“Well you should! They are the ones who are on the top tier of society in this town, whether we like it or not. They travel around, and won’t they use this as a story to regale their friends with far and wide! You have just become notorious, and I can only pity the backlash you will feel as a result. The top families are all connected, the family you will go to will no doubt know someone who knows someone, and the story will reach them. Milly you have been a fool.”
What shocked Milly about her mother’s words was not their content, although that was bad enough; it was the fact that her mother had not shouted and screamed as Milly had expected. The words had been said with authority, but almost as if she pitied her daughter. It made the message hit its mark far more accurately than if the words had been said in anger.
“I thought I was acting in the best way for us both,” Milly said quietly.
“He will be unaffected by this. Why should anyone fault him when he did the decent thing and offered for a woman he’d been seen kissing? In fact, he’ll be applauded for his behaviour. It is you who will be at fault, not him. It is you who is at fault.”
“I think I need to be outside,” Milly responded, pushing her chair away from the table. “Please excuse me, Mother; I feel a little out of sorts; I need some fresh air.”
Mrs Holland did not try to stop her daughter. Milly returned to her bedchamber to retrieve her pelisse and bonnet. She caught her reflection in her looking glass and was shocked at the pale ghost that looked back at her. For the first time she doubted her reasoning. What had she done?
*
Walking through the area known as The Bourne offered no relief for Milly. Thoughts jumbled into each other as one problem after another refused to be solved no matter how much she went over and over it in her mind.
Hours went by; Milly was exhausted, hungry and thirsty. She had to return home for some refreshments at least. As she walked towards the town and Castle Street, she wondered if Henry had already left for London. She did not suppose he would delay his return; after all she had been clear in her refusals.
Walking down a secluded path which opened onto a road that would lead her directly to the centre of town, she passed a young man who lifted his hat slightly as he passed her.
Milly nodded her response and thought no more of the boy, until she was grabbed from behind. A hand was placed firmly on her mouth and hot breath brushed her ear, whilst at the same time, she felt the sharp end of a blade in her ribs.
“Now Missy,” came the rough voice. “One scream or noise and this blade gets more aquatinted with your ribs. Do I make myself clear?”
Milly nodded, and the hand was removed from her mouth. She felt a little sick, the hand had not been clean, and she could taste bitterness on her lips. The sharp edge at her side never let up in pressure.
“If you walk with me nice and easy like, your mama will be all fine and dandy, but if I don’t pass by your abode in the next fifteen minutes in that coach over there, she’ll be receiving a visit that’ll be her last. Do you understand?”
Milly felt the blood drain from her face. “What are you going to do?”
“If you play nice, we pick up my friend who is waiting near your house, and we go on our merry way. If I don’t get there, well, let’s just say, you and those little brothers of yours will all be orphans today, and that’s not a nice thought is it?”
“Are my brothers safe?” Milly cried, panic rising in her chest.
“They will be if you’re no trouble.”
“I’ll do anything you say; please don’t hurt my family.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” came the smiling response.
The young man led Milly to the waiting coach; its driver was already seated, controlling the two horses. Milly never made a murmur as she entered the carriage even though her hands and legs were shaking so much that her kidnapper had to help her into the body of the carriage. He nodded to the driver and climbed in beside Milly.
Locking the door, the man smiled. “I don’t want any funny business while we’re travelling.”
“I’ve given you my word,” Milly responded, her voice was slightly shaky, but she appeared calm. “As long as you promise that my family is safe, you have my co-operation.”
“Knew you’d be a good ‘un,” he said with approval. “We’re going to be spending some time together over these next few days, so you’d best be calling me Billy; everyone else does.”
“Where are we going?” Milly was astute enough to realise this had something to do with Joshua Shambles, but she was not going to ask too many questions at once.
“It doesn’t matter; just be a good ‘un and all will be well. Settle yourself down, Missy, we’re going to be travelling a long while.”
*
Henry sat in the bar in the Hogs Back Inn. He had already delayed leaving for a day, spending most of the previous day in a drunken stupor in his room. He had been angry leaving Castle Street, but it had soon turned to self-pity. He was not able to acknowledge the depth of his feelings for Milly, never having experienced anything like them previously; but he was terribly out of sorts.
He had managed to sleep off the previous day’s excesses, moving to the public bar area with the intention of starting on his journey to London. If he wanted to visit Castle Street once more before he left Surrey he was not yet ready to admit it, so he stayed in a state of limbo drinking brandy, which was probably smuggled he thought ironically to himself.
Sarah and Peter walked into the inn, noticing Henry immediately. Sarah was surprised to see the usually impeccable Lord, looking somewhat disarrayed. His clothing was creased, his face unshaven, his hair unstyled. It was a state she hoped was a good sign about his feelings for Milly.
Peter took the lead, speaking to the innkeeper before approaching Henry. When he had secured a private parlour, he walked over to where Henry was seated. “My Lord, would you be good enough to spare me a moment of your time?”
“Hastings? What can you want from me?”
“I’d rather we speak in private, My Lord.”
