Chapter 12 #3
They rode for an hour, and by that time the drizzle had ceased and some of the mist had faded. They stopped and shared the pie. Cyn yawned. Chastity had to fight not to yawn with him. How much sleep had they had last night? Three or four hours, no more.
“Tired, my lord?” she asked sweetly.
“A little. What of you? You seem a little stiff. Perhaps you’re not accustomed to so much . . . riding.”
Chastity kept her pink face lowered. He didn’t know the half of it. Her muscles were somewhat stiff from the riding yesterday, but it was the lovemaking that had left her so sensitive between her legs.
“Never mind,” he said with a hearty slap on the back. “We can have no more than six miles to go.”
They soon hit the Oxford road, and at a posting inn called the Five Rings they discovered Maidenhead lay but two miles east. They cantered along the busy road, passing carters, and drovers, and people on foot. Stage-coaches and private carriages bowled past.
Chastity suddenly gasped and reined in.
“What is it?” Cyn asked.
“My father’s carriage just passed.”
“Going which way?”
“East. Toward Maidenhead.”
“Hold up, then. We’ll let him get well ahead.” He laid a hand over hers briefly. “Don’t worry. We knew he’d be about. Henry Vernham too, no doubt, unless he’s still combing southward for Mrs. Inchcliff. They’re not looking for us, at least not for me.”
The sight of her father’s carriage had brought all Chastity’s terror of her father to the fore, but she knew what she must do. “Cyn,” she said.
“Yes?”
“The important thing is to deliver the message to Major Frazer. If by any chance my father spots me, you must cut free and continue with our mission.”
He frowned slightly. “And leave you to face his anger for being on the loose?”
Chastity’s stomach knotted at the thought of her father’s anger if he caught her roaming the country dressed as a boy, but she summoned up a cocky tone. “I’ll get a jawing for leaving Nana’s, but that’s hardly a dire fate.”
“Yet Verity seems to fear your father. Why is she not willing to seek the earl’s help?”
“Only because he’ll stop her marrying Nathaniel.”
“But otherwise, she’d feel safe with him?”
Chastity knew he needed reassuring. “Yes. Why not?”
“I just wondered.”
“He is a stern man, and believes he has every right to direct his daughters’ lives. That’s all.”
“And his son’s,” he added pointedly.
Cyn the Protector. Chastity needed all his concentration on Verity’s problems. “I’m still a schoolboy,” she pointed out, “and should be doing as I’m told.”
“I think he’ll beat you.”
She shrugged. “Quite likely. I’ll not die of it.”
Cyn nodded and they rode on.
Chastity didn’t know what the earl would do if he caught her.
She’d never been involved in anything so outrageous in her life.
After all, her father knew she hadn’t really invited Vernham to her bed.
The whippings then had been to force her to agree to the marriage, and the earl had obviously expected her to break under quite mild pain.
She had discovered him to be skilled at the terrifying application of quite mild pain.
There had rarely been any question of her father doing her permanent damage, or leaving scars—though on one occasion her defiance had driven him into an almost murderous rage.
That had been when she’d begun to wonder about his sanity, and truly fear for her life.
He had controlled himself, however, before doing his worst.
Her brother, Fort, had been the one more likely to break her neck.
He had a scarce-manageable temper, and he’d believed she’d smirched the honor of the family.
Now, however, she felt she could face Fort, even if he had his hands round her throat.
The thought of facing her father turned her knees to jelly.
“We’re almost there,” said Cyn. “Keep your eyes peeled and your head down.”
“That sounds a trifle difficult.”
He quirked a smile. “I never said this would be easy.”
“Yes, you did.”
He laughed.
They arrived at the first cottages of Maidenhead as the church clock stuck eleven.
They had seen no sign of the earl, but he would be lodged at one of the many inns.
Maidenhead sat on the busy Bath road and boasted any number of posting inns.
Stages and carriages crowded the busy high street, and people bustled in and out of shops.
