“I will pay you regardless of what takes place on any ride we take together,” he said firmly. “You do not seem to understand, so allow me to make myself quite clear. I will pay you every time, regardless of what I take or what I do not take. Therefore, whether I decide to steal from a gentleman or I choose to step back, you will be given the same amount as has been promised. Do I make myself quite clear?” The three men glanced at each other, with the other two removing their masks also. Eventually, one of them nodded. “Of course, if you wish to leave my employ, you may do so. That is your choice.” Shrugging, he gestured towards London. “I am very sure that I will be able to find someone to replace you quite easily. After all, consider your companions and friends who would be looking for such a situation as this! Please, if you have anyone you think would be suitable to fill your position, then do send them to me.”
One of the men muttered something, but he then shook his head when Felix lifted an eyebrow in his direction. Obviously, the man had no intention of answering, and thus, with a shrug, Felix wheeled his horse around and turned its nose back towards London. Whether or not he would be able to get ahead of the carriage, he was not sure but, even if he could not do so, he knew his butler would encourage the gentleman and the young lady to remain until he arrived home. Quite what to do with him was not yet clear but, initially, he would have to play pretense, horrified that a highwayman had recommended him and questioning who such a person may be! However, when it came to it, Felix was eager to aid Miss Whitford and her uncle after they had been treated so cruelly by Lord Ruthven. To have thrown his stepsister aside was utterly despicable in Felix’s eyes, and regardless of the fact he sometimes pretended to be a highwayman and stole things from other members of society, Felix was quite determined to step forth in goodness and extend a hand of generosity to these poor folk.
A sudden thought crossed his mind and he smiled, his whole body suddenly alive with both mirth and eagerness.
Lord Bramwell has been considering matrimony.The smile spread into a grin, and he chuckled aloud, then leaned forward over his saddle, urging his horse a little faster. This afternoon had gone in an unexpected direction, but mayhap, in the end, it had done him some good.
Chapter Five
“This may sound a little ridiculous, but I did wonder if we might use the Ledger to discover the true faces of the highwayman.”
Lady Yardley, Miss Millington, and Lady Sherbourne listened carefully as Elizabeth recounted what had happened to her – albeit without the kiss.
“I am very grateful to you, Lady Yardley, for stepping into my mother’s place, but I am also aware that the situation affects not only myself and my mother. Surely these men will be attacking other persons and other carriages! Is there a way for them to be stopped?”
“It is a particular problem, especially for those coming into London,” Lady Yardley murmured. “It is not very easy to find out the true identity of such people. What makes you think that this highwayman is different?”
Elizabeth bit her lip, suddenly uncertain.
“The truth is, I found this highwayman a little… unusual,” she answered, pushing away the warmth which began to pulse through her veins when she thought of him. “He seemed more eager to talk than to force me to hand over my jewels. It was most unexpected, I confess! He even offered to allow both myself and my mother to remove ourselves from the situation without injury, provided I spoke at length with him first.” Upon seeing Lady Yardley’s eyebrows lift high, she nodded and let out a dry laugh. “That is precisely my feeling. Why would a highwayman do such a thing as that? It was as if he did not have any need for the brooch I provided him, as though he were only doing it out of the desire to behave in a reckless manner.” Another thought came to her, and her eyes widened. “Indeed, now that I think of it, his speech was very unusual also. He spoke as any gentleman of thetonmight do, not in a rougher tone, as I might have expected.”
Lady Yardley blinked.
“You mean to say -?”
“You think that the highwayman is a gentleman in society!”
Miss Millington’s exclamation came just as Lady Yardley said almost the same thing. Elizabeth hesitated, then put out both hands, a little unsure.
“I cannot say for certain, but my instinct would be to suggest that he is certainly from a higher standing than those we might first consider when thinking of a highwayman.” Her lips pressed tightly together. “Do you think that the Ledger might be able to help in some way?”
Lady Yardley hesitated for a moment.
“Mayhap. We might put in a notice enquiring as to whether or not anyone else has been set upon by this highwayman? We could put in a brief description of him and see if there are any stories that we can use. There might be clues by which we could begin to decipher his identity.” She lifted both shoulders. “That is all I can suggest for the moment.”
Elizabeth let out a breath and with it came a smile.
“That is certainly something. I hope that you do not think me foolish to be thinking on this so.”
“Not in the least!” Lady Yardley exclaimed, as the others shook their heads. “You wish to identify him to aid society. That is an excellent idea.”
Elizabeth smiled softly.
“Thank you.” Her smile twisted. “Though quite what I am to do when Idodiscover him is a little uncertain!”
“You could demand the return of your brooch, at the very least!” Lady Sherbourne suggested, smiling briefly. “I am sorry that he took that from you.”
“Thank you.”
She dropped her gaze and clasped her hands gently in her lap, aware of the heat behind her eyes. The heirloom had meant a great deal to her, for it was the only thing of her grandmother’s which had been given to her. The thought of never having it again was a difficult thought.
“It is something we can try at least.” Lady Yardley smiled, then changed the subject. “Now are you to attend the ball this evening? Have you any gentleman in your thoughts at present?” She looked at Elizabeth first and then at Miss Millington. “I know there have been many gentlemen seeking you out!”
Elizabeth, glad to be speaking on another topic, shook her head.
“I confess that I have been quite taken up with either thinking about the highwayman, my missing brooch, or my dear Mama.” She offered Lady Yardley a brief smile. “Mamahasappeared quite fatigued of late. I cannot tell the reason behind it, and I have suggested the physician, but she states now that further rest is what will aid her. I am grateful for your willingness to chaperone me, for I do not think that she will be able to attend many events for some time yet.”
Lady Yardley’s advice to be gentle in Elizabeth’s consideration of her mother had been quite correct for, in doing so and pushing her exasperation away, Elizabeth had seen just how tired her mother had become and how much strength the shock of the highwayman’s actions had taken from her.
