Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

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СКАЧАТЬ anger. His cousins had taken her in and given her a comfortable place to live while she sorted out her life—why could she not have accepted their kindness instead of causing distress? Why had she chosen to run away as soon as Hal’s back was turned?

      Was it possible that she cared nothing for him—that she preferred to return to her old life as Lethbridge’s widow?

      Madeline must know that Hal loved her more than his life. How could she have done this knowing what distress it must cause?

      Adam had reminded him that she had chosen to marry the count when she knew it would break Hal’s heart. He had dismissed the warning, excusing her and telling himself that she’d had no choice. But supposing he was wrong?

      Supposing she was a cold-hearted selfish woman who thought only of herself?

      No, she could not be. She was tender and warm and loving. But then why had she run away when she must know it would break his heart to lose her all over again?

      Hal shook his head, feeling relieved as he saw the posting house just ahead of him. He would discover the answers to his questions only when he caught up with Madeline, but he could drive no further without resting. He would pause at the inn, change horses and eat something, and he would hire a groom to drive him so that he could sleep for a while.

      He could not be that far behind Madeline if she had come from the Hare and Hounds. Half an hour to change the horses and eat, then they would be off again. With luck they could not be much more than an hour or so behind.

      * * *

      ‘What? Damn you, Joseph. Are you certain?’ Rochdale looked at his servant hard. ‘You are sure she was bound for London and not for Dover?’

      ‘Quite certain, my lord. I heard her servant tell the post boys of a change of plans. They are headed for London—and for a house in Grosvenor Square—and she has a gentleman’s escort as well as her servants. He looked a military man to me.’

      ‘She is returning to her husband’s house?’ Rochdale cursed beneath his breath. He’d thought her alone apart from the servants and therefore defenceless. But if she had an escort, Ravenscar must have joined them on the road, which meant she was now well defended. They must have decided to dismiss his threats as worthless, and indeed, though he might cause them some trouble, there was very little he could really do other than strip them of as much of Lethbridge’s wealth as he dared. If he dropped hints that she was no better than a whore, a few eyebrows would be raised, but with Lethbridge’s reputation most ladies would simply titter behind their fans and think that in Madeline’s place they might have done the same.

      It seemed he’d missed his chance to snatch her. Unless he could somehow pass them—and lie in wait for their chaise on the road. He was driving a sporting curricle and could make better speed than a hired chaise. If he could dispose of Ravenscar and the footman, he would have her at his mercy. Rochdale had heard the rumours of highwaymen on the Heath. Madeline was certain to stop for nuncheon to break her journey. If he drove at all speed he could pass them and then... A smile touched his lips. Masked, he could take advantage of the rumours and kill both Ravenscar and the footman. Their deaths would be laid at the door of the highwayman. Madeline would be truly alone then and he would have her.

      ‘Put my horses to,’ Rochdale ordered. ‘I shall be on my way as soon as I’ve paid my shot here.’

      ‘What would you wish me to do, my lord?’

      ‘You are going to assist me in holding up a chaise and capturing its passenger. I’ve had enough of chasing after the wench. I’ll take what I want and she shall learn to know her master.’

      Joseph blenched, but did not dare to answer back. He’d known that his master was a wicked man, for he knew all the marquis’s secrets—but never before had he been asked to take part in such a desperate act. His throat felt tight with fear, for he could end at the hangman’s noose for such work as this—but if he refused his master might kill him in a rage.

      There was nothing he could do but do as he was told, but he would leave the marquis’s employ and seek another master as soon as he could.

       Chapter Twelve

      Madeline smiled at her companion. It was late in the afternoon and they had made good time, stopping for only half an hour to eat their nuncheon while the horses were changed. Dusk was falling as they began to cross the Heath at Hampstead, but it was not yet dark and she did not think they needed to fear the highwayman who was said to haunt this place. When the shots rang out and the chaise was brought to a shuddering halt it took her so much by surprise that she was flung across the carriage into Sally’s arms.

      ‘Oh, my lady,’ Sally said as Madeline apologised her and they righted themselves. ‘Is it the highwayman?’ She was obviously shocked and distressed and before Madeline could stop her, she had opened the window to look out. ‘There are two of them. And—oh! I think Thomas is hurt!’

      Madeline was powerless to stop her as she scrambled out of the carriage and ran to where Thomas was lying on the ground. The sound of her maid’s screaming made her follow her from the chaise. She could see two masked men, each with pistols. One of them seemed to have covered the coachman and the post boy, who accompanied him, the other man had his pistol trained on Captain Mardle.

      ‘Stay in the carriage, ma’am,’ Captain Mardle warned, but it was already too late. Madeline was out and making her way to Sally’s side.

      ‘Is he alive?’ she asked in a whisper and Sally nodded, her face very white as she replied,

      ‘Yes, but hurt.’

      Turning towards the masked men, Madeline said. ‘We have some money and I have a few jewels. I will give them to you, but please allow us to go on our way. My companion is badly injured and needs a doctor.’

      ‘Your companions may go where they please when I have what I want,’ the man covering Captain Mardle with his pistol snarled. ‘Bring your jewel box and come here to me.’

      ‘As you wish,’ Madeline said and returned to the carriage. She reached inside and picked up her velvet muff and the box that contained her valuables, holding it by the handle at the end. Inside her muff was a small pistol with silver chasing on the butt. If she had the chance, she would shoot. Her stomach was churning as she walked towards the masked man and offered the box to him.

      ‘Bring the groom’s horse and mount it. I want you and the gold—the others will be free to go if you come with me. Any bother and I’ll kill them all.’

      ‘There will be no trouble,’ Madeline replied in a calm voice, though she was far from calm inside. She was actually seething with anger for, though he had tried to disguise his voice, she knew him. This was the man who had attempted to seduce her and, when he failed in his aim, had sent his rogues to abduct her. She turned and looked at Captain Mardle. ‘Will you help me to mount, sir, for I cannot alone.’

      Captain Mardle hesitated for a moment and then dismounted, caught the bridle of Thomas’s horse and began to lead it towards her. He had almost reached her when the sound of horses being driven at speed made everyone looked towards the newcomer. In that instant, the masked man made a mistake for he turned to glance at the oncoming vehicle and, as he did so, a shot rang out. Madeline was aware that the shot had come from Captain Mardle. He was standing so close to her that she felt the breeze as the СКАЧАТЬ