They hit a rut, and she groaned slightly. Her chin was caught in a firm grasp and the lantern was held close to her face. “Look at me.”
Leah wanted to ignore him, but since he didn’t sound quite as gruff as before, she slowly opened her eyes. He was close, peering directly at her. His mouth was set in a tight line as he observed her for a time. She was grateful when he finally moved back and took the lantern with him. Returning it to the hook, he said, “Your pupils aren’t altered.”
She waited for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, she asked, “Is that a good thing?”
“Yes. It means you don’t have a serious head injury.”
“Oh.” Leah was surprised that he might have a care about her health at all. If he was a ruthless highwayman, it shouldn’t matter to him if she was alive or dead. “Where are you taking me?”
His eyes glittered behind his mask, reflecting the light from the lantern. “Does it matter?”
She thought about that for a moment and then shrugged a shoulder. “I suppose it doesn’t. It isn’t as though I was particularly thrilled to be where I was going anyway.” She laid her head back. She didn’t trust this man, but something told her that he wouldn’t harm her. Perhaps it was the odd way he had inspected her for injuries. Either way, she was growing too tired to care.
“Where were you traveling?”
She didn’t bother opening her eyes to reply. “To stay with my brother in Dudley. He’s a vicar.”
“His name?”
“Henry Lindquist,” she mumbled, feeling the effects of her recent shock starting to steal over her. Combined with the pain from her injury, she was fading.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
Leah offered some sort of reply, but she wasn’t sure it was coherent, because she fell into oblivion.
Harlan studiedthe woman in his coach and decided he had no idea what to do with her, although he’d ordered his men to take her with them. It was a foolish idea, since he didn’t even know who she was. The name Lindquist meant nothing to him, if that was what she actually said. She was starting to slur her words, although the soft snore she expelled told him that she had drifted off.
This was a complication that he didn’t need. At all. But he had never been able to ignore a damsel in distress. It was a failing he’d done his best to overcome but had yet to conquer over the years.
Unfortunately, the lady intrigued him. She piqued his interest. Perhaps too much. In his line of work, it was dangerous to get too close to anyone.
And yet…
He yearned to reach out and caress her soft cheek and move a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear. It flowed freely about her shoulders and he was fascinated by the fiery highlights that flickered in the lantern’s glow. He’d been momentarily taken aback by the light amber shade of her eyes. They were unique, and it made him curious to know more about her.
Harlan forced himself to look away from the enchanting creature. He yearned to rip the mask from his face, but it was a necessary evil. Until he had the answers he sought, he had to conceal his identity. To expose himself unnecessarily would be detrimental, not only to himself, but to his men. They were loyal to a fault, and he would trust any one of them with his life.
And they weren’t the only ones at risk.
The sun had just dipped below the horizon by the time they arrived at their destination. With large, silent oscillating turbines towering overhead, the Windmill Hill was something of a tourist attraction with the camera obscura fitted inside. Combined with the tea gardens and various amusements to be hosted quite frequently, it was the perfect place to hold clandestine meetings when The Old Prince of Orange tavern was compromised. Sometimes the best kept secrets were those in plain sight.
Harlan was the only one who had secured lodgings near the windmill on the bank of the River Thames. The other men remained closer to the heart of Gravesend with their families, from where they could report to him on a moment’s notice.
As the coach rolled to a stop, the door opened and Harlan’s most trusted confidante, Hugh, stood in the opening. He glanced at Harlan’s sleeping female companion and smiled broadly. “Wore her out already, did you?”
Harlan pushed him out of the way and stepped to the ground. “Just bring her into the cottage, will you?” he snapped.
A chuckle was the only reply as Harlan made his way into the modest dwelling, but he was thankful for the roof over his head. It had been a long day, and something told him it would be an even longer night, especially when Miss Lindquist awoke.
The other three highwaymen were already standing inside the small parlor while they awaited further instructions. “We were unlucky tonight,” Harlan announced, as he removed his cloak and tossed it over a nearby chair. He crossed his arms and looked at each of them in turn. He had spent most of his youth in this modest village, and he knew the history of each man there, especially that of Hugh, with whom he had gone to school. He had personally chosen them for this mission, knowing that they could be trusted, and he knew they were just as devoted to their country. Each of them brought something useful to the table, but sometimes fortune just wasn’t on their side.
Matthew was the eldest. He was married, had six daughters, and gray hair, which he would claim was because he lived with seven women. It was his skill with the reins that made him a valuable asset. Benjamin was also married, but as yet, had no offspring. He was a stocky man with a gruff voice and a beard that deterred most victims from trying anything unsavory. Lucas had light hair and glasses and was the epitome of a London dandy. He was married and had a daughter on whom he doted fondly. It was his strategic mind that had been a particular asset to Harlan.
As Hugh entered the room with their captive thrown over his shoulder, Harlan shot him a dark look, to which he snorted in return and disappeared into the back bedchamber. Hugh had grown up with Harlan, which was why he trusted Hugh implicitly. He was the charming one of the lot, his red hair and devilish charm kept most of the ladies at ease during their highway raids. However, he was ridiculously in love with his wife and they shared two young sons.
“What do you plan to do next?” Matthew asked.
Harlan returned his attention to the room, knowing that Hugh would rejoin them in a moment. “We continue as before until we find what we are looking for.” He saw the resilience on their faces, but he also noted the tight lines that bracketed their mouths and knew that the tension was starting to take its toll. “The local authorities have been lenient thus far, and so long as we keep reminding them of their duties to the Crown, they will continue to do so.” He glanced at Hugh, who had returned. “I know it is tiresome to be gone so often, away from your families, but I feel that the threat to our nation will soon be handled as it should. Until then, we must retain our current guise and stand strong.”
