Page 20 of Almost a Countess

Finn ground his teeth in outrage atScarlet’s reprehensible instructions. Now it was imperative that hereturn to Bromley as quickly as possible, inform Miss Harper of thelieutenant’s plans, and leave her house immediately lest he bringruin down upon her. Without him actually in residence, there was abetter chance to conceal his presence there this past day. Hisblood continued to rage at the insult to Miss Harper, but evengraver was the realization of how vulnerable she actually was atthe estate without proper protection. These men were merely onedanger a lone woman faced. Why had her parents left her alone andall but defenseless? He’d ask her if there was some other familymember who could stay with her until her parentsreturned.

A stinging bite on Finn’s right armbrought him out of his thoughts. He brushed at it, trying to seethe culprit, and his arm hit a branch of the bush.

“What wasthat?”

Finn froze, terrified to breathe,hoping he’d not just given himself away.

One of the soldiers was coming closer,the thud of his boots getting louder by the second.

“What is it, Gates?”Scarlet sounded annoyed rather than alarmed.

“Something rustled in thebushes up there, on the bank opposite.”

“A rabbit most likely.Leave it. Dinner’s awaiting us at the Golden Lion. Everyone, mountup.”

Maddened that he couldn’t see more,Finn held still, praying Gates would obey his commander and abandonhis hunt.

“A coney’d taste rightgood, though, don’t you think, lieutenant?” Gates’s voice wascloser, followed by the unmistakable sound of water splashing asthe soldier forded the stream to Finn’s side. “Better vittles thanany inn could serve.”

Finn closed his eyes, sickened thathis own folly would once again be his undoing. The only comfort hecould take from his capture would be that the soldiers would haveno need to visit Miss Harper’s estate. She would be safe,unmolested by Scarlet or his men. Would she wonder what hadhappened to him? He prayed her horse had made it back to itsstable. He’d hate to have her believe he’d taken the animal andheaded to London.

The crack of a twig near his head toldhim Gates was upon him. Actually standing over him, most likely.The bushes, while thick enough above, were spindly below. If thesoldier leaned down and looked underneath, Finn would be totallyexposed to his view. Defenseless.

Well, not completely defenseless. Astout branch had broken off one of the bushes some time ago. It laynear his head. If he could use the element of surprise, bash Gateson the head, then crawl from bush to bush in the direction thesoldiers had come from, he might manage another escape in thegeneral confusion. Odds were much longer this time, but it wasworth a try.

He closed his fingers around the deadbranch, careful to be as silent as possible. The smooth, hard stickfelt good in his hand. Any weapon was a godsend to the hunted.Listening keenly for Gates’s next footfall, Finn had a sudden surgeof optimism. He was going to escape Scarlet’s men again, runstraight back to Miss Harper’s manor house, and hopefully be awiser and more prudent man.

Gates stepped directly beside Finn anddrew his pistol. “I’ve got you now, little bugger,” he whispered,and cocked the weapon.

Chapter 9

Glad she had already swallowed hertea, Dora paused to compose her face before answering Tris. Shewished to speak truthfully, but not if it meant giving away anyinformation regarding Lord Aberfoyle. “No, they have not put in anappearance at Bromley yet, however I did hear they were in theneighborhood yesterday. They had come by The Green Tree and Mrs.Jameson told me who they were looking for. Then I just missed themat Mr. Hawkins’s cottage. I daresay they will come by thisafternoon or tomorrow.”

“I cannot rememberanything so exciting ever happening in this area.” Tris grinned,making him look very boyish. “I quite envy them thechase.”

“You cannot mean that,Tris.” Violet tapped his knee. “I pity the poor man they areafter.”

“My dear, you wouldsympathize with the fox during a hunt.” He lifted her hand andkissed the knuckles. “But I suspect you wouldn’t be socompassionate toward the villain if he were to break in here andthreaten you. When they called this morning, I almost offered myservices to help in the capture.” He patted Violet’s arm. “But weare scarcely settled in here, so I didn’t like to leave you alone,sweetheart.”

“Did the soldiers say whatcrime the fugitive had committed?” Dora prayed they had. If theiraccount matched Lord Aberfoyle’s, she could rest easy that he hadtold her the truth.

“Fearing the worst, Iasked them. If he was arrested for murder or had accosted a woman,I meant to take Violet and leave immediately for York until theyapprehended him.” Tris’s frown had deepened into ascowl.

“And were either of thosehis crime?” Dora tried to act naturally but still held herbreath.

Tris fixed her with an impatient eye.“As we have not left the county, Dora, you can assume they werenot, although the charge is quite serious.”

“What is it?” She edgedforward on her seat.

“Treason.”

“Goodness.” Violetsqueaked and grabbed Tris’s hand. “Did he attempt to injure theking in some way? Why didn’t you tell me any of this, mylove?”

“I didn’t wish to worryyou, Violet. Not in your condition.” He turned to Dora. “It’sactually more of a tempest in a cream pot.”

At that, Dora perked up. “What do youmean?”

“The prisoner is aScotsman who apparently wore a kilt.” Tris snorted. “No sense,these young fire eaters.”