Chapter 11

The women had assembled in the entryway. Ivy and Millie made a beeline for Hannah. Upon their approach, Philippa excused herself and drifted over to where Lady Bradford and Lady Hastings were admiring each other's riding hats. Miss Annabelle Hastings stood with the older ladies looking a bit out of place amongst the matrons.

‘Are you well, Hannah? You seem… off.' Ivy's perceptive gaze scanned Hannah's face.

‘I don't frequently ride horses. Truthfully, I never ride them.' Hannah desperately wished she could continue never riding them for the unforeseeable future.

‘There's nothing to it.' Millie's husky voice was full of confidence. ‘The trick is to show no fear.'

‘Right. No fear,' Hannah echoed.

‘If you show them one hint of apprehension, they'll trample you flat in a heartbeat.' Millie smiled brightly at Hannah. Hannah tried not to be sick all over her borrowed riding habit.

The late-summer sun shone down on them. Fluffy, white clouds played in a cerulean sky. Honeysuckle and hyacinth sweetened the air. Bees buzzed in the blooms. It was a glorious day. If only Hannah wasn't trudging to her certain doom on the back of a snorting beast.

The gentlemen convened in the yard near the stables. Alfred Cavendale was talking to Lord Franklin St George. Hannah felt Millie stiffen as they passed the two gentlemen.

‘Good morning, ladies. Aren't you all looking lovely this morning?' Franklin St George's stare lingered on Millie. Hannah narrowed her eyes, her lips tightening into a scowl. The nerve of him! While Hannah didn't know the details, it was clear he had some kind of history with Millie. And not a pleasant one. How dare the bastard look at Millie like he was assessing a new stallion he wished to buy.

His chin dissolved into his neck and his ears stuck out, but his posture and fine clothes reeked of money. He kept his head tilted up to look down his nose at everyone. Such a pose left his soft throat unprotected and vulnerable. It would be so easy to punch him hard in his gullet and collapse his windpipe.

‘Laugh, Millie. Pretend I just said something devastatingly funny. Throw your head back and laugh.' Ivy followed her own advice and let out a hearty laugh.

Millie turned to them. ‘It's fine. I'm okay.' But her glassy eyes and accelerated breathing told a different story.

‘Then show him.' Ivy put more energy into her laugh, making Hannah worry she might have a coughing fit.

Hannah joined in, no doubt sounding like a braying donkey.

Millie looked at Ivy and Hannah, shaking her head. The corners of her mouth turned up in a slowly widening smile. ‘You're both mad, you know.' Her laughter was forced, but it filled the courtyard with a low melody.

Franklin St George's eyes hardened. His mouth turned down in a sour frown.

Hannah's laughter grew as she watched the pompous ass glare at them. The ladies crunched past the two gentlemen on the gravel drive. She kept herself between Millie and Franklin St George, determined to completely ignore the men. Still, St George's malevolent glare burned through her back.

Groomsmen brought saddled horses from the stables. Hannah kept her eyes peeled for Betty's handsome stable lad but was distracted by how massive the horses were as they stomped around the yard.

The assembly began choosing their steeds in a flurry of activity while Lord Cavendale, Lord Hastings, and Lord Bradford watched from a distance declaring themselves too old and too tired to join the ride.

Millie selected a massive Cleveland Bay mare and swept into her saddle without any help from the groomsman. Her eyes flashed with passion as her horse pranced in a small circle.

‘Tally-ho ladies! Let's show these men how real horsewomen ride!' Millie looked like a Valkyrie ready to sweep down and steal the souls of unsuspecting soldiers.

Ivy followed Millie's lead, settling into her saddle with confident grace. Hannah tried not to scowl.

Philippa caused a minor stir in her split skirts, but it was nothing compared to the gasps of the women as she mounted her horse and rode astride. Hannah didn't miss the censuring brow of Lord Franklin St George as he muttered something to Alfred Cavendale.

Philippa noticed as well. She trotted the black gelding close enough to spook St George's horse, almost unseating the vile man. Glancing at Hannah, Philippa winked.

A curly-haired steward with bright eyes and a charming smile led a brown mare toward her. The horse snorted, pawing her front hoof on the gravel, kicking up stones.

