just now.”
Rebecca released a shaky laugh. “Well, I would hope I wouldn’t have to take any fences, but I do think I could ride if I had to.”
“Good girl, pluck to the backbone, Scott would say,” Felicia said to encourage her.
“Oh, and who is this Scott?” Rebecca asked curiously. “Your beau?”
“Ha, no. A dear friend, but that is another story altogether,” Felicia said and then frowned to pursue, “You have been very ill-used, Rebecca Wilson and have a great deal of spirit. Only tell me what this was all about.”
She shook her head. “I know they wanted money from my father …” Her voice trailed off as she sighed heavily and touched her shoulder with a wince.
Felicia didn’t press her and inquired, “Bruised there as well?”
“A bit all over, I suppose,” Rebecca said putting on a brave smile.
Ashton stuck his head in at that moment and said, “I have the wagon and the cob outside.”
Felicia helped the young woman to her feet, but it was at that moment the magistrate arrived and looked past Ashton to exclaim, “Zounds! Miss Rebecca. Upon my soul. Never say it was you those brutes abducted? Your poor father must be beside himself.”
Rebecca Wilson’s smile was faint, and Felicia frowned in concern for her. The young woman inclined her head and said softly, “Indeed, but perhaps the sooner we leave, the sooner his concerns may be put to rest … thanks to all of you.”
“Indeed, indeed.” The magistrate looked towards Ashton. “Will you two be taking Miss Wilson home? It is some distance,” he asked worriedly.
“We will first take Miss Wilson to the inn where we are staying so that she may freshen up and be comfortable until her father can come for her in a suitable conveyance,” Ashton said firmly. “I don’t think she should travel a distance in an open wagon, especially as she must be in some discomfort.”
Felicia found Ashton’s cool air of command so very welcome. She simply knew he would do what was best. He had all the answers all the time, and she smiled warmly at him and said, “You are quite brilliant.”
He returned the smile, and the magistrate looked as though a weight had been removed from his shoulders as he said, “Good, good. I will rely on you in that matter then.”
Ashton and Felicia exchanged glances and then walked Miss Wilson to the wagon and saw her comfortably seated.
Felicia turned to Ashton then and said, “What of those two blackguards that are still loose?”
“Oh, I am certain they are well away, but no doubt the magistrate will put about inquiries after them.”
“Hmm. I hope so. They need to be brought to justice, and besides, I don’t like the notion that they are still out and about.”
He touched her arm and said, “Don’t worry about them, my sweet. I mean to set about my own inquiries as well.”
“Then they are as good as caught,” Felicia said on a soft laugh as she watched him tether their horses at the back of the wagon, climb onto it, and pick up the reins.
He winked at her, and she felt a shiver of emotion rush through her.
Oh, but what was that she was feeling? It was as though her day, even with all this adventure, would have been an empty day had he not been in it.
~ Ten ~
THE MAIN PIKE was reached, and although the old cob could do no more than lumber along it was a steady pace, and as Felicia kept up a lively stream of conversation with Miss Wilson, the time passed.
Ashton could not help but notice that Felicia was able to keep Miss Wilson’s spirits up with her banter and her anecdotes. He smiled to himself. He had never met anyone quite like Felicia. She was a diamond.
As they pulled into the inn, Miss Wilson blushed and said, “Oh dear … I can’t walk into a public house like … well … my clothes are torn … I am covered in dirty … my hair.”
“Oh,” said Felicia, smiling brightly, “you are feeling better. Don’t concern yourself, Rebecca, Mr. Ashton will see to it. He can manage anything.”
Ashton smiled to himself. Felicia seemed to have a very high opinion of his abilities. Well then, he couldn’t allow otherwise, could he? He drove the wagon directly to the livery, where he pulled the old cob to a halt, put on the brake, and nimbly jumped down from the wagon.
“Come, Miss Wilson. Felicia will take you into the inn through a back door.” He eyed Felicia. “You know the one I mean, just aside from the kitchen … and directly up to your room. I shall have a bath drawn for her in the meantime and a boy sent to fetch Miss Wilson’s father. It is Squire Wilson, is it not?”