Page 41 of The Highwayman's Hidden Heart
Rather than respond angrily, Stafford merely laughed. It was the same cold, cruel laugh that Elizabeth had heard when he had spoken to her alone, and it still sent a chill over her skin.
“I hardly think so.”
Lady Yardley sniffed.
“Perhaps you might reconsider once I tell you that I write ‘The London Ledger’.”
At this, Stafford merely rolled his eyes.
“Do you really think that people like me have heard something like that?” He laughed again. “I don’t get to reading much.”
“Then allow me to explain to you what it is.” Again, Lady Yardley spoke calmly, but Elizabeth’s heart quickened, knowing that this was the moment when the truth would be revealed. “I write it myself. It is full of tidbits and pieces of information which thetonall pay great attention to. Names, descriptions… all of those are kept within it. I am certain that they would be very pleased indeed to know that I have a full description of the men who robbed us.”
Elizabeth held her breath, heat building as she watched for Stafford’s reaction. The man did precisely what she had expected and, after a moment, threw back his head and roared with laughter. Lady Yardley did not flinch, however. She simply looked at him, waiting, a tiny smile flickering across her lips. When Stafford had finally recovered himself - with both of his other men laughing too, he threw up his hands and grinned at Lady Yardley.
“And what would you say?” he asked, still chuckling. “Would you say that I am a tall, broad-shouldered man, that this fellow here is a little smaller, and that this man here is the skinniest you have ever seen?.” Another laugh followed this, and his eyes were still dark but dancing with obvious merriment. “I hardly think such descriptions will be enough for the gentlemen of London to come in pursuit of us.”
“It might.” Lady Yardley shrugged. “Although it would be even better if I had your names.”
Stafford gestured to both of his men.
“You talk nonsense.”
As the man who had been sent to the luggage began to move closer to Elizabeth again, she could not prevent herself from shuddering furiously. Looking at her friend, she caught the small smile on Lady Yardley’s face and knew that the time was upon them.
“Yes, indeed, it would be a good deal easier if I could have your names,” Lady Yardley said again, speaking more loudly than before, and, with a breath, Elizabeth stepped forward. Turning sharply, she pointed one finger towards Stafford.
“That man is Stafford,” she said clearly, seeing the man’s confident smile vanish. “And his two companions are Connelly and Griggs. They are men who linger in the East End of London in an establishment named ‘The Tawdry Pony’. I think all of those details, Lady Yardley, would be of particular interest to theton. I am certain that there are those who would immediately go in search of these men, given that they now have their names and their descriptions and information about where they like to reside, also.”
As she spoke, Lord Winterbrook dismounted from his horse. He moved slowly, but Elizabeth did not give him even the slightest attention, only catching his movements from the corner of her eye. The three men were now staring at her, with the man by the coachman slowly beginning to come towards Stafford, his face a little pale. Stafford did not smile. In fact, he was staring at her with such wide eyes that she feared they might fall from his head if he continued much longer.
“I think it would be a very fair description indeed,” Lady Yardley murmured quietly. “And as I have said, ‘The London Ledger’ is read by almost every gentleman and lady in the upper echelons of society. They have a great deal of power when they act together, and I can assure you that they will put everything they have into finding you and ending your… endeavors here.”
“It’s you!” Stafford’s voice was low and filled with fury as he turned his face in Elizabeth’s direction. “It’s Lady Elizabeth, isn’t it?”
As Stafford began to stride forward, Elizabeth went to move back, only for Lord Winterbrook to act.
Stafford, being entirely unprepared, was jerked backward as Lord Winterbrook took hold of him from behind. His pistol was in his other hand and, as he lifted it, the atmosphere darkened instantly. Having been knocked off his feet, Stafford stopped still for a moment. With a scowl, he attempted to slowly rise, his hands lifting a little as he swung slowly around.
“So you think that you can threaten us?” Stafford’s tone was dark as Lord Yardley gestured for the man near her - Connelly or Griggs, Elizabeth did not know which - to make his way back towards the horses next to Stafford. Quite when he had taken his pistol from his coat, Elizabeth did not know, but she was grateful that he had.
“And you can come here also.” With a chuckle, Lord Yardley gestured for the third man to join his friends. “There will be no stealing from us today. And if you think to attempt anything, let me tell you that the article for ‘The London Ledger’ is already written, and is in the safe hands of my staff. Should anything happen to prevent us from returning, it will be published.”
The three men stood before them but, with a smirk, Stafford chuckled.
“You really believe that you’ve succeeded.” Stafford laughed again, though Elizabeth could not understand why, given the fact that he was clearly at a disadvantage. “You say that you’ll write our names and our descriptions in ‘The London Ledger’, but what is to stop us from naming Lord Winterbrook also?”
Elizabeth strode forward, no longer afraid, her confidence billowing as she faced up to Stafford.
“And who do you think thetonwill believe?” Tilting her head, her hands going to her hips, she arched an eyebrow. “Do you think that any of them will accept the idea that three rogues such as yourselves can be trusted?”
“And when do you expect to speak to any gentlemen who come in search of you?” Miss Millington added, her voice still trembling but her confidence growing as she came to stand beside Elizabeth. “Do you intend to tell them about Lord Winterbrook before or after they shoot you?”
At her words, Stafford’s face blanched, his confident smile shattering. There was nowhere for them to go, no route they might take to escape, and gain the upper hand. They might very well attempt to blame Lord Winterbrook, but Elizabeth was confident that none in thetonwould believe them. Miss Millington was right - it was not as though any of these three men would have the opportunity to speak of it.
“Might I suggest that you take this opportunity to ride away and never return to your endeavors here?” Lord Winterbrook spoke loudly, his pistol pressing into Stafford’s back. “You will not threaten me. You will not threaten Lady Elizabeth. You will not threaten any one of us, ever again. You will not ride and pursue carriages any longer.”
There was a trace of anger in his voice, but he remained steady as Elizabeth pressed one hand to her stomach, praying that Stafford, Griggs, and Connelly would see the sense in what they were being offered.
