“There!” Eliza pointed to the dense thicket of trees on the side of the road further down the road.
Edward studied the small copse of woods for several moments, assessing the danger. He should have stopped long enough to pick up one of the surplus swords and cursed his stupidity. He had been so worried about getting her away from the danger that he had forgotten the basics. De-arm your enemy. Nodding briskly at her, within moments they were heading in that direction.
“Keep quiet.” Edward ordered as they picked their way through the dense foliage to stand as far back from the road as possible while still keeping it in sight. Leading the small group as far into the trees as he could, Edward dismounted and motioned for Eliza to follow him.
“Hold on to these.”
Eliza quenched in fear as she stared up at the big round eyes of their horses glaring haughtily at her through the darkness, and silently prayed they wouldn’t take it into their heads to run off. She turned to Edward only to find he had completely vanished. Twisting around she couldn’t see or hear anything, and wondered how such a big man moved so silently.
She sent a silent prayer heavenward and watched as the three riders moved slowly down the track directly through the middle of the thick, yet small copse of woods. They were scanning the trees on either side of the road, clearly searching for her and Edward.
Eliza knew for certain they could see her, and any moment now they were going to shout and come barrelling through the woods towards her. Tension coiled low in her belly and she rested her head against Guinness’s huge head and waited.
The minutes seemed to drag by indeterminably as the riders moved slowly down the track without stopping and eventually disappeared from sight.
Seconds later, her low squeak of surprise was silenced by the large hand that clamped over her mouth, stifling her scream perfectly. She swayed with a huge wave of relief, her knees threatening to buckle beneath as she realised it was Edward.
He silently pressed a finger to his lips and motioned for her move. With startling ease he hefted her into the saddle, swinging up on his new horse moments later. As silently as possible they made their way back through the trees towards the road.
“We can’t go back there.” Eliza whispered nodding towards the road they had just come down.
“We aren’t, we are going to cut across country and find a milestone so we can find out where the hell we are. Then we will find ourselves a tavern so we can get some food, and rest – in that order - and then you can tell me everything you know.”
“I have.” She whispered defensively, not reassured by the lack of movement behi
nd them.
“No you haven’t.” Edward declared dismissively. “Unless I am mistaken, those men aren’t the drunken revellers from the tavern.” He glanced across at her and knew he had hit a nerve when she shifted guiltily and pretended to study the horizon. He knew that if it was daylight her beautiful cheeks would probably be stained with a guilty blush.
“If we are to get you to safety, you have to tell me everything Eliza.” Although he kept his voice low, his tone lost none of its warning.
“This isn’t your problem Edward. You need to go back to Peter and tell him that I know nothing. Jemima disappeared about two weeks ago. I haven’t seen or heard anything from her since.” Eliza sighed, hoping her sister had stuck to the plan and left a note in their hiding place.
“It isn’t that simple.” Edward replied, easing his horse across the unfamiliar field. “I cannot just let you walk away now. I can get you to a place of safety, where you can stay until Jemima is found, and your future is decided.” He didn’t like to admit that for his own peace of mind he needed to ensure that she was safe and well. Sometime during the past few hours he had become concerned for her wellbeing far too much than he was comfortable with, but there was little he could do about the sudden driving need to claim her as his. Not only did he want her safe, but he was also intrigued by her story and wanted to learn as much as she could tell him. He was a warrior and a warrior never back down from a fight.
It appeared there wasn’t that much difference between himself and Peter after all. Edward mused, considering the strength of feeling she had brought out in him after only a few hours’ acquaintance – and most of that had been while being pursued by an unknown, yet persistent enemy.
“What do you mean?” She didn’t like the ring of finality in his voice, as though the matter had already been decided and didn’t need to be questioned. She didn’t want anyone deciding anything for her. After the events of the past few months she considered she was the only one qualified to make any decisions on her behalf and she certainly didn’t want anyone of such short acquaintance deciding what was best for her.
“I mean that I need to know what has happened to you to bring you to that run down cesspit back in Derby.” He threw her a pointed glance, daring her to be evasive or untruthful. “You will then tell me everything you know about your pursuers. Once the people who want you so badly are dealt with, you and Jemima can decide what you want to do with your lives.”
“Does Peter know about Jemima’s situation?” Eliza shuddered as a cold sweep of night air stole beneath the folds of her cloak with icy intent. Glancing over at Edward’s thin shirt she wondered if she should offer him his cloak back. Her heart clenched with guilt; he must be frozen in the cold breeze with nothing but the thin material to protect him.
“Situation?”
“What drove her to move to Derby.”
“I’m not sure. I know they met while you were in Devon. She approached him for help for some reason and confided in him before vanishing. He has been desperate to find her ever since and has followed her – your – trail through to Derby. He has practically pulled the town apart in his quest to find her.” Edward could see nothing wrong with confiding in her thus far. If she understood the depth of Peter’s involvement, it just might earn her trust and make her feel able to confide in him.
“You cannot in all conscience drop me on his doorstep and expect him to accommodate me. After all, it isn’t me he is looking for.” Eliza reasoned, feeling a pang of envy that her sister, her beautiful fun-loving sister, had someone so adoring of her that he would move heaven and hell to find her. “I cannot go with you. At the next village you need to let me down so I can find my own way.”
“I won’t countenance such a possibility. Wherever you go, I go.” Edward was loathed to leave her anywhere, especially after all of the trouble he had gone to ensuring her safety thus far. She was going to be delivered to Peter’s safe keeping, via his brother’s residence – whether she liked it or not.
He didn’t want to stop and consider that his determination to take her to Peter and Dominic may be driven by the need to see her again in more normal circumstances.
“They are following again.” Eliza gasped, catching sight of three riders heading in their direction across the fields. Was it her imagination, or was the darkness giving way to meagre shade of light? “They’re coming fast.” She tried to keep the panic out of her voice, but fear swept through her when Edward glanced over his shoulder and cursed.
They raced side by side through the night, hooves pounding with brutal fury as they tried to escape the relentless determination of the three determined pursuers.