“We don’t know if it's safe,” she said, “don’t go. What if something bad is to happen?”
Duncan looked back at her, and nothing in his expression gave the impression that he was scared in the slightest.
“Let me handle this,” he said with a reassuring authority. “Whatever you do, do not come out of the carriage, or do anything until I ask you to.”
Charity nodded, complying.
“That carriage there,” a man called from outside. He had a gruff voice and accent, nothing that suggested that he had the slightest bit to do with high society. “Stop it.”
“We’ve stopped, now move along, and let decent folk pass,” Malcolm answered, his tone casual on the surface, though Charity could hear the warning beneath it.
There was a short laugh from the man.
“Decent folk,” he repeated. “Aye, I’m sure you are. Step out.”
Duncan took this moment to step out of the carriage. He moved ahead so that the man would see him clearly. Charity watched the scene unfold from the window, feeling as though her heart was going to burst.
She felt frightened for the duke, who had stepped out into an unknown situation without knowing if the man was armed or if he meant harm. All manner of scenarios began to race in her mind.
Please be safe,she prayed, and her fingers went to the rosary beads.
“I should inform you,” Duncan spoke loudly, “that I have just committed the grave mistake of blocking a duke’s carriage. Now, if you are a sensible man, you will step aside and let us pass in peace.”
It was then that another man appeared. He was leaner than the first, but had the same threatening and uneasy aura.
“A duke, eh?” he said, seeming pleased as though he had just stumbled upon a treasure in the wild. “My, my. I guess tis our lucky day then.”
“I don’t think you seem to understand,” Duncan held his ground.
More voices appeared, and Charity realized with horror that they were outnumbered. At least four or five men were surrounding their carriage now, looking at it like vultures staring at a feast.
“I suppose a duke can afford a ransom?” a new voice sniggered.
“Huh, told you’s that it would be worthwhile camping out here,” the first voice said. “Look at this, we have found ourselves quite the catch.”
It was clear now that the men who had intercepted them had the worst of intentions.
Inside the carriage, Matilda made a broken sound and pressed closer to Charity.
“Charity, what do we do?”
Charity swallowed and forced herself to keep her voice steady. “We do what he says,” she said. “Keep put here, and not try to make any noise.”
Augusta stared out the window, her face pale now.
“They look like thieves,” she said with a palpable terror in her voice.
For a moment, Charity wondered if they had been sent here by their uncle, but then dismissed the thought. He would not know how to act so quickly, nor would he be aware of their location.
So it was sheer bad luck that they had run into trouble like this.
“Both of you, do not worry. The duke will handle the situation,” Charity said, and she tried to believe it.
“Step away,” Duncan said. “If it is ransom money that you are after, then you will not get a single penny if you put my family in danger.”
Family.Charity noticed the word and wondered briefly if he had only said it to ward off the men.
“Ah, so yer a family man, are ya?” one of the men said, “Ya hear that? The rate just went up further.”