“I’m comfortable here,” Henry said belligerently. He had noticed Sarah and wondered if Milly had sent her friend. If she had, he was not about to make it easy for the chit.
“Please, My Lord,” Peter said quietly.
“Oh, for goodness sake!” Sarah said exasperated. Now was not the time for pandering to men who should know better. “Move into the parlour now, My Lord! Time for nonsense is passed; my friend is missing!”
Henry became suddenly more sober but then slumped. “Look at the ships leaving for Ireland. She seemed determined to do as she’d planned.”
Sarah leaned closer to Henry. “Unless you want me to have a bout of hysterics right here and now, I suggest you follow me without further delay into the private room, My Lord. Stop acting the self-pitying wastrel!”
Henry stared at the woman in disbelief at her tone and words. He looked at Peter who had almost choked at Sarah’s words and shrugged apologetically at Henry. “There must be something in the bloody water here that makes all the women turn into fishwives,” Henry muttered, but he moved off the stool that had been his support for a number of hours and followed Sarah into the private parlour.
The parlour was clean, if a little bare: just a table, chairs and bench near the window with a side table near the lit fireplace. It was an area for a fixed purpose: providing privacy for food and drink rather than fighting through crowds in the main room then moving the occupants on to make the maximum use of the room.
Sarah did not sit but stood in front of the brick fireplace. “I’m presuming you haven’t seen Milly in these last two days?” There was no point in trying to pretend the visit was to exchange niceties; it was not.
“I‘ve had quite my fill of Miss Holland after visiting her at her home the day before yesterday. I’m the last person she would want to see,” Henry responded, his tone cool and aloof.
“I’m not arguing about that fact at the moment
, but you are completely wrong. More importantly, Milly is missing.”
Henry took a while to process the words, but turning to Sarah, it was clear which words his alcohol befuddled mind had focused on. “Why am I wrong? Did I not hear her repeated refusal? I think you don’t know your friend too well if she hasn’t told you what happened between us. She preferred the suit of that idiot Connor to mine!”
“Oh, for goodness sake!” Sarah groaned. “You foolish man! She is completely in love with you! Connor was a young infatuation; she would never have been happy with him. She didn’t realise the truth of that until she met you though! You are the one she adores!”
“And yet she refused me? I’m not convinced of your argument, Mrs Hastings. It is completely flawed,” came the derisive reply.
“Because she thought that your feelings were unmoved. She couldn’t risk being hurt when you took a mistress or whatever the aristocracy does to each other when they marry! Thank goodness I married a sensible man who hasn’t addled his brain through drink!” Sarah responded with feeling.
Henry looked dumbfounded. “Really? She thought I didn’t care?”
“Really! Now can we get back to the real reason for our visit?” Sarah continued. “Milly is missing. She isn’t due to meet with her new employer for nearly a sennight and none of her belongings have gone. Just her.”
Finally, the words sank into his consciousness, and Henry sobered in an instant. “Where was she last seen and when?”
“She was seen walking near The Bourne, an area a little way out of town but not far enough that she hasn’t been there a thousand times before. She never returned home. At first Mrs Holland thought she was spending the day with me, so she only sent a message to our house late last night. We’ve been trying to trace her movements all morning. We can’t understand why she would have gone missing and can only presume that she has been taken ill somewhere.”
“Good God! He’s got her from right under my nose!” Henry said, banging his hands on the table in frustration.
“Who has?”
“It’s a long story. I need to return to London.”
Peter stepped in before Henry had a chance to leave the room. “We need more of an explanation. I can’t return to Mrs Holland with such little information. She is understandably worried.”
“Blast it!” Henry cursed. He quickly told them of the events that had taken place at Dorset and his subsequent request of Milly and the consequences of that.
“So you think this Shambles has taken her?” Sarah asked; all earlier bravado disappeared when facing the reality of her friend being in danger. “Milly did mention about the drawing, but I admit I didn’t take it seriously. I thought you were over reacting. Would he travel here to reach her?”
“Definitely,” Henry responded grimly.
“You put her in danger. You put her family in danger. How can she possibly have feelings for you after doing that? I don’t understand,” Sarah said in confusion.
“I wasn’t convinced she had; it was you who told me her feelings weren’t untouched as I’d presumed from her behaviour,” Henry pointed out not unreasonably.
“How can you do a job that puts others so much at risk?”
Henry was reminded of another time before he had accepted his current occupation when life had seemed far simpler. He shook himself; now was not for dwelling on what had already passed. “It protects the rest of the country. There is a real threat from France. I couldn’t stand by and see Napoleon invade.”
“But it’s put Milly in danger.”
“I need to return to London. He’ll be taking her there.”
“She will never be found in London!” Sarah gasped.
“If I have to tear every brick from every building, I’ll find her,” Henry said fiercely. If he had felt fear at Milly being hurt previously, it was nothing compared to the feelings of terror he was desperately trying to dampen down in order that he could think straight. “Please excuse me; I need to send off some correspondence before I start my journey. A search for her can be started before I return to London.”
