The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(110)
"And they came for him, you say?" Jonathan managed to wheeze.
"Aye, set fire to the house and all. Attacked us like we was being laid siege to. Our very own war in Somerset." He shook his head.
Jonathan leapt up from his seat and began to pace back and forth in front of Cable small stone fireplace. "Damnation! They've found Jason." He thwacked one powerful thigh with the palm of his hand, willing himself to think.
Her blue eyes rounded like saucers. "Jason? Here? Oh my Lord. What do we do now, Jonathan?"
Caleb said, "They're heading south, toward Lyme, Jed Miller said. He stopped in here to tell Tim and Edgar he needed their help. They went for Mr. Stone and Mr. Branson the magistrate's son, like your sister told him to."
Jonathan blew out a ragged breath, and paced up and down in front of the fire for another moment. He flicked one stray lock of sandy hair out of his eye impatiently. "That's good, very good. At least Sarah is alert to the danger and thinking clearly. They didn't harm her, take her, did they?" he demanded.
"No, only Mr. Alexander. She figured it out after they had already ridden off in the carriage that came for him. She said it was a trick. He went with a woman who claimed she was his wife."
Jonathan shook his head. "I know his wife is dead. No, it's someone working with Ferncliffe and his associates."
"Where's Sarah now?" Pamela demanded.
"She went after them on horseback, sir. She loves him. Well, they're in love with each other, I should say."
The vicar and his wife both stared at each other in surprise. In the end Jonathan looked relieved. "I can't think of anyone I would like better for a brother-in-law. But we need to keep him alive before than can happen. I have to go, my love."
His blond wife shook her head vehemently. "I'm coming with you!"
Normally Jonathan would have argued, but her resolute gaze and lift of her chin convinced him. "All right, Pamela, but we have to leave now. Are you sure you're up to it? I know it's asking a lot, but Sarah might need you, and truth to tell, I'm loath to leave you behind."
"Wither thou goest, darling."
He kissed her hard, thanked Caleb and told him he would see him soon.
Jonathan and Pamela headed out of the house and down the road after Sarah and Alexander as fast as their carriage horses could go.
Chapter Thirty-three
Sarah had ridden for so hard for so long that she began to think about finding a livery stable to change her mount. She was reluctant to ride a strange horse, but she knew hers would be tiring soon, and still the carriage ahead had not stopped for a rest or change of animals.
Captain Breedon was arrogant enough that he had not even bothered to look back to see if they were being followed. At a couple of points where the road was rutted, she had even come within sight distance of them, and had been forced to hang back.
She tried to form a plan in her mind, but the only things she could think of were to steal two horses and gallop away with Alexander off the roads and through the field to some sort of safe haven, or try to conceal themselves, wait for the cover of night, and then get back to Brimley somehow. Go to the Bransons' home and try to stay safe in the kind old magistrate's protection.
Sarah rode on, praying that no harm would come to the baby nestled deep within her body, but knowing she was willing to risk anything to get Alexander to safety. Her back throbbed, her legs and buttocks ached, but she pounded on, at one with the horse, mile after mile, praying with all her might that her bargain with God did not mean his death. Or her own.
The sky was still darkened with storm clouds, and still they pressed south. Sarah could feel the odd fat drop of rain splash on her face or hands as she went, and hope the weather would convince them to stop soon.
After about another six miles, the carriage neared a large tavern and livery stables, and at last began to slow. Sarah sped up and galloped into the courtyard, so that when the grooms came to attend to the animals, they thought she was an outrider with the party.
"Just rub them down and give them some oats," she ordered, slinging her sword behind her out of sight under her cloak and taking down her bag of weapons.
"The gent said to change them," one of the men said, puzzled.
"We'll have to stop somewhere at nightfall. They can last until then."
The man looked doubtful, but did as he was told, all too glad to do his job quickly, and get out of the rain. When he was finished, he left the team standing in harness.
Sarah unbuckled the tracers, so that if they were whipped up, they would run off and leave the carriage stationary.