Bother and blast!

Hannah could swoon. Surely if she slumped to the ground, someone would pick her up before the horse stomped her to death. She could go back to the house and snoop around to her heart's delight while everyone else went on their bloody picnic. Capital idea.

She was moments away from doing just that when Killian appeared at her side.

‘She's just as nervous about you as you are about her.' He was standing too close as he reached up and placed a steady hand on the horse's nose, rubbing the white forelock. Hannah watched his fingers and felt irrationally jealous. Of a horse.

‘I doubt it.' Hannah straightened her shoulders.

‘She's a good girl, aren't you? What's her name?' Killian asked the steward. He grasped Hannah's hand in his, guiding it to the horse's neck to stroke. He stood so close, the heat of his chest warmed her back.

‘Starlight. She's a gentle mare, is our Star.' The young man's voice was low and smooth. Hannah wasn't sure if he used that tone to calm the horse or her.

‘Patient with new riders?' Killian moved closer. The vibration of his words buzzing through her senses.

‘Yes, my lord, she's sweet and strong is our Starlight.' The steward ran a hand down the horse's flank.

‘And you are?' Killian asked.

The steward ducked his head. ‘Sam, my lord. One of the stewards here.'

Hah! Betty's handsome stableboy. I knew it.

Hannah might be facing certain death, but she had guessed Betty's sweetheart. That was a real comfort.

‘Grab a handful of her mane. Sam will hold her steady, won't you, Sam?' Killian didn't wait for Sam's reply. He put his hands around Hannah's waist. Before she could protest, she was suddenly looking down at him from the dizzying height of her horse's saddle.

Sam handed her the reins, and Hannah held each in a fist, pulling them high to her chest.

Killian's eyes widened in alarm. ‘Have you never ridden before?'

Hannah's shrill laugh startled poor Starlight, who side-stepped nervously. Hannah dropped one of the reins to grasp the saddle. ‘Of course I have. Twice.' She couldn't remember a single instruction from the lessons she had taken years ago. Lessons that ended in disaster.

‘Dear God.' Killian grabbed the remaining rein from Hannah and retrieved the one dangling on the other side of Starlight. Hannah took the opportunity to grip the saddle with both hands. He turned to the group, now all astride and ready to leave. ‘I think Miss Simmons's horse may need a new bridle. I'll wait with her, and we'll catch up.'

Major General Drake must have seen something in Killian's gaze. He wheeled his horse around to face the group. ‘Excellent plan. Any of you gentleman interested in a little race?'

Alfred Cavendale and Franklin St George nodded their assent.

‘I'll wager I can make the first paddock before you clear the grounds, Major General.' Millie winked at Major General Drake. Her horse leapt forward before he had a chance to respond. St George scowled at the Major General before kicking his horse into a gallop and following Millie.

Ivy spurred her horse down the drive toward the open fields in a mad dash of hooves and gravel.

‘We can't let the ladies beat us, Major General. How could we live with the disgrace?' Alfred shouted to Drake before slapping his crop against his horse's flank. Major General Drake quickly followed, passing Alfred before they cleared the drive.

Lady Bradford, Lady Hastings, and Miss Hastings embarked together at a much more sedate pace. Their laughter faded as the trio disappeared down the lane.

Philippa wheeled her gelding around. Her horse was anxious to follow his friends, and Philippa's equestrian skills were on full display as she controlled the spirited mount.

‘I'll catch up.' Hannah echoed Killian's words to Philippa. ‘I'll be fine.'

Philippa glanced at Killian before returning her worried gaze to Hannah.

After a rare moment of hesitation while her horse danced in frustration, Philippa nodded. ‘Make sure you are fine. I'll keep an eye out for you.' She turned her horse after the group. He whinnied and broke into a blistering run. Philippa leaned low over his neck, moving with the muscular animal as though they were one flesh. Her hat flew off, but Philippa didn't seem to care a bit. She was magnificent.

‘Shall I get a new bridle, my lord? I'm terribly sorry. I didn't realise there was a problem.' Sam reached for the reins, but Killian shook his head.

‘The bridle is fine. Miss Simmons just needs a few minutes to get used to her mount.'