Cyn swung off his horse and indicated that Chastity do the same. “You’ll be less noticeable down here. The thing is to find you a safe spot, then I can search out Frazer. There’s no barracks here, so he’s doubtless billeted on someone, but there must be a command post.”
Chastity wanted to stay with him, but knew it would be foolish. She was the hazard. “If only we knew which inn Father was at . . .”
Cyn halted before the Fleece Inn, where an ostler hovered, alert for approaching business. “Good day,” he said. “Would you know if the Earl of Walgrave is staying here?”
“Nay, Captain,” said the man. “He be up at the Bear.”
Cyn tossed him a penny and moved on. “So, we avoid the Bear. He’ll doubtless have all the inns watched, but he’s not looking for me or you.”
They stopped at the Saracen’s Head. Chastity tugged down the brim of her hat before leading her horse into the yard.
Grooms came forward to take the mounts, and Cyn and Chastity were soon in the inn.
Cyn bespoke a private bedroom and parlor, and engaged mine host in idle chat which encompassed the eminent people presently in Maidenhead, the presence of the military, and the strange case of the lost Lady Vernham, whose poster seemed to be everywhere.
By the time they reached their rooms, they knew that the Earl of Walgrave had been back and forth along the Bath road in search of his daughter; that a company of infantry readying for departure to the Continent was billeted on the town under Major Nathaniel Frazer; that the major’s headquarters were at Cross House down by the river; and that the poor lady was feared dead.
The word was out along the river to find her body, and that of her babe.
Cyn established Chastity in the rooms with everything she needed. “You are to stay here.”
“Very well.” She couldn’t resist the plea: “Try not to be gone too long.”
“It shouldn’t take long. You might give some thought to our course if Frazer won’t have anything to do with our plan. It could put his career on the line.”
Chastity raised her chin. “He won’t fail Verity. Are you saying you’d put your career before your true love?”
“Who says I have one? But no,” he admitted softly, “I wouldn’t. I have some income beyond my pay, however, and a powerful family to back me. What of Frazer?”
“He has a small estate; but his family are not the like of yours.”
“Well, we’ll see what he says.” He seemed reluctant to leave. “Stay here,” he repeated. “Don’t grow restless and wander off. And lock the door. There’s no reason for anyone to disturb you.”
“Fine,” she said impatiently. “I’m not a fool. Get on with it and it’ll be the sooner done.”
When he’d gone, she turned the key in the lock.
The action was strangely reminiscent of last night, but this time she had no intention of sneaking out of the room in any guise.
She took a seat by a window that gave onto the bustling high street.
She watched the busy scene, but was largely involved in seeking paths for her future.
If she found the woman who had stolen her virginity, perhaps she could force her to confess.
She could threaten to expose Nerissa Trelyn if she didn’t change her story, and call upon other women at the orgy to support her.
It all seemed rather hollow. If the women called her bluff, who would believe her?
And in order to tell her tale she’d have to admit to being at the orgy herself.
Her only hard evidence lay in the letter. She took it out and studied it. It was certainly scandalous enough, and after a night of love Chastity understood it rather better.
. . . I dream of you, my Hercules, my Atlas, when I lie in my cold bed of duty.
I think of your mighty rod in my satin pocket and Weak T.
thinks I moan for him. When we met last week at the theater, I was wearing your handkerchief between my legs.
Does it make you swell to think of it? I vow, your monogrammed silk was soon wet with my desire.
I will do the same again, so think of it when next we meet.
Will you do as much for me? I have enclosed the ribbon from my chemise—the pink one you will remember. Tie it on when next we meet, but not too tight, my noble stallion, or I fear you would die of it.
Oh, I pant for you even writing this. I cannot bear it. I will come. I promise. I will risk all for you . . .
When Chastity had first read this she had been disgusted at the libidinous tone, and scandalized that a Society matron could be so lost to discretion.
