Unlaced by the Outlaw (Secrets in Silk) Read Online Free PDF

shatter.
    “Ne’er you mind it, lass.” He would put all of his strength into breaking the door, even if he broke his own bones in the process. Once more, he turned the door handle and rammed his upper body against the wood and shattered glass. Pain reverberated through his shoulder, and it didn’t budge.
    Again, he worked at the door, praying to God he could force it open. Fear and energy coursed through him as he fought to save them.
    “Cain?” Margaret whispered. “Are we going to die?”
    “No’ if I can help it.” Over and over, he smashed his weight against the door, while the heat of the fire raged closer. The choking smoke tainted the air, and he dreaded the approaching flames.
    “There’s another way,” Margaret whispered. “Below me. The fire isn’t there yet.”
    “We canna fit through that,” he argued. “It’s no’ possible.”
    She eased the other door open and lowered her legs. “You’re too big,” she admitted, “but I might be able to get out beneath the coach. Then I could let you out from the top.”
    The space was barely large enough for her, and it was only a frail hope that she could wedge herself beneath the coach.
    “Try,” he ordered. She slid her legs through the opening, and eased herself lower.
    “I’m sorry.” Hysteria edged her voice, and she struggled to force herself through. “It’s smaller than I thought. I can get through the coach door, but it’s too narrow beneath the coach to get out.”
    Her idea made him consider another possibility. “Stay there, lass. There’s something else we could try.”
    She obeyed, and he slipped his legs through the doorway. Although the door provided only a narrow opening, he believed he could use his strength to help get her out. Gingerly, he bent his knees and tried to see underneath the coach. It seemed that one of the wheels had broken off and was balancing part of the weight. Though it was unlikely he had the strength to lift the vehicle, he could try to raise it enough for her to escape.
    He gripped the edges of the door frame. “I’m going to ask you to get underneath the coach as far as you can. When I tell you to go, I’m going to lift it up, and you’ll get out.”
    God, let him have the strength to do this. If she didn’t move fast enough, or if his grip slipped, the weight of the vehicle would crush her skull.
    He shut the thought down, for at least that was a better fate than burning to death.
    “When I get out, what shall I do next?” Her voice revealed terror, and she reached out to him. “How can I get the door open?”
    “Try to climb to the top of the coach and force the handle with whate’er you can find.”
    “And if I can’t get it open?”
    He gave no answer to that, for both of them knew what would happen. The fire was spreading quickly, and there was little time left. Already the air was hot, the smoke searing his eyes. “Get out and try.”
    He wouldn’t blame her if she was incapable of saving him. The chances of him surviving this were slim. But if he could save her, at least his soul could rest easy.
    It was strange, knowing that death was staring him in the eyes. He reached out to touch her face. “Take care of Jonah, if the worst happens.”
    “You’re going to get out,” she insisted. “I promise you that.” Her hand covered his, and she squeezed it gently. “I won’t let you die.”
    He wanted to kiss her, to steal one last taste of the woman he wanted. But there was no time for it. Instead, he marked the memory of her fragile skin, and promised himself that he would use every last reserve of strength to save her.
    She eased herself through the door, and when she had gone as far as she could, he braced his legs in the opening and grabbed the frame. “Are you ready, lass?”
    “Yes.”
    From deep inside, he drew upon all the strength he possessed. He seized the sides of the open doorway and bent his knees, slowly straightening while he bore half the weight of the coach.