“Then I’m surprised you are not traveling in it now?”
“As the saying goes, ‘Needs must when the devil drives the horses’.”
What an odd answer.“Am I to gather that you have been forced into this means of transport by circumstance?”
He smiled. “That is exactly what has happened. I don’t expect it to occur again in the foreseeable future.”
“Then how will you return to your home, if not by stage coach?”
“In my carriage, which will be waiting for me in Bath when I’m ready to depart.” Before she could ask another question, he said, “And how long do you expect to reside with your Aunt Lavinia?”
“As long as it takes for my parents to give up their ridiculous idea that I marry Major Wellworth.”
“Perhaps for some time then,” he muttered.
“I’m sure my great-aunt will be delighted to see me.”
He gave a reassuring smile. “As am I.” He peered out into the gathering darkness and felt in his great coat pocket. “Keep an eye out. The night is dark and highwaymen are known to frequent this road.” He tilted his head back and tipped his hat over his eyes, ready to nap.
Amelia shuddered. That was a consideration she hadn’t thought of. She could not afford to lose the little money she carried. She pulled the reticule from her wrist and tipped its meagre contents onto her lap behind the bandbox. Two gold sovereigns. Surely that was enough for unexpected expenses. As long as she didn’t lose it to footpads or some such.
She glanced at her companions. They all slept. The woman to her right, jaw dropped, mouth gaping, quietly snored. Amelia bent down and slipped the coins into the inside of her boots. They slithered downwards, cold and hard, sending goosebumps up her legs.
A smile played over her companion’s lips, but he didn’t stir.
Her reticule back in place, with only her handkerchief and comb inside, she rolled her shawl into a pillow and leant back against the corner of the carriage. Her eyes, heavy with tiredness, slid closed.
Amelia jerked awake some indiscernible time later. The driver yelled at his horses to move their worthless carcasses as he plied the whip above them. Shouts of encouragement came from the outside passengers. The carriage rocked and swayed. Around her, her fellow passengers were awakening and asking what was going on.
Mr Wells pulled two pistols from his deep pockets.Dear God, what was happening?He saw her watching him and motioned with a finger to his lips for her to be quiet. He placed one weapon on the seat beside him, next to the carriage wall, and let down the central window.
A rush of ice-cold air entered, bringing yells of approbation from their companions. He thrust his head out the window for a quick look and drew it back in. “Quiet!” he commanded. “The driver’s trying to outrun highwaymen.”
There were more gasps, and a mad scramble by the travellers to hide valuables more deeply on their persons.
A shot rang out, followed by a yell of, “Stand and deliver!”
The carriage began to slow, but before it could stop, Amelia’s rescuer placed his long-barrelled pistol on the window ledge, squinted down its length, and squeezed the trigger. It discharged into the night. Outside, a yell morphed into a cry of pain.
Mr Wells banged on the ceiling of the carriage, “Whip them up, driver!”
The carriage lurched forward as a blaze of light lanced through the night. A ball hit a wheel with a metallic ping. Others hit the woodwork. There was no sound from the above passengers now. No doubt they cringed low for cover.
Someone inside struck a match. “Cut that light,” Wells growled. “Do you want us all killed? The blackguards are firing at us, and a light inside will give them something to aim for!”
Amelia stretched across the woman beside her and slapped the flame from the man’s hand.
“How dare you?” the man exploded.
“Listen to Mr Wells!”
“Can you see any more of them, sir?” she asked her companion.
“Yes, they’re still coming.”
Hearing this, the lady beside Amelia screeched, “We’ll all be killed!”
“Be quiet. Please!” Amelia patted the woman’s arm and said in her most soothing manner, “Mr Wells needs to hear what’s happening outside.”
