Out of the Dark by Jennifer Blake Read Free Book Online

on a trail. The dogs might have been let out of their pen to run on their own, giving chase to a deer or any other animal that might have chanced to cross their path. They could also be leading hunters through the woods. Fall might be the time generally reserved for serious sport, but the men exiled from New Orleans by hot weather were apt to accept any diversion that offered.
    In some distraction, he said, “I am sorry for the death of your brother, but as tragic as it may have been, I hold no responsibility for it.”
    “No one suggests that you do. But you have undoubtedly caused just as much grief to others.” The words were not quite as rigid as he might have expected. Anne-Marie had also noticed the chase, for she sat with her head tilted in a listening pose and a frown between her brows.
    The dogs were off to the left hand side of the road. They seemed to be following the winding course of a creek that crossed the road then continued on to meander through the Decoulet plantation. It was possible the animal being hunted would turn and follow the open roadway when it reached it. Lucien pulled in the mare a little, holding her on a tight rein. The gray might not mind sharing the right of way with a rabbit or deer, but would certainly object to anything larger.
    Returning his attention to his companion, he said, “You appear to know the public story of my career, both on and off the dueling field. I inveigled you into driving out with me because I want—”
    “So you admit it!” The words carried amazed triumph.
    “It seemed the only way to persuade you to listen,” he agreed. “I particularly wanted to talk to you about—”
    “But that’s infamous when I explained quite clearly that I—”
    “Will you please allow me to speak?” he said in grim determination, even as he noted the yells and crashing sounds of a hunting party far back in the woods, riding hell-bent after a quarry. “There are circumstances known only to the parties involved which may change your view of what took place.”
    “I seriously doubt that anything you can say will explain away the death of a young man several years your junior.”
    He grimaced. “As it happens—”
    At that moment a dark shadow bounded from among the trees and streaked across the road ahead of them. The mare shied with a shrill whinny and reared in the shafts. Lucien swore as rammed his booted heel against the footboard for leverage and sawed at the reins. Anne-Marie clutched his arm, her fingers biting into his cramped muscles.
    “It’s Satan,” she cried. “The dogs are after Satan!”
    Lucien had been afraid of just that; the excuse for going after the panther had been far too good for the men of the neighborhood to pass up. He cursed himself for bringing Anne-Marie out this afternoon. If he had not, she might never have known.
    “Stop! Oh, please stop,” she begged. “I’ve got to help him.”
    Lucien sent her a look of incredulity. Voice rough, he said, “There’s nothing you can do.”
    “If I call him, he’ll come to me. I can protect him.” Her gaze turned up to him was fretted with desperation.
    “Yes, and the dogs will tear you to pieces, too.”
    She swung from him without answering. Bracing her hand on the side of the buggy, she gathered her skirts as if preparing to leap down. Lucien cursed under his breath. Snatching the lines in one hand, he clamped a hand on her wrist. She wavered off balance in his hard grasp, half in and half out of the buggy. Shouting at the gray and pulling on the lines, he slowed the vehicle.
    At that moment, the hounds burst from the woods. The mare went wild. Yelping, snapping dogs leaped away from the lash of hooves. The buggy slewed across the road in a cloud of dust. Tree limbs lashed the struts and stung Lucien’s face. Anne-Marie was flung against him. As she twisted out of his way, she was thrown from the seat to the floorboard where she huddled for an instant. Bracing with gritted teeth, Lucien used