No, I will eat in the dining room. And bring me paper and ink to write a letter, if you please.
He conducted her to the dining room and offered her a table by the window where she could see everyone who came and went. Given the writing things she asked for, she sat down and scribbled a note to her godmothertelling her she was safe and well and under Captain Staceys protectionwhich she gave to the innkeeper to put on the next mail-coach, before beginning her meal.
She had hardly begun to eat when a rider galloped into the yard and dismounted. He was obviously in a great hurry and very agitated. Molly watched as a crowd gathered round him. From their shocked expressions, she gathered he was bringing news of some importance. He left the crowd outside and came into the dining room, where he announced to all and sundry that the Cromer stage had been waylaid by highwaymen on a quiet stretch of the road a dozen miles to the north.
Was anyone hurt? enquired the innkeeper while Molly reflected that if she had not overslept and if Captain Stacey had not decided to disappear she would have been on that coach. That really would have been an adventure and she was rather cross that she had missed it.
No. But they made everyone get out and they searched the coach very thorough, the man said. They took Sir John Partridges gold and his watch and papers, but they let the ladies keep their jewellery.
Where was the guard? Did he not try to stop them?
The stage carried no guard. Sir Johns man had a pistol but he was so slow fetching it out, he was useless. The high toby took it from him as easy as you please.
Then what happened?
They made everyone return to their seats and told the coachman to drive on. Sir John demanded to know their names, as if they would be foolish enough to give them to him. One of them laughed and said he was called the Dark Knight.
Where were you when all this was happening? demanded mine host.
I came upon the scene quite by chance, but there was nothing I could do. They had pistols and I was unarmed
How many of them?
Two. Very big men, they were, and masked. I hid in the trees until it was safe to proceed.
Which direction did the robbers take?
To the coast, I think.
The landlord sent a boy off to fetch a constable and there was talk of sending for the runners from London, but it was decided that by the time they arrived the highwaymen would be long gone. Doubtless Sir John would report the incident when the coach arrived in Cromer and constables sent from there to help search for the robbers.
In the middle of this discussion, Duncan strolled into the inn and sat down opposite Molly. He was dressed in soft buckskin breeches, a brown coat and a yellow and brown checked waistcoat. His boots and white neckcloth were pristine. She surmised that he could not have ridden very far, for the roads were dusty and there wasnt a speck of it on him.
You have missed all the excitement, she told him. The Cromer coach has been held up. They are even now sending for the watch.
Is that so? He affected little interest. Im devilish hungry. Have you finished with that? He pointed to a tureen of vegetables and a platter containing pork chops.
Yes. Please help yourself. You will be paying for it, after all. I have no money.
Dear me! Not even for the coach fare?
No. I did not think I would need money. I was on horseback.
And what would you have done if I had not returned? he asked, piling a plate with food. I could simply have ridden off and left you. The landlord would not have been pleased when he discovered you could not pay for what you had eaten.
He assured me you had said you would be back. I had no reason to doubt you.
No reason not to doubt me either. You are too trusting, my dear.
But you did come back, so I was right.
Tell me, he said, tucking into the chops. What did you intend when you followed me last night? Not a journey to London, Ill wager, or you would have come better prepared.
No, I saw you leave and was curious as to why you travelled by night, that was all. I wanted to see where you were going. And riding in the dark is something I never tried before and I like doing new things. I did not think of Mama, until we started to talk about her. And then it seemed the very thing to join her in London. She sighed. And you left me asleep, so I missed my adventure.
Adventure?
Yes, being held up by highwaymen. Do you suppose they stole a kiss from the ladies? But I collect the man said they took nothing from the ladies, only from Sir John Partridge.
What man? Duncan tried not to let his real interest show.
The man who saw it all. I think he must be a little nervous and not at all heroic, for he said he hid and only rode on when it was all over.
What else did he say?
There were two of them, heavily armed, and afterwards they rode towards the coast. Everyone seems to think they had a boat waiting for them and are long gone.