‘Ah. Of course.' Sam looked at Hannah and winked. ‘No shame in being a little nervous, my lady. Why don't I take the reins and lead you around a bit?'

The lad was too handsome for his own good, but he had kind eyes and gentle hands. Hannah would put in a word for him with Betty. If she lived that long. Which was incredibly doubtful.

After ten minutes of being led around while Killian kept a keen watch on her, Hannah thought she might make it to the end of the lane without falling off her steed.

Don't show fear. Don't fall off. Don't die.

Hannah tugged gently on the reins and Starlight shifted her gait, turning toward the drive. Hannah pretended she wasn't surprised at all that her horse complied.

Killian pulled alongside her. ‘You're a fast learner.'

She concentrated on keeping her hips moving with the horse.

‘Did anyone tell you how lovely you look in rose? That dress is almost the exact colour of your ni?—'

‘Must you always be so scandalous?' Hannah's cheeks heated.

Killian laughed. ‘I was going to say your neck when you blush. Like now. Why? What did you think I would say?'

Impossible man!

She decided to retaliate by remaining silent. It was a masochistic punishment because a million retorts burned the tip of her tongue.

‘So, are you interested in my earlier suggestion? You share your information, and I share my skills with your hidden pearl.'

Hannah waited a moment. ‘After giving it some thought, I have a better idea. Perhaps you should be the one sharing information, sir. And for every question I ask that you answer, I will allow you one favour.'

Killian's eyes dilated. ‘What kind of favour?'

‘Whatever you ask of me within the bounds of our agreement.' Hannah exulted in his silence. It felt glorious to momentarily stun the man. She had thought long and hard about his suggestion, and it was a brilliant way to extort information. So, she would use his tactics against him.

‘What if there are favours you wish to ask of me?' He raised a brow.

‘If I want a favour from you, I will first answer your question, just as you suggested.' Her breath was coming fast.

‘Tonight? Midnight?'

Hannah opened her mouth to agree when a shotgun blasted somewhere behind them. Starlight whinnied high and loud before breaking into a wild gallop.

Hannah screamed. She grabbed onto the horse's mane. Starlight veered right, leapt over a fence, and galloped toward the forest.

‘Fuck!' Killian glanced behind him. A man on horseback raced in the opposite direction over the paddocks west of Everly Manor. He should follow the shooter, chase him down and determine the man's identity before beating him to a bloody pulp and turning him over to the local magistrate. But he couldn't abandon Hannah. It was a miracle she didn't fall off the horse when the damned animal vaulted the fence.

He spurred his stallion to follow her. She might be a fast learner, but she wasn't ready for a wild race through the dangerous terrain of the woods surrounding Lord Cavendale's mansion. Even a skilled rider would need to keep his wits about him dashing through the forest's low branches and uneven ground.

Killian could see Hannah clinging to her horse as the beast entered the copse of trees. Hannah somehow managed to keep her seat. She was holding tight to Starlight's mane, leaning low over the horse's neck. Her position would help Hannah avoid any low branches, but she would be flung over the mare's head if Starlight stopped suddenly.

Fear licked along Killian's nerves. Tightening his grip on the stallion's mane, he urged his mount on, dodging a low branch and leaping over a tangled root.

Thankfully, Starlight was an intelligent beast. Sensing the danger of pelting through the uneven terrain, she slowed down quickly to a trot. Killian pulled alongside the horse and her terrified rider. He tugged on the reins Hannah had dropped. Starlight came to a slow stop.

Hannah trembled. Her head was buried against Starlight's neck, her hands gripping the horse's mane.

‘It's okay. You're safe.' Killian dismounted and ran his hands over Hannah's back, soothing her while surreptitiously checking for wounds. That shot had been too close.

Her face was pressed firmly against the horse's neck, muffling her voice. ‘I'm fine.' Hannah's body quaked beneath his hands.

Killian gripped her hips to pull her from the saddle, but she clung to Starlight's back like a cat.

‘Shh. It's okay. You're safe. I have you,' he crooned as he might to a frightened child.

Slowly, she released her grip, and he was able to pull her down. She fell against him, and he wrapped her in his arms. Orange blossom and vanilla blended with pine, soil, and horse. Her hair fell around her shoulders in disarray, soft waves tangling in his fingers as he pulled her closer.

