To Catch a Husband...

by Sarah Mallory

  It did not take Kitty long to settle on to her new mount and she soon felt very comfortable in the saddle. Ann suggested they should gallop through the park and Kitty found the mare’s speed exhilarating. It was gratifying to be able to keep up with her friends and their compliments upon her ability helped her to relax and enjoy the long ride into Titchwell. The landlord of the Star was looking out for them and his stable lads were waiting to take charge of the horses as soon as they arrived.

  Kitty allowed one of the diminutive stable boys to catch at the reins, holding the mare steady while Mr Hamilton ran over to help her dismount. Ann had already jumped nimbly to the ground and was gazing intently at a paper nailed to the doorpost as Kitty and her escort walked across the yard.

  ‘Now what is that, Miss Ann?’ demanded Mr Hamilton, laughing. ‘What has caught your attention?’

  Ann quickly tore down the paper handed it to Garston, who uttered a laugh.

  ‘A little added entertainment,’ he said, tucking the paper into his pocket as they all followed the landlord into the hostelry. Miss Camber and her brother immediately demanded to know what he meant, but Garston merely shook his head, and when they applied to Ann she would only smile mysteriously.

  ‘Come now, tell us what is on that paper,’ cried Mr Hamilton as they settled themselves around the table in their private dining room.

  ‘Something very dear to Miss Wythenshawe’s heart,’ announced Ann.

  Kitty looked up.

  ‘I am sure I do not know what that might be.’

  Garston pulled out the paper.

  ‘An Abolition meeting,’ he read. ‘At Harper’s Field, Chapeltown, this afternoon. Members of the Anti-Slavery Movement will address the meeting.’ He looked up. ‘These meetings are happening everywhere: I think it is time I attended one. Doesn’t do to be behindhand, you know.’

  ‘Chapeltown is not far from here,’ said Ann. ‘We could go there this afternoon.’

  ‘But we promised Papa we would go directly back to Kirkleigh,’ objected Miss Camber.

  ‘It is only a little deviation from our route,’ said Garston, studying the paper. ‘The meeting is for two o’clock: no doubt it will be over by three and if we do not tarry, we will still be back in plenty of time for dinner.’

  ‘Is Chapeltown part of Lord Harworth’s estate?’ enquired George Camber.

  Ann waved one white hand.

  ‘It is only a couple of miles outside the boundary.’ She pouted. ‘I should have thought that you of all people would want to go, Kitty. You were very keen to support the cause in London.’

  ‘I am still a supporter, but this is not what we planned…’

  ‘We planned to spend the day riding.’ Mr Hamilton grinned. ‘If we were to take a look at the meeting on our way home it can do no harm.’

  ‘Perhaps Mr Clarkson will be there with his box.’ Ann turned to Miss Camber, her eyes wide. ‘You should have seen him, Lizzie, he pulled out thumbscrews and leg-shackles, all designed to subdue the poor slaves. I vow I almost fainted at the sight of such gruesome articles.’

  ‘By Jove, I wish I had been there!’ declared George Camber. ‘By all means let us ride over after lunch and take a look.’

  ‘We need not stay long,’ added Garston, ‘We do not want to be late for dinner.’

  ‘And I should like to see what this Clarkson has to say,’ added Mr Hamilton.

  ‘Let us take a vote upon it!’ cried Ann. ‘Who would like to ride over to Chapeltown when we have finished our meal?’

  Kitty remained silent, but the others were all in favour. She tried to hide her unease. She guessed that a large crowd meeting in the open air might not be quite so well behaved as those gathered in Lombard Street. Something of her thoughts showed in her face, for Ann reached over and gripped her hand.

  ‘Do cheer up, Kitty. You were doubtful about the meeting in London, were you not? And those fears were quite unfounded.’

  ‘It did pass off very well,’ Kitty admitted.

  ‘And so will this one,’ said Ann. ‘Besides, this time we have three gentlemen to look after us.’

  Mr Hamilton reached for the bottle of wine.

  ‘Don’t you worry, Miss Wythenshawe,’ he said comfortably. ‘We will take care of you all. And if we don’t like the look of the meeting, we can always ride away.’

