Felix frowned. There was truth in the man’s expression and the prick of conscience bit down at him hard.
“And what circumstances would these be?”
Doubts still rose in his mind, but as he looked at the young lady and saw her tears, his heart constricted. Realizing that Harrison had spoken the truth about their luggage, his concern began to grow.
“I shall explain, uncle.” Miss Whitford dabbed at her eyes with the edge of her sleeve before sniffing lightly, then looking at him. Her voice was soft, her face pale but her words held truth. “My mother was fortunate enough to marry a gentleman of wealth, even though her standing was not akin to his own. I believe they loved each other dearly. However, he’d already had a son with his late wife. A son who is now Lord Ruthven, due to my father no longer being of this earth.” The young woman blinked rapidly but her voice was steady. “I was born a year or so after my parents’ marriage, but I barely knew my stepbrother, since he was sent to Eton when I was young. Sadly, my mother passed away a little over a year ago and I have been mourning her ever since.” A slight wobble in her voice indicated the depths of her emotion. “A little over a fortnight ago, I was informed that I was to leave the house at once. I was forced to bid farewell to the house I grew up in, the only place I have ever called home. With nowhere else to go, I went to my uncle and he, in turn, suggested that we go to London.” Her eyes welled up with tears again. “My stepbrother forced me from the house, and I was allowed to take nothing with me, so we have no wealth to speak of. However, I am still the daughter of a gentleman and mayhap, I might have a chance to find a suitable match.” Her eyes closed as tears dripped from her cheeks. “Beforeit becomes clear that my stepbrother has practically disowned me.”
Instead of refusing to believe this story, Felix’s first thoughts and feelings were ones of anger. He was acquainted with Lord Ruthven and could not understand why the man would treat his stepsister in such a way! A gentleman’s responsibility was to his own family, andheought to be the one taking care of his stepsister, making certain that she was provided for and found a suitable match. Clearly, instead of doing so, he had simply decided she was a burden he did not require, and therefore, had dismissed her without consideration.
“I do not have a great deal of coin myself.” The older gentleman dropped his head, a slight flush at his throat. “But I have enough to take us to London and to, thereafter, secure us lodgings for a month or so.” His head lifted a little. “I am a godly man. I pray frequently and now do so solely for my niece, with the fervent hope that the Almighty might see fit to answer my prayers.”
“And where have you taken lodgings?” Felix found himself saying, even though he had no intention of speaking so. “Where is it that you will be staying?”
“I have found a place.”
The gentleman took a moment to answer, perhaps a little surprised that a highwayman should be asking him such questions. When Felix lifted an eyebrow, he named the place, and Felix immediately shook his head. The place named was not suitable, not even for the gentleman, and certainly not for the young lady.
The story of the young lady’s situation and the kindness of her granduncle’s heart had brought about a feeling of sympathy in Felix. He had no intention of taking the lady’s locket nor of demanding coin from the gentleman. Instead, he took a breath and shook his head.
“I cannot know for certain whether such a story is true, but I do find that my sympathies are engaged.” Placing his pistol down on the floor of the carriage, he looked directly at the older gentleman. “But your niece cannot stay in those lodgings. I may be a highwayman, but evenIknow that such places are not suitable for young ladies.”
The older gentleman’s eyes glistened.
“This is all I can afford, sir.” The slight wobble to his voice had Felix’s heart twisting. “Do you not understand? All she has is that locket. Nothing more. It is just as well that she hid the locket under her dress as she removed herself from the house, for I am certain that Lord Ruthven would have taken it from her had he been aware of it. He was determined to leave her with nothing and therefore, I must give all that I have to give her even a chance of a happiness.”
Felix’s throat constricted. They had faced so much pain already, he could not allow them to go to London to face even more difficult circumstances! At the same time, however, he did not want to give himself away nor ruin his reputation as a highwayman. He had always enjoyed what he did as regarded putting on the mask and chasing after various carriages – but that thrill of excitement was no longer with him. His heart sank as he looked into the face of the young woman and saw the paleness of her features, the tears in her eyes. Was her fear really something he found delight in?
Felix shuddered, then turned his face away.
“I know many gentlemen and ladies in London.” Speaking carefully so he would not reveal himself, he let out a heavy breath. “This will sound a little strange, but I will tell you now to make your way to Lord Winterbrook’s townhouse. Tell him your situation. Express your concern to him. I am certain he will be able to help you.”
The gentleman shook his head.
“I cannot simply turn up on the doorstep of someone I have never met, particularly when I am as lowly as this!”
“But you cannot take your niece to the East End of London.” Felix spoke as gently and carefully as he could, not wanting to frighten the young lady, but needing to be honest, also. “It will be all the worse for her and for you, I am afraid. Is that what you wish for? Do you wish for yourself to be injured, thrown about, or beaten until you can barely move? Do you wish to see ruffians and scoundrels take everything – and anything - they wish… from you both?” Letting his eyes shift to the young lady for a moment, he returned his attention to the older gentleman and watched as the color drained from his face. The young woman’s eyes had gone very wide indeed, and for a moment, he feared she might cast up her accounts, only for her eyes to close as she shuddered violently. “If you will not go to Lord Winterbrook, then you might go to Lord Bramwell.” Felix shrugged. “Both are gentlemen of generosity, and both I know are acquainted with Lord Ruthven. Theywillhelp you.”
The young woman spoke, her voice quavering.
“This is most peculiar. Why ever should you be advising us as such? Would it not be best to simply snatch my locket and ride away?”
Felix smiled and stepped back from the carriage door.
“Mayhap I should, but do not believe that all highwaymen are as wicked as they appear. I have sworn never to take from those who cannot afford it, and I believe your story.” Sweeping into a great bow, he stepped back with a flourish. “And now, to prove my words to you, I shall leave you to continue on your way. I must hope that you will do as I have instructed, sir.” He fixed his gaze on the older gentleman, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. “Make your way to one of these two gentlemen rather than to lodgings in the East End. There is no shame in asking for aid.” With a lift of his chin, he gestured to his men to step back. “Goodbye.”
He pushed the carriage door shut and, with a wave of his hand, encouraged the coachman to pick up the reins and move away without any further incident.
“What exactly are you doing?”
Felix turned to see his other three companions all looking at him, with the first ripping the mask from his face to reveal a heavyset frown and eyes that sparked with anger.
“I have decided not to take anything from these two.” Felix shrugged. “But of course, since I pay you for riding with me – pay you handsomely, I might add, I do not think that you can have any complaint.”
One of the other men came a little closer, still astride his horse which was, Felix had to admit, a little intimidating. Mounting quickly so he would be at the same height as the men, he held the second man’s gaze steadily. The three men he had hired were all equally roguish, but he had considered, given he would pay them well, that he need not fear them. He had enough wealth to do so, which meant it would matter very little to them what he did with what he stole. Or indeed, if he chose not to steal anything from anyone at all!
“You’re still going to pay us for this ride?”
Whether it was a question or a statement, Felix was not sure, but he nodded firmly.
