Page 22 of The Bachelor
To Joshua’s vast relief, Peabody chose that moment to speak. “His Grace says you wanted to ride up here on account of there might be highwaymen on the road.” The man’s words were clipped. “But it’s like I told His Grace, that’s what my Brown Bess is for.” He reached behind him to pat what looked to be a musket. “I can take care of any highwaymen or other scoundrels right well all by meself. So there ain’t no need for you to trouble yerself, Major.”
It hadn’t occurred to Joshua that Peabody might resent his interference, but now that he thought about it, it made sense. “It’s no trouble. To be honest, I’d rather be out here in the wind and rain any day. A stifling coach, with a duchess, a duke, and a duke’s sister for company, is no place for a soldier like me.”
The coachman chewed on that a moment. “I was a soldier meself once upon a time, you know.” His resentment seemed to have lessened a fraction.
“I did not know. Army or navy?”
“Army. I was a sergeant in the Nineteenth Regiment of Foot till I got a load of grapeshot in me chest and shoulder and nearly died.”
“Looks like you came out of it well enough in the end,” Joshua said. “You must have a constitution of iron.”
Peabody shrugged. “My chest pains me from time to time, especially in the winter. But at least I didn’t lose a limb.”
Or damage one irrevocably, Joshua thought.
The coachman shifted on the perch. “You were in the Royal Marines, right?”
“Still am.”
“Ah. You’re on the half-pay list, then. That’s lucky.”
Only officers had the choice of going on the half-pay list, so Joshua supposed hewaslucky. He’d never looked at it that way before.
Peabody clicked his tongue at the horses. “I would have had a rough go of it if His Grace hadn’t given me this post. He’s a good man. For a duke.”
Joshua chuckled. “Indeed.”
They rode a while in silence.
“Tell me something,” Joshua said. “I gather that you come this route often now that His Grace’s mother lives at Armitage Hall.”
“Often enough.” The man expertly tooled the horses around a sharp curve.
“Have you ever encountered any highwaymen?”
“Not in some years, sir. That’s why I was so surprised to have His Grace be worried about it when he ain’t been worried before.”
Joshua debated whether to tell the coachman the truth of things, but he figured he owed it to the fellow. “Actually, last night I caught a man attempting to tamper with this perch. I’m just not sure who he was or why he was doing it. He . . . er . . . got away from me before I could find out.” When Peabody looked alarmed, Joshua added hastily, “Never fear—I tightened the bolts he’d loosened. But you might want to keep a close eye on things whenever we change horses.”
Peabody nodded. “And ye’re thinking it was highwaymen what done it? Don’t seem like that’s how they work. How would they know where to make us stand to?”
“I’m assuming that the villain would simply follow us at a distance until we were stranded. It’s been so dry of late that the dust we kick up would hide anyone behind us.”
“True.”
“In any case,someonewished to halt the coach—or cause it to have an accident. We’re simply not sure of who or why.” He paused a moment. “Have you ever heard His Grace speak of a man named Malet?”
The coachman frowned in thought. “Can’t say as I have. Is he the one you think is behind it?”
“Perhaps. Whatever the case, we need to be especially alert.” He patted his greatcoat pocket. “I’ve got a pepperbox pistol here that would give them hell. Between that and your Brown Bess, no one is coming near this coach to do anyone harm.”
Peabody puffed out his chest. “Aye, sir. We got our own army here, don’t we?”
For the next several hours, Joshua and Peabody discussed their lives in the military. Fortunately for Joshua, Peabody had a flask full of brandy to keep himself warm, and he was willing to share. But Joshua did notice that the fellow was careful only to sip the liquid fire, so he could keep alert and aware of any impending threats to the coach and its occupants.
To Joshua’s relief—and surprise—there proved no need for caution. If someonehadbeen lying in wait for them, he never showed himself. Perhaps he’d grown tired of eating their dust, waiting for them to break down.
Or, what would be infinitely worse, perhaps the fellow hadn’t ever intended to follow them. Perhaps he’d hoped for a fatal accident that killed everyone involved.