Very likely, he said, allowing himself to relax. Now, what are we to do about you?
The landlord says the next Cromer coach is not until tomorrow. We shall have to ride back.
We, Miss Martineau? I cannot spare the time escorting a chit about the countryside; I should have been on my way long ago
Before he could go on, they were interrupted by the arrival of the local constable, who had come to take charge of the investigation into the robbery. He began by questioning the witness whose tale lost nothing in repetition. In fact, it gained a detail or two. The chief of the highwaymen was of a dark countenance, dressed all in black, and he rode a big black horse with a white flash on its nose. His accomplice was older and smaller by six inches and had a scar near his left eye, though it could not all be seen on account of the mask he wore.
Molly had pricked up her ears when shed heard the description of the horse. She had ridden on the back of such a one not five hours since but, she told herself severely, there must be many black horses with white noses and many men with dark looks. She glanced across at the Captain who was placidly eating and told herself she was imagining things. To have arrived back in the inn so soon after the hold-up, he would, like the man who had witnessed it, have had to ride hard, but he was completely unruffled and showed every evidence of a leisurely toilette.
She noticed Duncan lift his head as another man came in. Did she imagine he nodded towards Duncan before passing through the room and out of the door towards the stairs? What was unmistakable was the scar on his face.
Captain, she whispered, reaching across and touching his hand to attract his attention. That man who just went out. He had a scar
So have a great many men, I should think, he said, without even bothering to look up from his meal.
But one of the robbers
Miss Martineau, you must learn to curb your imagination, you know, or you will land yourself in more trouble than a little.
You know him, dont you?
Miss Mar He stopped short when the bulk of the constable loomed over them.
Sir, may I ask what you know of this matter? he asked. I am told you have recently arrived and from a northerly direction.
If by recent you mean five hours or thereabouts, Duncan said laconically, then I suppose you could say I have.
If by recent you mean five hours or thereabouts, Duncan said laconically, then I suppose you could say I have.
Hours, you say? I was told you entered the room but fifteen minutes ago.
So I did. From my bedroom. My man will vouch for me. He is even now packing for our departure.
It is quite true, Molly said, turning her ingenuous smile upon the constable. I, too, can vouch for the Captains whereabouts, though I own he did leave me for twenty minutes or so. He had to arrange transport for us.
Twenty minutes? No more?
Oh, no more, I do assure you.
And who are you, miss, if I might ask?
Why, I am Captain Staceys wife, she said, favouring the man with a dazzling smile and ignoring the sound of Duncan choking on his food. Who else would I be?
The constable inclined his head towards Molly. I beg your pardon, maam, but I must leave no stone unturned.
And while you waste time turning over stones the thieves will have gone to ground. Duncan, who had quickly regained his scattered wits, decided he could not embarrass her by contradicting her, but it put him in a devil of a coil. He could hardly put her on a coach to Cromer and ride off in the opposite direction if they were supposed to be husband and wife travelling together. Get out to the scene of the crime, he said in his most commanding voice. Surely that is where you should begin?
The man bowed again and left them and Duncan called the waiter to bring a pudding; he was still hungry, he said.
Dont you think we should go? Molly asked. If the constable sees your horseor the man with the scar
I see you have added two and two and made five, he said, making inroads into the plum duff which had just been set before him. Have some of this; it is delicious.
No, thank you. I am no longer hungry. And I dont know how you can sit there and eat so calmly when you know
He smiled at her. Her blue eyes were looking troubled; surely she was not worried on his account? He felt an unaccountable frisson of pleasure at the thought. What do I know?
More than you are saying. If you were not on the road this morning, you know very well who was.
But you gave me an alibi. Surely you do not condone highway robbery?
I know nothing of it. If you were to tell me
There is nothing to tell. And I wish you would not refine upon it. What I do is none of your business.
