Читать книгу The Mysterious Lord Marlowe - Anne Herries - Страница 8

‘I have been dreading this visit,’ Mariah, Lady Fanshawe, said and turned to look at her companion in the carriage, which was taking them to the house of her late husband’s sister. ‘I do not think I could have borne it had you not agreed to accompany me, Jane. Winston’s family never approved of me, you know. His sister and Aunt Cynthia thought me too flighty—and accused me of marrying him simply for his fortune.’

‘It is not like you to give way to a fit of nerves,’ Jane Lanchester said, putting out a hand to touch her companion’s hand. ‘They cannot harm you, you know, Mariah. Winston left almost his entire fortune to you. His relatives may not like the situation, but they cannot change the will you told me that your husband went to some lengths to make certain you were protected.’

‘The income is certainly mine, but the capital is tied up in a trust,’ Mariah confided. ‘I intended to ask Justin what I ought to do, but Lucinda has been a little unwell because of the baby. After all they’ve been through, I decided that it was best not to involve him in my affairs.’

Jane nodded, understanding perfectly. Justin, Duke of Avonlea, had been too worried about his wife, Lucinda, to become embroiled in Mariah’s troubles, but it seemed that she was anxious about something and needed to open her heart to someone.

‘You can tell me everything, you know,’ Jane said. ‘I am certain that my brother would do everything in his power to assist you were he here. Unfortunately, he was called suddenly to Paris on some business for the government.’

Mariah nodded, an odd look in her eyes. She had thought Lord Lanchester’s visit to Paris might have been for another reason, but nothing had come of it. He remained there after Lucinda, the duke and Mariah had returned to England and no doubt his sister knew more of his affairs than she.

She smothered a sigh. ‘Andrew is a good friend, but he is suffering himself at the moment. You do know that he was very much in love with Lucinda Avonlea?’

‘I know that Andrew found her charming and was concerned for her when she was embroiled in that unpleasant business of the blackmail,’ Jane agreed. ‘I also know that he admires you greatly, Mariah—particularly the way you handled yourself when that dreadful man tried to murder Lucinda.’

‘Lord Lanchester is a decent and honourable man,’ Mariah agreed, a little nerve flicking at her right temple. ‘He is a good friend—but I am not sure that he could help with this problem.’

‘Why do you not tell me? Perhaps a lawyer …’

Mariah hesitated. ‘My husband’s lawyer told me that the bulk of the fortune Winston left me is in the trust fund. I can draw the income, which is generous, and I have a small amount of capital—but the rest will not be released until I remarry. Winston thought I might fall prey to fortune hunters. The problem is that my trustees must approve my marriage.’

‘Ah, I begin to see …’ Jane saw her friend’s mutinous look and smiled. ‘You do not wish to be told whom you may marry by these trustees.’

‘And they are Winston’s sister, a querulous old woman, and her meddling husband,’ Mariah said and pouted. ‘My lawyer said that if the man I wished to marry was of good birth and above suspicion they could not withhold their consent, but why should I be beholden to them?’

‘Surely they would not seek to interfere?’ Jane asked, looking at her anxiously. Mariah was both brave and beautiful but she was also stubborn and at times contrary. ‘Is there someone you would wish to marry?’ she suggested gently.

‘Well, I thought there might be, but—’ Mariah broke off as they heard two shots followed by a scream, then the horses came to an abrupt halt and the two ladies were thrown into a heap on the floor of the carriage.

‘Lawks a’ mercy!’ an uncultured voice exclaimed. ‘There’s two of ’em, guv. What do we do now?’ Jane registered the fact that the man was pointing a wicked-looking pistol at them. He jerked it at them, indicating that they should step down from the carriage. ‘Which one of yer is Mariah Fanshawe?’

Mariah was holding a kerchief to her forehead and appeared not to hear the question. Jane thought quickly. If she were not mistaken, this was an abduction. Mariah was an heiress and it was more than likely her fortune they were after than her.

