Stephanie Laurens - The Elusive Bride

Stephanie Laurens

The Elusive Bride

The Black Cobra Quartet

Contents

Ul-ul-ul-ul-ul!

What the? Gareth Hamilton stood in the bow of the Egret

Gareth returned to the guesthouse at noon, Mooktu by his

Late that evening, while strolling the deck, eyes scanning the

Late that evening, a light shawl in her hands, Emily

They quit the docks as the sun rose above the

Late the following morning, Emily was sitting in the salon

When she emerged from Anyas tent, Emily discovered that most

The souk in Alexandria was set well back from the

Although founded by the Knights of Malta centuries before, Valletta

The next morning, Emily, Dorcas, and Arnia, closely escorted by

That afternoon, the entire party sat about the low table

By noon that day, they were on Captain Dacostas xebec

The next morning, garbed as any young Frenchwoman with her

That evening they arrived in Lyon. Theyd made excellent time,

The next morning, in the mizzling drizzle that had replaced

Tied securely to a once-elegant chair in the middle of

The people of the dockside quarter made their departure into

By late afternoon, when she, Leonora, and Clarice slipped into

They left at first light, as the dark skies turned

They drove on in silence. On hearing the plan, Bister

So were left with the questions of who killed Ferrar,

September 2, 1822
Road from Poona to Bombay

U l-ul-ul-ul-ul!

The battle cries of their pursuers faded momentarily as Emily Ensworth and her escort thundered around the next bend. Gaze locked on the beaten surface of the dirt road, she concentrated on urging her mare even fasteron fleeing down the mountain road as if her life depended on it.

She suspected it did.

They were halfway down the hill road from Poona, the monsoon capital for the upper echelons of the British governing Bombay. Bombay itself was still hours of hard riding ahead. About them, the usually serene beauty of the hills, with their majestic firs and cool crisp air, was again fractured by the ululations of the riders pursuing them.

Shed got a good look at them earlier. Clad in traditional native garb, their insignia was a black silk scarf wound about their heads, long ends flying as, swords flashing, theyd charged wildly in their wake.

Their pursuers were Black Cobra cultists. Shed heard the grisly tales, and had no wish to feature in the next horrific installment.

She and her escort, led by young Captain MacFarlane, had fled at a flat gallop, yet somehow the cultists had closed the distance. Shed initially felt confident she and the troop could outrun them; she was no longer so sure.

Captain MacFarlane rode alongside her. Her eyes locked on the sharply descending road, she sensed him glance back, then, a moment later, he glanced at her. She was about to snap that she was an accomplished rider, as he should by now have noticed, when he looked ahead and pointed.

There! MacFarlane waved at his lieutenant. Those two rocks on the next stretch. With two others I can hold them back long enough for Miss Ensworth and the rest of you to reach safety.

Ill stay with you! the lieutenant shouted across Emilys head. Binta and the others can carry on with the memsahib.

The memsahibEmilystared at the rocks in question. Two tall, massive boulders, they framed the road, with the sheer cliff face on one side, and an equally sheer drop on the other. She was no general, but while three men might delay their pursuers, theyd never hold them back.

No! She glanced at MacFarlane while they continued to thunder on. We all of us stay, or we all of us go on.

Blue eyes narrowed on her face. His jaw set. Miss Ensworth, Ive no time to argue. You will go on with the bulk of the troop.

Of course she argued, but he wouldnt listen.

So complete was his ignoring of her words that she suddenly realized he knew he wouldnt survive. That hed diehere on this roadand it wouldnt be a pretty death.

Hed accepted that.

His bravery stunned her, rendered her silent as, reaching the rocks, they pulled up, milling as MacFarlane snapped out orders.

Then he reached over, grabbed her bridle, and drew her on down the road.

Here. Drawing a folded parchment packet from inside his coat, he thrust it into her hand. Take thisget it to Colonel Derek Delborough. Hes at the fort in Bombay. Blue eyes met hers. Its vital you place that in his handshis and no others. Do you understand?

Numb, she nodded. Colonel Delborough, at the fort.

Right. Now ride! He slapped her mares rump.

The horse leapt forward. Emily shoved the packet into the front of her riding jacket and tightened her grip on the reins. Behind her, the troop came pounding up, forming around her as they again fled on.

She glanced back as they rounded the next curve. Two of the troop were taking up positions on either side of the rocks. MacFarlane was freeing their horses, shooing them on.

Then they swept around the curve and he was lost to her sight.

She had to ride on. Hed given her no choice. If she didnt reach Bombay and deliver his packet, his deathhis sacrificewould be for naught.

That couldnt be. She couldnt let that happen.

But hed been so young.

Tears stung her eyes. Viciously she blinked them back.

She had to concentrate on the godforsaken road and ride.

Later that day
East India Company Fort, Bombay

Emily fixed the sepoy guarding the fort gates with a steady direct gaze. Captain MacFarlane?

As the niece of the Governor of Bombay, visiting her uncle for the last six months, she could ask and expect to be answered.

The sepoy blanched, olive skin and all. The glance he bent on her was sorrowful and compassionate. I am very sorry, miss, but the captain is dead.

Shed expected it, yetlooking down, she swallowed, then lifted her head, drew breath. Fixed the guard with an even more imperious gaze. I wish to speak with Colonel Delborough. Where may I find him?

The answer had been the officers bar, the enclosed front verandah of the officers mess. Emily wasnt sure it was acceptable for hera femaleto go inside, but that wasnt going to stop her.

Idi, the Indian maid shed borrowed from her uncles household, trailing behind her, she mounted the shallow steps. Moving into the dim shadows of the verandah, she halted to let her eyes adjust.

Once they had, she swept the verandah left to right, registering the familiar click of billiard balls coming from an alcove off one end, several officers in groups of twos and threes gathered about round tables, and one larger group haunting the far right corner.

Of course theyd all noticed her the instant shed walked in.

A serving boy quickly came forward. Miss?

Transferring her gaze from the group to the boys face, she stated, Im looking for Colonel Delborough. I was informed he was here.