Lord Lyndhurst shuddered as she revealed her face. ‘Warts and all, I see. I think I should stay if only to discourage your alter ego, Mr. Penistone.’ He gave his disarming smile and stepped forward. ‘I do not know what I have done to offend you, but perhaps you can forgive me with a kiss.’
Penelope heart sunk to her stomach. She was as much in danger from this man as she ever was and was angry with herself. However, she refused to weaken. She glowered at him. ‘If you do not know what you have done, then there is no hope for you at all. Now please, just go away.’
Lord Lyndhurst grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. ‘I am not likely to do that, after all the effort I have made to find you.’ As she melted into him, he lowered his head and captured her lips with his own. Penelope felt a surge of desire and succumbed, savouring the warmth of his tempting touch. Feeling the heat of his hard muscular body pressed against hers, she was undone and brought her hand up to explore the breadth of his shoulder and the soft silkiness of his shoulder length hair. The kiss however, was short lived as she felt his body go limp. Taking his weight in her arms, she lowered him to the ground and looked up to see Hannah standing there with the butt of the pistol in her hand and panic in her eyes. ‘Goodness, Miss Penny. Please tell me that I have not killed him!’ Penny knelt beside him and felt his pulse. Lord Lyndhurst half opened his eyes and saw the vague outline of ‘Mr. Penistone’ leaning over him and her companion’s cascade of red hair floating above him in ghostly apparition, but it was too much effort and he closed his eyes again. He heard a distant voice. ‘No, Hannah you have not killed him. Thank God, he will be alright, but I think we should get away from here before he comes to.’ Penelope bent over, moved a lock of hair from his forehead and kissed him on his bristled cheek. She whispered softly. ‘I am sorry Xavier, but I cannot risk a broken heart.’ Removing her cloak, she folded it and put it under his head to make him comfortable. He was coming to and they would have to make a quick retreat if they were to escape. Mounting her horse, Penelope took one look back and sighed. She must put distance between herself and the Earl. She could not allow him to reach her heart, although she suspected that it was already too late.
When Penelope and Hannah had left and they had cantered a safe distance, they slowed down to a trot. Hannah looked sideways at her mistress’s stern profile. She had witnessed Penelope’s tender ministrations, and although she had not heard what she had whispered to the semi-conscious Lord Lyndhurst, she was no longer in doubt of her feelings for him and was perplexed. ‘I did do the right thing, didn’t I, Miss Penny? When he kissed you, I was not sure if...’ Penelope interrupted. ‘Lord Lyndhurst would not have physically hurt me, but you did the right thing Hannah. There is no other way we would have escaped him.’
Hannah sighed. ‘A pity, he is a fine looking gentleman, nearly as handsome as my Nat.’
Penelope smiled to herself. Hannah was obviously in love. As far as appearances went, Lord Lyndhurst was the clear winner, but in her opinion, he could never beat Nat for loyalty and trust. She glanced across at Hannah. ‘You are lucky Hannah; Nat is a fine and dependable man. There are few like him.’
‘But Lord Lyndhurst appears quite respectable. Why do you wish to avoid him?’ Hannah asked in bewilderment.
Penelope was not ready to discuss it. The truth was that she had fallen in love herself, but if Lord Lyndhurst had let her down once, he would let her down again. She had only been in his company for less than half an hour, and already she could feel her resolve begin to crumble. The only way to resist the lure of Lord Lyndhurst was to avoid him entirely and that is exactly what she intended to do. She turned to Hannah and spoke gently. ‘Please Hannah, no questions. I do not wish to talk about it. We are late and Rosie will be wondering where we are.’ She dug her knees into Cisco’s girth, he broke into a canter, and Hannah could do no other but follow.
Lord Lyndhurst lay for ten minutes before he completely regained consciousness. He sat up groaning and rubbed the back of his head. What had happened? Oh yes, in his joy at discovering Lady Winterbourne, he had forgotten about the redheaded chit, and she must have hit him on the back of his head. How could he have been so careless? He cursed to himself. He had found Lady Winterbourne only to lose her again, and the meeting had only served to raise a host of further questions. Why had she not revealed her identity, especially in the face of adversity? Why was she so angry and intent on avoiding him? What was she doing parading along the North East Coastline dressed as Mr. Penistone? Did the whole of the community only know her as Mr. Penistone? He decided that the latter could not be possible because her companion had addressed her as Miss Penny, but it was a puzzle. Finally, he had to ask himself, where on earth was she staying?
