Page 8 of Aurelia

“You are hurt,” Aurelia said. “What happened?”

But all the woman’s attention was on the boy with the satchel. “Give me back my bag!”

The boys who’d initially backed away when Aurelia ran up to them now crowded closer, their courage bolstered by their leader.

“You want it? Come an’ take it,” the leader taunted.

The others chuckled, an ugly avidity in their eyes.

Aurelia reached out to take the girl’s upper arm. “Come with me now,” she said in a low, firm voice.

“I’m not going anywhere without my—”

A rock flew, narrowly missing Aurelia’s shoulder.

“What on earth do you think you are doing?” she shouted, fear making her voice shrill.

They ignored her, their hungry eyes on the other woman as two of them bent to pick up more rocks.

“We’ve no scrap with ye,” the leader said to Aurelia, not taking his gaze from his quarry. “It’s the traitor’s get we want.”

The others chimed in:

“Aye, the traitor!”

“She’ll get what she deserves!”

“We’ll not leave wi’out ‘er!”

“Get gone and ye’ll nae get hurt,” the leader said, stalking toward the other woman, his minions on his heels.

Aurelia stood her ground, even though her knees were shaking. “I will report you. You will all go to—”

“None around here care about the likes of her! Now, step away or—”

“What on earth is going on?” a deep masculine voice demanded.

The boys turned. Rather than sneering or taunting, they immediately doffed their hats.

“We ain’t doin’ nothin’, Sir Gideon,” the leader said, no longer swaggering.

A horse and rider came into view, the man’s garments elegant and his mount obviously expensive. “What are the five of you up to, Barry?”

“They were attacking this young woman,” Aurelia said, before any of them could answer.

The man—Sir Gideon, she assumed—turned toward her, his dark brown eyes striking against his pale, handsome face. His gaze flickered to the woman beside Aurelia.

“What happened, Miss Clifford? Your cheek is bleeding.”

“I am fine, Sir Gideon.”

“She is not fine,” Aurelia said. “These—these ruffians were throwing stones at her and took her bag. They should be made to answer for their actions.”

Miss Clifford shook her head. “I just want my bag and I shall be on my way.”

Sir Gideon turned to Barry. “Is that her satchel?”

The boy eyed him sullenly. “Aye.”