‘I am,’ Jane said looking at Mariah. ‘Say nothing, Jane. We are in some danger.’

‘No …’ Mariah had become aware of the situation. ‘You can’t … I shan’t let you.’

Ignoring her, Jane got out of the carriage. There were four men, two of them had pistols trained on the coachman and groom. The groom was holding his arm, blood seeping through his fingers, and his own pistol was lying on the ground, where he’d obviously thrown it after he was shot.

‘I am Mariah Fanshawe,’ Jane said. ‘What is the meaning of this outrage? How dare you attack my coach and wound my groom?’

Mariah had followed her from the carriage. She was clearly a little dazed from the accident and still held the kerchief to her temple.

‘She’s the one we want.’ One of the men holding a pistol trained on the coachman jerked his head at Jane. ‘Let the other one get back inside.’

‘I ain’t sure she’s the right one,’ another of the rogues said. ‘We’d best take them both to be certain. Blake will kick up if we get the wrong one.’

‘We are not going anywhere,’ Mariah put in, suddenly coming to life. ‘Besides, I am Lady Fanshawe and my friend is lying to protect me. I demand that you allow us to continue our journey.’

‘That settles it, we’ll take them both,’ the first rogue said and gestured at the groom and coachman. ‘Get down and we’ll take the carriage. Rab, you can drive. I’ll get inside with the women.’ He waved his pistol at them. ‘Any funny business and I’ll shoot yer.’

‘Let Jane go on and I’ll come with you,’ Mariah offered.

‘No, you can’t,’ Jane said and rushed to stand by her as the men hesitated, then one of them grabbed Mariah’s arm and thrust her into the carriage. Jane saw the groom and coachman were obeying the men with the pistols and one of them had climbed up to the driving box as Mariah’s servants got down. ‘I shan’t let you take her!’ Jane flew at the man who was trying to push Mariah into the carriage and pulled the mask from his face. ‘I’ve seen your face now. I shall know you again.’

‘Take her, too.’

A new voice had spoken. Jane glanced over her shoulder and looked into the strangest pair of eyes she had ever seen. A scarf covered the bottom of the man’s face, but his eyes were distinctive, being of odd colours.

‘I’ll know you, too,’ she declared, her anger making her throw all caution to the winds. ‘You had better let us …’

She got no further, for someone struck her on the back of the head and she made a little sighing noise as she fell into the arms of one of the men, who then thrust her into the carriage. She did not hear the gasp of distress from Mariah or see what happened next….

Jane’s eyelids flickered, but as the light touched her eyes she groaned. Becoming aware of pain at the back of her head, she reached towards the sore spot. She touched the bump gingerly and found a little crust of dried blood, though there was no deep wound. Something had hit her on the back of her head—but what?

Letting her eyes travel round the room, Jane knew that she had never seen it before in her life. This was not her room, but it did not look like an inn bedchamber. Her memory was fuzzy—where was she and how had she got here?

She closed her eyes for a moment as she puzzled over what had happened to her. Suddenly the details of the abduction flooded back.

Where was Mariah? Opening her eyes, Jane pushed herself up into a sitting position and looked about her. There was no sign of her friend and a shiver of dread ran through her.

She had evidently not been left in the same room as Jane. Was she somewhere in the house? Why had those villains been abducting her? It must surely be for her fortune. The rogues could not know that it was tied up in a fund and could only be released by her trustees. If they were expecting to be paid a ransom, they might be disappointed and what would happen then?

Jane was afraid for her friend. The kind of men who would hold up a coach, wound the groom and snatch two innocent women might be capable of anything. If their demands were refused, they might be violent towards their captives. Both she and Mariah might be in danger of their lives.

Glancing towards the window, she considered taking a look out when she heard voices outside the door of her room. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to lie still as the door was unlocked and someone came in. She made a little moaning sound as she sensed a presence near her and hoped that her captors would believe she was still unconscious.