His last recollections were of Lady Winterbourne, leaning over him and placing something soft behind his head and the redhead hovering in agitation. He was sure that Lady Winterbourne had called her companion, Hannah. Well, that was a clue to be going on with. If he could find a redhead called Hannah, he would find Lady Winterbourne. There could not be many women in the area with a head of hair such as hers. He could not have known that Hannah was a brunette in disguise.
Reaching back for Lady Winterbourne’s cloak, he brought it to his nose. It had the familiar aroma of camomile and lemons. She could not have been adverse to him if she had seen to his comfort. He raised his hand to his cheek. Had she kissed him and whispered something tenderly in his ear or was he just dreaming? He thought not. The whole situation was a nonsensical paradox.
Lord Lyndhurst stood up and walked over to his mare, which was grazing peacefully in the verge. He tucked Penny’s cloak in his saddlebag and mounted. He realised that it would be senseless to give chase. Lady Winterbourne would be long gone by now, but at least he was now certain that she was in the vicinity. But where? She was the only woman he had ever wanted, and he would move heaven and earth to find her. He had checked every Inn within thirty miles with no results. He could not be certain, but he suspected that the landlady at the Swan knew more than she was saying and decided to make a return visit. He would find Lady Winterbourne, if he now had to visit every farmhouse and homestead in the area.
It was now dark and he was still more than three hours away from the Croxdale Estate. He decided to backtrack to the Swan Inn to find a bed for the night. If Lady Winterbourne were staying there, that would set the cat among the pigeons. If not, he would resume his search tomorrow. Nursing a decidedly sore head, he mounted his mare and turned back towards the Swan Inn. He would order a hot meal and a long drink, and then perhaps he would feel a little better.
Chapter 14
Penelope and Hannah arrived back at Rosie’s to find Nat, Andy, Sam and Daniel seated around the table and Rosie pacing up and down the floor. She looked up sharply as they entered. ‘There you are!’ she exclaimed with a relieved sigh. ‘You were expected home an hour ago and I was about to send out a search party for you. I hope you have not had a problem.’
Penelope walked over, gave Rosie a reassuring hug and patted Jorgie, who had jumped up exuberantly to greet them. ‘No problems Rosie. We thought we spotted Captain Blackmore on the bridle path and decided to follow him to see where he was staying, only it turned out not to be the Captain after all.’
Hannah looked curiously at Penelope. Obviously, she was not going to explain the circumstances surrounding Lord Lyndhurst. Hannah decided to hold her peace, especially as they had company, but she would tell Nat later when they had retired to bed. Since Rosie had obtained a truckle bed and now shared a room with Penelope, Nat has long since stopped sleeping in the barn. Hannah decided that Lord Lyndhurst was the least of their problems.
Rosie frowned. ‘And what if it had been Captain Blackmore? That was not really a wise thing to do. You both could have been hurt. We are discussing the question of Captain Blackmore now. Sit down and I will pour you some tea.’
The men made room for the ladies as they sat themselves at Rosie’s large table, sipping a hot b
rew. Andy waited for them to settle before he spoke. ‘This trouble with Captain Blackmore needs to be addressed. As you know, he seems to know a little about our operation and his attacks cannot be a coincidence. We think Jem may be tipping the Captain off about the deliveries, and when Sam checked the Crypt yesterday, he found the contraband seriously depleted. The Crypt and the grave are the only two hiding places that Jem knows about, so that is suspicious in itself. The goods stored there were destined to be delivered to the Crown Posada Public House in Newcastle on Friday and our losses are considerable. We have decided to set a trap to catch them and we would like your help.’
Penelope looked eager, ‘We shall do what we can. What exactly do you have in mind?’
The plan was a simple one. Penelope and Rosie were to set off in the late afternoon of the morrow to make a delivery to the Black Bull in Boldon, similar to the drop that they had made today. Only this time, they would take the cart, which would be loaded with empty barrels under a cover of hessian sacking. Penelope and Rosie were to ride ahead, with Andy, Sam, Ashe and Daniel all following at a safe distance as heavily armed Batsmen. Tomorrow morning, Sam was to casually mention the delivery to Jem so that he would have plenty of time to make his clandestine plans. If Captain Blackmore attempted to intercept them, they would be ready for him, make an arrest and turn him over the authorities, but not before, they extracted a confession as to Jem’s involvement.
