Bella's POV
I fixed my gaze on the masked figure blocking our path, dressed entirely in black.
My face hardened instantly.
"Lady Bella." Penny's fingers clutched my arm, trembling. "Should we flee? You escape first—I'll hold them off."
I shot her a calming glance, wordlessly urging her to stay composed. Before she could process my intent, I'd already moved to the front of the carriage and grasped the reins.
In one swift motion, I cracked the whip toward the black-clad man.
The leather struck him directly across the face.
I tightened my grip on the reins, my expression ice-cold, and roared, "Move!"
The carriage barreled straight at the masked figure.
The man hadn't anticipated that a sheltered noblewoman would know how to handle a carriage. Caught off guard, he dove sideways just in time.
——
From his hidden vantage point, Gideon ground his teeth and spat, "Incompetent fool. Can't even manage something this basic."