‘Damn that man Blake,’ a man’s voice said close to her. The voice was harsh, rough in tone. ‘She is still unconscious. He must have hit her too hard. He is a thoughtless devil, for she may die—and then we’ll be hung for sure if they catch us.’

‘We should fetch a doctor,’ another voice added. This was a cultured voice, a gentleman’s voice, but not one she knew. ‘If she is ill, she may well die without attention. When I agreed to this business, I was told the other young woman was a willing participant in the plan. This girl should never have been abducted. What made him do it?’

‘Blake couldn’t afford to leave her behind. She might tell someone what she had seen—and he needs time with the other one.’

‘Where has he taken her?’ the second voice commanded.

‘No idea. Captain Blake is a close-mouthed devil. Never lets his right hand know what his left hand is doing.’

‘He is certainly a vicious brute.’

‘What are we supposed to do with this girl? Blake doesn’t want her. It would have been better to leave her on the road. The coachman would have taken care of her. I don’t want to hang for her murder.’

‘I have no intention of being hung for this affair. Blake struck this young woman. Until then I had no certainty of what was going on. I was hopeful that the Fanshawe girl truly wished to elope.’

‘That tale won’t help you if the Runners catch us. You’ll hang with the rest of us if this goes wrong. We dare not fetch a doctor. The girl will be all right here for the moment. Blake will decide what to do when he comes.’

The men were moving away, leaving the room. Jane heard the door close and the key turn in the lock. She opened her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. They had gone. She was alone, but she didn’t intend to wait around for Blake to decide what to do with her. Jane didn’t like the sound of the man they called Blake at all. She thought he must be the man with the odd colour eyes, one brown and the other a greenish colour that some called hazel. She’d looked into them seconds before he’d struck her.

Cautiously leaving the bed, she walked softly to the window and glanced out. She was in what appeared to be a private house in the country. From what she could see the grounds looked a little neglected, as if there wasn’t quite enough money to keep them immaculate.

Now she knew why she was here. She had seen too much. Given the chance, Jane could have described the height, build and hair colouring of the men—and in particular the one with the peculiar eyes. Blake was obviously the ringleader. He’d kidnapped Mariah for her money—but what would he do to her when he realised that she had no power to release her fortune into his hands?

Jane hoped Mariah would somehow be able to fend the rogue off until help could be got for her.

If only Andrew had been with them! She was sure her brother would have done something to prevent the men snatching them both.

She must concentrate her thoughts. Somehow she had to get away from here and get help for her friend. Mariah was brave and resourceful. Had she been carrying her pistol she might have shot one of them—as she had the man who had been about to murder their good friend Lucinda, Duchess of Avonlea, earlier that year. Jane was a little comforted by the knowledge that Mariah would not be made a nervous wreck by the abduction. No, wherever Mariah was being held, she would hold her nerve and do her best to outwit her captor. Yet she could not hold out for ever against ruthless men.

Somehow Jane must get a message to Andrew—or, if he were still away on that mysterious mission with the army, to the Duke of Avonlea. He would surely try to help them if only because of the help he had received when his beloved wife was being blackmailed. To do that Jane must first escape her own captors.

She had a clear view of the gardens from her window. She noticed with some satisfaction that there was a large tree quite near her window. As she took stock, Jane saw a man riding away from the house and wondered where he was going. She drew back from the window, but he did not look in her direction.

Perhaps this was her chance to escape. Jane was about to attempt to open the window when she heard something. Realising that someone was coming back to her room, she made a dash for the bed, but it was too late.

She stood staring at the man who had entered and felt a trickle of ice from the nape of her neck down to the small of her back. He was carrying a tray with food and wine, which he set down on a small table near the bed. Jane decided he was not an ill-looking man. His features were regular and he had what she might have thought, in other circumstances, an attractive mouth. His hair was a rich brown, his eyes almost black with a hint of silver in the pupils. She was wary, but somehow not frightened.

