Raven Quest by Jo Ann Ferguson Read Free Book Online Page B

woman. Tell that lazy boy to draw two tankards of rum for us.” He motioned for Nathan to sit with him. “ Vengeance, eh? What do you carry, Lawler?”
    â€œA little of this and a little of that.”
    Rory watched as the men talked. She wondered why Nathan ignored her. When he finished his rum, he stood and bid Yellow Hal a good night. She stared in disbelief as he walked out of the tavern. Weren’t they going to speak with the Blindman tonight? She started to step around the bar, but Caroline snarled an order for more rum. She could not chance being seen as she left.
    As the night faded toward dawn, the customers drifted away. Finally, Yellow Hal decided he could not postpone bedding Caroline again, leaving his men snoring in drunken stupors by the tables. Rory ran for the stairs and her room. She pushed the bolt in place and went to the small window. It would be a tight fit, but she could squirm out.
    The door crashed open. She spun in astonishment. Terror choked her as Yellow Hal closed the cracked door and swaggered toward her. “Did you think you could fool me, Rory?”
    â€œFool you?” she edged away.
    â€œWhat is your real name, my sweet? Rory isn’t a lass’s name.” He grasped her and dragged her to his sweat-stained shirt. Ripping the concealing handkerchief from her head, he drew in his breath as her hair fell.
    Eagerly he forced her mouth under his and crushed her back onto the bed. She tried to push him away, but he was too strong. When he groped at her breasts, she raked her broken fingernails down his face.
    With a curse, he slapped her. She moaned as he seized her shirt, sending the top buttons flying. He yanked the bag from her necklace and emptied it on the bed. His eyes grew round. “Where did you get these coins?”
    â€œI found them.” She should be honest, but she could not. Nathan had saved her life last night. She could not focus Yellow Hal’s fury on him, even though Nathan had left her here to face this beast alone.
    Again his hand raised. “Tell me the truth!”
    â€œâ€™Tis the truth. I saw them glimmering in the shallow water.”
    â€œYou’re lying, girl, but we’ll get the truth out of you later.” He ignored her shriek as he loosened his breeches.
    Suddenly, he fell heavily on her.
    â€œShove him off,” came a familiar voice. “Shove him off, and get out of here, Rory!”
    Crawling from under him, she saw Olive holding a cast iron skillet. “Thank you,” Rory whispered, understanding the risk Olive had taken. She scooped up her coins and put them in the bag. She had worked for the money, and she was not going to leave it behind. She tied the bag around her neck and found two pins to secure her shirt.
    â€œDon’t thank me,” Olive mumbled past her swollen lip. “You don’t deserve what he would do to you.”
    â€œI don’t want you to be hurt more.”
    She smiled. “He doesn’t know who hit him. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of Caroline. She won’t reveal any more secrets to him. Go!”
    â€œCome with me.”
    â€œNo, you will have to depend on other friends now.” She hesitated, then said sadly, “If you see that Ernest from the Vengeance, tell him to come back sometime.”
    â€œOlive—”
    â€œGo while you can.”
    Rory gave her a quick embrace and ran down the stairs, stuffing her hair back under her kerchief. She had to hide. Although Yellow Hal would not know who hit him, Rory would be the one to pay. She must risk going to the Blindman and having him help her.
    The dawn colored the sky with pale wisps of light as she raced out onto the street. An arm snaked around her waist and she shrieked.
    â€œQuiet, Rory.”
    The hushed whisper sent heat through her. “Nathan!”
    â€œHush.” He spun her to face him. His smile faded when he put a finger out toward her bruised cheek. “Where