Kendra whimpered at the pain, her hands in fists pushing against his chest. But he seemed like a bolder, unmovable, impenetrable, and unwilling to hear her cries. His other hand ran down her body, pinching and probing at her flesh. He thrust that hand down the back of her skirt, his fingers moving over the softness of her buttocks even as she screamed again.
“Excuse me.”
The voice was quiet, melodic but filled with an unassuming strength. The interruption caused Daniel to lift his head and Kendra wiped at her face with one corner of her shawl, not hiding her disgust from either man standing near her now.
“What do you want?” Daniel asked harshly and with little gentlemanly décor.
“I couldn’t help but note that your lady does not seem to be willing party here.” He nodded his head at Kendra.
“I’m not,” she said quickly, before Daniel could put lies in her mouth. Kendra reached out to touch her savior and felt him take her hand to pull her away her brother. She shivered as the coldness of his touch startled her and her eyes flew to his face.
And she was lost. He had the face of an angel, his hair dark and long, touching the wide shoulders of his coat. Sharp cheekbones slashed below devilish eyes that seemed almost to dance in laughter at her reaction to his skin. They were deep blue, unreal looking in that face that would confound any woman. His lips were pink, held in a smile that she wondered was supposed to placate or because he couldn’t help his amusement at her reaction.
“Will you come with me?” he asked softly, for her ears only.
“Yes,” she sighed, unable to say anything but. His hand pulled hers under his arm and he helped her down the two steps that her brother had forced her up, gliding almost carelessly back into the foot traffic that clogged the streets as people hurried home.
“Where are we going?” he asked, his eyes on her face.
“I-I don’t know,” she admitted, her eyes seeking the comfort of his face.
“Don’t you think we should take you home and inform your father of that man’s attack upon your person?”
Kendra shook her head frantically, pushing a tress of her red hair out of her face. “He … He … he is my brother,” she was finally able to say, feeling his cold fingers hook the unruly lock of hair behind her ears. “My father is dead.”
“What of your mother, then?”
“Stepmother, his mother.” She sighed, seeing the comprehension on his face.
“And she’ll believe anything he tells her.” He didn’t need to see her shake her head yes, he already knew the truth. “No other family?”
“N-no.” She moaned when she felt Daniel’s hand grabbing at her arm but her savior was already in motion. He easily pulled her out of the way and then his fist flew, landing with audible force and turning Daniel’s nose into a flattened tomato, blood gushing.
“Sir, that was your only warning,” the man said, watching as Daniel stumbled for a moment before he fell to the ground. “She said no and she meant no.”
Kendra felt laughter bubbling, slightly hysterical at the sight. She turned away from Daniel’s eyes, wanting to be away from the crowd of people that were now gathered around the three of them. She didn’t slow until she felt the icy touch of her rescuer’s fingertips on her hand.
“I hope that didn’t disgust you,” he said in that silky smooth voice.
“N-no. I must thank you again. I’ve never seen him act this way.” She felt his hand take hers and shivered slightly.
“Well, I can say I understand his motivation.” He chuckled, a husky sound that trickled over Kendra’s spine making her want to hear it again.
“Motivation?” she asked, perplexed.
“You are quite lovely.”
Kendra felt the heat of her blushes against her cheeks and dropped her eyes, staring at the shiny leather of his boots.
“Oh no, now I’ve embarrassed you.” His finger touched the tip of her chin, lifting it until he could see in her eyes. “I’m sorry I was so candid, Miss … ahh…”
“Kendra Smalley,” she supplied.
“Miss Smalley,” he finished, his finger slipping over her bottom lip. “Kendra is such a beautiful name.”
“I was named after a friend of the family,” she said. “But you have me at a disadvantage. You are my savior and I have no idea what to call you.”
He lifted her hand, tugging a bit to get her moving. “I am Lucien Davalos. My family and I have just moved here.”
“Family?” Was he married then and completely out of her reach?
“My parents and my siblings. I come from a big family and we enjoy being together so we had to find a bigger place to store us all.” He smiled down at the curiosity in her eyes. “You’ll enjoy them.”
“Is that where you’re taking me? To your home?”
“The sun is beginning to set, Miss Smalley.”
“Kendra,” she said softly. “Please.”
“How can I resist when you ask so sweetly, Kendra?”