Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] (18 page)

He had been to St Albans once before but today he would be taking a more direct route. If he kept the sun behind him he would be going in the right direction. He dug in his heels, clicked his tongue, and set off at a gallop. Radcliffe was going to regret his actions by the time he’d finished with him.

*

When Anna came to the blanket had been removed but her limbs were still restrained. Her throat was sore, her chest hurt and she desperately needed a drink. She would not give her abductors the satisfaction of asking. She kept her eyes closed deciding it would be preferable to be thought unconscious or asleep than be forced to converse with her captors.

“I don't like the look of her, Sir John, she’s far too pale. We should never have covered her head like that and I think we should remove the rope. Miss Hadley is a gentlewoman, not a common felon and should not have been maltreated in this way.”

“She's breathing and no longer making that wheezing sound. She'll do.” Her stepfather continued. “I shall remove her bonds when I'm certain she’ll not make another attempt to escape.”

“As she’s unconscious she can hardly cause us further problems.”

“Be silent! I'll not have my orders questioned. I pay you more than enough to demand your obedience and loyalty.”

Sir John was obviously less sympathetic than his companion. Could she use this information to her advantage? When eventually she was released, might it be possible to appeal to the lawyer’s better nature?

She had no idea how long she’d been in a swoon—it could have been an hour or a few minutes. The groom sent after Ralph and Rupert would travel faster on horseback than they could in their carriage. Possibly rescue might be on its way already and her abductors about to meet their comeuppance. This happy thought raised her spirits and made the experience less dreadful. It also gave her the courage to confront her stepfather.

She could not remain silent a moment longer. She twisted her head and opened her eyes.

“How dare you treat me in this way? Release me at once. You cannot coerce me into marrying your horrible friend and the duke is already on his way to punish you.”

Sir John recoiled and his cheeks flushed. The lawyer shrank back into the squabs.

“You have run mad to think you can get away with this. Even if I was unprotected you would still be brought to justice. You are disliked and reviled in the neighbourhood and no-one will support you.”

He sprung forward and struck her across the cheek. “Enough from you, my girl. Westchester can do his worst but he will be unable to prevent your marriage to Bennet. A special licence has been fetched from Doctors’ Commons and witnesses are waiting.” He smiled but it did not reassure her. “Do you think me a simpleton? We will all swear you said your vows willingly. The certificate will be signed and you will be the wife of Bennet and we will both be wealthy men.”

Bile rose in her throat. Unless Ralph arrived before the ceremony all would be lost. He wouldn't hesitate to kill Bennet in order to release her and she couldn’t let him do this. He would be arrested for murder and hanged. Her eyes filled. Whatever
she
had to endure her beloved must remain a free man.

Bruno, once he understood what was required of him, settled down. Ralph was confident he’d made an excellent purchase; the animal was up to his weight and would carry him all day without flagging.

His brother had half an hour start but Rupert was travelling with two men riding bareback so would have to take a less direct route. Barring mishaps he should catch up with him before he reached Hadley Manor.

Massive hedges presented no obstacle; the gelding gathered himself and soared over with inches to spare. The miles vanished beneath the plunging hoofs. As a church clock struck mid-day Ralph turned into a roadside hostelry to rest his mount and find them both a much needed drink.

He removed his gloves and used them to wipe the mud and perspiration from his face. A stable boy trotted out to take the reins of the sweating gelding. “Walk him until he’s cool then rub him down. Don't give him water immediately. Have him ready for me in half an hour.”

The boy grinned and stretched out to take the horse’s bit. “Yes, sir. It's been right busy this morning. There’s a gentleman inside at the moment, he arrived not half an hour ago wanting the same thing. His grooms are seeing to his mount and I reckon they're trying to find a couple of saddles as well for themselves.”

Thank God! His wild ride across country had brought him up with Rupert. He marched into the inn. “Ralph, I can't believe you're here already.” His brother rushed forward and embraced him. “I'm ready to leave.”

“Stay. We must arrive together. Whilst I wash-up and find something to drink you must purchase two saddles. Pay whatever you have to; I'm sure there are gentlemen here who will happily part with one if the price is right.”

Rupert looked unsure. “Surely it would be better if one of was there as soon as may be? I’ll leave at once.”

“No, wait for me. When our men are mounted we can cut across country and will make far better time. I don't think Anna is in any immediate danger. Radcliffe is a fool to believe he can coerce her into marrying one of his cronies. She merely has to remain resolute until we get there.”

“In which case I shall do as you bid. Must have been tricky galloping without saddles I should think. Can't think how Tom and Fred stayed on board.” He clapped Ralph on the back and dashed into the yard.

Within the half hour saddles had been acquired and all four of them were mounted. Ralph patted Bruno’s massive neck. “Right, old fellow, we have another twenty miles to cover before you can rest.”

“That’s a good horse. Can't believe you managed to find him so quickly.”

“Good fortune smiled on me. I shall take the lead, keep up as best you can.”

*

Each jolt of the carriage wheel as it bounced in a pothole sent spasms of discomfort down Anna’s spine. She had been restricted to one position for too long. Surely they must stop for refreshments or at least to change the team? Her need was urgent. Without looking at him she made her request.

“Sir John, please stop the carriage. I must use a retiring room immediately.”

The lawyer whispered. “Sir John is asleep, Miss Hadley. If you give me your word you will not try to escape I shall release your bonds and ask the coachman to halt somewhere convenient.”

“I promise. Your kindness will not go unnoticed when Westchester arrives.”

He crouched beside her, there was little room in the well of the carriage and she was terrified her stepfather would wake up before the knots were untied.

“There, I have done it. Wriggle your arms and legs to restore the circulation but pray do it quietly.”

