Realization cleaved through my chest. By stealing his horse, I’d unknowingly led the soldiers right to my father. If it weren’t for me, he would be safe on his ship, free from the clutches of a town that salivated to see a buccaneer hanged.

The bitter taste of regret hit my throat, and my eyes burned with tears. The flood of guilt blurred my vision, and I couldn’t stop the wetness from searing my cheeks. The devastation was too powerful, the pain too big to hold.

“I was foolish.” I wiped my face on the sleeve of my gown, and more tears shook free.

“How touching.” He stroked his thumb along my upper arm. “My betrothed sits upon a stolen horse, crying with remorse for the poor choices she made.”

“Betrothed?” I choked on a sob.

“Indeed. I made an offer just this morning.”

He could shove his offer up the hole upon which he sat.

“I shall return home at once and accept my punishment.” I tried to pull from his grip, a useless effort. “Remove your hand from my person, if you please.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

“Not without a chaperon, my lord. It’s not allowed.”

“Do you see a chaperon in the vicinity?” He gestured at the surrounding woodland and scowled at my appearance. “You look like you were attacked by a pack of ruffians.”

“I just lost my way is all.”

“I’ll see to your safe return.”

I flexed my hands around the reins.

Above the canopy of trees, dusk deepened into ribbons of purple. Every second I spent with this grabby, cross-eyed addle pate was another moment my father sat in the gaol, awaiting a fate I wouldn’t accept.

“You’re a busy man, Lord Grisdale.” With a hard yank, I freed my arm from his grasp. “I must refuse and insist that you return to where you are most needed.”

“No one refuses me.” His eyes narrowed with a thousand blade-sharpened threats, all of which promised unspeakable pain. “Insolent little bitch.”

I saw his arm assail too late. The back of his hand slammed into my cheekbone with excruciating force, and the impact knocked me from the saddle.

The ground crashed into my back, jarring me so viciously I couldn’t move. Spots dotted my sight, then nothing at all as unconsciousness swallowed my senses.

I woke in a haze of pain. The scent of earth tickled my nose. Dead leaves crunched under my twitching body. I was still in the forest, lying on my back with hard dirt beneath my head. But my hands…

I twisted my wrists, yanking on the rope that restrained my arms above my head.

Blinking rapidly, I cleared fresh tears from my vision and stared up into chilling eyes.

“Do you know how I bring naughty little girls in line?” The marquess stood over me, tapping his cane against his leg. “A decent beating is most effective.”