‘It's okay, Hannah. I'm here.'

Her whole body shuddered violently, but she didn't cry. Instead, she became impossibly silent and completely still.

Killian ran his hand over her hair, savouring the silky texture. ‘Are you alright?'

The sounds of the forest enveloped them. A woodpigeon called from the tree above while wind rustled in the leaves.

‘Of course.' Hannah pushed away from him, her cheeks pale, her eyes unnaturally bright. ‘I didn't expect…'

‘For someone to shoot at us? No. Neither did I. Are you sure you are unhurt?'

‘I'm perfectly sound.' She swiped at her hair, regaining some of the tartness he found so charming. ‘Despite being completely inept as my horse careened into the forest. Despite being totally useless as you rushed in to save me. Despite wasting an opportunity to chase after the bastard who shot at us.' Hannah's voice was sharp in the quiet woods. Starlight stamped a hoof, and Hannah flinched.

Killian shouldn't smile. He shouldn't laugh, but the chuckle rumbled up despite his best efforts to stay serious. Relief flooded him. If she was annoyed, she couldn't be too rattled. ‘You don't play the damsel in distress very well.'

Hannah narrowed her gaze and pointed a finger at his chest. ‘Because I'm not. I'm completely capable of taking care of myself. If it wasn't for the bloody horse taking off like a cannon.'

‘Wonderful. Shall we pursue the shooter?' He raised his eyebrows and used his most charming smile.

Hannah's eyes widened, her mouth fell open in a silent objection. ‘What about the picnic? The group will wonder what happened to us. Philippa will worry if we don't arrive.'

Killian shrugged. ‘We'll hurry. We can follow the culprit and see if he heads towards the village or in another direction, then double back and meet the party as they return. We'll tell them it took longer to fix Starlight's bridle than we thought, and she took you on a bit of a wild ride.'

Hannah bit her lip. Her cheeks were as pale as the moon on a dark night. ‘I can't. I can't ride.'

Killian knew well the fear of falling. But he also knew the importance of standing back up again.

If Hannah didn't get back on Starlight, she would hate herself for it. Worse, she may let the moment grow so big in her mind, it would paralyse her. She might never ride again. That would be a terrible waste. Because she enjoyed it, when she forgot to be afraid.

He chose his words carefully. ‘You don't have to get on Starlight again. The gunman has probably escaped, so you shouldn't blame yourself.' He shrugged. ‘Everyone is afraid of something. It's certainly nothing to be ashamed of.'

Her eyes darkened, and her lips hardened into a stubborn line. ‘You're just trying to needle me into getting back on her.' Hannah stepped away from him and closer to Starlight. She put a tentative hand on Starlight's flank. ‘You can't dare me into doing something I don't want to do.'

‘I know. I'm not daring you. A lot of people are terrified of horses. You certainly aren't alone. Why don't I walk the horses back to the stable? We'll get you inside for a nice warm cup of tea?'

Hannah scowled at him. ‘I don't need a cup of tea. I'm not a helpless ninny.' She turned back to Starlight. Moving to the horse's left shoulder, Hannah turned to face Killian. ‘Help me up.'

Killian bit his lip to stop from smiling. His hunch played out. He gripped her waist and leaned closer. It would be so easy to steal a kiss. But in the quiet solitude of the forest, he didn't trust himself to stop at just a kiss. Instead, he focused on the shape of her waist beneath his fingers, her soft hair tickling his nose, and the intoxicating scent of orange and vanilla as he lifted her onto the saddle.

‘Which way did he go?' Hannah's hands trembled as she adjusted the reins. Killian hoped it was her reaction to him and not fear of riding.

He quickly mounted his horse and turned him. ‘This way. We'll go slowly until we're out of the forest. When we increase our gait, she'll lift her head, so make sure you tighten your reins. Keep your hands low and steady.'

‘I know. Don't show fear. Don't fall off. Don't die.'

Killian craned his neck around. ‘What was that?'

‘I said, let's ride.' Hannah's voice was tight, but she wouldn't back down now that he challenged her courage. She was breathtakingly brave and maddeningly stubborn.

