The Wounded Nobleman (The Regimental Heroes) Read Online Free

whip and pulled a pistol from the waistband of his trousers.
    “There is no reason for violence,” Ellis said as calmly as he could muster. “I have a few shillings you can happily have.” He grabbed his cane and pulled himself out leaving Callie in the chaise. There was a pistol within arm’s reach in his bag, but could he risk making a move to retrieve it?
    “Bring the woman out,” the man demanded.
    Ellis reached for Callie’s hand. She shook her head violently. “It’s alright. We need to do as they ask. Give me your hand.” He could feel the tremble in her fingers when they wrapped around his. After a long moment, and her eyes clenched tightly closed, she finally obeyed.
    He didn’t have a clear look at the second man, but both attackers couldn’t be over twenty years of age.
    As the blonde stepped closer, Ellis pushed Callie behind him. The man leveled his gun at Ellis. Callie drew in a breath and then a choked sob. When he glanced over, her eyes were so wide the whites around the irises were visible.
    In battle, he wasn’t afraid of death. He wasn’t afraid now, but at this moment there was something to live for… Callie . His mind raced with how he could get to his gun. The blonde took a step toward Callie.
    “No! Stay away from me!” She screamed. Not just any scream. It was a scream that chilled Ellis’ blood to ice. Pure terror. Tears streamed down her face. She frantically waved a hand in front of her as if it would ward him away. “Please, don’t hurt me again.”
    Again? She knew these highway men? But, did she realize what she was saying? No. Her eyes were blank, as she screamed again until her voice grew hoarse.
    Doubt clouded the blonde man’s face. “ Jesus- settle down, lass. I wasn’t going to hurt ya. I just want your necklace.” He looked back at his partner.
    It came to Ellis in a split second. He didn’t need his gun- he just needed a gun. He grabbed the young man, twisted the weapon from his hand and pulled him in front of him and Callie as a human shield. The military had taught him something.
    Ellis put the barrel to the blonde’s head. The feel of the gun in his hand caused war memories to flood his mind. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead and a tremble raced up his arm. He steeled himself. Keep it together man, you are not in battle-Callie needs you. He cocked the hammer.
    The other young man moved farther out of the bushes. He was gaunt and dressed in worn, dirty clothes. “Don’t shoot him. He’s my brother!”
    “I will shoot him if I…” Ellis’ voice trailed as he saw the other boy didn’t have a gun. His gaze narrowed to take a longer look at the other man. “McRey. What the bloody hell are you doing here and how does this woman know you?” He flipped his head Callie’s direction.
    The kid looked like he was about to vomit. “Ahhh…. Jesus ….”
    “You know each other?” the man in his arms asked as he struggled to break free. “Who is he, Fredric?”
    “I wouldn’t try my patience,” Ellis warned as he pushed the barrel tighter against the blonde’s temple and looked down at Callie. She stopped screaming but was now on the ground sitting in a puddle of water. She stared blankly and rocked back and forth. He saw this in battle. She was in shock due to extreme trauma. This must be resolve d quickly so he could attend to her.
    He could shoot them, but he hated the sound of gunfire.
    “Garrison was my captain in the Crimean.” McRey told his brother and looked like he would cry. “Ahhhh… Jesus,” he repeated in a thick Scottish accent. “We will hang for sure. Why did I listen to you?”
“Why did you listen to him?” Ellis asked. “But more important, why did the woman say ‘don’t hurt me again?’ Has she had a run in with you or your brother before?”
    “No! I have never seen the lass. I swear to you on our mother’s grave. I didn’t mean to scare her so bad…” The boy looked worried as he watched her rock. “What’s