‘I thought you were faking it earlier,’ he said and a rueful smile lingered on his mouth. ‘You needn’t be afraid I shall give you away. Nor shall I harm you. I am very sorry for the way you have been treated.’

It was the man with the cultured voice. He was wearing clothes that were not suited to his station—part of a disguise, she imagined. Yet she was certain that he was a gentleman. She relaxed and moved closer to him.

‘I heard you mention someone called Blake. Is he the man with the odd-coloured eyes?’

He frowned. ‘For your own sake, do not let anyone else hear you say that. It would be best not to let the others know that you heard us talking.’

‘Who are you?’ Jane asked. ‘Why were you abducting Mariah? Is she here, too?’

‘No, she was taken elsewhere. Do not ask more for I could not tell you. It is a complicated story and not one I am proud of. The pity is that you became involved. You should have stayed in the carriage rather than risking yourself,’ the man said. ‘I deeply regret that you were taken, Miss—?’

Jane’s thoughts moved swiftly. She thought he was telling the truth when he said Mariah was elsewhere. She must have been brought here because the abductors did not know what to do with her.

‘It is Jane—Jane Blair.’

Jane gave no sign of her inner trepidation as she offered her mother’s maiden name. For the moment she would keep her true identity a secret.

‘Well, Jane, I am sorry for helping those rogues with what has turned out to be a bad business. I am not sure what I can do for the moment. There are three others in the house besides myself and all are armed—but nothing more will happen to you if I can help it. You have my word that I shall protect you from Blake and his lackeys somehow.’

‘You said it would be best to fetch the doctor,’ Jane said. ‘Your friend said Blake would decide what to do—why do you serve him if he is such a monster? You appear to be a gentleman. Are you in trouble that you would stoop to such a wicked act?’

‘It isn’t what you think.’ A dark colour stained his neck. ‘These men are not my friends. Nor am I involved in this wretched affair for money—but I shan’t tell you why, so don’t ask.’

‘What is your name?’

He hesitated, then, ‘I’m called George by my friends.’

Jane was sure he was hiding something from her, but she should have expected it. He was hardly likely to tell her his life history under the circumstances.

‘Are you intending to let me go?’

‘I wish I could. Perhaps later.’ George, as he called himself, looked uncomfortable. ‘Most of the men have started to drink. Eat something and I’ll see what I can do once they are off guard. If I tried to take you out of here by force, you might be killed. I might manage two of them, but three is too many. This needs careful planning.’

Jane glanced at the food. She was hungry, but more than that she was thirsty. However, she had no intention of touching anything this man had given her. He might be trying to poison her.

‘There’s nothing wrong with it,’ he said. He took a piece of the bread, spread it with butter and ate it, then drank some wine. ‘You won’t die from eating this, Jane Blair.’

‘Thank you. I might eat some later.’ She moved towards him, making an appeal to his sense of fair play. ‘If this Mr Blake is what you seem to imply, he will kill me, won’t he? Do you want to hang for murder as well as abduction?’

‘I don’t want you to die.’ He couldn’t meet her eye. ‘If we’re caught, we’ll hang anyway. I was told the other girl was willing. It was supposed to be an elopement made to look like abduction because the girl’s guardian wouldn’t let her marry—but she was certainly not willing. I wasn’t sure what was going on until Blake told them to take you, too. Obviously, I’ve been tricked into this sorry business. I was a damned fool to go along with it, but there were too many of them for me to stop it happening.’

Jane seized her opportunity. ‘If you help me, we might be able to find her—and I wouldn’t tell anyone you helped abduct us. You could be a hero and no one need know the truth.’

‘You talk too much, Miss Blair,’ he said and turned towards the door. ‘Eat your food. If anyone else comes, pretend you don’t know anything. I’ll help you if I can. You have my word.’

‘The word of a kidnapper?’

‘Be careful, Miss Blair. I may be your only chance.’

