Harlan ducked as the shot whizzed past his head and harmlessly embedded itself into a nearby tree, splintering the bark. Thankfully, the noise appeared to go unnoticed, as the loud blasts overhead continued on the other side of the windmill.
His gaze flicked to the shadows moving behind the assassin, and Harlan was glad to see Benjamin stealthily making his way behind the man. He had always been light on his feet, considering his towering height and bulging muscles, but this time he was not quick enough.
The suspect withdrew another weapon and shot it directly toward Benjamin, who rolled onto his back as he fell to the ground. Harlan feared that he was injured, but when Benjamin shouted an obscenity and got back to his feet to engage the attacker, he knew the cretin had missed.
Turning on his heel, the suspect disappeared into the shadows.
From opposite sides of the windmill, Harlan met up with Benjamin. Back-to-back, with weapons at the ready, they scanned the hillside around them with heaving breaths. “Where did he go?” Benjamin growled, his tone telling Harlan that he was eager to be in pursuit.
“I’m not sure yet,” Harlan answered evenly. “But he is lurking about somewhere. I can feel it.”
“Did you see the brazen nerve of that cad?” Benjamin muttered. “Trying to shootme.”
Harlan continued to carefully inspect the darkness around them. “Yes, he did the same to me. He’s a crack shot. The rebellion has done well with this one. He is no fool. We would be wise not to underestimate him.”
“Indeed. I think you’re right.”
Harlan could hear the grudging respect in his cohort’s voice. “I think we should split up again,” he suggested.
As they did so, Harlan continued to feel a sense of unease all around him. He wanted to shout into the void and call the man out, but as the sensation abruptly ceased, he realized that the man had likely vanished.
After the failed attempt to end this charade, Harlan rejoined Benjamin. “I don’t think this is some hired ruffian that we are dealing with, but a well-educated man, for whatever reason, has nothing left to lose.”
Benjamin crossed his arms. “Aye. But why was he still in Gravesend?”
Harlan pondered the query carefully. “I think it was to learn more about us. No doubt his contacts are quite well informed about highwaymen that ride along this stretch of land. Not to mention the rebellion that has been in place for some time. The public has known of King William IV’s ill health for months. I would wager a guess that the man we are pursuing has been corresponding with his allies in England, arranging meetings on the continent and putting plans into place to see to it that Ernest Augustus might acquire the title of King of Hanover and England for some time.” His expression became grim. “And the skill he possesses with a pistol tells me everything I need to know. There is no doubt he’s here to assassinate the queen.”
The larger man scrubbed a hand down his face. “Bloody hell.”
“No doubt the benefits promised to this man are quite plenty. They would not have hired anyone but the best and most qualified to see that the deed was done. My guess is that he is a military man, perhaps highly decorated in the field of battle.” With a thoughtful frown creasing his brows, Harlan added, “I shall have to travel to London to alert Wellington at the earliest convenience. Now that I was able to get a good look at the villain, it might be someone the duke would know. We also need to question the maid, find out what part she plays in all this. Were you able to send a signal to Hugh to intercept her?”
Benjamin rubbed the back of his neck. “Not precisely. But I was able to catch the attention of someone else.”
When there was a pause, Harlan could feel a sense of unease travel up his spine that had nothing to do with their mysterious assassin. “Don’t tell me it was—”
“Yes, I’m afraid so.”
All evening,Leah had noticed Harlan watching her. In turn, she had taken notice of his movements. Something told her that there was a reason he had allowed her to attend this evening, and it wasn’t any of the reasons he’d claimed. He wasn’t going to give her a chance to prove anything. She was there as a distraction—for herself. She wasn’t so naïve to believe that he might give in to her request so easily. He might have acted as though he had involved her in some way, but she had discovered the truth as soon as she had started to wander away from Hugh.
“Where are you headed off to, Miss Lindquist?” he’d asked.
She had replied with a bright smile and a wave of her gloved hand. “I thought to grab some punch. I’m starting to feel a bit parched.”
Without a second’s hesitation, Hugh had offered to fetch it on her behalf. “Not to worry. Stay here with Lucas and I can get it. I shall procure some for my lovely wife as well.” With a wink in her direction, he’d taken his leave.
Leah had found the women of the highwaymen to be quite delightful, and their offspring equally entertaining thus far, but she was more interested in what she was being kept in the dark about. More than once she’d seen Benjamin or Matthew’s focus on her. They would quickly look away when she caught their eye, which was when she realized her “participation” this evening was nothing but a farce.
It had been a good lark, but she was annoyed that she’d been treated like someone who couldn’t handle her own. She was more determined than ever, and when she noticed Benjamin’s sudden seriousness, she allowed her senses to go on alert. She saw him slip around the back of the windmill, and with Hugh at the refreshment table, and Lucas and Matthew distracted, she found the perfect opportunity to slip away from the crowd and follow her quarry.
She had just rounded the corner of the windmill when she was caught up in a pair of strong arms, a hand placed firmly over her mouth. “What are you doing here?” Benjamin hissed. “Harlan would have my hide if he knew you weren’t with the rest of the assemblage.”
He released her and she turned to him with both hands on her hips. “I am not some milksop that you have to worry about. I canhelp.”
There was a sudden noise and Benjamin pressed them both closer to the base of the windmill. “Fine.” He reluctantly gave in. “There is a maid that will need to be held for questioning—”
“Say no more,” she interrupted—and then she heard the first gunshot. “What was that?” she gasped.
Benjamin didn’t answer but rushed around the side of the windmill.