Now she largely felt envious. It doubtless was in Lady Trelyn’s handwriting, and could ruin her, but Chastity doubted she could bring on another the sufferings she herself had endured.
What had Nerissa Trelyn done, after all, but to tell the truth—that she had discovered Chastity Ware in bed with a man? Chastity would be asking her to lie.
She rested her head on her hand. She’d be better off thinking of a place to seek refuge from her father. Her favorite governess had married a vicar in Westmorland. That seemed suitably out-of-the-way . . .
She jerked back. Across the street she’d seen a man staring at her, and now he’d slipped away. She could hardly believe he’d recognized her, and yet there had been something so rat-like in his movements . . .
How stupid to have been sitting here in the window!
She leaped to her feet. What should she do?
She’d promised Cyn she wouldn’t leave, but she couldn’t stay in this room like a rabbit in a hole, waiting for the terrier. She grabbed some money from his bags and ran out, down the stairs.
No one unusual lurked in the entry hall. Perhaps someone kept watch on the place, but no one showed any interest in her. She slipped down a passageway toward the kitchen. She opened a door to see the innkeeper sitting at a table eating his dinner.
He rose to his feet, not best pleased. “You wanted something, young sir? You should have rung your bell.”
Chastity knew she had to keep out of her father’s hands, but also avoid any connection of Cyn with herself. She’d thought of a story. It wasn’t very believable; it all depended on whether the innkeeper could be bought.
She flashed the man a guileless smile. “I’m afraid I have a confession to make, sir.
I have run away from home, you see. I have a mind to join the army, but my father won’t have it.
He says I am too young. Captain Malloren was kind enough to help me when I was in difficulties, and he’s going to fix it for me to join his regiment.
But now I’ve seen my father in the street, and I’m afraid he might not understand the captain’s part in this affair.
He’s an important man and could make trouble.
So I’m going to hide until the captain returns.
If you please, could you not tell my father I’ve been here?
” She slid three guineas onto the table.
The innkeeper looked at the coins a moment, then they disappeared into his pocket.
“Well, stap me, young sir. Not in favor of his son joining His Majesty’s army!
What is the world coming to? Why don’t you slide out and hang about with the horses?
You’ll be safe enough there, and I’ll tell the captain when he comes back. ”
Chastity gave him a wide smile and ran out the door. A coach stood in the yard, about to pull out, but presented no sign of trouble for her. She sauntered over to the stables.
As soon as she entered, she was grabbed from behind. A hand covered her mouth, and another grabbed her crotch. It jerked away as if stung and she was released. She wanted to run but knew her only chance was to face them.
“What the hell . . . ?” she shouted, whirling around.
The two skinny men looked uneasily at one another. They were both complete strangers, thank heavens.
“Sorry, lad. We’re on the lookout for a young lady, run away from home. Thought you was her.”
Chastity took a wide-legged stance, hands on hips, trying to look like a cocky stable lad. “A young lady? Plague take it, do I look like a young lady?”
“No, lad. And keep your voice down. You’ll scare the young miss off.”
Chastity looked them over. “I’m not sure you’re up to any good.
” She picked a horse at random and tried to look purposeful by topping up its hay and water bucket.
Her heart raced with fear. Thank God she’d padded her breeches.
Yesterday, they would have had her. It was so hard not to hurry.
Eventually, she strolled back and passed the two men with a sullen, suspicious look, then continued into the busy inn yard.
She had no idea what to do now, but knew she had to stay clear of Cyn. She headed for the street.
It was a little quieter than it had been earlier, for many people were at their dinner.
She felt more exposed. Where could she go?
The church. She headed toward the spire, trying to match the pace of the other people on the pavement, stopping occasionally to glance in a shop window and check for pursuit.
She was looking blankly at a selection of china when a hand grabbed her neckcloth.
“God damn you to hell. I didn’t believe it when Father told me!”
Reflected in the window, Chastity saw her brother, Fort.