“In order to stay out of my uncle’s clutches she sought the help of an old friend, and faked her own death. Unfortunately we were told she had died as well and even visited her grave.” Peter added, when it became clear Dominic wasn’t going to continue with the story.
Eliza stared at Peter in horror. “You were told she was dead?”
“I found her near to my home several days later very much alive but seriously ill.” Dominic added hastily. “She was half starved and nearly dead from cold and hunger. It was touch and go for a while. By the time winter had turned into spring, Isobel was largely back in good health and because we were busy dealing with her mad uncle, we had completely forgotten about Scraggan. We had assumed he had disappeared back into the undergrowth and moved up or down the coast to join one of the smaller gangs, or gone back to whatever day job he had been doing. We didn’t put any importance on him, but it was definitely Scraggan.”
“Small, thin wiry man with a pox marked complexion?” Eliza shuddered at the mental image of the sly grin the toad habitually wore swam before her.
“That’s the one. He isn’t Cornish, I think he is from Newcastle or somewhere like that. He has a son.”
“Rogan.” Eliza’s voice was rich with contempt.
“That’s the one.” Dominic added before looking at her. “So you see, we are directly involved because if we had stayed in Norfolk and searched a bit harder, we could have put an end to Scraggan and stopped any of this happening.”
“But if you hadn’t gone back to Oxfordshire, by the sounds of it Isobel wouldn’t have been alive.” Eliza argued, suddenly wanting to meet Isobel and hear her story.
“It’s a case of damned if we did and damned if we didn’t.” Peter remarked. “Now we have the chance to put things right and finish the job we started over eighteen months ago.”
“Edward wasn’t involved in capturing smugglers. He had only just returned from France. Although he won’t discuss it, I gather from my contacts that the fighting out there was brutal. Edward was injured and returned to England where he withdrew for several weeks. I don’t know how he was injured or where, but he returned to Leicestershire a changed man from the boy we all grew up with.” Dominic sighed and looked down at his toes for several minutes before raising wise eyes to meet hers.
“He was always scrapping, even as a boy he would wrestle both Sebastian and I down to the ground, fists flying. It drove our nannies mad. But when he got back from France he was significantly different; very unhappy and far more cynical. There is less of the fun-loving side to him now, and more of a seasoned warrior.” Dominic added after several moments of thoughtful silence.
“Unfortunately, he returned to Leicestershire when Dominic summoned everyone to help locate my uncle and his associate.” Peter added, recounting the final showdown with his uncle that almost resulted in Isobel’s demise. “While Edward was outside, he was dragged into a skirmish and well, in short, uncle’s friend killed himself. Edward also witnessed the trauma Dominic experienced seeing Isobel injured. Then there’s Sebastian.”
“There’s more?” Eliza stared at Dominic in disbelief. She thought her year had been traumatic. “Heavens above!” She murmured softly as Dominic nodded slowly.
Briefly Dominic recounted Sebastian’s story, watching the mixture of horror and shock on Eliza’s face with amusement.
“So you see, neither Sebastian nor I had a particularly easy time on our way to the altar. Edward saw the fear and concern in both of us and, well, given what he may have witnessed abroad, he is naturally wary. He is determined he wants a quiet life and believes that being married will bring him nothing but trouble.”
“You can’t blame him really.” Eliza muttered, thinking of her own current problems. “A quiet life in the country sounds perfect to me.”
“Amen.” Peter replied. “I don’t know about you two but I have had enough of riding to last me a lifetime.”
Both Dominic and Eliza nodded in emphatic agreement.
“Edward’s aversion to marriage cannot purely be because of you and Sebastian.” Eliza added after several miles of silence.
“It isn’t. Both Sebastian and I are very happily married. I don’t know where Edward’s aversion to marriage has come from. Whether he has injuries he thinks might be an aversion to a wife, or whether he has seen what happened to Sebastian and me and doesn’t want to go through the same, I cannot be certain. As I have said, he won’t talk about what happened to him in France.”
“There is one thing for certain.” Peter broke the thoughtful silence that had fallen over them. “He will be back.”
“I don’t know why.” Eliza argued, “He couldn’t wait to get away, and there is really no reason for him to be here. He has fulfilled any obligation he had to you.”
Peter merely smiled in reply.
“I know something else.” Dominic added, his voice turning hard. “Unless I am much mistaken, Scraggan’s men are right behind us.”
The fast galloping of the horses gave no further opportunity for conversation. Despite their speed, Eliza was thoughtful as they raced towards Padstow.
It should have been easy to accept Eliza’s thanks and ride away satisfied that he had done everything he could for her, and achieved what he had set out to do. She was now safely in Peter’s hands, and was on her way to meet up with the small army that had been tasked with ensuring her safe keeping. She was fine. He could now get on with his own life.
It should have been simple.
By the time Sebastian and Edward pulled to a stop in front of Havistock Hall two days later Sebastian was reduced to keeping a watchful, if amused distance as Edward battled with his inner demons.
Tired and dusty, they dismounted and handed the reins over to the waiting grooms before making their way into the house. Edward ordered a fresh horse before following Sebastian through the heavy oak door into the large cavernous hallway of Dominic’s house.
