Faintly she heard Edward’s curse and glanced back in time to see the cart horse rear up in terror, tipping the cart and its high pile of manure, along with the farmer into the middle of the road. The cart horse squealed again as one of the men giving chase appeared over the hedge, falling into the melee with a heavy thud. Immediately the horse he was riding stumbled in the manure, tossing its rider into the road and directly into the path of a curricle heading in the opposite direction.
Eliza gasped and turned her gaze away from the bloody scene of carnage they left behind. Immediately guilt assailed her and she fought tears at the devastation they had wrought so easily to a helpless farmer and his horse.
Edward reluctantly set aside his anger as concern for her grew. He had heard her gasp when she watched the man being run over, and had seen the distress clearly evident on her face. Immediately he slowed his horse into a steady canter and took the opportunity of the slower pace to study the area around them. There was nothing but rolling hills and the well ridden Great North Road for miles around. The men who had been chasing them were heading towards the small wooded copse on the brow of the hill, clearly intending to meet up with the rest of their gang.
On the horizon he could see a small town and catching Eliza’s stunned gaze, nodded in that direction. “Let’s stop there. We can find somewhere to stay.” He sensed her hesitation and sought for a way to prevent her feeling weak and useless. A quick glance behind assured him that her reckless actions had bought them the opportunity they needed to thwart Scraggan’s plans. He could see the riders gathered in consternation on the brow of the hill, watching them make their way unhindered through the assorted traffic.
Edward eased his grip on the reins and slowed to a steady walk, giving his horse a hearty pat for his efforts.
“Eliza, pull up for a moment.” Edward ordered softly, studying her pale complexion carefully.
Eliza drew her horse to a stop and turned to look at him expectantly.
“Do you want to take a rest for a while?”
Eliza shook her head. “We need to make the most of the daylight we have. Let’s keep moving while we have an advantage. You don’t know if Scraggan has any other nasty surprises lurking.”
“He is certainly determined.” Edward rode alongside her for several moments. “Do you know any of the men in the group so far?”
Eliza shook her head. “The one who tried to carry me out of the stable yard was definitely speaking Cornish, but I haven’t seen them in Padstow. Did you see the cutlass?” Eliza winced, knowing it was stupid question. Of course he had seen the cutlass, he had been fighting it.
Edward smiled ruefully. “I saw a flash or two of it, yes. Although it looked wicked, unfortunately for the assailant, he wasn’t all that adept at handling it.”
They rode in companionable if shaken silence for some time before the rumbling of Edward’s stomach gave him the opportunity he needed to find a way to get them off the road, and Eliza a break for a while.
“Unless I am mistaken, I think we are headed towards Huntingdon. We need to get there to meet with Peter at the Hare and Hound.” Edward wasn’t sure Peter had the time to reach Huntingdon yet, even if he had been at Dominic’s to receive the missive. He hoped so, because he desperately needed the shot for his pistol Peter had been asked to bring.
“Do you think they will be there?”
Edward paused, wondering at the apparent ease in which she read his mind.
Shaking his head, he saw no reason not to be completely honest. “I am not sure. We may have to wait until he gets the note. As soon as it arrived at Havistock, Dominic would have dealt made sure it was brought to Peter’s attention but there is no way of knowing where Peter is.” His eyes met and held hers. “He has been known to simply disappear within minutes if he gets word of a possible sighting of Jemima.”
Sensing her lingering doubts and worries, he tried to put a brighter slant to their current situation. “We can at least reside somewhere where we can eat and keep warm. Despite Scraggan’s determination to capture you, it doesn’t appear that he is prepared to enter property to get to you. The men have clearly been instructed to capture you out in the open.”
“Where I am easier to get at and it is easier to kill anyone with me, without raising the alarm and risk being captured and tried for murder.” Eliza’s voice was cold as she frowned into the distance, hatred for Scraggan burning fiercely in her breast.
Edward studied her closely and sensed her burning anger. Once again he was impressed with her cool logic and calm acceptance of their predicament. He could understand her anger, and even a thirst for vengeance.
“It won’t be too long before Dominic or Sebastian arrives. Even if they cannot locate Peter, they won’t leave us unprotected.” Edward assured her; very glad that he had two supportive brothers who were prepared to help out without question.
“My brother Dominic and Peter were sent to Norfolk about eighteen months ago, to deal with a large smuggling gang there. They will know the people in the War Office we can report this to. People your father may have spoken to about his suspicions.”
Eliza’s head snapped around to stare at him. “The War Office?”
“They are smuggling goods into the country. It is against the law, Eliza. At best it is kegs of brandy and the odd bolt of lace. At worse, it could be people – French spies.”
Eliza flinched, thinking of the papers secreted in the pouch beneath her breeches. Given everything he had sacrificed for her, she really ought to tell him everything and at least show him the papers.
Edward didn’t miss the look of guilt that stole over her face and knew that despite everything, she was still withholding information from him. It disturbed him more than he wanted to admit.
It took longer to reach Huntingdon than both had anticipated, and was late afternoon before they agreed they wouldn’t get there before nightfall. Edward cursed their luck and studied their situation for a moment.
Although the Great North Road was littered with busy coaching inns, he was loathed to stop on such a busy thoroughfare while they were being followed with such determination. He was fairly certain two riders were doggedly following them, albeit at the moment making no move to attack.
Dusk was darkening the sky to an inky blankness when a weary Eliza announced that she couldn’t ride any longer. Already she was sore and aching from the long hours in the saddle. Hunger had begun to gnaw at her insides and she was so very thirsty.
Edward s