pied a single, low slung stone building sheltered in a small meadow on the horizon. It was evident from the dishevelled state of the place that it hadn’t been used for some considerable time. Glancing back at the empty road behind them, he was reassured that they had put enough distance between themselves and Scraggan’s men to turn off the road without being found. Nodding to Eliza, he nudged his horse towards the visual protection of a high hedge running the length of the field and headed towards the long slung structure. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to suffice.
Eliza glanced at the empty windows with a shudder. Surrounded on three sides by trees, the large looming rock-face on the fourth side was almost ominous for its towering height. She was very glad Edward was there.
The area was so dark and isolated, it felt as though they were the only people in the world, as they quietly made their way to the rickety front door.
“We’ll take the horses inside.” Edward murmured, keeping his voice low despite the fact there was little prospect of anyone being close enough to overhear them.
“Are you sure there will be room?” It didn’t look as though there would be room for them inside, let alone the horses too.
Edward smiled wearily. “We can try.” It was all he said as he dismounted and began coaxing his tired horse into the darkness within the tiny building
With a rueful shake of her head, Eliza followed.
They consumed the rest of the food as they sat on the rough floor of the small cottage. Eliza gave the core of her apple to her grateful horse, as they sat in the silence.
“I’m sorry we can’t have a fire, or lighting but we really cannot alert anyone to the prospect that we are here.” Edward murmured softly, sensing her disquiet.
“I know, but I hate the dark.” Eliza whispered with a shiver. She had never realised before just how dark the night could be. Whenever it had become too dark to see, she had always lit a candle. She had never considered before just how privileged she had been just to be able to do so. Eyeing the darkness warily she inched closer to Edward, issuing a small squeak of surprise when his long arm slid across her shoulders.
“How are you feeling?” He whispered, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind her ear.
“Sore.” She replied, shifting against the hard flood beneath her bruised bottom. “It has been several years since last rode. I had forgotten how much of a strain it can be.”
“You did well today.” Admiration was clear in his voice.
“Thank you. It is something I don’t want to repeat however.” Eliza replied ruefully.
Silence descended for several long moments.
“I’m sorry we didn’t make it to a coaching inn.” He murmured softly, wishing they had the comforting expanse of a soft bed beneath them. At least fully dressed and sitting upright he wouldn’t pose any risk to her virtue. He thought ruefully, shifting his numb bottom against the hard floor in search of a more comfortable spot.
“Why don’t you try to get some sleep.” He ignored her soft snort and tugged her closer until she was flush against him. “I know it is difficult given the circumstances, but you really must try to get some rest. We have another long ride ahead of us tomorrow to get to Huntingdon.”
As they sat side by side in the darkness, Eliza became aware of just how quiet it really was. The soft rustle of leaves brushed by the gentle breeze, and the occasional snort of the horses were the only sounds in the night. If she was to be faced with such a situation, then she could only be very glad that Edward was with her. She didn’t think she could face it by herself.
She jumped as one of the horses coughed.
“Try to relax.” Even through the darkness, Eliza could hear the humour in his voice.
“I’m sorry, I just hate the dark.” She replied, eyeing the dark shadows in the far corner of the room warily. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination but they seemed to be moving slightly. Squeezing her eyes tight, she did as he suggested and tried to relax enough to get some sleep, but she knew it would be a long time coming.
And it was.
Edward was resting his head against the wall behind him, his eyes were closed but Eliza knew he wasn’t asleep.
Eliza gasped at a raucous screech that suddenly broke the silence. She instinctively grabbed Edward’s jacket and felt him jerk in response.
“Oh God, what is it?” She listened to the loud, high pitched scream that seemed to go on forever. Terrified, her heart thumping heavily in her breast, she clasped her hands over her ears when after a few seconds of silent, another scream followed.
“Don’t worry darling, it is just a female fox.” Edward murmured as he relaxed back against the wall.
Eliza looked at him aghast. “What? How can you be sure?”
“That’s the shriek of a female fox warning other foxes off her turf. She can probably smell the horses and mistakenly thinks they are other foxes.” Edward’s stifled a yawn, apparently unconcerned.
When another shriek pierced the night air, Eliza resumed her position against his side and sat rigidly against him, as close as she could get without climbing into his cloak.
“Oh God, make it stop.” She moaned when the haunting squeal continued to break the silence. It sounded so much like a woman screaming it made the hairs stand up on the back of her neck.