Chapter Forty-Six

                                    

                                          
Elijah leveled the firearm at the surprised faces of the no doubt skilled mercenaries. One of them gave a crooked grin. His stance changing just slightly. A hand drifted quietly to his gun-belt. 
                          
"What are you gonna do with one gun against the five of us, Pup?" He dared Elijah. His words revealing a strong cockney East London accent.
                          
"You may get one of us but you won't get all of us. We'll take you down before you fire off that first shot." Elijah clenched his teeth. The brigand was right. He couldn't take them all on at once, especially alone. He hadn't really thought this through.
                          
A sinister smile crept onto Elijah's features, "Do not test my determination, Sir. I'd gladly die if it meant I could take you all with me."
                          
The man who had been speaking let out a low raspy laugh, "You're brave I'll give you that, but you clearly aren't smart enough to know when you're outmatched."
                          
As if qued by his colleague, another of the men made a mad dash toward Elijah. Elijah swiveled on the balls of his feet ready to take the man on when a rapid volley of shots struck the man in his thigh and ankle. He dropped like a falling rock, flat on his side. 
                          
Elijah swung round to see Ayo holding a Derringer. Smoke hissed from the gun barrel. He caught Charlotte, Thomas, and even the carriage driver all holding weapons trained on the mercenaries. 
                          
"King Tau will have his way." The first man stated his voice thick with animosity. His eyes locked with Ayo's as he went on, "You'll be brought to heel girl one way or another. There will be more of us next time." His red-rimmed brown eyes flashed to his fallen comrade.
                          
Ayo straightened her stance, rolled her shoulders back, and raised her chest, "You tell my father, I will not be forced. I will not be coerced into marrying a man I do not love," She ground through clenched teeth. "Now get on your horse and leave before my next bullet lands between your eyes." Her words given with such ferocity the man visibly blanched. 
                          
Thomas fired a warning shot skyward, startling them. "You heard the lady. Now, get!"
                          
Hesitating, the man backed away slowly. The remainder of his gang leaped on to their mounts except the injured one, who he assisted onto his horse. Blood trickled down his side, dripping with a steady tapping against the stones. He left a trail of blood as their horses cantered in the direction of London.
                          
Ayo breathed a sigh of relief, "Elijah!" She shouted, "Why didn't you fetch me? Why did you risk yourself?" She let her hands dropped to her side. Her disappointment and derision were clear. 
                          
Elijah holstered his weapon then moved to circle his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I only wanted to protect you." He pressed his lips to the hollow of her throat.
                          
Ayo combed her fingers through his auburn locks. She turned her slightly to kiss his cheek. "You must trust that I can handle such difficulties. I'd rather be at yours side than away from it, regardless of circumstance." She let her arms snake around his waist and pressed her face against his woolen coat. With a silent prayer she inhaled his familiar scent and tremored at the thought that she could have lost him. 
                          
"I hate to interrupt, Governor, but we'd better get on the road before there are more of them on our tail." The driver suggested, eyes glancing anxiously at the road. 
                          
"He's right," Thomas said, "We should get moving. We cannot afford to meet any more of the King's men along the road." He offered his hand to Charlotte, "Shall we?" He escort her towards the vehicle. 
                          
"I am a little concerned at how well you handled yourself in such a distressing situation," Thomas said eyeing her.
                          
She stopped to allow him time to swing the door of the carriage open and grinned, "One of us had to."