Free The Widow Vanishes by Grace Callaway

not modest." Mr. Hunt grinned when his lady made a face at him. "Well, McLeod, it appears that the chits will have plenty to prattle about. I'll escort them home—and keep them out of trouble."
    Mrs. Hunt tilted her head saucily at her husband. "Up for a challenge, are you, sir?"
    "Minx," Hunt murmured.
    "Obliged to you both," McLeod said. "I'll fetch Mrs. Foster as soon as I'm done."
    The pleasantness of the moment burst like a bubble. Panic returned, and Annabel clutched the Scot's sleeve. "Todd's dangerous. You'll be careful, won't you?"
    "Always am." A smile softened McLeod's craggy countenance. "Don't fret, beauty—I can handle the dodgy bastard."
    He picked up her hand, his firm lips brushing her knuckles, and longing pulsed over her. A mad desire to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him goodbye. But it wasn't her place, and she didn't wish to embarrass him in front of his friends. Throat cinched, she watched him go off with Mr. Hunt.
    "I wouldn't worry about Will," Mrs. Hunt said brightly. "He's more than capable of taking care of himself. Why, Mr. Hunt always said Will was one of the finest guards who ever worked for him."
    "Yes, of course, ma'am," Annabel mumbled.
    Another worry joined all the others. Life had taught her that none judged virtue as harshly as other women, and she must appear shabby and ill-bred indeed to the fine lady. Her ambiguous "friendship" with McLeod left much to speculation. And her cast-off clothes and debt to a cutthroat certainly wouldn't elevate her in anyone's estimation.
    Cheeks heating, she said, "I'm sorry to be a bother, Mrs. Hunt. You mustn't mind me—"
    "May we be Percy and Annabel?" the other interrupted.
    "Er, yes, if you'd like—"
    "Excellent. Now I have a favor to ask, Annabel: I've done an initial draft of my book and would dearly love another's opinion."
    "You want me to read your book?"
    "Only if you don't mind." Percy smiled sheepishly. "I understand if it's too much to ask—"
    "I'd love to," Annabel said in a rush. "In fact, I'd be honored ."
    Percy's eyes danced. "I'm so glad Will brought you today. I sense a kindred spirit."
    'Twas impossible to resist the other's cheery kindness. Yet as Annabel tentatively smiled back, she wondered what Percy would think of her shameful history. A vise clamped around her heart.
    She'd never be free from the past, from the choices she'd made.
    Anxiety swamped her. She could only pray that McLeod wouldn't come to harm because of her misdeeds. She'd never forgive herself if anything happened to him.
    Please, God, protect him. He's decent and honorable—a man I can't help but ... trust.
     

ELEVEN
    "You want to do what ?" Malcolm Todd bellowed.
    "You heard me. I want to pay off Mrs. Foster's debt," Will said.
    They were in one of the club's private reception rooms. The cutthroat sat on a throne-like chair upon a carpeted dais whilst Will stood before him several steps down. Even so, Will was eye level with the little despot. Todd bristled with rage; the pair of armed footmen flanking him tensed in readiness.
    "I sent you to find the wench," Todd hissed. "Yet you come to me empty-handed—and you have the bollocks to try to negotiate her release?"
    "You didn't tell me Annabel Foster was paying off her husband's debts," Will shot back. "If I had known she was an innocent widow, I wouldn't have agreed to hunt her down."
    "Got you wrapped around her little finger, hasn't she? The bitch must have a sweet cunt," Todd sneered.
    "Do not speak of her that way," Will said, his teeth grinding.
    Todd's eyes narrowed. "I'll speak as I wish. You're interfering in my business."
    "I'm not asking for any favors. I'll pay her debt, fair and square."
    A silence. The cutthroat said, "Yes, you will pay."
    The other's calm, thoughtful tone prickled Will's nape. Though his muscles bunched, he said evenly, "I'll have the five hundred quid to you by the morrow."
    "I don't want your money, McLeod. Mrs. Foster owed me five hundred pounds. If you wish to