The Battling Bluestocking Read Free

ado.”
    “Us!” Lord Gordon was astounded. “Upon my word, Jessica, what are you talking about? Peters will see this villain into the magistrate’s hands whilst I escort you and my lady safely back to Gordon Hall. Presently, after I have completely refreshed myself, I shall go along to Shaldon Park to see that proper charges are lodged against this…this person.”
    “Nonsense, Cyril. Peters has no horse, so unless you mean for him to ride pillion behind the highwayman, he will have to walk, for the highwayman is wounded and cannot do so. Besides,” she added, noting the now undisguised amusement lighting the highwayman’s eyes, “I captured him with no help whatsoever from you and yours, and I mean to see him safely disposed. I’ve not the slightest intention of leaving such an important matter as this is your man Peters’ hands. So, do order your coachman to drive on, if you please,” she added as Cyril stared at her, his mouth unbecomingly agape. “And you,” she said firmly to the horseman, “since you seem to know the way, perhaps you will ride just ahead of the coach. I am counting upon you to do nothing rash, but I fear I shall have to trust your good word in the matter, for I do not choose to give my pistol into Peters’ keeping. His judgment, I believe, is not very acute.”
    “No need, miss,” the guard volunteered. “I’ve got his pistol.” He held it out to show her, having picked it up from where it lay upon the ground.
    “Yes, well, that’s very good, Peters,” she replied kindly. “I’m sure you will be careful not to let it discharge again.”
    “No, miss…that is…” He regarded the pistol ruefully. “I doubt it had but the one shot.”
    “Too true,” agreed the highwayman, abandoning further pretense with a sigh. “I was a gudgeon not to bring a second pistol, but I never thought I should need to shoot it at all, you see. Do you suppose we could go now, ma’am? I promise I shall do nothing to alarm anyone, but I’d as lief arrive at Shaldon Park with at least a shred of my dignity intact, and I’m already as weak as a cat.”
    Jessica agreed, and a moment later Lord Gordon signaled his coachman to drive on, but as the coach lurched forward, he turned his pent-up fury on his sister-in-law.
    “Upon my word, Jessica, I never heard of such a thing. What your esteemed father would say to all this, I’m sure I have no idea. A young woman concealing a loaded pistol about her person! Whatever is the world coming to, I wonder.”
    Lady Gordon chuckled, her equanimity completely restored. “Since dearest Papa himself gave Jessica that pistol because of all her traveling about from one relative to another, I doubt he would say much more than that she has been stirring the stewpot again,” she said, grinning at her sister. “I’d forgotten it is your habit to carry it in your muff, however.”
    “Well,” said Lord Gordon indignantly, rounding upon her before Jessica could reply, “your papa may use such a vulgar expression, though I’ve certainly never heard him do so, but it ill becomes you to let such words fall from your lips, Georgeanne.” His brows were heavily furrowed. “I don’t know how it is that you so often forget yourself when your sister makes her annual visit to us, but I cannot help but think her influence upon you is a deleterious one. Unless you take care to resist that influence, I shall find myself forced in future to consider refusing to allow you the pleasure of her company.”
    “Oh, no, Cyril!” her ladyship exclaimed, turning beseeching eyes up toward his stern ones. “I’m sure I beg your pardon if I said anything to offend you. I shall take good care not to do so again.”
    Lord Gordon patted her hand comfortingly but stiffened when Jessica’s musical laughter rippled through the coach.
    “Don’t be a peagoose, Georgie,” she said. “Cyril is merely ruffling his feathers because he is put out with me at the moment. And it is patently