“Careful, yourself,” the officer replied and swung his fist at Jonathan.
Jonathan sidestepped the blow.Anger flared in him.He jabbed a left hook at the man’s jaw.Crack!The captain crumpled to the ground.
Jonathan stepped back, waiting for the man’s response.Not a violent person, he didn’t regret hitting a man who thought it acceptable to hit his wife and possibly any woman.
The captain came to, shook his head, and swore when he saw Jonathan.He staggered to his feet, but the fight had gone out of him.He stamped out of the inn.
Jonathan turned back to the innkeeper.“You know the woman he was looking for?”
“I know her well, poor young thing.How she got tied up with that brute is a mystery.Must have fallen on hard times.He can appear charming at first, so maybe that’s how.That’s what we found...fine at first, then his true colors came out.”
“I hope you won’t change your mind about telling him where she went.”Jonathan handed the man another sovereign for his silence.
“I won’t do that, m’lord.”
When Jonathan reached the stables, his groom had already finished harnessing the horses into the curricle.“Where to now, your lordship?Into Portsmouth?”
“No, Nate, Winchester.”
“Ah well, that’s closer to home.We’re heading in the right direct’n, at least.”
“These new horses up to some pace?”
“They’ll do, guvn’r.”
“Good.Hurry along, Nate.We’re still in a tearing rush.I’ll bring my bag down myself.”
Within ten minutes, they were on the road, hopefully following Jane’s coach.It was a short distance to Winchester, but Jonathan needed to arrive before them.He pushed the new team of horses along at a brisk pace.Once Jane and her sister left the coach to find accommodation, it would be harder to find them.He mustn’t lose them.
Chapter Fourteen
WOULD THE JOLTING OFthe carriage over these rough roads ever end?Jane’s back ached from yesterday.Charlotte had fallen asleep opposite with her chin on her chest.It was testament to how exhausted she must be that she could sleep at all on this swaying ship of the road.
Jane planned the next stage of their journey.They must find safe lodgings in Winchester for a week.
At last they arrived at The Swan.Their vehicle entered the yard and stopped with a lurch.Jane shook Charlotte awake.Surprise and fear etched Charlotte’s face.Seeing Jane, her body relaxed and she peered around.