With arrangements in place, Penelope and Rosie set off with the cart, the Batmen following at a safe distance. Nat and Hannah were left behind as a precaution to keep an eye on Rosie’s farmstead, for although the contraband was well hidden in the cavity wall, they did not want anyone snooping around where they were not welcome. Nat, frustrated that he could not join them, waved them off, but realised that someone had to stay behind. As a precaution, Penelope wore Hannah’s long red wig so that Captain Blackmore would not recognise her, after all, it would not do to alert him to her presence in the area.
The first half of the journey was uneventful, and they were just beginning to think that they were having a wasted journey, when all hell broke loose. Two men were approaching, galloping fast across an enclosed field. Penelope would not be able to outrun them in the wagon, so she pulled up and reached for her pistol. However, it was hardly necessary for Rosie’s men appeared fast from behind to intercept them. Captain Blackmore, observing his pursuers and realising that he had ridden directly into a trap, pulled up fifty yards from the wagon. He knew he had little chance of success against four armed men. He pulled out a blunderbuss and aimed, hitting Andy in the lower leg and then made a fast retreat as Andy slid slowly off his saddle to the ground. Daniel galloped up to break Andy’s fall and the others followed Captain Blackmore and his companion in hot pursuit.
Penelope and Rosie climbed down off the wagon and ran over to assist Daniel as he bent over to examine Andy’s wound. Penelope knelt down beside him. ‘Is he badly hurt?’ she asked anxiously. Andy’s pallor was as grey as parchment and he groaned as he tried to sit up. Daniel supported him with his arm. ‘He has some shot in him, thankfully it is just his leg, but we need to get him back to Rosie’s and send for the doctor.’ He turned to Rosie. ‘Rosie, fetch his horse and Penelope, help me get him onto the wagon.’
The two of them managed to pull Andy to his feet and assisted him to the wagon where they laid him on some sacking. Penelope climbed up onto the perch and turned the wagon around for home, while Daniel and Rosie followed on horseback. The journey seemed interminably long and twilight was beginning to set in.
*****
Back at the farm, Nat was in the yard grooming Gabriel when he heard Jorgie barking, and then a lone rider approached from down the lane. He turned around to see a tall, dark and well-dressed man enter into the yard and approach him. Nathanial had no doubt as to who he was. His gleaming hessian boots fashioned by Hoby and his superb fitting coat cut by Weston, proclaimed the gentleman. Nat did not know Croxdale personally, but he knew of him by reputation. Croxdale’s countryseat was less than 30 miles away and he had heard that he was held to be a fair man and a good landlord. Nathanial was of the opinion that he would be doing his mistress no favours withholding her whereabouts from him.
When Nat had gone to bed the previous evening, Hannah had described to him the encounter on the bridle path and of her suspicions that Miss Penny might well be in love. Lord Lyndhurst dismounted and held out his hand to Nat. ‘Good Evening, sir. I apologise for the intrusion, but I am looking for a lady who goes by the name of Lady Penelope Winterbourne, and I was wondering if you could help me?’
Nathanial eyed him warily, still debating what to do and procrastinated a little. ‘A farmstead is a strange place to be looking for a Lady, don’t you think?’ he replied austerely. ‘May I inquire who is asking?’
Lord Lyndhurst introduced himself as he suspiciously studied the black stallion, which was so out of place in a humble farmyard. ‘I am a friend, sir. I met the Lady in London and I believe that she is staying with friends somewhere in the area.’
Nathanial made his decision. He had not lived for thirty-five years and not learned how to judge his man. He held out his hand. ‘Nathanial Penistone, Your Lordship. The lady you are seeking is temporarily residing here, and as you have probably surmised, this is her stallion. I am afraid, however, that she is out visiting at the moment.’
Lord Lyndhurst raised his black brows. So, Nathanial Penistone was a real person after all. He smiled and remarked humorously. ‘You are not the first Nathanial Penistone I have met, although the other Nathanial, forgive me for saying so, was much better looking, well maybe without the warts.’
Nat laughed. ‘Yes, I know. I am Lady Winterbourne’s groom and she borrowed my name when she went to London. I cannot say I approved of her methods at the time, but it was hardly my place to stop her. All the same, I have been with her since she was a nipper and I look out for her interests, and I will not stand by and see her hurt. What interest have you in Her Lady-ship if I might ask?’
