Sweeping darkness seemed to answer him as a cloud pulled itself in front of the moon, blocking out the dim light. Scowling, Felix trudged forward, having very little idea of where he was or what he intended to do. He would probably walk until morning until he had no energy left and was utterly spent. Perhaps then he might be able to find a few hours where he could lose himself in sleep and forget how foolish a gentleman he had been.
Breathing heavily, he stopped for a moment, leaning back against a wall, and closed his eyes. Nothing but pain surrounded him.
“And who might you be?” A voice came out to greet him and Felix’s eyes snapped open. Turning, he saw only a flickering torch hung from the door of an establishment, which, given the smell emanating from its doors, was not somewhere he wished to be. A man stood in the doorway, a silhouette in the darkness, his voice grating. “I asked you a question.”
Shrugging inwardly and thinking it would be best to answer so no argument would be brooked, he shrugged.
“Winterbrook,” Felix responded wearily. “And no, I am not coming inside.”
As he went to go past the door, a strong arm reached out and grabbed his own.
“This street leads nowhere but here. You’ll have to turn around.”
Grimacing, Felix let out a frustrated breath, one hand pulling into a fist as the man’s hand tightened on his arm.
“I have no business here,” he stated firmly, having no intention of permitting himself to become involved in a brawl, even though his temper was already frayed. “I am walking, that is all. I shall turn around and make my way home.”
“But nobody comes to these parts unless they want something.” The man’s voice was low and gravelly, and with a sudden jolt Felix realized that he recognized it. “And I’m sure I know who you are. We’ve met before. Which means you’ve been here before.”
It was a nervous, brittle laugh that broke from Felix’s lips rather than the strong one he had intended as he shook off the man’s hand. Hehadbeen here before, he realized. It was where he had recruited three men to ride with him – one of whom now was standing only inches away.
“I hardly think so. I am from the other side of London. It is not a place where two such fellows like us should meet.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
The man reached out for him again, but Felix moved backward quickly. The lantern was the only light, the faded moonlight from behind a cloud hiding most of Felix’s features, and for that, he was rather relieved.
“Leave me be.”
His anger was rising quickly, fueled by the late evening and the disappointment he had brought upon himself. Recalling that the man had said there was nowhere else to go other than to come back the way he had come, Felix turned quickly but the man stepped in front of him directly. Felix made to sidestep him, but the man moved again, and a sudden fear clawed its way through Felix’s anger, settling in his heart.
“I’m sure I know you.” The man lowered his head a little as if to scrutinize Felix’s face, but Felix quickly turned away. “Your voice. I recognize it.”
“And what would you know of upper-class gentlemen?” A fiery response was the only thing he could think to give. Catching a glint of clenched teeth, Felix took his moment and quickly hurried forward. His shoulder crashed against the man’s, knocking him backward but, rather than allow Felix to leave, the man twisted towards him again. Felix had no choice but to defend himself. If this was the man whom he believed it to be, if this was Stafford, then he was just as clumsy on his feet and as heavy in his steps as he had been before. He dodged this way and that as best he could, the cloud moving from the moon to allow him to see a little better. “I have no wish to hurt you!” Felix gasped, staggering back. Stafford made another attempt to lunge for him but this time, Felix knocked him back with one hearty punch. Stafford let out a howl as the crunch of Felix’s fist met his cheek, and reeled back from the impact. “I am taking my leave.” Breathing hard, Felix stepped forward as Stafford sagged back against the wall. “Leave me alone. We have never met. Do I make myself clear?”
He made turn away only for a dark chuckle to follow after him.
“Now Iknowwe have.” The man was grinning, laughing aloud as Felix turned around again, his heart twisting painfully. “I knew I recognized your voice and the way that you fought just now? Well, that reminds me of the highwayman I fought a few days ago.” Another chuckle came towards him, and Felix shivered. “Which means,” Stafford finished, “youare that highwayman. And now,Mr. Winterbrook,I know your name.”
“Think what you wish.” Giving the man no firm response to his statement, Felix shrugged and turned around. “And keep your hands off me this time. I have already knocked you back once.”
Fighting to keep his steps slow and unhurried, Felix made his way back the way he had come, but he could not help but glance behind him into the shadows, quite certain that he could hear Stafford’s dark laughter chasing him. If the manhadrecognized him, if he believed that hehadfound the highwayman, then was there about to be yet more trouble brought to Felix’s door? Pausing for a moment, Felix rubbed hard at his forehead, his shoulders sagging, and a heavy sigh escaping from his lungs. He had started off this venture in the hope of finding a little excitement, but now it had brought him nothing but trouble and pain, with the threat of yet more to follow.
Chapter Thirteen
“Ican hardly believe it!” Elizabeth paced up and down the drawing room, as Lady Yardley, Miss Millington, and Lady Sherbourne looked on. “I am now betrothed to a gentleman I have no desire to wed! This goes entirely against the promise I made to myselfandto my friends. I am horrified at the situation.”
Hot tears threatened to push themselves towards her eyes, but with an effort she chased them away, her hands curling into tight fists, her jaw set firmly.
“It is understandable for you to have done so,” Miss Millington answered, but Elizabeth dismissed that remark with a wave of her hand.
“No, I ought to have been stronger than that. I should have cared very little for what would occur thereafter. Yes, I acted foolishly, I will admit, in striding into the room to be alone with Lord Winterbrook. It was not the wisest thing to plant a kiss upon Lord Winterbrook’s lips, but I had to be sure. I had to know for certain, so that there was no doubt in my own mind.”
“And itwashe who kissed you.”
This was said as a statement rather than a question, and Elizabeth nodded, seeing Lady Yardley’s sympathetic look.
“Yes, it was he.” Stopping her pacing, for her legs were beginning to tremble. Elizabeth made her way back to her chair. “I can hardly believe he has treated me so. I am all the more heartbroken that I am to marry a gentleman who I cannot allow my heart to love.”
