Page 97 of The Smuggler’s Escape

Chapter 21

“It won’t be difficult,” Lady Ariadne said. “All I ask is that you carry a letter to France.” She indicated the sealed papers under her reticule. “As well as a package containing lengths of silk for an overdress and fichu. My groom, Jackson, has gone to fetch the silk now. My old governess, Mademoiselle Calvert, will embroider the pieces and return them to me. I don’t trust the smugglers, but I can rely on you, dear child, to deliver it to her in person.”

Noelle stopped herself just in time from asking to whom, if not the selfsame smugglers, Mademoiselle Calvert would entrust the return of the silk. In order to dupe Lady Ariadne, she must appear to believe her every word.

“Jackson will escort you to the Restless Rose,” Lady Ariadne said. “He likes you—he told me so—and will ensure that you depart safely.”

More nonsense. Time to gather what she needed. She dropped the queen of hearts to the floor, opened her jewelry box, and removed what little remained—her mother’s pearls and the little cross given to her by old Lord Boltwood. She clasped them both around her neck and rummaged through her clothes press. From the very bottom, she unearthed the old linen gown in which she had secreted most of her jewelry.

“What do you want that thing for? There is no time to pack, Miss de Vallon. You are fleeing for your life. You must leave immediately.”

“Travel in France is not easy now.” Besides, Noelle needed a few more moments to think. She ripped off her new evening gown and hurriedly donned the old one. “I refuse to leap from the gallows to the guillotine. In these old clothes, and with the papers I used to leave France a few years ago, I shall pass as an impoverished bourgeoise.”

The more she considered it, though, the less she believed she would be permitted to start a new life on the Continent.

Jackson might compel her, in exchange for helping her escape, to sign a written confession, which would be delivered anonymously to a government official in England. There would be no need to look further for a traitor, and Lady Ariadne and Jackson would be safe.

Or so Lady Ariadne might believe, but not Jackson. Noelle alive, and therefore able to contact Richard Boltwood, would always be a danger. Far better to get rid of her now, before reaching the Restless Rose.

What if he succeeded?

She swallowed her fear. She would just have to hope for the best.

She removed her silk stockings and slippers, donned a pair of wool stockings and her half boots, and surreptitiously slipped her knife down the side of her boot.

Lady Ariadne paced and wrung her hands. “Hurry! You must leave now if you are to catch the tide.”

Imbécile. “Do you know anything at all about boats and tides?” Noelle asked.

Lady Ariadne flapped a hand. “Not precisely, but Jackson has spoken to the captain of the Restless Rose. He says there is no time to lose if you are to sail tonight. He is waiting near the west door.”

Jackson must be making a goodly sum for himself acting as Lady Ariadne’s go-between. A resourceful fellow, Jackson. It was he who had introduced Noelle to Mr. Towne and encouraged her to invest in the free trade; he, she was willing to bet, who had seen in Lady Ariadne’s distress a venue for further profit, once war was declared, and in Noelle a convenient scapegoat, should the need arise.

“Come, let us go. He said I must not let you out of my sight until I pass you to him.”

Why, Noelle wondered? Because she might run to Richard for help?

If only she could—but no. The risk was too great.

Noelle crammed her brush and comb and a change of clothes into an old canvas bag. She donned her fur-lined cloak and an old beaver hat. The gun in its pocket thudded reassuringly against her thigh. With that and the knife, she might manage to protect herself.

Noelle put the pouch with her portion of the proceeds of the smuggling run into the other pocket of the cloak, as well as the remaining powder and shot. “Give me the letter. I’m ready to go.”

“Finally!” Lady Ariadne’s smile trembled with relief. She picked up the sealed papers and her reticule. “Jackson says I must give the letter to him. He will put it in the packet with the silk and pass it to you when the time is right.”

If Noelle hadn’t already realized she was being hoodwinked, this would have made it completely clear. She opened the door and glanced out. “The coast is clear.” She pulled Lady Ariadne into the corridor, locked the door, and pocketed the key. “Follow me down the back stairs if you like, but if anyone sees you, you may be associated with my departure.”

From under the door across the hall came the low growl of Johnny’s dog.

Lady Ariadne choked on a tiny scream, and for a breathless second Noelle hoped she would run the other way, but she muttered something under her breath and kept going. They crept past Johnny’s room and down the secondary staircase to the door at the west end of the house. She handed Noelle and two sealed letters into Jackson’s care just as the rain began to fall.

~ ~ ~

“What do I do if the bastard don’t come?” Will Dalbey glowered across the withers of the mare he was grooming.

Richard sighed. Will had faithfully recounted his conversation with Hale, who had briefly ducked into the stables before following Jackson again. He wanted nothing to do with the erstwhile exciseman. He wouldn’t hear a word in his favor, which was hardly surprising since Hale and his men had shot Will’s brother.

“If Hale doesn’t come back, it will be because Jackson went someplace else and Hale followed him. Have our horses ready, and wait here for further orders.”