  ‘Good notion, Hamilton.’ Garston nodded. ‘Is that the last of the bottle? Waiter, bring us more wine, and hurry!’

  Because of their proposed detour the little party did not tarry over their lunch and they were soon on their way again, not riding back towards Kirkleigh but taking the road south to Chapeltown. It was a glorious day and the trilling song of a lark accompanied them as they rode between the thick green hedges that marked the lower valleys and provided a contrast with the dry stone walls of the hill farms. As they approached Chapeltown the road became noticeably busier.

  ‘No need to fret about getting lost,’ grinned Mr Hamilton, bringing his horse alongside Kitty’s mare. ‘I have just spoken to one of the men. He is a local, and says everyone is going to Harper’s Field. All we need do is to follow the crowd.’

  Ahead of them Kitty could see the people stepping off the road and into a field, where a number of carts and carriages were already drawn up close to a small copse, taking advantage of the shade. One farm cart had been stationed out in the open, and Kitty guessed it was to act as an improvised stage for the group of serious-looking gentlemen standing close by. She looked around. From her vantage point in the saddle she had a good view of the whole area. There were one or two better-dressed gentlemen sitting in the carriages under the trees, but the large crowd comprised mainly working men. Farm labourers, she guessed, with a few women amongst them and a noisy crowd of very young men in one corner that she thought could well be apprentices.

  ‘You see,’ said Ann, ‘everyone is perfectly amiable.’

  ‘They are also perfectly noisome,’ giggled Lizzie Camber, holding a handkerchief to her nose. ‘Let us move away from the crowd, shall we?’

  ‘Aye,’ agreed her brother. ‘We could tether the horses in the shade. That fellow over there has a flagon of ale. I wonder if he would sell it to me. It’s dashed hot here today.’

  ‘Good idea, George. Let’s get the ladies into the shade and we’ll come back and ask him.’

  They began to walk their horses towards the trees. Kitty noticed that more people were arriving, one or two on horseback but most were walking, including a large group of rough-looking men who strode purposefully into the field. Very quickly the festival atmosphere disappeared. The late-comers were carrying thick sticks that they brandished threateningly. The air was now full of menace and Kitty watched, horrified, as they began to force their way through the crowd, lashing out at anyone who got in their way. Angry roars replaced the laughter and chatter as fighting broke out amongst the men. Kitty looked towards the apprentices. With a loud halloo they charged into the crowd, fists flying. Behind her she heard Garston utter an oath.

  ‘We should get out of here,’ he said sharply. ‘Camber, look to your sister. Ann, Kitty, come along.’

  They turned towards the gate, but Kitty could see that their exit was blocked by even more people pouring into the field. Behind her, shouts and yells filled the air: men were grappling with each other, women screamed and people were running in all directions, trying to avoid the rough-looking men brandishing the cudgels.

  ‘This way!’ shouted George Camber, turning his horse about, but everywhere they looked there were groups of men, fighting. Lizzie Camber began to cry.

  The crowd was spilling out around them. A man cannoned into Ann’s mare, which reared and snorted nervously. Garston pushed his own horse closer and urged Ann to move away. Kitty fought down her nerves, trying not to snatch at the reins as Bianca sidled and fretted beneath her. A scream made her look round. A woman with a baby in her arms was being pursued by a black-jowled man in a leather waistcoat. The woman was turning, using her body to shie
ld the child from the blows he was aiming at her with his short staff. The man was gaining on his victim; another few strides and his huge paw would close on her shoulder and she would be lost.

  Without thinking Kitty kicked Bianca, forcing the horse between the woman and her attacker.

  ‘No! Leave her alone, you fiend!’

  The man pulled up quickly and narrowly avoided crashing into Bianca. He raised his head and glared at Kitty, his face contorted with rage. With a snarl he lifted his stick, whether to attack Kitty or Bianca she did not know, but even as she tried to move the mare out of the way, a huge black horse thundered up, its rider kicking out one booted foot to knock her assailant to the ground.

  ‘Daniel!’ Kitty gazed at her saviour, dizzy with relief.

  He said nothing, merely grabbed at her reins and led her away from the immediate danger. Ann and the others trotted up. Kitty noticed that George Camber was riding very close to his sister, who was sobbing quietly.

