‘I think it best if I go down alone first,’ said Jasper. ‘It is possible that some of Evanshaw’s people might be there and they could recognise one of you.’
Zelah gazed down at the little hamlet.
‘It looks a very poor, isolated sort of place. What will you say?’
Jasper grinned. ‘No need to worry, I am quite adept at playing the eccentric traveller.’ He pointed to a small stand of trees. ‘Wait for me over there, where you will not be seen.’
While Jasper set off down the winding track, the others moved back into the trees, where only the sighing wind and the distant cry of the gulls broke the silence. It was impossible to ride into the small wood because the overhanging branches were too low, so they dismounted and Sawley led their horses along a narrow path. Zelah was thankful that the thick canopy of leaves sheltered them from the hot sun. Their path led to a small clearing. The groom took the horses to one side while Zelah and Dominic found a convenient tree stump and sat down.
‘This reminds me of the first time I saw you,’ said Zelah, removing her bonnet and wiping her hand across her hot brow. ‘You had been working in the woods and you were carrying a fearsome axe.’
‘With my wild appearance I must have been very frightening.’
She considered for a moment. ‘No, I was never really frightened of you.’
‘Not even when you attacked me with that tree branch?’
She laughed. ‘A mere stick, which you disposed of quite summarily!’
He looked at her, the faint smile in his eyes causing her heart to beat a little faster. ‘You were very brave, you know, to stand your ground against me. You did not know who I was, or what I might do.’
‘But I could not leave Nicky.’
‘No, you are very fond of him, are you not?’
‘He is like my...’ She stopped, shaking her head a little.
‘Go on,’ Dominic urged her gently.
Zelah drew in a long, steadying breath.
‘He is like my son, the baby that n-never lived, that I never held in my arms. I shut it out, all the pain and loss, until I came to West Barton and met my sister’s little stepson. He was so bright, so very much alive—I could do nothing else but love him.’
Dominic gave a short laugh. ‘I know what you mean. He soon found his way past my defences!’
‘And now he has been snatched away—’ She gripped her hands together tightly in her lap. ‘Do you think Jasper will find him?’
Dominic’s heart lurched when she spoke his twin’s name. Were they on such good terms already? He tried to dismiss the thought and concentrate upon her question.
‘I doubt it will be quite so easy. If they have the boy, you may be sure they will keep him out of sight. But he may glean some useful information. Then we will act.’ She shivered, instinctively leaning closer. Dominic put his arm around her shoulders. ‘Try not to worry. If the boy is here we will find him.’
She leaned against him and he lowered his head until her honey-brown curls brushed his chin. Desire stirred, but Dominic knew it was more than that. He wanted to protect her, to wipe away the anxious frown that creased her brow. It was a jolt to realise that her happiness was the most important thing in the world to him. With a sigh she reached for his hand, twining her fingers with his.
‘Thank you. It is such a comfort to have you here. You really are a true friend to me.’
The knot in Dominic’s stomach hardened. There was that word again. Friend. She kept insisting it was what they should be, but it was a million miles away from what he wanted from her.
They sat thus for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts. Behind them was the quiet snuffle and chomping as their horses nibbled at the tender young shoots pushing up through the ground.
Chapter Sixteen
‘Listen!’
Dominic’s soft hiss brought Zelah’s head up. She sat very still, straining to hear. Someone was approaching, whistling a jaunty tune that mingled with the sighing of the gentle breeze through the leaves. Minutes later Jasper appeared, leading his horse through the trees. Dominic jumped up to meet him.
‘What did you discover?’
‘There’s the usual customs house, some warehouses and a few cottages down by the quay, and the inn of course. The Anchor. It’s a rundown tavern used mainly by the fishermen, so it’s pretty quiet at the moment because all the boats are out.’ He stripped off his gloves, grinning. ‘Landlord’s name is Miller—’
‘The bailiff’s brother!’ declared Zelah.
Jasper nodded. ‘Very likely. He and his wife run the place, but they were not very welcoming, told me they had no rooms to spare and suggested I should try the Ship in Beston village.’
‘You saw no sign of Nicky?’ Zelah questioned him anxiously.
‘No, but I thought I heard a child’s voice coming from one of the upper rooms.’
‘Then we must go back immediately,’ she said quickly. ‘If Nicky is there we must rescue him—’
‘I intend to,’ replied Dominic, ‘but we won’t go rushing in.’ He nodded towards the coast. ‘We are less likely to be seen once the rain sets in.’
A bank of cloud was rolling in from the west. The minutes dragged by but at last it had enveloped the fields and as it crept ever closer to the trees, the gentlemen unstrapped their greatcoats from the saddles and prepared themselves for bad weather. Jasper and Dominic pushed their cuffs out of sight and each wrapped a muffler around his neck to conceal the white linen. Zelah, shrouded in her enveloping cloak and with the capacious hood hiding her face, thought they would look like grey wraiths riding out into the swirling mist that had swept in from the sea.
Zelah picked up Portia’s reins. ‘Will one of you help me to mount?’
‘It would be best for you to wait here with Jem,’ stated Dominic.
‘I am coming with you.’
‘You are not!’
‘But—’
He flung up his arm. ‘I do not have time to argue, Zelah. We need to concentrate on finding Nicky and getting him away safely, not protecting you from danger.’
She opened her mouth to protest, but Jasper put his hand on her arm.
‘Dominic is right,’ he said quietly. ‘You would distract us. We would both be far too anxious for your safety if you come with us. Let Dom and me rescue the boy. Besides, if anything should go wrong, you and Sawley will be free to raise the alarm.’
She closed her lips against further protest—it would only add to their belief that she was a distraction, she thought bitterly. With a nod Jasper began to lead the big bay out of the clearing. Dominic stepped in front of her, hesitated, then briefly placed his hands on her shoulders.
‘Don’t worry, if the boy is there we will find him and bring him back to you.’
Silently she nodded. I am a distraction, she thought, and fought down the desire to throw her arms about his neck and kiss him, to wish him good luck and urge him to be careful. Instead she tried to keep her worries hidden as she watched them walk away. They were soon swallowed up by the mist and she was left with only Jem Sawley for company.
Dominic followed Jasper down the narrow track. The drizzle and mist enveloped them and within minutes their outer clothes were dusted with tiny water droplets. When they reached the small promontory Jasper led the way to a derelict barn. The door had disappeared, but the roof was almost intact.
‘We’ll leave the horses here,’ said Jasper. ‘The inn lies at the other side of the quay, but it’s not far.’
‘Good.’ Dominic drew his pistol from its saddle holster. ‘You go to the inn and call for service, I’ll slip in the back way and search the rooms.’
‘I shall go to the front door and make a lordly fuss.’ Jasper looked at Dominic, his eyes unusually sombre. ‘Be careful, Brother.’