He closed the door behind him and turned in time to witness the look of sheer joy suffuse Sebastian’s face as he swept his wife into his arms for a loving hug, oblivious to the spectators who had appeared in the hallway to greet the new arrivals. Spying the Earl of Eastleigh standing in the doorway of the Library with a bemused smile on his face, Edward moved over to say hello before turning to Isobel.
“Where is Dominic?” Izzy asked, trying to peer around Edward’s bulk to scan the hallway.
Edward turned and shared a glance with Sebastian. The last thing he wanted to do was spend several hours recounting events to satisfy the curiosity of the ladies.
“Sebastian will update you on events to date. There is going to be a slight delay in Peter and Dominic returning. Meantime-,” he bowed stiffly in a rare display of formality that was unfamiliar in the laid-back family home. Oblivious to the growing concern of the women, he stalked towards the door, a dark glower on his face. “I will take my leave. If anyone should need me I’ll me at my estate.”
He was tired. For some reason he couldn’t sleep, despite the exhaustion that gnawed at him. It would be good to get home and think of something – anything – other than the troublesome female who seemed to have taken up haunting his dreams.
With a scowl, Edward nudged his horse into a gallop, relishing the biting winds on his face as he swept towards home. If only it was so easy to race away from his demons.
“What’s wrong with him?” Amelia asked her husband, staring at the door Edward had so abruptly disappeared through.
“He’s in love.” Sebastian replied knowingly, ignoring his wife’s gasp as he dragged her into the Library to join Isobel and Eastleigh. Within moments they were seated before the fireplace while Sebastian brought them up to date.
Later that night Edward stood with one broad, naked shoulder propped against the open shutter as he stared out into the darkness beyond the window.
The skies were clear, revealing a myriad of twinkling stars and a large, brilliant white moon that was so clear, Edward felt he coul
d step out of the window and onto it.
The staff who had worked for his uncle had all returned, enthusing about the wonderful new house and master. They had pulled out all the stops to ensure his comfort. He had been treated to the most sumptuous feast; a royal court would have been spoilt. The brandy filling the cellars was the finest he had ever imbibed; the food delicious and plentiful.
But there was a sense of dissatisfaction about the whole thing. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong.
Inevitably his thoughts turned to Eliza and he wondered if she was eating properly. She never seemed to eat enough, always picking at her food and tearing it into little pieces while lost in thought. By his calculation they should be about two days away from Padstow by now.
He wondered how Eliza was feeling about returning to her family home for the first time in a year. Was she scared that Jemima had been there and not left a note? Or was she worried that Scraggan would capture her? Had they faced any more skirmishes?
Edward returned to the bed and lay down, staring blankly at the canopy high above. He had spent most of the last few years fighting. First in France; then chasing around after Isobel; then chasing around after Amelia.
Now it seemed, he was destined to be chasing around after Eliza. If he left at first light in the morning and rode hard, he could catch up with them before they made the journey into Padstow. It would mean two long days of hard riding, but he could do it.
“Wait a minute?” Edward growled into the darkness. “I’m not going after Eliza.” He sighed and turned over, tugging the soft sheet over his shoulder.
But sleep was still elusive and he sighed again after a few moments of staring into the darkness, valiantly trying to ignore the deep ache in the region of his heart.
“I’m not.” He muttered several hours later as he watched the sunlight peep over the horizon.
He jolted awake a short time later by the sudden thump of a heavy object on the bed beside him.
“What the-?” He scowled darkly at Sebastian who stood glaring at him.
“Get up. We’ve got work to do.” Sebastian snapped, in no mood to argue with his recalcitrant brother.
Edward felt the blood freeze in his veins as he took in Sebastian’s stark expression.
“Eliza? What is it? What’s happened?” He demanded, throwing the covers back and dragging his clothes on haphazardly. Fear locked in his throat. He was about to pin Sebastian to the wall and beat the news out of him when his brother turned towards him with a hard glare.
“We’ve found Jemima.” Sebastian replied harshly, motioning towards the saddle bag. “Bring that. We’re going to Padstow. Now.”
He didn’t give Edward time to ask more questions and stalked from the room, slamming the door behind him. He had barely settled in the saddle before Edward was tearing out of the door and mounting beside him.
“Where is she? What do you know?” He asked, wheeling around and settling into a steady canter alongside.
“She’s in Derby Gaol.” Sebastian’s voice was stark as he flicked Edward a dark look that warned him he wouldn’t like the latest turn of events.
“In Derby Gaol?”
“Yes in Derby Gaol.” Sebastian sighed. “There was a note left for us while we were away. Someone Peter had working for him in Derby had seen her being transported to the Gaol with some other men. They did some asking around and apparently she was with a gang that was picked up attempting to rob a coach on the main road just outside of Derby.”
“A highway gang? Do they commit highway robbery still?” Edward frowned, wondering if they could really trust the source of information.
“They were all arrested for murder, highway robbery and four counts of theft. They had been taken to the court for sentencing. Our man saw Jemima on her way back to the jail and recognised her from Peter’s description.”
