At the Highwayman's Pleasure(48)

‘I have been thinking what I might do for my father. I wonder if I should use some of my fortune to help him.'

‘Do you want to do that?'

‘No, of course not, but- Oh, Ross, when all is said and done, he is my father.'

‘And a most unnatural one, to cause you so much misery.' He frowned  across the table at her. ‘He would have ruined your life without a  second thought.'

‘But I am not like him. I am not vengeful.'

‘So you would be happy to see Hannah and Phineas walk free after all they have done.'

‘Yes-no.' She shrugged unhappily. ‘I do not want them executed.' She dropped her head in her hands. ‘I feel like a murderess.'

‘Well, you need not.'

Something in his tone made her look up. There was a smile glinting in his dark eyes. He picked up the paper.

‘This has just arrived from Captain Armstrong. Phineas and Hannah, er, escaped last night.'

Charity jerked upright, one hand knocking her knife and sending it clattering to the floor.

‘What?'

The smile grew, but he kept his eyes on the paper.

‘Yes, it seems they managed to get to the coast and escaped to France.'

His tone was perfectly serious, but she was not fooled and said  sharply, ‘Ross-just what is this? Captain Armstrong was taking them to  York.'

He looked at her then and she could see the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

‘I know, but I had a word with him before we left Beringham last night and we, er, changed the plans.'

‘But-but how could you? Ross, that is dreadful. Won't you- Won't he be in the most terrible trouble?'

‘Well, that's just it. You see, he had already told me that the man  they arrested in Yarmouth has friends in very high places who would be,  shall we say, embarrassed if his part in this spy ring came out. The  Admiralty were keen to hush up his part in it, so they can hardly  complain if Phineas escapes justice, too.'                       
       
           



       

He saw that she was staring at him and laughed.

‘John took Hannah and Phineas to the coast, where they were put aboard a  small sloop along with an armed guard, who would make sure they were  put ashore on the French coast. Phineas is so keen on Bonaparte's rule  that he might as well live under it-although as an Englishman he might  not find them as tolerant and friendly as he imagines.' Ross sat back in  his chair, grinning at her. ‘No, I think he and Hannah will have a very  uncomfortable time of it, but Armstrong has made it very clear to them  that if they show their faces in this country again they will regret  it.'

‘But what about your prize money? If Hannah is not here to stand trial...'

He shrugged. ‘I will have to live without it.'

She looked at him, her heart swelling with so much love and gratitude that she thought it would burst.

‘You would let it go, let her go free, for my sake?'

‘It is not such a big thing. Better to let her go with her husband and  make his life a misery.' The smile that she had seen on his face almost  constantly since yesterday appeared again. ‘After all, I can't have my  father-in-law dragged through a hideous court case.'

‘Oh, Ross....' Her lip quivered. ‘I don't know what to say.'

‘Say you will marry me. Armstrong tells me there is a substantial  reward on its way, which should help in restoring Wheelston to its  former glory, but in truth, my love, the only reward I want is you for  my wife.'

He came round the table and dropped to one knee before her.

‘Well, Charity, will you marry me now? There may be rumours, but no one  will know for sure what happened to Phineas. Not that I would care if  you had a dozen traitors in your family. I would still want you for my  wife, now and always.'

Happiness choked her and, mistaking her silence, he added, ‘If you want  to continue with your acting, then I will not stand in your way.'

She knew she must speak, and quickly, before he thought she was rejecting him.

‘No, no, well, perhaps occasionally I might perform-but not if it  conflicts with your own duties. Captain Armstrong said you would be  reinstated in the navy, and I think you would like to go back to sea?'

He took her hands. ‘I would, very much. There is work to be done there  while this war continues, but not if you would dislike it.'

She looked down at him, hoping he could see the love she felt at this  moment shining from her eyes and in the huge smile that was bursting  forth.

‘I should like very much to be the wife of a sea captain-'

Hardly were the words from her mouth than he was on his feet and  dragging her out of her chair. She was in his arms, her face upturned  for his kiss, which she returned with all the love she could convey.