The Untamable Rogue by Cathy McAllister Read Free Book Online Page B

snapped at him and took a few steps across the room towards the door.
    The lad started in fear and took a step backwards.
    “Sir. She’s taken one of the horses. – The blessed master’s stallion is not in his box.”
    James thumped his fist down on a low sideboard putting the vases in danger of falling.
    “This God-damned slut! – Such an ungrateful person! – I simply wanted to be of help to her and this mad woman just disappears!” James was completely incensed.
    Timo had jumped in fright and ducked automatically, but the master of the house had already grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and was shaking him violently. Timo’s heart was pounding and he already thought that this was the end. James Atkins emitted an aura of such brutality that Timo’s teeth were chattering, both with fear and because of the violent shaking. Timo could well understand why the lady had tried to go a long way away. Finally James Atkins seemed to gain control of himself again and he did at least stop shaking the poor boy. He looked at the lad intensely, his eyes ablaze.
    “Saddle three good horses. – You and old John will accompany me. We’ll catch up with her even if we have to follow her around the whole damned world!”
    With a jerk he let go of the poor stable boy and the lad almost stumbled but was just able to steady himself. He quickly nodded in agreement, glad that the expected beating had not happened. He hastily sent a prayer of thanksgiving to the heavens and breathed a sigh of relief. He knew only too well what the new master of the house was capable of when he was so disposed. To be exact, he had expected it to be even worse this time. He had never yet seen James Atkins in such a temper.
    “Yes, sir. I’ll do that. Straight away, sir!” he hurriedly assured him. He could not flee quickly enough out of the reach of this despot. Who knew whether he might not change his mind.
    When the stable boy had gone James swept all of the vases on the sideboard onto the floor, where they smashed to pieces. He was truly beside himself. He would never have thought that this pampered girl would have had the courage to simply take a horse and disappear. He had judged her wrongly, yes, he had completely underestimated her. One thing really puzzled him: how had she got out of her room? He had locked her in. She must have climbed out of the window. – A really brave, dare-devil venture. There was clearly more to this girl than he had thought. But she was still only a woman and would not get far. She would most certainly already be afraid and worried, being alone outside, and she will have hidden. He would find her. He was the hunter and she would be hiding somewhere in fear. He was imagining how he would find her. He was already picturing the way she would react. He was the hunter and she was the shy little deer. James laughed sinisterly. Oh, yes, he would definitely find her and then he would show her another side to himself. He had been too lenient with her.
    ‘
Just wait, my little wild cat. I’ll teach you!’



Chapter 6
3 rd July 1888

    W hen I awoke it took me a while to remember where I was. Slowly I let the events since my hasty flight from my uncle mentally pass before my eyes. Against my will tears came into my eyes. Very soon the salty moisture was running down my cheeks in a steady flow and my nose blocked. I sniffed and sat up to get more air. After I had slowly inhaled and exhaled deeply a few times, the stream of tears dried up a little and I felt a bit better. I was missing my parents and my home. It was lovely with the Sinti and most of them were incredibly nice to me, but I longed for Blue Hall and my wet-nurse. I longed for the carefree time before the tragic death of my parents and the appearance of my hateful uncle. A deep resentment welled up within me: Uncle James had taken from me the last thing that I still loved – my home! But I would demand the return of Blue Hall as soon as I was of age. Until then I