Free The Bad Widow by Barbara Elsborg

Chapter One
     
    Rose cursed when she saw the two men walking toward her through skeins of early morning mist. Silas Smith, the pastor’s son and Henry Potter. Spotty young men with too many rampaging hormones, and Puritan fanatics for parents. Double trouble. She’d been careless to be caught out here alone. She watched Henry’s gaze sweep over the surrounding forest and return to rest on her. He had a nasty glint in his eye and a lascivious twist to his mouth. Shit.
    Silas smiled to reveal stained, crooked teeth. “Good morrow, Widow Thorne.”
    Well, it had been up until now, Rose thought. She’d had a lovely morning finding every one of the plants she’d been seeking, plus a cache of field mushrooms to fry when she got home.
    “What’s in the basket?” asked Silas.
    He moved his podgy frame to one side of her and boney Henry took the other.
    “My breakfast.”
    The men circled, staring at her, hands reaching toward her body though they didn’t touch.
    “We’ve not had breakfast yet,” said Silas. “We’ve been out looking for goodwife Mary Pym.”
    “Why? Are you going to eat her?” Rose asked.
    Henry narrowed his eyes, the joke bypassing his brain cell. “Maybe you know something about her disappearance. We’ll go back to your cottage and discuss it.”
    “No.”
    Silas grabbed the basket and Henry grasped her wrist, digging in his nails.
    “No meaning yes?” Henry snarled.
    The mist thickened around them. Rose chewed her lip and considered conjuring a large snake from the basket, one that would bite Henry and then squeeze Silas until he popped. Maybe that was unfair to the snake. It would also seal her fate. Rose had heard the rumors circulating even before Mary Pym’s ridiculous accusation and knew it was time to move on. Past time.
    She puffed out a breath. She’d hoped this village might be the place but the men of Eastchester had been a huge disappointment, just like the men in the last twelve settlements. Silas put out his tongue, waggled it up and down and cupped his balls. Oh lovely. She’d leave today.
    “I’ve got something to show you.” Silas thrust his hips against her thigh as Henry kept her in place.
    Rose felt the hard ridges of their cocks pressing against her.
    “Sorry, I don’t work with inferior material, boys.”
    Maybe she didn’t need the snake. Silas’ face turned beet red. He looked as if he were about to explode. Henry trembled with fury.
    “You fucking cunt,” Silas said with a growl. “You’ll pay for that.”
    He knocked her off her feet and raised his fist. No, you’ll pay. Rose opened her mouth but the blow never landed. Silas wailed as his arm was wrenched behind his back. Henry moved to help him and crashed to the ground. The mist cleared and Rose looked up into the most mesmerizing face she’d ever seen. Sensual lips curved into the hint of a dangerous smile. Strong, straight nose. Green eyes the color of new holly leaves. Black shaggy hair.
    Almost before she had time to lick her lips, the dark-haired stranger had pummeled both men into submission. The pair rolled on the ground clutching their groins. Rose’s gaze slipped down her rescuer’s lean, muscled body. The bulge in his pants didn’t look like inferior material.
    “Who are you? Where did you come from?”
    He looked over his shoulder, then turned to smile at her.
    She scrambled to her feet. “Thank you for dealing with the vermin. The least I can offer you is breakfast.”
    He whistled and a horse stepped out of the mist. Once her savior sat astride, he reached for Rose’s hand. A moment later she perched in front of him, clutching her basket.
    “What’s your name?” When he didn’t answer, she turned. “Can’t you speak?”
    He shook his head.
    “Mouth the word.” Rose watched his lips. “Will?”
    He smiled and nodded.
    Strong arms wrapped around her and she settled back against his broad chest, enjoying the feel of his erection rubbing along the cleft of her bottom as the