“Are we sure it’s Jemima?” Edward shook his head, his thoughts turning to Eliza’s reaction to the latest piece of news.
“The man had seen her before apparently. She used to work at the Trumpet and Spoon.”
Edward cursed roundly before turning stony eyes towards a watchful Sebastian who clearly hadn’t imparted the gravest news.
“Go on.”
“They have been sentenced to hang.”
Edward drew to a stop and stared in horror at his brother. “All of them?” His heart sank as Sebastian nodded briskly as he stared at the road ahead.
Not only Peter, but Eliza would be totally devastated. Edward stared in abject horror at his brother.
“When?”
“Soon.”
Edward heaved a sigh of relief before grim determination firmed his jaw. At least they hadn’t already been put to death. They had time and while they did, there was hope.
“Then we had better hurry.” Edward muttered, nudging his horse into a fast canter. As they raced towards Padstow, Edward cursed himself for being several kinds of fool. He had wasted precious time making the unnecessary trip to Leicestershire when he could have been escorting Eliza to Padstow and getting her back to Leicestershire where she was safe and Peter could step in.
One thing was certain. Whether he liked it or not, he was involved in this up to his neck. Even if he did manage to walk away from Eliza and cut her out of his life completely – which he now considered was nearly impossible – then he couldn’t cut Peter out and he would be beside himself if Jemima was hung.
Chapter Nine
Eliza was scared. They sat around the table in the private parlour of the small tavern only a few miles from Padstow and quietly made their plans for the following day. It was agreed that because most smuggling operations were carried out overnight, by dawn most of the men were still abed. It was best for Eliza to go to the house she called home just before dawn when most of the smugglers were asleep, but before the fishermen began preparing the boats ready to leave the harbour.
Once they had the things Eliza needed, they would check the area for any sign of Jemima and head straight back to Leicestershire. They would ride hard throughout the day, only stopping to change horses, sticking to the busier towns and coaching inns and taking sanctuary in people. They would do this for the four days it should take them to get home. Assuming they didn’t come across anything that slowed them down, like Scraggan or his son Rogan.
It all seemed to Eliza so cut and dried; so simple as the men outlined what they were going to do, she wondered if it was indeed too simple.
“Are you alright Eliza?” Dominic’s quiet voice stole into her thoughts and she stared at him blankly for several moments before realising he was waiting for a reply.
She offered him a weak smile as she contemplated the days ahead.
“I want you both to promise me something.” She said after several moments.
Outside of the room they could hear the faint hum of the busy tap room as it had begun to fill up with the evening’s patrons. The tense silence within the small parlour was in stark contrast to the joviality outside.
“If Scraggan does come after me tomorrow, don’t put yourselves in danger to protect me.” She raised a hand when the men instinctively made to protest.
“You have families.” She glanced at Dominic pointedly. “You have a wife and unborn child waiting for you at home.”
“I don’t.” Peter argued, shooting her a rueful smile.
“But you have estates and people depending on your survival to keep them in employment and accommodation. Don’t risk it all because of me and Jemima.”
“Eliza, we aren’t going to leave you to deal with this alone. We-” Dominic shared a measured look with Peter, “-have unfinished business with Scraggan.”
Eliza turned and looked at him questioningly. They were interrupted by a soft knock at the door and the arrival of the food. Within moments the table was laden with an array of breads, cheese, meats, pies and fruit.
“Is there enough for us?”
Eliza jumped and stared in shock as a somewhat dusty and dishevell
ed Edward stalked into the room, followed closely by Sebastian. She watched in amazement as he barely looked at her, casually dropping into the seat beside her before turning the full force of his direct blue gaze upon hers. He offered her a small smile along with an empty plate as though he had only been gone for a moment rather than three days.
“God I’m starving.” Sebastian declared, oblivious to the interplay between Edward and Eliza.
She was stunned by the depth of emotion she felt at seeing him again and could have wept with the sheer joy of having his solidly reassuring bulk beside her once again. Although she would never admit it, she had missed him. A lot.
She wondered what had happened to make them return and studied them carefully as they ate. Something was wrong.
“So, you couldn’t bear to be parted from us, could you?” Dominic’s droll query was laced with amusement. He hadn’t missed the long searching look Edward had given the woman beside him, and wondered how long it would be before they had another wedding in the family.
Edward and Sebastian shared a look as Edward began to place various foods on Eliza’s plate before loading his own.
It was a scene of such domesticated familiarity, Peter grinned outright.
“What’s wrong?” Dominic demanded several minutes later when most of the food had been consumed. “Have you seen Scraggan?”
Sebastian nodded. “Yeah, there are four of them on the outskirts of the village and a few more down the road. They are waiting for us to leave.” He imparted the news so matter of factly that he could have been giving a shipping forecast.
Edward took a sip of his brandy and sat back in his seat, taking a few moments to study Eliza’s profile. Clearly she had hardly eaten, and hadn’t slept any better than he had. The dark smudges beneath her eyes were several shades deeper. He hated having to impart the latest , but couldn’t see any wisdom in keeping it a secret from him.
“We have news.” He murmured quietly, taking Eliza’s hand in his and holding it tightly.
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