His look was angry as he went out.

Jane sat on the edge of the bed as he locked the door again. Her legs felt like jelly and she was in sudden need of something to eat. After a few minutes to catch her breath, she took a piece of bread and spread it with butter, swallowing a few mouthfuls before washing it down with wine. The wine was a dark red and tasted dry on her tongue. She would have preferred water, but there was none in the room.

At least the food took away the shaky feeling she’d had in her legs. She wondered if he had told her the truth about there being three other men in the house. He called himself George. It wasn’t his real name, of course, but it was something to fix in her mind. She’d heard him speak to someone else he hadn’t named, and their leader was Blake.

Jane cautiously tried the window. It opened easily and she wondered why it hadn’t been locked. Did they imagine that she could not escape from here? Perhaps most young women would not dare, but Jane had climbed trees from early childhood. She glanced at the tree, which was sturdy and grew to the right side of the window. She could climb out onto the wide stone window ledge and edge her way along to the tree. It would be a risk because there was still a small gap between the ledge and the nearest branch, but she thought she could probably do it if she tried.

Seeing two men riding towards the house, Jane closed the window and drew back, keeping watch from behind the curtain. The men dismounted and walked towards the main door, disappearing inside. Her head was throbbing, but she forced herself to think slowly and not panic. She could not dwell on how far up she was or how much her head hurt. Unless she took her chance now, she might die.

One of the riders was probably Blake. Had he come to tell them what to do with her? No doubt he would want her silenced for good. There was no time to lose. She must take her chance for escape now—or the ruthless Blake would almost certainly murder her and dispose of her body. The other men were wary of him. George had promised to help her, but she could not rely on his word. None of them would risk their own lives for hers.

Opening the window, Jane cautiously climbed out on to the ledge. At least it was in reasonable repair and felt solid beneath her feet. Her back pressed against the glass, she edged her way along the stone sill and then realised that she was too far from the branch to reach out and grab it. The branch itself was thick and substantial enough to take her weight, but there was a gap of perhaps two feet beyond what she could reach.

Jane’s heart was racing and her palms were damp. She knew that she would have to jump and grab at the branch. If she missed, she might fall to the ground and break her neck, but if she stayed here the infamous Blake would undoubtedly break it for her.

Taking a deep breath and looking at the branch rather than the ground, Jane jumped and grabbed. Her hands touched, but could not hold the branch she was aiming for and she felt herself slithering and falling—but she was falling into the tree. Sharp bits of twig scratched her cheek and her bare arms as she crashed downwards and then, suddenly, she stopped. Her skirt had caught on a broken branch, breaking her fall a short distance from the ground.

Jane caught hold of a stout branch and clung to it as she recovered her breath and tried to stop shaking. She had come close to death and the shock was making her feel sick and weak, but her head was telling her she couldn’t stay where she was for long. After a few seconds, she was able to think clearly again. She tugged at her gown, which held stubbornly to the branch for a few seconds before ripping and setting her free. Steadying herself with deep breaths, she clambered down and then fell the last few feet to her knees.

Jane’s hands were stinging and so were her arms and legs. She glanced down and saw blood on her leg where the silk had torn away. Her right palm was bleeding and her cheek was stinging like mad, but these were not the worst of her injuries. As she stood up the pain in her right ankle shot through her and she gasped. Had she broken it? She tried to put weight on her right foot and found she could stand, though the pain was too bad for her to do more than limp.

She had to walk or hop as far as the woods that bordered the gardens. If the men looked for her and saw her here, they would recapture her easily. There was no choice but to hide somewhere until her ankle became a little easier. Let it be a sprain and not broken!

It was all she could do not to cry out each time she put her right foot to the floor, but she gritted her teeth and did a sort of hobble skip. Every movement hurt and she was afraid that someone would look out and see her before she reached the safety of the wood.

