haven’t left a trail for anyone to follow,” Charlie assured her when he saw the lingering fear on her face. “We should be fine for now. Get some rest while you can.”
Hetty nodded and moved over to find a space on the floor. She was grateful for her cloak, and used it partly to pad the stone floor a little. Once settled, she tucked the rest of the heavy folds around her.
Charlie sat beside her and divided the remaining food into two equal portions.
“There is no water I am afraid, but we can see if we can find a stream in the morning.”
They ate in silence. Not a sound could be heard; not even the gentle hoot of a solitary owl broke the stillness of the night. It was almost too quiet, and did little to ease her growing certainty that something was wrong.
“I don’t like this,” she whispered.
“The food?” Charlie asked with a frown.
Hetty slowly shook her head. She tried to warn herself that she was being foolish, and there really was nothing to worry about, but something deep within her refused to ignore her unease. Once she had finished the last of her food, she made her way to the window, and studied as much of the surrounding woodland as she could.
“What is it?”
The sudden warmth of his breath against her cheek, along with the sound of his voice directly beside her, made her jump. She spun around in alarm, and gasped when she realised just how close he was. She hadn’t even heard him move.
He clamped a hand across her mouth to stifle her scream.
“Sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s alright. I am just worried about Simon, that’s all,” she lied.
She glanced at him before she resumed her seat. His nearness unnerved her as much as the situation they were in, and she just had to put a little distance between them so she could think properly.
Until now, whenever he had drawn near, she had been excited and full of anticipation. Now, she was nervous and wary, only couldn’t quite understand why. After all, he was her husband. She had no reason to fear him. He had done nothing to frighten her in any way. There was no reason why she should be unnerved by him now, not after everything they had been through.
“Simon and Wally will both be fine. They are with my colleagues,” he assured her. “Right now, I rather suspect that they are safer than we are. It is imperative that we get to Afferley as quickly as we can.”
“I know. Let’s just hope it will be sooner rather than later.” She shivered when a particularly cool blast of air swept over her already chilled flash. “This has been the longest day of my life.”
“I know,” Charlie whispered fervently. “For now, get some rest while we can. Dawn will be upon us soon, and we need to be on our way by first light.”
He smiled when she groaned. “I am sorry that we didn’t find somewhere more comfortable to stay, but we just cannot take the risk that someone will recognise me.”
Hetty nodded. Although his large brimmed hat covered most of his face, she knew that nothing could hide his mesmerizingly handsome features, or the stubborn tilt of his chiselled jaw. Any woman who saw him would never forget him. She knew she certainly wouldn’t.
“I don’t mind. I would much prefer to be out here than in Derby jail.”
“Thank you,” he suddenly said. He turned to study at her in the darkness. “For everything you did to save me yesterday. You took an incredible risk with your life. You could have been behind bars right now.”
“It was a risk worth taking,” she whispered gently. “Regardless of what anybody thinks, I know you and Simon are completely innocent.”
Charlie thought about their marriage, and eyed the gold band on her finger. It made him immensely proud to have her by his side. He knew, without hesitation, that he would move heaven and earth to keep her there for the rest of their lives.
“Come here,” he growled gently.
He lifted an arm and drew her toward him until she was tucked against his side.
“It will be alright, Hetty,” he said quietly.
“Can I ask you something?” Hetty asked. She tipped her head back so she could look up at him.
“Go on.”
“If your colleagues just arrived, how did they know about Afferley? I mean, what is it?” Hetty struggled to battle the rising tide of frustration that made her voice sharper than she meant it to be, but Charlie seemed to know and understand.