The carriage window was lowered and the blanket and ropes thrown out. She sighed. At least she could not be restrained again. The lawyer stuck his head out and attracted the attention of the coachman. By gesture alone he made his wishes clear and the carriage trundled to a standstill.

Anna held her breath. Sir John grunted but continued to snore. The door swung open and the steps were let down and Peabody indicated she get out.

“You must be quick, Miss Hadley, he could wake at any moment. The coachman will have to accompany you. I dare not let you wonder in the woods alone.”

With averted face she headed for the densest clump of undergrowth she could see. Her cheeks were scarlet; the grinning men at the rear of the carriage must know what she was about. Still far better this than an even more embarrassing incident within the coach.

Five minutes later she scrambled back relieved and more comfortable. The door closed quietly, the coachman returned to his box and snapped his whip. They were once more in motion. Dare she risk a further whispered conversation with the lawyer?

“Mr Peabody, how much further is it before we need to rest the horses?”

“We won't be stopping, Miss Hadley. We’re going directly to Mr Bennet’s estate which is no more than five miles from here.”

Her stomach roiled. Ralph would go to Hadley Manor and wouldn't reach her in time to prevent the wedding taking place. Sir John had deliberately misled her to make sure he was not found. Her life was over. She would rather be dead than married to Bennet. She kept her face averted not wishing Peabody to see her horror and guess her intention.

She would wait until the carriage picked up speed and then fling herself from the vehicle. To take one's own life was a mortal sin but she would rather suffer eternal torment in the afterlife than be forced to share her body with anyone but the man she loved.

*

“How much further, Ralph?" Rupert shouted as he reined back to look at a milestone.

“I'm dammed if I know.” He beckoned to the coachman. “Tom, there's a yokel in the field over there. Go and ask him the direction of Hadley Manor. We must be near enough for it to be in this demesne.”

Whilst he waited Ralph dismounted and loosened Bruno’s girth indicating the others should do likewise. His exhausted gelding dropped his head and nibbled at the lush grass which grew in abundance along the edge of the lane.

“Don't know about your beast, Ralph, but my mare won't go much further. None of the carriage horses are used to such hard riding and certainly not jumping the hedges and ditches that we have.”

“This horse is tired but there’s another twenty miles in him. Fortuitous indeed I found so perfect a mount when I most needed him.” He yawned and stretched. “I must believe divine intervention is at work today. I pray the Almighty will remain on our side until this mission is completed successfully.”

The coachman trotted back and slid to the ground. “My lord, you’ll not believe what I've just discovered. A travelling carriage, exactly like the one Miss Hadley was put in, passed here not more than fifteen minutes ago.”

“Excellent. Is Hadley Manor far from here?”

Tom scratched his head. “That's the puzzle, my lord, we‘re a good three hours from Hadley village. This lane won't take us there. I don't reckon Sir John’s going home, not if he’s travelling down this lane.”

“Dammit! He has to be taking her somewhere else. Mount up—we must catch up with the carriage before we lose it. This might be our last to intervene before…” He swallowed the lump in his throat; he couldn't complete the sentence.

Not waiting for the others he snatched up the girth buckle and tightened it, vaulted into the saddle and was away before his feet were home in the stirrup irons. His horse responded magnificently as eager to gallop as if he'd just left his stable.

He crouched low in the saddle urging the gelding ever faster. He had a bad feeling about this. Anna was in mortal danger—he just knew it.

*

The carriage picked up speed and then lurched to one side. Her stepfather woke up, stared at her, and his mouth twisted. “Peabody, are you responsible for this?”

His fist bunched. He was going to strike the terrified lawyer. She must do something to intervene before the poor man was seriously injured. Without considering the consequences she threw herself across the carriage throwing Sir John backwards. His head cracked loudly against the side stunning him.

“Quickly, open the door. We’ll never get another chance. Help me if you wish to come out of this unscathed.”

Peabody scrambled over his employer and turned the handle. The door swung open crashing against the carriage. At any moment the coachman would rein back the team and all would be lost. The ruffians at the back must surely see what they were doing but she had no choice.

She put her shoulder against her stepfather's back and pushed. “Grab his arm; pull as hard as you can. Together we can tip him out.”

The vehicle swayed alarmingly, Sir John groaned but didn’t rouse. The wildly swinging door must soon attract attention. With a final desperate push her abductor was dislodged from the seat and vanished through the door.

Peabody had the sense to grab the strap and haul the door shut. Anna collapsed in a corner. Perspiration trickled down her face, her palms were sweaty and her heart beat so hard she feared it would burst from her chest. What had she done? In a moment of madness she had committed murder. Now she would be the one who faced the gallows.

Unable to form a coherent sentence she closed her eyes and waited for her mind to clear.

Slowly her breathing steadied and common sense returned. She sat up and straightened her spencer. “Well, Mr Peabody, did you see where he landed?”

“I did, Miss Hadley, he fell into the ditch. I doubt he’ll have suffered further injury unless…” He paused and almost smiled. “Unless it’s full of water and he drowns and that won't be our fault, it will be an act of God.”

Anna had an insane desire to laugh. “I’m so glad. I’ve no wish to be arraigned as a murderer.” The carriage continued to travel at a canter. The coachman and the other villains had somehow failed to notice the ejection of their master.

“Something else has occurred to me, Mr Peabody. What will happen to Mr Bennet’s children if he is arrested?”

He shook his head. “Children? He’s a bachelor. That was one of Sir John’s lies.”

“That will make matters easier. It would have been hard to arrest Bennet with his children in the house.”

“That's all very well, but what next, Miss Hadley? Removing Sir John is one thing, but I doubt Bennet will be put off by his absence. The marriage will still go ahead and the witnesses still swear that you were willing.”