they avoided his eye and moved aside. Seeing her bag lying nearby, Eden picked it up. As he did so, Stone came to, propping himself groggily on one elbow, his other hand massaging the lump on his jaw. Blood trickled from a split lip.
‘You’ll get yours, Eden, I swear it!’
If the other was in any way perturbed by the threat he gave no sign of it save that the glint in the grey eyes grew a shade harder.
‘I’ll look forward to that, Stone.’
Then, placing a firm but gentle hand under her elbow, he led Claire away from the scene.
For a few moments they walked in silence and she was grateful for the respite because it allowed her time to regain her self-control. She was trembling now with reaction and the knowledge of how narrow her escape had been. Moreover she was ashamed to the depths of her soul to have been seen in such a situation. Respectable young women did not travel unaccompanied and would never place themselves in circumstances where they might attract the attentions of such brutes as those. Her face reddened. What must he think?
She stole a glance at her protector, but the handsome face gave nothing away. Nor did he venture a comment of any kind. Instead they walked on in silence until they were well clear of the tavern, she all the while aware of the warmth of his hand beneath her elbow. It was a gesture that was both comforting and disturbing at once. Yet the nearness of this man was not threatening as those others had been. How much she owed him. She stole another look at his face.
‘Thank you, sir. I am most grateful for what you did back there.’
The grey eyes regarded her steadily