They made their way out of the woods, and when the horses were back on level ground, Killian urged his stallion from walk to trot to canter. He kept his eyes on Hannah, half expecting her to fall behind, but he was getting used to her proving him wrong.

Starlight might be gentle, but she was also swift. The mare and her rider kept pace with Killian and his horse. When he was convinced Hannah had regained some confidence and wouldn't lose her seat, he let his stallion have his head and galloped across the fields west toward the village.

He kept his gaze scanning the rolling hills for any signs of a rider, but the shooter was gone. They rode almost to the village without seeing any definitive traces of a man on horseback.

Killian reined his horse to a walk. ‘Wherever he went, I don't think we'll find him.' Disappointment tasted bitter on his tongue.

‘I wasted too much time in the forest. My stupid ineptitude…' Hannah's voice trailed off, and she clenched her teeth. Tears glittered in her eyes. Killian guessed it was frustration, not fear.

‘It isn't your fault. When a horse is spooked like that, it's almost impossible to control. You mustn't be so hard on yourself.' As a Lieutenant General, he was used to being critical of his men when needed, but Hannah gave herself no grace.

‘Why shouldn't I be? The world makes no allowances for mistakes, Your Grace. Neither can I.'

‘Aren't mistakes inevitable? Expected, even? To castigate yourself for every misstep seems unnecessarily cruel.'

‘Life is cruel to most. But how could you understand? People expect you to rise to the occasion, put forth your best efforts, and emerge victorious. So, you do. But society holds no such aspirations for women. And certainly not for me. They expect nothing from me because I am worth nothing in their estimation.' She swiped at a tear that escaped. ‘Which is fine. It works in my favour, actually. But every time I fail, I prove them right.' Hannah turned her horse back toward Everly Manor. ‘And that, I cannot abide.'

Killian trotted after her. ‘You didn't fail. You've only just learned to ride. You had a pretty big scare today on Starlight but look at you. Cantering across the countryside like you were born in the saddle. Hardly a failure. If the world doesn't see you, that is their failing, not yours.'

I see you.But he stopped himself from making the admission.

Hannah looked across the field toward the sprawling stone mansion in the distance. A playful breeze lifted her copper hair, whipping it behind her like a cape. How could anyone overlook such a fascinating woman?

‘I have failed in ways you can't possibly imagine.' She shook her head. ‘It doesn't matter. I shouldn't have said anything.' Turning to face him, Hannah hid all signs of distress under a veneer of calm. ‘Do you think the shooter doubled back to Everly? Could it be Lord Cavendale?'

‘Cavendale?'

Hannah snapped her mouth shut.

‘Do you have information implicating Lord Cavendale?' Killian instinctively recoiled from the suggestion. Sarah Bright had worked for Bradford. He was their lead suspect. Why was Hannah moving her focus to Cavendale? ‘Hannah, someone is shooting at us. The stakes are only getting higher. What makes you suspect Cavendale?'

Hannah hissed out a breath. ‘Alright. I shall tell you. But only because I don't have time to deal with a dead duke on top of everything else, and you are so obviously on the wrong track.'

Killian smiled. ‘You don't want me dead? You do say the sweetest things.'

Hannah scowled. ‘Do you want me to share what I know or not?'

Killian extended his hand in a gesture of encouragement for her to continue.

Hannah rolled her eyes. ‘Sarah Bright was taking another job. With the Cavendale family. It's why I agreed to come to this house party in the first place. So, yes. Lord Cavendale is most definitely a suspect.'

This was potentially damning information, and the biggest break they'd had in the investigation.

He needed to speak to Drake.

If Sarah Bright was taking a position in the Cavendale household, it was entirely possible that at the very least, Lord Cavendale had information about the last two weeks of her life. It was equally possible Lord Cavendale was the shooter. Still, it felt wrong. And Hannah didn't know there were multiple murders. Nothing in his encounters with Lord Cavendale hinted at the kind of cold calculation needed to kill several women in cold blood.

Regardless, the prime minister would need to be informed. A message must be sent immediately. Killian and Drake had much to consider.