  ‘Blackwood, thank heaven—’ began Mr Hamilton, but Daniel cut him short.

  ‘We need to get out of here, immediately.’

  Garston nodded, looking pale.

  ‘I know,’ he said, ‘but the gateway is blocked with carriages and men fighting…’

  ‘We will have to jump the hedge,’ said Daniel shortly. ‘The longer we delay the more chance that we will be attacked. Go on,’ he ordered as George Camber began to protest. ‘We must get the ladies out of here!’ He held Bianca’s rein to prevent her following as the others set off towards the far corner of the field. He turned to Kitty. ‘You will have to jump, too. What practice have you had?’

  She swallowed, her eyes fixed on Ann as she galloped up to the hedge and flew over it, skirts billowing around her.

  ‘A few small jumps with Dapple, nothing at all with this horse…’

  ‘This is Miss Harworth’s mare, is it not? I cannot imagine her keeping a horse that could not clear a barn.’ Daniel let go of the rein and rested his hand briefly over hers. ‘You can do it, Kitty. Follow me, hold on tight and leave everything to the mare.’ Kitty nodded and Daniel squeezed her fingers. His eyes crinkled as he gave her a quick smile. ‘Good girl!’

  Another shout told them the mêlée was closing in on them again. Daniel kicked his horse into a trot and Kitty followed. Soon they were cantering across the grass. They were obliged to swerve to avoid a running man, but Kitty kept her eyes fixed on Daniel riding ahead of her, trying not to think of the hedge looming like a solid green wall in the distance. It was not high; she could see the others gathered on the far side, waiting for them. She forced herself not to pull on the reins and instead tried to push down on to the saddle, tightening her leg firmly around the pommel and struggling to remember everything Selby had taught her.

  Daniel’s horse took the hedge with barely a break in its stride, then it was Kitty’s turn. She felt Bianca check slightly and gave her a little flick with her whip, urging her forwards. Suddenly the mare pushed off from her haunches and they were flying through the air, clearing the hedge easily and landing gracefully on the far side. The jolt as they hit the ground almost unseated Kitty, but she clung on, aware of her friends’ cheers as they applauded her. She realised she had been holding her breath and let out a huge sigh as she straightened in the saddle and pulled on the reins to bring Bianca to a walk.

  Nothing happened.

  Bianca continued to canter across the field with Kitty pulling ineffectually on the reins. She heard Lizzie Camber scream, her brother shouted in alarm, but Bianca’s pace only quickened. They were galloping away from Harper’s Field and Kitty could do nothing to stop the mare’s headlong flight.

  Kitty tried to relax her tense hands on the reins and commanded herself not to panic. She needed to concentrate upon keeping her balance and staying in the saddle. Bianca showed no inclination to swerve or buck but she had the bit between her teeth and was in no mood to slow down. Kitty managed a quick look behind and was relieved to see Daniel pursuing her. She settled into the saddle: his horse was so much bigger and faster, he could not fail to catch her very soon, she knew it.

  By a cruel twist of fate the short turf was giving way to bracken and rough heathland with a narrow track through it, wide enough for a single horse. Kitty’s heart sank a little: Daniel would only be able to follow her. She tried tugging on the reins again, but Bianca’s neck was rigid, her ears flattened and she had no intention of stopping. There was nothing for it but to hang on.

  ‘Very well,’ muttered Kitty. ‘Run if you must, you will tire eventually.’

  On and on they went, the mare negotiating the twists and turns of the path with sure-footed ease. The others would follow her, she was sure, even though she dared not look around: she needed to keep her eyes on the path if she was not to be thrown off balance with any slight change of direction. The shouts and screams of the crowd had long ago disappeared and now the only sound was the thud of hooves and the creak of leather. The wind tugged at her bonnet, the ribbons came loose and she was unable to take a hand from the reins to prevent it being whipped away. As they rode further on to the moors she felt its chill seeping through her riding jacket. The path took a sudden upward turn and the mare’s headlong pace began to slow. Kitty seized her chance. She pulled hard on the reins and felt the mare respond, slowing to a walk just as the track widened.