Lord Lyndhurst found himself in the unique position of having to account to a servant, and if the circumstance were not exceptional, he would have told the man in no uncertain terms that he was out of order. Instead, he kept his tongue and inquired politely, if somewhat reproving. ‘You are her groom, did you say?’
Nathanial noted the undertone of admonishment in his voice, but decided to ignore it. After all, he had no personal obligation to Lord Lyndhurst. ‘Aye, I am at that, though if truth be told, I am no longer sure what I am, what, with circumstances changing as they have, but I continue my duties as best as I can.’
Nathanial recalled the events of last evening and looked at Lord Lyndhurst somewhat apologetically. ‘I think, your Lordship, that I owe you an apology. I believe my wife left you with a foul headache last night.’
Lord Lyndhurst raised his hand to the offending bump on his head and grinned. ‘Ah, the estimable Hannah, I presume. She certainly took me unawares.’
‘By all accounts you deserved it.’ Nat admonished severely. ‘Earl or not, you should not be kissing young ladies on country bridle paths. Hannah could not be sure of your intentions; after all, she does not know you. She thought that you might have demanded more and so acted as she did. I may only be a servant, but at this present moment in time, I am the only person that Lady Winterbourne has and I will do my best, in my limited circumstances, to protect her.’
Lord Lyndhurst nodded approvingly. ‘Very commendable, Mr. Penistone, but I assure you that I have no intention of harming Lady Winterbourne. Quite the opposite in fact, and I can only ask that you trust me.’
Nathanial broke out into a broad grin. ‘Aye, and I believe I do. If you care to come into the house, Your Lordship, Hannah is cooking supper for everyone, but she can make you a brew while we await Lady Winterbourne’s return. I must warn you that only a handful of us know of her identity and she is generally known, in these parts, as Miss Penny, so mind what you say.’
Lord Lyndhurst left his mare in the barn grazing with Gabrielle and Cisco and followed Nathanial to the house. As he entered the warm, inviting kitchen, Hannah gave a start and looked expectantly across to her husband. Lord Lyndhurst was the last person she expected to see and she had not forgotten his steely arms around her waist as he imprisoned her to him, and her struggle to free herself. Alarm was written all over her face. Jorgie growled as he sensed her tension and raised his hackles.
Lord Lyndhurst, expecting to be confronted with a feisty redhead was also momentarily confused, but gave her a reassuring smile as he slowly gained recognition. Hannah relaxed a little as Nat introduced him and she bobbed a curtsy. She reached for Jorgie to reassure him that all was well and the dog backed down. She gave Lord Lyndhurst a nervous smile. ‘Welcome, Your Lordship, can I offer you some refreshment?’
Lord Lyndhurst and Nat made themselves comfortable on the Settles adjacent to the fire to await Lady Winterbourne’s return. Nat felt quite comfortable in the company of the Earl and despite their differing situations in life, conversed easily. The Earl spoke a little of their time together in London and Nat enlightened the Earl on the details of his mistress’s most unfortunate marriage, and how he had helped Miss Penny to escape from Charlotte Square. They sat a full forty-five minutes before they heard the catch on the door and Rosie burst in, in high agitation. ‘Quickly Nat, Andy has been shot, can you help Miss Penny and Daniel to carry him inside. The damn Blackguard got away and Ashe and Sam are on his trail now, but at least we now know that we have a traitor in our midst.’
Nathanial stood up and threw Rosie a warning glance, but it was too late. She did not notice Lord Lyndhurst until he stood up to greet her, and by that time she had already said too much. There was only time for a brief introduction, for by that time, Penelope and Daniel had entered supporting Andy, who stood on one leg and was dragging the other behind him. Despite the long red wig, Lord Lyndhurst recognised Penelope straight away and hurried over to relieve her of Andy’s weight, helping Daniel escort the injured man across to the Settle. Rosie and Penelope had no time to worry about the presence of Lord Lyndhurst and its implications, for Andy’s leg was starting to bleed again. Andy groaned in pain as Rosie cut away the material of his breeches to expose an extensive wound. The shot had not only entered the flesh, but had hit sinew and bone, causing splintering. Rosie looked up and issued instructions to Daniel. ‘Send for the doctor, Daniel. This wound is beyond my ability to deal with.’
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