Fortune was with her. Battered, bruised but triumphant, Jane reached the trees and disappeared into them. She tasted the salt of tears on her mouth, but they were tears of relief and she brushed them away. It was impossible to move quickly and she knew she wasn’t safe yet. The men were sure to come here as soon as they discovered she was missing.

Jane had to keep moving, but the pain in her ankle was getting worse and she wasn’t sure how much farther she could go. She had almost reached the limit of her endurance when she saw the hut just ahead of her and hobbled towards it. The door opened easily and she went inside. She could make out a pile of old sacks in the darkness and sank down onto them.

She couldn’t go any farther until she had rested her ankle. All she could do now was pray that the men would not find her.

Jane couldn’t be sure how much time had passed when she heard the sounds of shouting. Her stomach clenched; the voices were very near and she knew the men must be searching the wood for her. For a moment panic swept through her. She ought to have kept on walking, got as far away as possible. Perhaps she might have found help, but her ankle was still throbbing.

When the door of the shed started to open, Jane’s heart jerked with fright. If Blake had found her, he might kill her.

Her breath caught as she saw George enter. He pushed the door almost closed behind him, putting a finger to his lips.

‘Keep quiet. There’s nothing I can do for the moment, but I’ll come back later and help you. Wait for me.’

Jane opened her mouth to protest, but at a warning frown from him said nothing. Her chest felt tight and she could scarcely breathe as he went out again.

‘Anything in there?’

The voice was so close. Harsh and angry, she was sure it must be Blake and her heart hammered in her breast. If he came in and found her … but she could hear George answering him.

‘Just some old sacks. I told you she would be long gone by now. Why would she hang around here?’

‘The lot of you are damned fools. Why didn’t you tie her up or at least make sure she was in a room she couldn’t get out of?’

‘She must have climbed into the tree,’ a third voice said on a whining note. ‘You’ve got to admire a girl like that, Captain. It took a lot of pluck. Besides, what harm can she do? She doesn’t know who we are or what is going on.’

‘She hadn’t better or I shall know who to blame,’ the harsh voice muttered. ‘I suppose she’s gone now and there’s not much we can do about it. She saw my eyes, but if she doesn’t know my name it is a chance in a million that she can identify me.’

‘How could she know who you are?’ George said. ‘We should go back to the house. I have things to do. I only agreed to help with this because I thought the Fanshawe girl willing, Blake. Though it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I’ve fulfilled my part of the deal. I want what you owe me and an end to this whole rotten business.’

‘You’ll get what I promised when I’m good and ready—which will be when I get what I want.’

‘That isn’t what we agreed …’

Jane heard the angry note in George’s voice as the men moved away. He had told her his motive was not money, so what did Blake have that was so important to George that he would help abduct an innocent young woman to get his hands on it?

He had told her to trust him, but what kind of a man was he?

Shivering, Jane hugged herself and wondered if she should try to get away on her own once the men had gone. She wasn’t sure she would be wise to trust George—yet he had discovered her hiding place and kept it secret.

Jane walked to the door of the shed and stopped. If anything, her ankle felt worse than just after she had sprained it. It seemed as if she didn’t really have a choice. She would just have to wait and hope that George kept his word.

Night had fallen and Jane was beginning to turn cold when she heard something outside the hut. Then the door opened and a dark shadow entered. Her heart caught as she held her breath and waited for him to speak.

‘Are you there, Jane Blair?’

‘George?’ Her breath expelled in relief as she hobbled towards him. ‘I was beginning to think you had forgotten me.’

‘It took a while to get rid of the others and circle back,’ George said. ‘I didn’t want to arouse their suspicions. Blake is a nasty devil when his temper is up. I shouldn’t be surprised if what they say of him is true.’

‘What do they say?’

‘That he … well, he is supposed to have been thrown out of the army for causing the death of ten French prisoners during the campaign on the Spanish Peninsula in a particularly nasty manner. He is a bully and a cheat, I know that much, but I’ve never been certain of the rest.’

