Panic clawed at her throat.I can’t outrun six armed men. Not through these woods. Not alone.She considered drawing her pistol, but it would be suicide. They were already poised to strike.
If only Lex were here.
Tears blurred her vision. Her dream of marriage, her hopes for forgiveness—vanished like smoke. All she could think about now was Felicia’s face. Her grandmother’s disappointment. The life she’d hoped to build, shattered in an instant.
Is this how it ends?Captured, tried, and hanged for the crime of compassion?
No. She had to find a way out.
There had to be a way.
Chapter Twenty-One
Epping Forest
Essex
Lex and Basilstood at the river’s edge, tossing stones while their horses quenched their thirsts.
“What am I going to do about this, Basil?”
“How can you be certain she is this bandit?”
“I tell you, Edwina and the Lace Bandit are one and the same. I am certain of it.”
“You still haven’t told me how you know this to be true.”
“It’s a bit embarrassing.” Lex felt like a lecherous Peeping Tom, confessing to gazing down the Lace Bandit’s and Edwina’s blouses.Oh, drat, how do I explain myself?
“Yes, go on.”
“When I handed over the money pouch to the Lace Bandit, I glimpsed her décolleté, and I saw that she possessed a unique beauty mark that was quite unforgettable. A rather magnificent marking, it was shaped like a heart.”
“How very intriguing.” Basil could not hide the amusement in his voice, and Lex felt his face reddening.
“Yes, well, when Edwina fell from her horse, I unbuttoned herblouse to better facilitate her breathing.”
“I can understand your concern. Breathing is rather important, isn’t it?” A chuckle escaped, and Basil cleared his throat. “Forgive me, Lex. Please continue.”
“This is no laughing matter. Edwina has the exact beauty mark in the exact place.” Lex blew out an exasperated breath. “Blast it, Basil, the woman I love is a highwaywoman. Why would she do this? She stands to inherit a fortune.”
“Calm down, Lexington. I am sure she has a perfectly reasonable explanation. Have you thought of asking her about it?”
“Are you mad? How can I bring this up? She has to come clean and explain what this is all about of her own accord. Edwina is anything but daft; she knows what she’s about. Besides, what kind of relationship can we build if she keeps secrets from me?”
“Don’t stand on principle, man. It does not matter who introduces the topic first. You love her, and from what I have seen of the two of you together, she loves you. You must go at once to Wiltshire House and settle this with her.”
Lex didn’t say anything as he considered Basil’s words.
“Have you had any communication with her since the weekend at Du Priest Manor?”
“No, I had to contend with the roofs falling in on half my tenant farmers’ cottages after that rainstorm we had.”
“But did you send word to her about that to explain?”
“No, I was too preoccupied with fixing roofs for several days straight. Besides, I assumed she would send word to me and invite me to Wiltshire to admit the truth to me.”
“So, you’ve just let the grass grow beneath your feet, without a word of explanation. Good God, man, she likely thinks you don’t want her anymore. She must be greatly distressed by your neglect.”
