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“Is he fit to ride?” Julius demanded of Charlie.
“Yes, m’lord. ’E’s tired, but well enough. I’ve just given ’im some hot mash.”
“Bring him out as soon as he’s done.”
“Do you think you can find her?” asked Richmond.
“I will not return without her.”
“Is there anything you need?” asked Amelia, her face pale and pinched.
“Yes. Have the kitchen send provisions. Enough to get us through a night or two. And some blankets. It’s getting cold again.” She turned to do his bidding. “Wait,” he called, stopping her. “I shall want some pistols as well. Just in case,” he added quietly.
She blanched and nodded. Hitching up her skirts, she ran back to the house.
He turned to Richmond. “I think I know where she might have gone. I only hope Primero can lead me back there again.” He saw Richmond’s face darken and said no more. The man wasn’t a fool.
When Amelia returned half an hour later, she was accompanied by two servants bearing a pair of large baskets.
He turned to Primero, who after a quiet chat, a few carrots, and a rub between the ears, decided he was tolerable. Quickly, he and Charlie loaded everything into satchels and saddlebags. The horse made no objection when he mounted and took the reins.
They set out across the fields. When they reached the eaves of the darkening wood, he leaned forward. “Find her, Primero. Find Victoria.” He let go the reins.
For what seemed an eternity, Primero picked his way through the wood, and Julius prayed with his whole heart that the horse wasn’t simply wandering. He nearly wept with relief when they emerged onto the bald hills of the downs. Giving the horse a quick pat of gratitude, he urged him on.
The sun sank toward the horizon, and his heart sank with it. They couldn’t run, even with a nearly full moon overhead. It would be too dangerous. But Primero seemed to sense his urgency and made as much haste as possible.
It seemed forever before they at last reached the little dell, and as they topped the rise, Julius’s heart skipped several beats. Against the darkening sky he saw smoke rising from the chimney.
She was here.
Then he spied the light of a campfire outside as well. Cursing softly, he backed off and dismounted. Creeping around to the rocky side of the valley, he peered over the lip.
There were men below. Several men. Their harsh laughter hung in the chill air.
He took Primero off beyond the lee of the hill and removed his cloak and took two pistols from the saddlebag. They were already loaded. He’d seen three men, but there could be more in the cottage. He would have no time to reload. Digging in the saddlebag, he drew out a knife. Bless you, Amelia. He tucked it into his belt.
Slipping down into the valley, he reached the edge of the clearing and waited, listening.
“I don’t care if she’s a toff or not, she’s a nice lookin’ bit o’ woman,” said one man. “Why shouldn’t we ’ave a bit o’ fun? It won’t matter none if she’s been ’ad. They’ll still pay to get ’er back.”
“It’ll bloody well matter if we’re caught and brought up before the magistrate, you idiot!” hissed another, slightly more refined voice. “She’s a duke’s daughter. We’ll be lucky not to get hung as it is, but we’re sure to get the axe if we touch her.”
Julius slowly let out the breath he’d been holding. She hadn’t been molested.
“Only if we gets caught,” sneered the other. “An’ if she’s so high an’ mighty, then wot’s she doin’ out ’ere all alone? I think she’s lied to save ’er pretty ’ide, that’s wot I think.”
“Did you not see the clothes she were wearing?” snapped the one he’d designated as being the leader.
A snort erupted from the other. “Wot, them breeches?”
“The quality, man! Use your head. She’s who she says she is, right enough. None but a spoiled rich toff wears clothes like that and talks the way she do. Her father’ll pay to have her back, never you fear. He’ll pay what we ask, or he won’t never see her again.” The man threw another log onto the fire, sending up a shower of sparks. “Where the hell is Geoff? He should have been out by now with that fancy paper. I’ll want to read that note before he runs off with it.”
Julius smiled tightly. They were going to send a ransom note. And when they did, he’d be waiting. That message would never make it to Richmond Manor, and his odds would be much improved by the removal of one of this foul company.
Carefully, he made his way back to Primero and rifled through his saddlebags, looking for anything else that might help. The hard edge of a tinderbox grazed the back of his hand, and an idea came to him.
Once the little pile of brush was ready, Julius went back and stationed himself along the only path up out of the wood to wait for the messenger. As the unfortunate man passed by, Julius stepped from behind the tree and with all his might, struck the thug in the back of the head with a large rock.
