fear that you may have some fever to the wound. We must call for the surgeon.”
There was a short pause before her father heaved a sigh. “No, pet, that we most certainly cannot do.”
“Why not?”
“Because the local magistrate is currently searching for a bandit he managed to wound last eve. If he should discover the location of that bandit, he intends to hang him from the nearest gallows.”
Raine frowned in confusion. “Why would the magistrate mistake you for a bandit?”
“No doubt because I am one.”
The words were said simply, without apology, and with a carelessness that made Raine gape in confusion.
“Are you jesting?”
“No, Raine, this is no jest.” He sucked in a deep breath. “I am the Knave of Knightsbridge.”
“The Knave of Knightsbridge?”
“Aye. Highwayman extraordinaire.”
With a sharp movement Raine turned from the bed to pace toward the window. There was a fine view of the Kent countryside with its wide pastures and a charming lake surrounded by a copse of trees. Raine, however, did not take her usual pleasure in the peaceful setting, or even in the pale autumn sunlight that dabbled across the stables and cramped outhouses.
Forgivable, of course. She had just been told that her own father was the notorious brigand whose name was on the lips of every citizen of Knightsbridge.
“I do not understand,” she at last said as she paced toward the armoire and then back to the window.
“No, I do not expect that you do.”
“Why would you do such a thing? Are we in such desperate straits?”
“Sit down, pet, you are making my head spin with your pacing.”
“I cannot think when I am sitting.” Her brow creased as she struggled to consider how best to rescue them from such a dreadful situation. “We must sell mother’s jewels of course, they should fetch a goodly sum if we were to take them to London. And perhaps we could see about a lodger. We have room in the attic to take in at least two….”
“Raine, there is no need for such sacrifices, I assure you,” her father broke in with a firm voice.
“There is every need.” Returning to the bed, she glared down at the lean face that was so very dear to her. “I will not have you risking your life. We will find other means to get by.”
A fond smile touched his lips. “Raine, please listen to me.”
“What?”
“My pockets are not to let. Although I will never claim the wealth of some, we are quite comfortably fixed.”
She clenched her hands at her sides, not at all comforted by the knowledge they were so well situated.
Not when her father was dashing about the countryside, risking his reputation and very life, as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
“Then…why?”
His expression was uncommonly somber as he reached up to take her hand in his own.
“Because our neighbors are not nearly so fortunate as we are, pet. The king and his cronies have happily emptied the treasury while refusing to honor their debts to the soldiers and widows that depend upon their promised annuities.” His grip tightened on her fingers, revealing a smoldering anger that burned in his heart. “Proud men have been forced to become no more than mere beggars in the street, and women sometimes worse, just to keep a roof over their heads. And as for the local orphanage…it has fallen into such disrepair that it will soon be no more than a pile of rubble if something is not done.”
The flutters of panic began to ease from her stomach. Not that she was any less worried. It was just that she began to understand what was prompting her father’s foolhardy behavior.
Beneath his hardened exterior was a tender heart and fierce need to protect those weaker than himself. It was a gallantry that marked him as a gentleman far more than any empty title or grand estate.
“And so you have taken upon yourself to play the role of Robin Hood?”
He tried to shrug only to wince in pain. “In a manner of speaking.”
“And I suppose that Foster is your Friar John, and Mrs. Stone and Talbot your Band of Merry Men?”
A grudging smile touched his lips. “They are aware of my secret identity, but I do not ask that they take a hand in any of my nefarious business. I would never allow them to risk themselves in such a fashion.”
“But you are quite willing to risk yourself?” she demanded in fond exasperation.
“There is no risk, I assure you, pet.”
She deliberately turned her attention to his wounded shoulder, her brows lifting.
“Oh, no. No risk at all.”
He at least possessed the grace to redden at his ridiculous claim. “Well, there is usually no great risk. Last night was a clumsy mishap. One that I have no intention of repeating.”
“On that we agree.” She lifted his hand to press his fingers to her cheeks. “I admire what you are attempting to do, Father, I truly do, but it is far too dangerous. You could have been captured, or even killed, last eve.”
“Nonsense,” he said gruffly. “It is a scratch, nothing more. And I can promise I will never again underestimate our new magistrate. He is a clever blighter who seems to possess an uncanny ability to be where he is least wanted. He will not sneak up on me again. From now on I intend to be the predator, not the prey in our little game.”
Raine dropped her father’s hand as she took a step backward. “Good God, this is not a game, Father.”
“Of course it is.” His eyes glittered with what might have been…pleasure. As if he actually enjoyed his nefarious role as the Knave of Knightsbridge. “A game of wits that has kept me well occupied and, more important, has provided our neighbors with food and a roof over their heads. They have no one else to depend upon, Raine. Would you have me abandon them, as well?”
“Of course not,” she denied.
Although she had lived in France for the past seven years, this tiny community would always be her home. How could she ever stand aside and see them suffering without doing whatever possible to assist? And in truth, she could not deny a fierce pride in her father’s brave quest to save them from ruin.
Still, she also could not deny a lingering fear for her father. She had already lost her mother. She could not bear to lose him, as well. He would have to take far greater care if he were to continue his dangerous charade.
Parting her lips to demand his promise that he would not take foolish risks, Raine was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of hoofbeats. She hurried to the window and watched the rider approaching,
