Fenella J Miller Read Free Page A

were today? His
cousin, Mr Weston, seemed quite put out. I rather think that young man has
developed a tendre for you himself.’
    ‘I was astonished at how similar
in appearance they are. I was quite taken with Mr Weston. He’s an open and
sincere young man, quite unlike his cousin.’ She smiled at her elderly aunt.
‘Indeed, it’s only because I wish to get to know Mr Weston that I agreed to
this visit.
      The remainder of the journey was spent
discussing their imminent removal. As Penny was riding her aunt would follow in
the carriage.They were expected sometime during the
morning.

 
    The next day dawned fine and by
eight o’clock Penny was ready to depart for her extended stay at Headingly . The baggage cart had left at dawn accompanied by
the Mary and a groom. Harvey (Aunt Lucy’s starchy abigail )
was to travel with her mistress. It wouldn’t do to arrive before one’s luggage!
    ‘Penelope, my dear girl, I am
sure that horse is too much for you. He is not a lady’s mount. I hope Lord
Weston rides out to meet you.’
    Penny frowned and her huge
chestnut gelding stamped and shook his head, eager to depart. ‘Phoenix is a
gentle giant. I promise you I’ll come to no harm. And I’ll have both Billy and
Fred as company, so even if I take a tumble they will be there to pick me up.’
    ‘Please, do not jest about such
things. And having two grooms riding with you is no consolation to me. I wish
you would change your mind and ride a different horse. Or even better come with
me in the carriage. Three hours in the saddle might prove too long in this hot
weather.’
    ‘When I hunt, Aunt Lucy, I am out
all day in the ice and snow and I cannot remember you telling me that was
unsuitable.’
    Her aunt admitted defeat and
settled back on the squabs opening her parasol with a decided snap. ‘I shall
stop for refreshments, so do not expect me before noon. ‘
    Phoenix sidled sideways
scattering dirt and grooms in all directions. ‘Come along, silly boy, let’s be
on our way.’ Penny gently touched the gelding’s flank with her heel and they
moved off, closely followed by the two grooms mounted on matching bays.
    ‘I intend to travel across
country as much as possible this morning. The ground’s soft enough after the
rain last night to make our journey safe. A good gallop will settle him down.’

 
    They made excellent time and two
hours later the three riders approached a bend in the lane they had been
travelling along for half a mile. Their passage was blocked by a fallen tree.
Penny reined in, puzzled by the obstruction.
      ‘There was no wind last night so why has this
tree fallen across our path?’ She turned in her saddle to speak to Billy. ‘Do
you think you and Fred can move this? This lane’s the only way unless we
retrace our path and find a gate into the field. The hedges either side are far
too tall to jump.’ Billy dismounted tossing his reins to the other groom. ‘Hold
him, whilst I investigate.’
    Penny watched him disappear into
the undergrowth with a strange feeling of apprehension. It was cold and dark
under the overhanging trees and she shivered. Why was Billy taking so long?
Surely testing the weight of the obstruction didn’t take such an age?
    She stared back down the tunnel
of trees and froze. ‘Billy. Get back here quickly. I’m certain this is no
accident. It’s an ambush. There are footpads approaching. We’re trapped here.
We cannot go forward and there’s no escape into the field.’
    The groom scrambled out of the
bushes and was in his saddle in seconds. ‘We have our cudgels, miss. We’ll
protect you, never fear.’
    The two men edged their horses in
front of Phoenix, unstrapping the stout sticks they carried tied to the back of
their saddles. Penny knew t these would be no protection against pistols or
swords. There had to be another way.
    ‘We must jump out. I know the
hedges are high but we’ve no choice. Quickly, they are getting closer.’
    Without waiting