The Captain's Mysterious Lady Read Free Page A

his pistol towards James, who did not flinch, though the girl did, quite violently.
    â€˜Dunno, do I?’ Billings said.
    â€˜I am the Honourable James Drymore, Captain of his Majesty’s navy,’ James told him in his haughtiest voice. ‘And I advise you to allow us to proceed or it will be the worse for you.’ It was an empty threat; there was nothing he could do to stop them. His pistol was in his coat pocket and he could not reach it without taking his arm from around the young lady and he was afraid if he did she would collapse in a heap at his feet. Sam had no weapon.
    The masked riders laughed and beckoned Billings to join them. He went reluctantly but, after a few whispered words, he came back and, taking the girl’s arm, wrested her from James and pushed her back into the coach. It was then James tried to reach into his pocket for his pistol, but a shot whistled past his ear. ‘Get back in the coach and be off with you,’ the first high way man ordered. ‘And think your selves fortunate I’m feelin’ generous today.’
    They resumed their seats, the horses were whipped up and they were on their way again.
    â€˜Madam, are you all right?’ James asked the young lady.
    â€˜Leave ’er alone,’ Billings said. ‘Can’t you see she’s upset?’
    â€˜Indeed I can, but I do not think it is I who upset her.’
    â€˜Being held up by robbers is enough to overset anyone.’
    â€˜True. But I notice you were more surprised than overset. The scoundrels were known to you.’
    â€˜Please,’ the girl pleaded. ‘I thank you for your concern, sir, but I am perfectly well.’ Which was very far from the truth, but she evidently did not want him taking the man to task.
    He looked across at Billings, who was eyeing him warily. If the fellow were to drop his guard, he might be able to over power him with Sam’s help. But if he did, what in God’s name would he do with the young lady? And how could he be sure those two high way men were not following them? The coachman must have had the same idea, because he was driving at break neck speed, relying on the moon and a couple of carriage lamps to light his way. Further conversation was almost impossible as they all hung on to the straps and endeavoured to stay in their seats.
    When they stopped for a change of horses at Downham Market, he would endeavour to part Billings from the young lady long enough to interrogate them both separately, James decided. Whatever he discovered he would report to the local constable, though it would be impossible to give a description of the robbers, considering the night was dark and they were masked and shrouded in cloaks. No one was safe on the roads while men like those twowaylaid travellers. He was glad he had had the fore sight to hide his precious cravat pin and most of his money in a belt about his waist and keep only a little in his purse. It was a common practice and he wondered why the thieves had not known it, or, if they did, had not searched him. He supposed they had been taken aback to find an acquaintance on the coach and their exchange with him had put it from their minds.
    His musings came to an abrupt halt as the coach wheel dipped into a particularly deep pothole, seemed to right itself and then lurch off the road. In spite of the coachman’s heroic efforts, he could not bring it back on course and it went over and slid down the embankment, accompanied by the sound of frightened horses and splintering wood. The coachman yelled, Sam swore loudly, Billings screamed and then was silent. The girl uttered not a sound, as the vehicle came to rest on the steeply sloping bank only inches from the river.
    James, who was thankfully unhurt, climbed out of the wreckage and turned to help the young lady. She was unconscious, which accounted for her silence, but was mercifully alive. He picked her up and laid her gently on the grass, then