The Secret Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

pretty in better circumstances.
    “I mean nearby,” snarled the hunter’s voice.
    A dangerous and perhaps desperate man. Thorn wished he had one of his big pistols, but they were in his bags.
    “He’s staying at the Compass sure enough, sir,” said the groom. “Always does. But he’s likely on his ship, sir.”
    “Which is?”
    “The Black Swan , sir. Anchored out, most likely.”
    “So you haven’t seen him in the last hour?”
    Thorn tensed, wondering if the man would give a flat-out lie.
    “Nay, sir, not him.”
    The groom doubtless expected a guinea for the lie, and he’d get it.
    But then the man said, “Whose horse is that?”
    After a moment the groom said, “Colonel Truscott’s, sir, though what business it is of yours I don’t know, and I’d better walk him, the colonel not being here yet. His lady fusses.”
    Hooves told of a moving horse.
    The man spoke again, presumably to his companion. “Go in and ask for Rose. And for this Truscott. Shame to keep the horse waiting.”
    Damn. He was smelling a rat.
    Thorn eased his knife free and took the risk of touching the woman. She started, but made no noise as she turned her head to him, eyes wide with fear. He held up the knife for her to see, and then put the hilt in her hand. Heaven knew whether she could use it, but it was something.
    He took out his pocket pistol, but didn’t cock it yet. The noise would be audible. Too late to realize that they should have gone farther into the stable, where there’d be some possibility of hiding.
    But then he realized that only one man was outside now.
    He could probably sneak out and kill him.
    But he knew he couldn’t. Not in cold blood without even being certain of his villainy. Perhaps not in cold blood even then. If he threatened the man with the pistol and the man wasn’t cowed, he wasn’t certain he could fire.
    Damn him for a ditherer . . .
    But then the man walked in—the cloaked one.
    He looked forward before looking to the side, giving Thorn a second to prepare. When their eyes met, Thorn already had the pistol pointing at his head.
    “On the floor,” he said, cocking it. “Facedown.”
    The man was heavily built and probably about forty. The hanging lantern by the door gave just enough light to show a hard mouth and a heavy jaw. After a snarling moment, he obeyed.
    But now what? Both men must be prevented from following their escape, and the other would be back soon. Then Persephone grabbed a leather strap draped over a stall. “Put your hands together at the back,” she ordered.
    “This won’t work,” the man growled, but then coughed, probably on a throatful of chaff.
    “Just do it, or I’ll stick this knife into you.”
    Thorn believed her, and perhaps the man did too. He put his wrists together and she tied them. It didn’t look like much of a knot, but it would hold for a short while.
    “Coxy?” The nasal drawl meant the other man was back. “Where did m’friend go?”
    “Didn’t notice, sir,” said the groom. “Busy walking the horse.”
    “I’m in here!” yelled the man on the floor. “But watch out!”
    “You really should have reversed those,” said Thorn, fighting laughter at the absurdity of this, for the second man had walked in to meet the pistol. He was younger and quite handsome, but his expression had turned vicious.
    “Join your friend.”
    With a similar snarling anger, the man obeyed.
    “To your bounden duty, wench,” Captain Rose said blithely.
    With a frosty look, she said, “Why don’t you give me the pistol? I’m sure a sea captain can tie them up more securely.”
    “True enough.” He put the cocked pistol carefully into her hand. At least she didn’t immediately pull the trigger. There were a number of innocent horses at risk.
    He found a length of thin rope and set to securing villain number two. He then retied Coxy, making a good job of it, hoping the wench appreciated his skill with knots.
    He rose at last and turned for her