Lord Winterbrook rolled his eyes.
“It will bemorethan enough time. I assure you. They will be ready to ride the moment I speak with them!” Taking a deep breath, he put his hands out. “But I think this is the best plan. I can think of nothing else. I thank you, Lady Elizabeth, for your wisdom and your willingness.”
“I look forward to this matter being behind us.”
She spoke fervently, praying that he would understand her meaning and, from the smile which split his face and the light which gleamed in his eyes, she believed he did. This would be the end of the dark situation which had wrapped itself around them, and in its place, would leave nothing but a glorious light.
* * *
“How do you feel?”
Elizabeth looked down at her tightened hands, her fingers white with tension.
“I am very anxious.” She attempted a laugh, but it was a brittle sound, and one which was chased away very quickly. “This may very well have been my own idea, but I confess to being very nervous. I do hope that the outcome will be as we expect.”
Lady Yardley nodded but said nothing. She too was looking less poised than usual, although her expression appeared calm. It was the slight paleness of her face, and how her eyes darted around the carriage which gave Elizabeth the impression that she was also a little uncertain of what was going to take place.
“I am sure that all will go very well.” Miss Millington stated this with a great amount of confidence in her voice, but she too was looking white-faced. Lord Yardley sat opposite his wife for when Lady Yardley had informed him of what was to happen, he had not just volunteered to join them but had insisted. He was not about to let his wife, or her friends, sit in a carriage that was about to be robbed by highwaymen without him being present. Elizabeth had widened her eyes at the sight of a pistol being placed upon the seat, with Lord Yardley hiding it with his coat, but he, upon seeing her reaction, had assured her that it was only there as a precaution. Elizabeth had nodded, still uncertain, but now found herself silently grateful for the knowledge that they were protected.
“Wrap your scarf a little higher about your neck.” Lady Yardley reached across, tapping Elizabeth’s knee to garner her attention. “And pull the bonnet a little lower, if you can. Recall, we do not want you to be identified.”
Elizabeth did as she was told, hiding her features as best she could, knowing that when the time came, she would have to round her back and pull her shoulder high in an attempt to appear somewhat infirm. Lord Winterbrook had stated that he hoped very much thathewould be the one to stop the carriage and demand that they gave him what they had, but he could not be certain of it. If Stafford, Connelly, or Griggs came forward, then they would have to make certain that Elizabeth could not be recognized by any of them. Lord Winterbrook had suggested that she remain in London, but Elizabeth had refused. Her friends were to be a part of this, and so, therefore, was she. The thought of sitting alone at home while Miss Millington, Lord Yardley, and Lady Yardley put themselves in a dangerous situation was unconscionable. Thus, she sat and waited for the result of whatever this afternoon would bring, closing her eyes and taking in a breath to quieten her fractious mind.
All the same, she jumped in fright when a loud shout rent the air. There was more than one voice this time, each shouting and, even though she knew precisely who it was, and what they intended, she shuddered violently. The coachman, who had been prepared in advance for this, slowed the horses carefully and did not make a single sound of contention. There was laughter and much shouting from the highwaymen and, when the door was pulled open, Elizabeth shrank back, her heart pounding furiously.
“Step out. All of you.”
It was not Lord Winterbrook who stood there, as Elizabeth had hoped, but rather the man who had confronted her a few days ago, Stafford. She could tell by his frame, the heaviness of him, the broadness of his shoulders. His gruff voice sent a tremor through her, and she hastily dropped her chin and rounded her back as best she could, looking away from him to hide her face.
“We will not.” Lord Yardley gestured towards Elizabeth. “I will not drag this poor lady from her chair. We must get her to London.” His voice was flooded with anger. “And besides, I am not usually at the behest of highwaymen.”
“Well, today you are,” Stafford retorted, grimly. “I insist that all of you remove yourselves from the carriage. Either you help her, or I will drag her out myself.”
There was another frank exchange, but after a few moments, Lord Yardley yielded. Turning his head, he murmured for them to do as was asked, and then stepped out first. Lady Yardley went next, with Miss Millington, thereafter, leaving Elizabeth to hobble forward. Carefully, she made her way from the carriage, pretending to be bent and twisted and leaning heavily on Lord Yardley’s arm. When she stood on the grass, Elizabeth leaned heavily against the side of the carriage, turning to one side so that the men would not see her face fully. Stafford was standing directly in front of them all, another man to his left. A third man was near the coachman, his pistol drawn and pointed in the fellow’s direction.
“Give us whatever you have.” Stafford waved one hand to the other man. “Go to the luggage.”
Another man, a wiry figure, made to step forward, only for Lord Yardley to speak up.
“I would take a moment to reconsider, if I were you.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth watched, surprised. The man who had begun to make his way to the carriage stopped at once, as though Lord Yardley was the one to give him his orders, rather than Stafford. Glancing quickly to her right, she saw Lord Winterbrook sitting astride his horse, the only one still to do so. Perhaps he had not been given permission by Stafford to jump to the ground. He was not looking at her, but her heart went out to him regardless. Hastily, Elizabeth pulled her eyes away, fearful that someone would notice her lingering glance. It was not time yet for her to reveal herself, but it soon would be. She could not allow that moment to come too quickly.
“What are you doing?” Stafford waved one hand at the other man. “Hurry up. Work through that luggage as quickly as you can.”
The man glanced at Lord Yardley and then took another step, only for Lady Yardley to speak again.
“I think he shows some wisdom in being cautious.” Her words came clearly, and though Stafford took a slow step towards her, she did not flinch. “I would advise you to do the same. It is important that you listen to me at present.”
“Is that so? Or is it that you have things you are trying to hide from me?” Stafford snorted, gesturing to the second man who again, made his way towards the carriage, coming to a stop beside Elizabeth, his eyes glinting as he studied her – no doubt wondering what jewels she might be hiding. “Do you think that your words will stop me from doing what I want? You should know better than that by now! I am sure you’ve heard stories of highwaymen.” Lowering his head and his tone, he grinned wickedly. “We are just as cruel as you might believe.”
“And just as foolish.” Miss Millington spoke clearly, even though she trembled as she did so. “You have very little idea of who it is you are speaking to.”
Elizabeth’s eyes flared as Stafford’s expression grew ugly. His jaw pushed forward, his brow lined heavily as he took slow advancing steps towards Miss Millington, while the second man stepped back from Elizabeth, glaring at Miss Millington for daring to say such a thing.
“I don’t care who I am speaking to,” Stafford growled, his eyes dark. “Be it rich or poor, they willallgive me something. I don’t care whether you serve the King himself, or if you have no home but the street. Whatever you have, I will take it.”
“Then it shall be the last thing you do take,” Lord Yardley stated, coming to stand in front of Miss Millington as though to protect her from Stafford. “You have been given an opportunity, but if you refuse to take it, then there is nothing I can do other than to tell you all that this shall be the last time you will ever attempt to rob someone.”
