Free Natalya by Cynthia Wright

to disturb you in this manner, I know, but perhaps you can help us."
    "I don't see how that is possible," she said meekly.
    Looking back at Poujouly, he muttered, "Why don't you continue our search. I hardly think that both of us are needed to question this young lady."
    The other man frowned but did the warden's bidding. When he was gone, and Natalya found herself alone with Auteuil, she fought a rising tide of panic. "What are you searching for, m'sieur?" she inquired politely. "Whatever it is, I hardly think you'll find it here."
    "You have nothing to fear, my dear girl. Are you trembling?" He put a hand on her arm, and she flinched. "There is a criminal at large here in St. Malo, and I have come to recapture him. I have reason to believe that he is here in this very inn. Ah, I see that I have frightened you, and that was not my intention. Perhaps you have seen a tall man with black hair and gray eyes? He is English."
    "I have seen no one. I only just arrived tonight, and am waiting for my father. He is due at any time." She was swept by a wave of revulsion. When Auteuil smiled, she saw that many of his teeth came to points as if they had been filed and his reddish hair stuck together in clumps. "Please, sir, leave me in peace."
    Awkwardly Auteuil tried to put his arms around her. "Why so skittish? I am here to protect you, until my assistant has finished searching for the criminal."
    "There's really no need!" Natalya's voice rose; instinctively she put her hands up to push at his chest. When she did so, the quilt fell away, revealing the gossamer-thin nightgown she wore underneath.
    Auteuil's eyes gleamed. Licking his lips like a starving man presented with a feast, he ran one hand down her slim back.
    "My father could arrive at any moment!"
    "I'll take that chance." His breathing grew ragged as he bent closer.
    "Loose me, or I'll scream," Natalya threatened.
    "Oh, I don't think so." Auteuil lunged toward her mouth with his own, but she squirmed wildly and turned her head. "Hold still, wench!" he hissed, fumbling for her breast.
    The casement on the window opened above the bed, but the warden was too preoccupied to notice. Then a man's body swung toward him feet first, seemingly out of the night sky, and Auteuil stepped backward, lifting his hands to his face as he was knocked to the floor. Flooded with relief, Natalya scrambled out of the way as Grey grabbed the other man by his shirt and struck him hard across the chin with his closed fist. Auteuil's head sagged, but still he reached up blindly, clawing at his adversary's eyes.
    "I see that you leave me no choice, m'sieur," Grey ground out in tones of icy fury. He put both hands around the warden's neck and struck the back of his head against the floor. Auteuil went completely limp.
    "Is he dead?" Natalya whispered after a moment.
    Grey stood up and brushed off his hands. "Unfortunately, no. I know I ought to kill him, but I've never had a taste for murder, no matter how justified."
    Natalya had begun to shake. "What an odious creature he is!"
    "I know." He gathered her into his arms stroking her hair. "Are you all right? Did he hurt you? I needed only to hear you raise your voice to guess what the devil was trying to do."
    "I'm fine. Truly." She felt so safe in Grey's embrace, her face pressed against his bare chest. "Thank you for... interceding. It was a most impressive display."
    "I was a fool to leave you alone."
    "Oh, my—I nearly forgot! The other one is still in the inn. Auteuil sent him to finish searching the chambers."
    "Then we have work to do."
    Grey dragged the warden's body away from the doorway and instructed Natalya to sit on the bed, against the wall. Then he picked up the pitcher from the little table and stood behind the open door, waiting. His patience was soon rewarded. Poujouly came into the room as innocently as a lamb to slaughter. Squinting at Natalya in the shadows, he said, "Eh bien, mam'selle, I see you're still—"
    The pitcher came down