But he didn't want to focus on the mission. Killian wasn't ready to end his earlier conversation with Hannah. How did she think herself weak? Hannah had strength of will, intimidating skill, keen intelligence, and striking beauty. Yet she saw herself as a failure?

Some insecurities were too close to the heart. Discussing them laid one bare and uncovered hidden vulnerabilities. Never before had he wanted to know a woman's fears or hopes or worries. But he desperately wanted to know hers. If only she trusted him.

Not likely.

Killian returned to the safer subject of murder. ‘If Sarah Bright was going to work for the Cavendale household, I suppose it's possible he was the shooter. But Bradford or Hastings had equal opportunity, and at least Bradford is similarly connected to Sarah.'

Hannah shook her head. ‘But neither of them has a motive. If Cavendale hired Sarah Bright and thinks one of us is aware of that, he has every reason to try and scare us off, or worse.'

Killian squinted into the sun before looking over the fields. ‘Only if he is responsible for her death. And what motive would Cavendale have for killing an innocent maid? We don't even know for certain that she was going to work for Cavendale.' He exhaled heavily. ‘We need more evidence. At this point, anyone here could be responsible, or no one. The shooter could just as easily have been a hired gun from London.'

Killian shouldn't share his information with her about the other murders. She was smart, brazen, and motivated. Giving her confidential information about their investigation would only make Hannah a more formidable opponent. He couldn't allow her to find the killer first and exact such vigilante justice. But he didn't relish the idea of her life being in danger either. The faster they solved this case, the quicker she would be safe from harm. And the more she knew, the better equipped she would be to protect herself.

Until she takes on another assignment.

Killian resolutely ignored the annoying voice in his head. When this case ended, her affairs would no longer be his concern. Which was a huge relief. Not a devastating loss. ‘I know something you don't.'

‘What do you know? I shared my information with you. Fair is fair.' Eyes like amber in the sunlight flashed with anger. ‘You won't tell me, will you?' Her lips turned down in a scowl.

There was another motivation for him to share his information with Hannah. ‘I'll tell you what I know if you promise to honour our bargain tonight. You shared information with me, so I owe you a favour. If I answer a question of yours, then you'll owe me one in return.'

She glanced away. ‘After everything that's happened today, you still want to play this little game?'

‘Oh, yes. But it's hardly a game, Hannah.'

‘What favour would you ask of me?' Her chest rose and fell, trapped in the high-necked riding habit.

He itched to unclasp each little white button running down her front. ‘I'll tell you tonight.'

‘You want me to promise something blindly? How do I know your information's even worth it?' She raised her brows and cocked her head.

‘What about this: I shall tell you my information now. Tonight, I'll ask my favour, and you determine if the price is worth the reward.' He understood her need to keep control. As a man once imprisoned, he was acutely familiar with the fear of losing autonomy. This was new territory for Hannah. She was brave and curious, but she also needed to maintain command of the situation. He'd never thought about a woman's place of constant subservience. Putting himself in her world, the lack of personal control would be untenable. Of course she wanted the same freedom he had in most situations. She had every right to be angry and frightened if that liberty was taken away.

‘What if I decide your information isn't worth the favour?' Her hand snaked down to pat Starlight's neck.

‘Then you send me away unsatisfied.'

‘And you would leave?'

Killian wished they weren't on horses. He wished he could pull her close and press his lips against hers. Reassure her with his body when words failed. ‘I would leave if you asked it of me. I would stay. I would stop. I would press forward. All at your command.'

She took a shaky breath, then smiled. The ride had restored her complexion, her skin now honeyed from the sun. A new sprinkling of freckles kissed her nose like fairy dust. ‘Alright. I'll agree to your terms. You're a terrible negotiator, you know.'

Killian was an excellent negotiator. In the House of Lords or on a battlefield, he was brutal. Fierce. But this wasn't business. It was something else. Something far more important. Far more precious.

‘Will you share your information, or shall we put this game behind us?' She raised a haughty eyebrow.

‘Sarah Bright isn't the only murdered girl.' Killian couldn't dampen the sense of triumph he felt when Hannah's mouth dropped open. ‘Several more were found in Calais and Boulogne. We aren't looking for a man who has murdered one woman. We're looking for a man who has killed many.'