I think it is, she said promptly. If you had not panicked my horse, I would not have been thrown and you would not have had to bring me here. That was your fault. And now, because there is no coach going to Cromer until tomorrow, we must stay here like sitting ducks. Besides, you have already said your manand I doubt not he is the robber with the scaris packing to leave and I have confirmed you have been out to arrange transport, so leave we must.
Of course we must; you made sure of that, he said. We shall have to find another way of returning you to Stacey Manor. He stood up unhurriedly and beckoned the landlord for the reckoning. Wait for me in the yard. I will be out directly.
She went outside and, while waiting for him, wandered round to the stables. There was no sign of his horse, nor Jenny either; they had been spirited away. By the man with the scar? She turned as Duncan joined her. Where are the horses?
I did not like the stabling here; I have had them moved elsewhere where the fodder is better and the accommodation more to their liking.
There was definitely something have-cavey going on and she was more intrigued than ever. Then how do we go on?
I have hired a curricle. He stood looking down at her; she was completely unafraid, but that was because she had never in her life come across anything to be afraid of. He hoped she never would, but she was more astute than he had given her credit for and now he must protect her. He had commanded men in battle, been responsible for their lives, but never before had he had such an obligation as this and it was making him uncomfortable.
His experience with women was with women of the world, who asked nothing for their favours but money or costly presents. There were female relatives, of course, and Beth, whom he had expected to marry. But Beth would never put herself into the position that Molly had done; Beth was too aware of what Society expected from her and what it was and was not permissible for a lady to do. Chasing after a man in the middle of the night would not have occurred to her.
Where are we going? she asked, as he escorted her back to the front of the inn, where a spanking curricle and a small brown horse were ready and waiting for them.
Norwich.
South! Why, that is halfway to London!
Not quite, he said laconically, helping her onto the vehicle and climbing up beside her. But you have made it necessary for us to leave together and going north is not sensible, so Norwich it will have to be. Besides, the place is big enough for shopping and you need a change of clothes. He turned to look at her as he spoke.
Her riding habit was of some dull silk material and the matching skirt was quite plain, not distinctive, except that it was unusual for a young lady to wear such a garment for riding in a carriage and the skirt was too long and cumbersome for her to walk comfortably in town. It would be noted and if, in her innocence, she let slip whatever it was she thought she knew, suspicions would be aroused. Once she was suitably attired, he could put her on the coach to Cromer, under the chaperonage of another lady passenger.
We are going shopping! Oh, Captain, how very thoughtful you are! But I have no money.
So you have said before. My pocket is at your disposal. He flicked the reins and they turned out of the yard at a smart trot.
And is it a very deep pocket?
Not at all. We must be frugal.
But I heard Sir John had a great deal of gold
You think I robbed that coach for gain? The annoyance was plain on his face as he turned to answer her. Rakeshame I may be, but I do not stoop so low as to profit from anothers loss, unless it be at the card table.
He had not exactly denied his involvement, she noted, only that he had not gained by it; she was more curious than ever and determined not to be sent back to Stacey Manor until she discovered the truth. There are gentlemen highwaymen. I have heard of many instances where
And I collect you are a great reader. Romantic fiction, Ill wager. The real world is not like that.
No, perhaps it is not. But fiction hurts no one, does it? And if it provides a little light relief and entertainment, wheres the harm? I have my feet firmly on the ground.
He laughed suddenly. And your head in the clouds.
She was silent for a moment, but only a moment. What shall I be allowed to buy?
Whatever you need for a coach ride and an overnight stay. By the time we arrive, it will be too late to go on. He knew perfectly well he was endangering her reputation, had in fact already compromised it, but it was her own fault; he had not asked her to provide him with an alibi. That was not to say he need not put his mind to finding ways and means of preserving her good name and he thought he might have the answer.
Mama said she would buy me a wardrobe when I went to London, she said rather wistfully. You know you need a great many clothes for a Season. You should have seen what Mama bought. Trunks full. She showed them to me. Gowns for mornings, afternoons and evenings, for riding in carriages and walking and habits for riding, and hats and bonnets and ballgowns. She said it was absolutely essential to be well kitted out.