Authors: Gloria Harchar
"
Then
my size is what makes you quake."
She was shocked to discover she
was
shaking, causing the torn stocking to quiver where they fell around her ankles,
which irritated her to no end. How dare this
arrogant aristocrat rattle her
so?
"
Perhaps you would be less intimidating if I cut your hair, as Delilah did to Samson.
"
His lips curved into a mocking smile.
"
No, Miss
Moore
. You would do best to carve out my heart.
"
"
What?
"
"
I am called the Black Falcon, you know.
"
"
I rarely listen to such rubbish.
"
She drew a deep breath and dove off an imaginary bluff, hoping her cloak would catch enough wind to slow her downward flight—she was about to take a monstrous chance.
"
Don
'
t blame my cousin. It was I who came here with plans to destroy your property,
"
she prevaricated, almost certain he wouldn
'
t prosecute her though she knew he would condemn Ramsey.
Falcon raised his brows.
"
A hoyden who destroys other people
'
s property, including my newest loom and my own invention?
"
He glanced at the splintered bar on the nearby machine.
Regret burned like acid in
Nicola
'
s stomach.
"
I know, I behaved poorly and I feel absolutely wretched about it, believe me. But my reasons were good. Stockingers
'
families are starving because the hosiers pay such low wages these days.
"
"
So you damage the hosiers
'
looms?
"
"
I hope
I
didn
'
t ruin the equipment. After the first swing, I realized my actions were wrong.
"
He examined the cracked oak.
"
For such a slender woman, you were able to cause considerable damage.
"
His gaze returned to hers and her stomach dropped into her feet.
"
I hit the frame several times.
"
He ran long
broad
fingers over the marr
ed surface
.
Then h
is gaze bore into her soul.
"
No, I feel only one gash. The damage was done by someone much brawnier than you.
"
"
You underestimate me. I
'
m quite strong.
"
"
Not strong enough. T
he culprit was your cousin.
"
She took refuge in high dudgeon.
"
How dare you, sir? Ramsey would never do such a common thing as destroy property.
"
"
But you would? Do such a common thing, that is.
"
He thought her a ninny, a fool.
She jutted out her chin to show she meant business.
"
Yes
, I would. And did.
"
She frowned as he continued to stare at her.
"
But Ramsey wouldn
'
t act so rashly. He is a scholar, after all.
"
"
Being a student exempts him as a suspect? Interesting.
"
His mocking tone was enough to make her grit her teeth
.
"
He
'
s studying law, mi
lord,
"
she
responded proudly.
"
He knows the value of property and the penalties for such destruction.
"
"
Then he isn
'
t very smart to take such risks.
"
"
I keep telling you,
I
'
m the one who took the gamble, not him.
"
"
If he didn
'
t do it, then why was he slipping out the window, hmm?
"
"
Pardon?
"
"
I saw him.
"
"
Of-of course you did. He wanted to stop me from my foolishness,
"
she replied, stubborn determination and fear for Ramsey stiffening her spine.
"
So
he
had to run after his hooligan of a cousin—is that what you claim?
"
"
Yes
.
It
'
s what I claim and it
'
s the truth. But I assure you, I will never act in so rash a manner again.
"
Falcon considered, and her spirits ebbed. There was a hard, somber quality to him that spoke of too much experience and too much knowledge.
"
Ramsey
Diderot
is the instigator and nobody
will
contradict me.
"
"
They would if
Ramsey isn't
here.
"
"
My riders and I spotted him. They set chase. With any luck, they have captured him by now.
"
"
They are wasting time. You already have your culprit.
"
Outside, the sound of motorized cycles rumbled through the night and
sent ripples of alarm through her.
"
Get your hands off me, you big ape!
"
The voice was muffled, but there was no mistaking who shouted. Ramsey.
A smile curved Falcon
'
s lips.
"
You might as well relent,
Miss Moore
. Your cousin is caught red-handed.
"
She refused to give up.
"
This night
'
s catastrophe had nothing to do with Ramsey, I tell you.
"
"
He has a reputation as a hothead who acts first and thinks later. The earlier
incident with the merchant
proves that.
Only a few moments ago, w
e saw him making his escape—and in doing so, leaving you behind to take the blame for his actions. No one will dispute the fact that he
'
s the guilty party.
"
No one would dispute
him,
he meant, and she feared he was right. Falconwood was a powerful man. People might gossip behind his back, but none would dispute his version of events—particularly when it was accurate.
Someone cleared his throat, startling
Nicola
. She tur
ned to see a man in the doorway who
was constructed like the side of the Pavilion in London. His dark-skinned face glistened in the
yellow
lamplight. An assurance emanated from him, and she feared the worst was in store for Ramsey.
"
My lord, we have captured the rascal.
"
His speech held a foreign accent.
"
Of course, Gaspar, I knew you would.
"
Outside, Ramsey let out a
yell
. The sound resonated through the walls of the workroom.
"
Long live the Luddites!
"
Lightning seemed to lance through the rafters and strike
Nicola
where she stood.
The gleam of triumph in Falcon
'
s
eyes
caused her insides to flop like fish in a net. His lips curled with satisfaction as he returned his attention to his servant.
"
I assume you have him
strapped t
o the special loom in my office?"
The servant stared at his master for a split second longer than
Nicola
would have deemed wise for the foreigner, with a look that seemed almost—admonishing?
"
Yes
, mi
lord.
"
"
Do not begin his beating until I have given the word.
"
"
Beating?
"
Nicola
'
s heart froze in her chest. Gaspar
'
s hefty
arms oozed strength, and Ramsey
... she loved him dearly, but he was no match for the foreigner. There was no way he could endure a beating from the giant.
"
No, please,
"
she cried.
"
That
'
s barbaric! You can
'
t—Ramsey did nothing wrong!
"