‘What does he owe you? What hold has he over you?’

Jane looked up at him. They had moved outside the hut and the moon had just sailed out from behind the clouds. For a moment she glimpsed an odd expression in his eyes, but in another moment it had gone.

‘It isn’t my secret. I can’t tell you,’ he said. ‘I know it must be hard for you to trust me after what has happened, but, believe me, this is the first thing I’ve ever done that I feel truly ashamed of—and I had a compelling reason. I just cannot tell you what it is.’

Jane gazed at him for a little longer, then inclined her head. ‘Perhaps I am foolish, but I do trust you, George. I trust you—and I am grateful for your help. I hurt my ankle when I fell through the tree and I can hardly walk.’

‘I knew it must be something of the sort when I found you here.’ A smile flickered at the corners of his mouth. ‘You must have jumped from the ledge to the tree. It takes courage to do something like that.’

‘My brother would say it was reckless and foolish—but I thought my life might be in danger.’

‘It might have been, had Blake found you himself. He was furious that we let you escape. For a few minutes I thought he would shoot us all, but it seems he may still have a use for us.’

‘Would you go to the law if you were not in such an awkward position?’

‘I could be hung for my part in the affair,’ George said. ‘Yet if I could be sure … What happened has left a sour taste in my mouth. I wish with all my heart I could go back to the start, but it is too late for regret. I am in this up to my neck. The only thing I can do is to help you get away.’

‘I cannot walk far.’

‘Lean on me—or shall I carry you? My horse is not far away. It will support us both until we can find somewhere to stop and rest while I take a look at your ankle.’

‘If you could find a horse I could borrow, I could go home. I have no money with me, but I will repay whatever you spend on my behalf.’

‘The hire of a horse would be little enough,’ George said. ‘I’m not sure it will be safe for you to go home just yet, Miss Blair—especially alone. Blake means to search for you.’

‘He cannot know who I am or where I live?’

‘I dare say your family will be looking for you—making enquiries, perhaps even offering a reward.’ George heard her indrawn breath and nodded. ‘It will not take Blake long to discover who you really are—and if you are sitting at home he may take things into his own hands. Once he has what he wants and takes himself off abroad, you should be safe enough, but until then …’

‘Until then my life is at risk? And my friend’s?’

‘I fear it may be so.’

‘What shall I do?’

‘I’m not sure. I’ve been thinking what to do for the best. It may be expedient to stay hidden for a while.’

‘What about you? Are you afraid that I shall betray you to the authorities?’

Jane winced as she took a step forwards. George hesitated, then swept her up in his arms, carrying her to where his horse was tethered. He thrust her up into the saddle, then mounted behind her.

‘Press back against me and hang on to the saddle. I’m going to ride hard for a bit. Blake might get suspicious and come looking for us. If he finds us, it will not be just you he murders.’

Jane was silent as she obeyed, holding on tight as he put his horse to a canter, then urged the animal on faster as it gathered speed. George had not answered her question.

It was obviously her duty to tell someone all she knew as swiftly as she was able. Mariah was in terrible danger, because Jane was certain that Blake was a ruthless man. If he discovered that Mariah’s fortune was tied up in trust and could not be released, he might decide it was best to kill her.

She had to escape and get help for Mariah! Now that she was with George her own fears had become less acute and it was her friend’s safety that worried her.

Riding through the darkness, her body pressed close to that of the man who had rescued her and now held her in his arms, Jane thought hard.

Could she escape George—or would it be best to befriend him and ask for his help in tracing Mariah?

‘Thank God you are back!’ Justin, Duke of Avonlea, exclaimed as he was admitted to Andrew Lanchester’s parlour and found him still dressed in his travelling cape, his boots spattered with mud. ‘I thought you might still be in Paris.’

‘I have just this moment arrived,’ Andrew said and frowned. ‘Something is wrong—Lucinda has not disappeared again?’

