Page 60 of Against the Wind

“I don’t want to stay here alone, Martin.”

“You must,” he replied. “I need you to be strong now, and I need to be sure you are safe while I deal with what is about to happen. Trust me for a little while longer.”

He left without saying more. Kit was torn, thinking of how much she loved him but also tired of being told what to do and offered no information. Did he truly feel justified in leaving her to wonder about his part in this fomenting rebellion? Did he truly think she would not worry about him as he worried about her? No, she would not sit and wait as he urged. If he did not tell her the truth tonight, if he gave her some excuse or forgot to bring it up, she would plan to be at Hunt’s barn in South Wingfield where the men were to meet. If he was there, perhaps she could talk him out of madness.

Rutledge stood in front of the White Horse Inn, content with the way his plans were coming together. The house he had leased from the Duke of Devonshire’s agent lay in a dell, hidden and isolated, most suitable for his purposes, and he’d been having Katherine watched. All was ready.

Though his finding Katherine had come at an inopportune time, it could not have been helped. He was delighted to have found her at all. And then, perhaps the business that brought him to Derbyshire might take care of his other problem. Yes, the timing was perhaps perfect after all. Wasn’t the Frenchman Katherine married one of the insurrectionists plotting that doomed rebellion? The hussars might take care of him. In that case, he would not have to kill the man himself to render Katherine a widow, soiling his hands where it wasn’t truly necessary. He might have a word with the hussar captain, though, to assure they did not miss that particular traitor. Yes, that could be easily arranged.

He had brought an unmarked carriage to the inn, equipped with curtains covering the windows. Taking one of his guards with him and leaving the other with the carriage, he ordered the coachman to wait and entered the inn to find the proprietress just inside the door. He knew of Nanny Weightman from Oliver, for she was active in the workers’ cause, even urging her own sons to become involved in the planned insurrection. The woman was a fool but she might be helpful.

“Good day ta ye, sir. May I be of service?”

“Why, yes.” He forced a smile. “I’m here to escort Mrs. Donet to her husband, who, I understand, is attending a meeting. I believe you are aware of the…meeting at Hunt’s barn?”

“I am, good sir. ’Tis an important day here in Pentridge. Did ye want me to tell Mrs. Donet she has a caller?”

“No. Mrs. Donet and I are previously acquainted. I am expected.”

“Well, then, ye’ll find her upstairs. First door on yer left.”

“Thank you.” Rutledge tipped his head to the innkeeper then signaled his guard with a raised brow to keep the woman occupied.

As he ascended the steps, Rutledge once again gave thanks for the fortuitousness of these events. As it was June ninth, Nanny Weightman’s sons and most of the men of Pentridge were already at Hunt’s barn. There would be few, if any, to see him leave.