Sarah reached out and touched Henry’s arm. “You will find her?”
“I promise.”
Chapter 13
Milly was exhausted. They had travelled with hardly a break. She had been allowed to leave the carriage only once when she had been forced to explain that, if she was not allowed to leave, there would be unpleasant consequences for anyone travelling inside. It had been one of the most embarrassing experiences of her life but, unfortunately, necessary.
Having a young man standing outside a room while she freshened up had been a necessary evil. There had been no opportunity to try to make an escape; the room had been checked before she had been allowed access, and the window was small enough that even she could not have hoped to squeeze through.
Milly had considered for a moment trying to escape, a natural instinct to flee, but it was not a possibility in reality. Billy had informed her of the address of the school her brothers were attending; at that moment Milly had assured them once more of her co-operation, and she had not changed her mind. She could not risk this unfortunate event impacting any other member of her family.
She had agreed to draw the picture of Joshua Shambles mainly out of vanity, and it just served herself right that she had not considered the consequences of becoming involved with something that was so obviously dangerous. It was ironic that not so very long ago she had berated Henry for putting people at risk, yet she had put her whole family at risk. She was thankful that her cousins were still on their wedding trip and could not be drawn into this mess.
A lesser person would have blamed Henry for her current position but, although Milly acknowledged he had involved her, she had been a willing participant. To be fair to Henry, he had remained near her in Farnham when he had heard Joshua had found out who was behind the drawings. He had promised her protection and, in fairness, he had given it, even to the point of the silly marriage proposal.
Milly grimaced as the coach continued to trundle along even though it was dark; they were obviously not afraid of being approached by highwaymen as most other travellers were. Normally travel at night would be avoided for fear of being attacked on the road; this was clearly not a consideration on this journey. She was sure they were returning to London, but what would happen when they reached the capital, she could only guess at.
In moments of despair, she wondered if Joshua would kill her for what she had done. It was clear he had gone to a lot of trouble to ensure her capture. There was another thought that had sprung into her mind as the day had progressed, but that thought did not bear thinking of. She prayed that Henry would not be put in danger because of trying to find her.
It was late when Milly was roused from a fitful sleep by the halting of the carriage. It took a moment or two before she realised it was not a normal horse-changing stop, but that they’d entered a dock area. Milly was surprised at the level of noise surrounding them even though the hour was late; it was clear that the docks did not sleep as the more elegant streets did.
She was instructed to put on a long cloak and put the hood over her head. Doing as she was bid, stepping out the carriage, she turned to Billy who was, as always, watching her closely.
“What happens now?”
“That’s not up to me Missy; my job was to get you here. I’m paid and then off on my way,” Billy responded, his hand leading Milly by her elbow into a large warehouse. They walked through a building full of barrels and boxes of all shapes and sizes. Milly wondered if there could be so much illegal goods without any authority figure noticing; there was such a large amount, but the law must be looking the other way as she did not think anything to do with Joshua Shambles would be legitimate.
A section of the warehouse had been partitioned off from the large open space, and Billy rapped on the door. It was opened slightly while the visitors were checked. A second later, the door was opened fully, allowing the pair access into the ro
om.
Milly was faced with two men, one of whom was Joshua Shambles. She stopped the sharp intake of breath before it was heard when she saw the ugly scar on his cheek. It had not healed well and was an horrific sight to anyone but especially to a genteel young woman. She knew without question who had inflicted the scar, and the feeling of dread increased ten-fold in her chest. Joshua was not going to be inclined to be lenient with his treatment of her when he had such a disfigurement caused by her own cousin.
“Had a good look?” Joshua sneered. “This’ll be nothing by the time I’m finished with you.”
“Have you my money?” Billy asked, obviously not keen to hang around now he had delivered his part of the deal.
Joshua threw him a bag that jangled with coins. Billy caught the cloth bag and weighed it in his hand. “Nice doing business with you.”
“Any word of you talking about this, and I’ll cut your tongue out,” Joshua snarled at Billy.
Milly almost laughed when Billy turned and doffed his cap at her in deference before leaving the room. He had been pointing a knife at her for most of the journey; it was ironic to now be so subservient.
Milly turned back to face Joshua when the door closed behind Billy. She was terrified but needed to know answers to some questions. “I don’t need to ask why I’m here, but what do you intend to do to me now?” she asked. Her voice was slightly shaky, but it was something she could not have stopped; she was no gothic heroine.
“Oh, so you admit your part in trying to see me hanged?”
“You nearly got my cousins killed; you tried to get yourself hanged.”
Joshua moved quicker than Milly thought possible, the back of his hand across her face sent her reeling to the floor. She gasped in pain, unable to stop the tears but managing to contain her sobs.
“I expect respect while you’re under my roof!” Joshua snapped.
“Josh, damaged goods won’t get you the result you want.” It was the first time the other man had spoken, and his voice was quiet.
“I’m sick of the likes of her talking down to me! I had enough while I stayed with her fop of a cousin!” Joshua snapped.
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