Page 68 of The Swindler’s Daughter

I sat up, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand and looking around. Gretchen and Ansel were already awake, sitting a ways off and playing some sort of game with rocks on the ground.

Oliver and Tyson were still fast asleep, but John was tending to the horses.

I got up and headed into the trees to take care of my morning habituals and gathered some firewood on my way back. I also did my best to run my fingers through my hair and make myself a bit more presentable. Though why I bothered when I was among a group who most people would consider ruffians, I didn’t know.

That was a lie. I did know. I did it for Rowan.

I forced my mind back to more practical matters, and by the time I returned with an armful of sticks, I knew it was time to stop daydreaming and get on with the business of dealing with our situation.

Rowan was awake and clearly looking for me when I walked back into camp. His face brightened when he saw me, his shoulders relaxing. My own mouth curved in response as my stomach swooped at the sight of his smile. But I pulled my gaze away and dropped the wood by the fire. “All right, men,” I said and then tipped my head toward Gretchen. “And young lady.”

She giggled. I was fairly certain she considered this to be a grand adventure, and I hoped that fanciful outlook wouldn’t be crushed all too soon.

“We need to get word back to Sutton and Bridgefield. I’m guessing there are a fair number of worried people back home.”

Rowan shrugged. “My parents know what I’ve been doing. I don’t think they’ll panic unless given a reason.”

“And being gone overnight isn’t a reason?” It would be for Hunter. There was no way he wouldn’t notice my absence since I worked in the kitchen with his wife. They would have every reason to be anxious when they realized I was missing.

Rowan shrugged.

“And what about you?” I asked John, tilting my head in the direction of Gretchen. “How do you suppose your mother is doing?”

He shrugged as well. Was that the only gesture these boys were capable of? “My mother knows I’d never let anything happen to Gretchen.”

I gave up trying to convince them and instead just said, “Trust me. We need to get word back to them as soon as possible.”

“I’ll go back,” Ansel volunteered. “My father will be anxious,” he admitted, studying his own foot as he kicked his toe into the dirt.

“I’ll go with him,” Gretchen said. “I’ll just tell everyone that we all stayed at the festival too long and decided to camp out there instead of walking home in the dark.”

It wasn’t a very good explanation, but it was better than nothing. “Tell them the rest of us stayed to help some of the villagers.” It was vague, but it would have to do. “And be sure you let our families know we’re all right, but try not to tell them any more,” I advised.

Of course, I knew there was a good chance that people knew exactly what had happened. Laws, Rowan had shot the magistrate in the leg! Surely there would be plenty of people in an uproar about that. And the maid at Reeve’s house had likely shouted until all of High Street heard the story of a band of outlaws who robbed her master in broad daylight.

“Either way, we’d best smother this fire and get a move on,” Rowan said. “We’ll have to leave the wagon hidden here.”

“What of the horses?” John asked. “We can’t leave them out here.”

“Return them to Father Tucker?” I suggested, since that seemed the most logical thing.

Rowan shook his head. “I don’t dare go back to Father Tucker. They’ll be watching him for certain, and he’s too close to Reeve.”

“Ansel can take the horses and stash them at Sutton,” I said, wanting to give the children not only distance from us but a faster way home. Plus, I knew that Ansel, being a stable master’s son, had plenty of experience with horses.

Rowan and John both nodded at my suggestion.

Good. That was one worry solved. “And the hoard of stolen goods?” I looked around at everyone, waiting to see if someone would come up with a course of action. “Should we just keep it hidden? Wait to return any of it?”

“It’s market day,” Oliver said suddenly.

We all turned to him, confused by the announcement. “Are you suggesting we go spend some of this money?” Rowan asked.

He shook his head. “No, I’m saying a lot of it was stolen from the people selling at market. We could return some of it, right to those who were stolen from, without them even knowing.”

“So it’s like stealing in reverse?” Ansel suggested.

“Exactly. Instead of going home to find their pockets lighter, they’ll find them heavier.” Oliver gave a shrug but looked proud of the idea.