Too Hot For A Rake by Pearl Wolf

gonna tie ’em up. Give us a hand, Rabu.”
    “All right, but be quick about it,” Helena said. “Tie them each to a separate tree. And be sure to tie them tight, so they can’t run away. We’ll ride ahead to Bodmin. We’re staying at the Pig and Whistle, an inn I know well. The landlord will summon the constable to fetch these two. If that poor man lying over there is still alive, we’ll have to take him with us. The innkeeper will send for a doctor.”
    Helena watched Casper and Rabu roll Isley over and tie his hands behind his back while Amy secured his feet. “Ow,” cried Isley. “Watch me wounded leg.”
    “And whose fault is that, lad? You only got what you deserved. Be thankful you’re still alive,” lectured Amy as she helped Casper and Rabu. They dragged him to a tree, where they sat him up and bound him securely.
    Smith made as if to move. “Ladies don’t know how to shoot,” he snarled.
    Helena lifted the rifle. “Care to test my skill? As you wish, but be prepared. I may be a bit rusty. I might miss your leg and blow your head off instead. Go ahead, you cur. Make one move and we’ll see if I can shoot.” She raised the rifle higher and glued one eye to its sight once more.
    “Don’t bother to shoot him, milady. We’re ready for him,” said Casper cheerfully as he and Rabu rolled Smith over. “Tie his legs tight, Amy. Just like we did t’other one.”
    When Smith was securely tied to a tree, Helena handed Casper the rifle and raced to the poor gentleman lying on the side of the road. Face down, the victim was covered with clumps of leaves. She brushed aside some of the debris.
    “Merciful heavens!” she cried. “It’s Lord Waverley!”
    The earth began to spin and she fainted.

Chapter 6
    Saturday, the Eleventh of April, 1818
    Helena woke in confusion early in the evening. “Where are we?”
    “Casper followed your instructions, milady. We went on to Bodmin like you said. We’re at the Pig and Whistle Inn. How are you feeling?”
    A mere stone’s throw from Bodmin Castle. With a pang of homesickness, she recalled that old Tremayne’s relatives were occupying the family castle for the wedding of his grandson.
    She shook off her melancholy and rose up on her elbows. “I’m fine, Amy. Tell me what happened. I don’t remember anything past discovering Lord Waverley lying in the ditch.”
    “You fainted, milady. Casper and me, we carried you back to the carriage. We left Rabu to watch over his lordship. I stayed with you while Casper went back and helped Rabu carry his lordship to our coach.”
    “Is he all right?”
    “Casper’s fine, milady.”
    “No, you ninny. I mean the marquis.”
    “His lordship’s got a big bump on his head is all—not the one I give him, but a new one. Doctor says no bones are broke.”
    “And the highwaymen? Have they been arrested?”
    “People came running when they heard that first shot. A farmer and some of his friends are seein’ to them, milady. He took them to his barn. They’ll keep till morning for the constable, he promised.”
    Helena attempted to rise, but Amy stopped her. “No, milady. Doctor said you need rest.”
    “All right, but only until I feel able to rise.”
    Amy clasped her hands and beamed at her with smug satisfaction.
    “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “Imagine a lady like you knowin’ how to shoot a rifle. Ready to kill those highwaymen if they so much as moved. I was that proud, I was. Where’d you learn to shoot, milady?”
    Helena tried to laugh, but it made her head ache. “I’ve never fired a shot in my life. I feel much better, dear. Help me dress. I want to visit Lord Waverley.”
    The abigail, determined not to allow her mistress to enter a gentleman’s chamber without a chaperone, insisted on accompanying her. They found his lordship sitting up, being fed soup by Rabu.
    Waverley grinned when Helena entered. “Good morning, fearless heroine. My deepest thanks to you for saving my life.