The Robber Bride (Regency Historical Romance) by Jerrica Knight-Catania

  ***

  Victoria was surprised that the prince wasn’t nearly as protected as she’d thought he would be. He rode with only one companion inside the carriage, and the driver in the seat. Odd for such a man, but she didn’t question it, but thanked the fates for being so kind to her.

  Since it was so late, there were few people out and about, so she and Gil waited until they were in a nearly deserted part of Marylebone to descend upon the carriage. Gil pulled in front as always and announced a broken axel to the other driver. As expected, the driver rushed to help, and Victoria slipped out the door on the other side, ready to attack. And tonight, she had a personal vendetta to see to. The prince had been rude and lascivious, and his biggest mistake had been following her into that library.

  On quiet feet, she approached the carriage, flung open the door, and said, “Your money or your life.”

  “I don’t think so, madam,” came a voice from behind her, and Victoria’s blood turned to ice.

  From inside the carriage, the prince emerged, peeling off a fake moustache as he stepped into the street. “Well, that was much easier than I anticipated.”

  Whoever was behind her grabbed her arms and pulled them backwards before binding them at her back. Victoria didn’t put up a fight. She didn’t even utter a single word. There was nothing she could do or say to get her out of this predicament. She’d always known the dangers involved, but her cause was greater and more important than any threat. It was only a matter of time before they caught up to her, she supposed. At least she could hang with pride now, and that was all that mattered.

  Except… “Gil! What will you do to my driver?”

  “He will hang beside you for being an accomplice to your crimes.”

  No. Oh, God. She couldn’t allow that. “Please, he is innocent in all this. He was only doing what I told him to do—”

  “You waste your breath, Miss Barclay,” the prince—or whoever he really was—said. The clip-clop of horses interrupted their discourse. “Ah, your chariot awaits, madam.”

  Two horses carrying a large wooden box, complete with a lock and key on the door, pulled up before them. Victoria was shoved inside after Gil, and the door slammed hard behind them. As they pulled away, another carriage approached from down the street. She knew exactly who was in that carriage, and it broke her heart into a million pieces. He had known all along what she was up to, and he’d come to rescue her. But it was too late. She couldn’t be rescued. And he would be forced to see her hang.