‘My wife is at home and in good health,’ Avonlea said, a smile on his lips. Then the smile disappeared as he recalled his news. ‘I am very sorry, Lanchester, but the news I bring must distress you. Your sister and Mariah Fanshawe were abducted this morning on the road to London …’

‘Mariah—Jane! Good grief.’ Andrew looked thunderstruck. ‘Why? Where were they going?’

‘Mariah received an invitation from Sir Matthew Horne and his wife—she is the late Fanshawe’s sister, of course. Mariah did not wish to go for some reason and would only consent to it if Jane accompanied her. The two have become such good friends of late.’

‘Damn!’ Andrew smote his forehead with his fist. ‘Did Mariah not tell you she was afraid of fortune hunters when she came to stay with you some months back, Avonlea?’

‘You think she may have been abducted by a scorned suitor?’

‘That is possible,’ Andrew replied and looked thoughtful. ‘Mariah is something of a flirt, I imagine. She might have led someone to believe she was interested and then changed her mind.’

‘Desperate men will do anything for money.’ Avonlea looked at him enquiringly. ‘Why should they take Jane, too?’

‘If they were together and the abductor believed Mariah to be travelling alone he might have acted on impulse. Jane can be very rash at times. She might have tried to obstruct them.’

‘You think she may have been taken because of what she saw?’

‘I fear that may be the case. She would not let her friend be taken without putting up a fight.’

‘Brave but foolish.’

‘I have told her to be careful a hundred times, but she puts her heart over her fences. Jane ought truly to have been my brother rather than my sister—and in part that is my fault. After our parents’ death I treated Jane as an equal. We were inseparable until I joined up, and since then she has looked after the estate for me. I fear she is too independent and perhaps reckless—but I would trust her judgement above any agent.’

‘You have only just arrived, so you will not know if a ransom note has been received,’ Avonlea said. ‘Mariah’s coachman came to me at once, but nothing has been delivered to me. Of course, the note might be addressed to the trustees of her fortune.’

‘You are not her trustee?’

‘No. I believe they are Fanshawe’s sister—and a lawyer. No doubt they will be approached for the ransom if a demand is made.’

‘It must have been Mariah they were after. I know nothing of her fortune, but I imagine Fanshawe was a warm man. Jane has only a few thousand. I would pay for her return, of course—but I doubt she was the intended victim.’

‘What will you do?’

‘I must visit Mariah’s trustees and discover if they have been approached—and I shall instruct an agent to discover what they can. What will you do?’

‘A Bow Street man? Good idea,’ Avonlea agreed. ‘In your situation I think it the best solution. I think you should leave Mariah’s trustees to me, Andrew. Instruct your agent by all means. I will talk to Sir Matthew and see what I can discover—then I’ll report to you.’

‘Yes, I dare say you are anxious for Mariah’s sake. She is like a sister to you, I believe?’

‘She was my father’s ward until he died, and of course Lucinda has become very fond of her,’ Justin said. ‘I know Mariah intended to ask my advice about some fortune hunter, but perhaps because of various problems it never happened. I feel responsible and must certainly do what I can to help recover her.’

‘Then we shall work together.’

‘Of course. You know I was grateful for your help with my problems.’ Avonlea smiled. ‘We may not always have seen eye to eye over the methods you employed, Andrew—but we are friends, and in this we are united.’

‘Yes. Good grief, I need all the help I can get,’ Andrew said and frowned. ‘I suppose the ladies’ abduction is for a ransom? Only I’ve been involved in a bit of business—secret stuff for the regiment that I cannot reveal even to you—but it might have a bearing.’

‘Well, you know your own business best—but I shall do what I can to recover them both.’

‘I pray to God that they are both still alive.’

‘Yes.’ Justin looked grim. ‘I can imagine how you feel. I suffered enough when my wife disappeared—but she was found unharmed and I believe we shall come through this in good order, Andrew.’

‘I can only pray that your instincts are correct.’