“Yes.”
“I am outraged!”
“No doubt.”
“Cecilia doesn’t even have her own house. Why should she get to have all the fun while I’m stuck in a little village?”
Tom cleared his voice, wanting to join the discussion, but they ignored him.
“Because she is the daughter of Morvath himself—”
“Don’t think any of us have forgotten that. We are all too aware she grew up in the enemy’s house.”
“—and it’s not that she’ll be having an adventure, but rather traveling with me for her safety. She cannot be left alone.”
“Excuse me,” Tom murmured.
“Not now,” Ned said, waving a dismissive hand in his direction. “Oply, without supervision Miss Bassingthwaite is liable to beassassinated or kidnapped for ransom or seized by Morvath’s henchmen. You are a strong and resourceful young woman, but she is vulnerable, and must be protected at all times.”
“Um,” Tom said, and Ned turned to him with a scowl.
“What is it?” he demanded.
Tom did not reply, merely pointed toward the edge of the field. Ned and Constantinopla turned to see Cecilia standing in the lane, hijacking a carriage at gunpoint.
“Oh,” Ned said. “Right. You two, go to the village and stay there.” He tossed down the sword and began to run, calling behind him as he went, “I’ll send someone to take you to Windsor. Don’t move until then. Miss Bassingthwaite, wait for me!”
Tom and Constantinopla watched in silence as Ned caught up with Cecilia and assisted her in evicting two ladies, a gentleman, and a driver from the carriage.
They crossed their arms, fascinated, as the two pirates argued over who should take the reins.
They waved and called out farewells as Cecilia drove away with Ned at her side pointing out a right turn, which she did not take.
Then they glanced at each other.
“Sixteen,” Tom said darkly.
Constantinopla shrugged. “Give or take a month.”
“I’m going to have to marry you.”
“Oh dear, how unexpected.”
“Seriously?”
“The ring I want is in Collingwood & Co. I’ve cased the joint and marked the display; it should be easy enough for you to get it. And we’ll be honeymooning in Whippingham, where Princess Beatrice was married, just as soon as the seamstress has finished making my dress.”
“I suppose,” Tom said reluctantly. And as the breeze picked up Cecilia’s mangled hat, he thought in a daze that its scorched ribbons were his life flashing past his eyes.
“Now we must be on our way,” Constantinopla said, picking up her sword.
“Yes,” Tom agreed, blinking himself back to the present. He lifted his own sword, pointing it northward. “To the village!”
Constantinopla scoffed. “Of course not to the village. You don’t think I’m going to obey Teddy Luxe, do you? Hurry up, we have work to do.”
9
driving into the sunset—highway robbery—wordsworth is devoured—captain lightbourne insists—disguise—cecilia makes a fateful decision—poetry (interrupted)—a sick coachman (invented)—the knowle hotel
