The Wounded Nobleman (The Regimental Heroes) Read Online Free Page A

wrong with her?”
    “You were robbing us, you ass,” Ellis’s voice was hard.
    “We were hungry. My brother and I just needed food. Since I came home from the war, I haven’t been able to find work. We’ve walked for days. It was my brother’s idea to steal jewelry from a rich woman so we could sell it. You have to believe me. We had no intentions of hurting you, sir, or your misses, I swear,” he pleaded. He was crying now.
    “She’s not my…” this wasn’t the time for explanations. Callie’s face grew paler— if that was possible. Ellis shoved the blonde man until he tumbled to the ground in front of him and pointed the gun at the man’s midsection. He wanted to pull the trigger but waited a beat. He drew in a long breath not taking his eyes off the man on the ground as he spoke to the one he knew. “McRey, you were a fine soldier in my unit. For that, I owe you something, but I am only giving you one chance. You and your brother need to leave England. I don’t care where you go… but, if I ever see you again, you will not have another chance at life. I must have your word.”
    McRey grabbed his brother by the arm and pulled him to his feet. “Yes, sir… captain. We will leave today. I promise sir, you will never see me or my brother again. For the rest of our days, we will go and live with my grandmother in Scotland.”
    Ellis stepped forward and both the men’s eyes widened. He reached into the leather bag in the chaise and yanked out the picnic food. He shoved it towards McRey who took the package. “This food is payment for your brother’s pistol. Now leave!” He barked.
    The two young men jumped a foot then hurried off down the road practically falling over one another in their haste. When they were out of pistol range, they broke into a full run.
    Ellis quickly turned, fell to his knees and drew Callie into his arms. God… she was cold and shaking. He ripped off his coat and wrapped it around her. The accelerated beat of her heart pounded through his fingertips as he drew the waistcoat closed across her chest. “Callie.” There was no response. He repeated her name in a louder tone and shook her slightly, “Callie!”
    She looked up. Her blue eyes were beginning to focus on his face. “Ellis, why are you here… the men. They… he was going to rape me… he…” Tears streamed down her cheeks, as another shudder shook her.
    Ellis was confused. It was a frightening experience, anyone would be afraid of being held at gunpoint. But, this was more.
    “I had to stop him… he was hurting me”.
    The boy never actually touched her. Was Callie speaking of this attack or something from her past? “Let me take you home,” he said.
    “No!” she cried and struggled to sit up. “Please, Ellis, don’t take me back there. Father will not believe me… again. Can’t we stay here? I will be fine.”
    She wasn’t fine. She was far from fine, but if she didn’t want to be taken home so be it. He would let it be her decision. The first drops of rain hit his face as he looked up at the blackening sky. Rolling to his knees, he struggled to stand and then scooped her in his arms.
    “Your leg,” she protested.
    It was odd, it hurt, it always did, but with Callie in his arms, he barely noticed the dull ache. Ellis strode the distance to the chaise and gently lowered her inside. He yanked the folding hood over them for protection from the rain and then dropped down beside her.
    She looked out over the grounds. “We played here when we were young. Do you remember?”
    “Yes.” I remember. Ellis touched his finger under her chin and brought it higher until she met his gaze. “Tell me what happened back there or better still, tell me what happened that frightened you so terribly in the past.”
    She twisted free and shrunk away from him. He let her turn away, but then wrapped his arms around her. He whispered in her ear, “I know what it feels like to be afraid. The war... I am speaking of more