Deathly Defiance

Chapter 3 - Elizabeth

"Oh lord, we're going to die." Joe muttered.

I rolled my eyes at his theatrics. "Not If I can help it," I said proudly.

I moved forward to open the carriage door but a pair of hands grabbed onto my arm.

"What in God's name do you think you are you doing?" Joe hissed.

"I'm getting ready to perform an Irish jig, what does it look like I'm doing?" I bit out sarcastically

"Are you mad! " he exclaimed. "If you go out there, you'll be dead for sure!" His grip tightened, as if he was afraid I'd somehow slip through the Superhuman grasp he had on my arm. He was probably cutting off my blood circulation.

I rolled my eyes at him again.
Always so overprotective.

"Joe, for the love of all that's Holy, let go of my arm." I said, attempting a stern tone.

Of course, Joe took no notice. "Why?"

"You seem to be forgetting something crucial here?"

"Oh, am I? Care to share?"

"There is nothing to steal," I said slowly, nodding my head towards the carriage door.

Joe's eyes widened in realisation.
"I forgot about that," he said, releasing the death grip he had in my arm.

"I have no riches on me, I wear no jewellery and we carry no coins" I pointed out reasonably as I pushed open the carriage doors and, in a very unladylike manner, jumped onto solid ground.

I lifted my eyes and saw I was facing a masked man on horseback who had a gun pointed at me.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't a lady's carriage we have stumbled upon, men." the highwayman said.He had a ridiculously triumphant smirk on his face.

The other men behind him laughed aloud, apparently finding something funny in their leader's statement.

Joe got out of the carriage  and started to pull me behind him, I quickly got out of his hold and stood closer to the Man's steed.

Why people look at me and think that I was a genteel Lady of the Ton who couldn't handle herself  was beyond me?

"Believe me when I say this, gentleman, but I am no lady" I said and before he could get another word out I had successfully grabbed hold of the gun, wrenching it out of his hands and pointing  it back at him.A move that Charles had taught me back in my childhood,a move I was fortunate enough to be very skilled at.

The highway man's eyes widened in surprise
"well I'll be damned, looks
like the wench isn't as genteel as she appears"

I Gasped " I beg your pardon sir but I do not look genteel! "

"He also called you a wench" Joe pointed out as he too climbed out of the carriage.

"Hmm, so he did" I said raising the pistol higher

"Apologise immediately," I demanded.
The masked man laughed, clearly amused.

"Now why would i do that? " he drawled out.

"Well, sir," I said mustering my  confidence and standing tall, I nodded my head
towards the gun "It seems I have you at a disadvantage"

The highway man grinned showing crooked teeth "And I don't believe that you have the guts to shoot me."

I narrowed my eyes at his statement. "Try me." I challenged

The highwayman laughed again and cocked his head to one side. "Feisty little one, aren't you? I wonder what your father would say if he could see you now My Lady ."

Before I even had a chance to pull the trigger. The highwayman was pulled off his mount by what appeared to be a gentleman of high society judging by his clothes.

They tumbled to the ground, swinging at each other.

I instantly became annoyed , who does this man think he is interrupting my fight? I was handling it just fine before he came along.

"You'll pay for attempting that dirty move"  The gentleman snarled out.

Ugh even his voice irritated me.

"Shouldn't we do something? " Joe asked

Movement caught my eye, before we heard a loud whistle in the distance

"no need" I said and nodded my head in the direction of the sound "looks like the cavalry have arrived"

And sure enough two officers ran towards us.

They grabbed the highwayman and twisted his hands behind his back.

"Unhand me, you BASTARDS!" The highway man snarled, as he was being dragged away.

A third officer walked up to the gentleman and bowed slightly "Your Grace, " he said.

Ah so I was correct, he was nobility.

He nodded in acknowledgement, before turning to look at me. His blue eyes widening at the sight of me.

It looked like he was about to say something , but the officers were suddenly between us.

"Your Grace, if it's okay with you, we'd like to ask you a few questions regarding the incident just now?"

I frowned, if anyone was going to answer questions it would be me.

Being  a women does not give them the right to ignore me.

I stood  up straighter and walked towards the officer without a word, making sure I looked straight at him, ignoring the Gentleman.

"I'll answer any questions you have, officer. But I do need to get home, as the Duke will be worried." I said in a clipped voice

The officer smiled, "Of course, My Lady. Right this way."

He offered me his arm, which I gladly took and turned towards my carriage where Joe was also being questioned.

"Hang on a Moment"  the gentleman called out , The officer tried to turn back but I tightened my grip on his arm, pulled him forward a little and smiled up at him.

"Now what we're you saying about questioning me officer? "

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