  Almost immediately Daniel was beside her. He reached over and caught the mare’s bridle, bringing both horses to a stand. Kitty realised she was shaking.

  ‘I c-couldn’t stop her.’

  ‘You did very well not to fall off.’

  She managed a small smile.

  ‘Yes, I think so, too. Where are the others?’

  ‘I sent them home. If none of you arrives in time for dinner there will be panic at Kirkleigh.’

  She nodded, then frowned at him.

  ‘But what were you doing in Harper’s Field?’

  ‘I know several members of the Anti-Slavery Society in this area. I had heard there was to be an open-air meeting at Chapeltown but it was only this morning that I realised how close you would be if you rode to Titchwell.’

  ‘So you came to join us?’

  ‘No! I came to get you away,’ he retorted. ‘These outdoor gatherings often end in rioting. I rode to the Star to tell you that you should avoid Chapeltown on your return journey, but I arrived too late. The landlord told me you had already set out for the meeting.’

  ‘I did not realise.’ Kitty shivered. ‘Everything started so well…’

  ‘Aye, that’s the devil of it. The innocent and the curious find themselves caught up in violence. Those opposed to the movement often pay gangs of men to break up open meetings such as this one. There’s more than one man in this area that would not be above such tricks.’

  ‘Do—do you mean they c-came with the sole purpose of fighting?’ Kitty shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. ‘I thought it was merely the heat, and too much ale…’ She swayed in the saddle and Daniel quickly slipped from his horse.

  ‘Come,’ he said. ‘You should rest a little.’

  She kicked her foot free of the stirrup and slid down into his waiting arms.

  ‘I d-do not think my legs will hold me.’

  ‘They will not need to.’ In one smooth movement he swept her up, just as everything went black.

  When Kitty opened her eyes she could not at first remember what had happened. She was lying on a bed of soft bracken, the smell of peat and hum of insects filling her senses. She moved her head and saw Daniel standing beside the horses. He had removed his jacket and waistcoat and was wiping the sweat from Bianca with handfuls of dried grass, his arm sweeping over the mare’s flanks in a smooth, graceful arc. As if aware of her eyes upon him he turned, and after giving the mare a final pat he threw away the makeshift brush and strode towards her.

  ‘So you are awake.’ He dropped down beside her. ‘How do you feel now?’

  She did not answer immediately and instead looked s
leepily at the way the slight breeze rippled the fine linen of his shirt, outlining the muscled body beneath. She closed her eyes again as the pleasant image was marred by returning memory. She struggled to sit up and immediately his arm was around her shoulders, supporting her.

  ‘Oh, dear,’ she muttered, ‘how…how feeble of me to faint off like that. I must get up…’

  ‘Do not try to stand just yet. There is no hurry.’

  ‘But there is! I must get back to Kirkleigh before dark.’

  ‘Impossible.’ Kitty stopped struggling. He said, ‘It is at least two hours’ ride and the sun is setting. We will ride as far as we can while it is still light, then we must take shelter until the moon rises. You are very pale,’ he added quietly. ‘I wish I had something for you to drink…’

  She dragged up a smile.

  ‘I will be very well again in a moment. You have done more than enough for me already, coming to my rescue.’

  He shrugged. ‘That was nothing; you had already regained control when I reached you.’

  ‘No, not for following after me, although I am very grateful to you for doing so! I meant back at the meeting, when that man was about to attack…’

  She shivered and as his arm tightened around her it seemed quite natural to shrink towards him and rest her head against his chest.

  ‘I would not let anyone harm you.’

  His words and the solid, steady thud of his heart beneath her cheek was very soothing. She closed her eyes, breathing in the familiar, reassuring scent of him, a mix of wool, soap and spices.

  ‘You are a good friend to me, Daniel.’

  He did not reply, merely squeezed her fingers and for several minutes they sat together in silence, staring out across the heath. It was so peaceful that Kitty was almost disappointed when Daniel suddenly jumped to his feet.

  ‘We should move on, if you are able.’

  He put on his waistcoat and shrugged himself into his jacket. His tone was brisk and Kitty felt a stab of guilt. No doubt he had made plans for this evening and they would now be ruined.