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“You ladies, too,” another man said, approaching the frightened women. “Has someone gone for another carriage?”
“They should be here soon,” one of the women assured him. In the madness, Edwina could not focus her attention. Fergus still struggled in the man’s grasp, trying to get away. Tears sprung in her eyes.
“You have the wrong man!” Edwina called out. “Let him go!”
“Is that the Duke of Hillow?” one man asked. “And his wife?”
“Your Grace, you should get back home now,” another man warned.
“Mr. Barnett?” Edwina asked, recognizing him.
“Oh,” he said, squinting up at her, holding his lantern high. “Miss Haverton?”
“Lady Hillow, now,” Edwina explained, looking frantically at Fergus. “Please, my husband is innocent. He was not going to attack these ladies.”
“They do look frightened, though,” Mr. Barnett pointed out.
“He was just trying to help!”
“Edwina!” Fergus called out. Edwina snapped her head to face him, even as the men started to pull him away. “Get back to the house. Do not worry about me.”
“I can see you home,” Mr. Barnett offered, taking Gloriana’s reins.
“What should we do with his horse?” another man asked. The stallion threw his head back, neighing in protest at the man for touching him.
“Be careful –” Fergus started to protest, but one of the members of the mob punched him in the stomach, causing him to grunt in pain.
“Stop it!” Edwina cried, tears flowing down her face. “Please, stop it!”
“We need to get this man to the constable at once,” someone said.
“Please, Your Grace, let me take you home,” Mr. Barnett said, looking around nervously.
“I cannot leave him,” she cried, desperately trying to figure out what to do. She felt that if she let the men take Fergus away, she could possibly never see him again. Would this raucous mob decide to take justice into their own hands and deny Fergus the right to a trial? Could the constable decide to hang him before the first light?
“No, I cannot leave him,” she reiterated. Mr. Barnett went to the stallion, still neighing and bucking. The men started to lead Fergus off, despite his protests. Further down the road, a carriage approached. Edwina started to follow the mob, but Mr. Barnett managed to mount Fergus’ horse and cut her off.
“Your Grace, I am serious. It is best if you head home.”
“Someone has to make sure he is all right!” Edwina cried.
Mr. Barnett turned to the mob, still shouting as they made their way down the road. “Phillips!”
A single man turned. “Aye?”
“Be the voice of reason, yes?” Mr. Barnett said. “I shall see you at the gaol shortly. Make sure no harm comes to the Duke.”
“Aye!” Phillips cried back then turned back toward the darkness.
Tears flowed freely down Edwina’s face. The two women still clutched each other in fear. The older woman stroked the younger’s hair, saying, “It is all right now, love. We are safe now.”
“Safe?” Edwina laughed through her tears. “You could not be further from safe at this moment – they have captured the wrong man! The Monster of London is still out there!”
The two women looked at her skeptically then at each other a bit fearfully. Their carriage stopped in front of them, so Edwina just shook her head and turned her horse around.
“Hillow house is out in the country, yes?” Mr. Barnett asked, riding alongside her.
“Yes,” she agreed then looked over her shoulder. “I cannot be too far from the gaol. Perhaps I should go to Haverton house instead.”
