A Wicked Wager (Avenging Lords 2)

“Ow! You’re hurting me.” Juliet tried to tug her arm free, but Mr Biggs held her in a vice-like grip. “I shall be certain to tell my father of your violent treatment.”

Mr Biggs sneered. “It was your father who instructed me to beat you. I’m to make sure you understand your responsibilities to your family.”

“Beat me?” The pain in her elbow shot to her heart. Why was she so surprised? Hannah’s reputation came before anything. “What? And rouse my husband’s suspicion? I think not.”

The comment did not deter the villain. With his free hand, he pinched her chin and pulled her face so close to his she caught a whiff of his rancid breath.

“You don’t want me to mar that pretty face of yours. Else you’d have to tell your husband about your plan to steal private letters from his household.”

Your honesty is perhaps your greatest asset.

Devlin Drake’s words invaded her mind.

Despite their utter unsuitability, he valued her integrity. Perhaps it was time to tell him the truth, explain her father was equally obsessed about Hannah’s involvement with Ambrose. Oh, all this angst, all these lies, and all because Hannah had written something slanderous in her missives.

“Perhaps I will tell my husband,” Juliet countered. It was the only thing her conscience would allow. “I can assure you he will seek revenge should anything untoward happen to me.”

Anyone who attempts to hurt you must answer to me.

Mr Biggs’ grubby nails dug into her cheeks as he squeezed hard. “You’ll bring the letters to me tomorrow night. I’ll wait by the fountain at midnight. If you don’t, then Mr Drake might find himself involved in a nasty accident.” Biggs grinned, revealing the brown rot covering the top of his teeth. “He wouldn’t be the first gentleman to fall off his horse and break his neck.”

Panic choked her throat.

A man of Mr Drake’s size would hit the ground hard.

“He wouldn’t be the first gentleman to slip from a faulty saddle, neither,” Biggs added, taking pleasure from these vile threats.

“My father would condone murder just to save his daughter’s shame?” Did anyone really care about the silly things Hannah had written? Those who’d spent time in her company knew she was a heartless witch.

“I’m paid to get the letters regardless of the cost. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll do as the baron asks.”

Knots formed in her stomach.

What had she ever done to warrant such cruel treatment?

Tears threatened to fall, but she kept them at bay.

“Happen you need a taste of what to expect should you fail to obey.” Biggs released her, and she stumbled back. He drew closer and raised his hand ready to wallop her hard across the cheek.

Juliet winced. She screwed her eyes shut as she waited for the sharp sting. But then a monstrous growl filled the air, followed by the blood-chilling bark of a killer.

Rufus! Thank God!

“What the hell—”

Juliet opened her eyes just as Mr Biggs took flight. He sprinted towards the stone wall as Rufus came bounding past, almost knocking her clean off her feet. Biggs tried to clamber over the wall, lost his footing twice, and for a moment Juliet wondered if the hound would leap after him.

“Rufus!” Juliet called out to the dog as he lunged at Mr Biggs. “Come back here.”

“Get off me!” Biggs tumbled over the wall. He scrambled to his feet, whipped a blade from out of his boot and jabbed it at the animal. “Perhaps I’ll cut out that blasted tongue.”

“No! Rufus.” Juliet whistled. “Come here, boy.”

With his paws resting on the top of the wall, the hound bared its teeth at Biggs.

Juliet wasn’t sure what to do—drop to the ground in the hope of rousing the inquisitive animal’s attention or run. She chose the latter.

“Rufus!” Juliet turned on her heels, picked up her skirts and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She glanced back over her shoulder to find the energetic animal bounding behind. Lord, she was liable to break a bone if he brought her to the ground.