Page 77 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
Night had fallen in the hours since she had been brought to the cabin by Mark. The night was deeply awake and the moon barely existent. She was in the depth of the woods, injured, and alone without a sense of direction.
Instinctively, she looked to the stars, attempting to orient herself. It was difficult to know where she was as she did not know how long they had traveled the night she had been taken but she reasoned that if the ransom was scheduled to be picked up within the day, Pembroke must be within a reasonable distance.
But which way?
Elizabeth closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to recall the little she knew about the constellations. It had been a long while since she had sat before a governess but from somewhere in her exhausted mind, she heard the voice of Agnes sternly calling for her to pay attention as she pointed at the star charts and it all flooded back at once.
She opened her eyes with a start and stepped forward, ignoring the pain in her feet as she walked, veering sharply to the right. With each step she took away from the cabin and, presumably, in the correct direction, her confidence grew. She could not be certain that she was headed toward Pembroke but she was headed away from her captors and was free for the first time in days.
Soon I will be with my family again—and with Leonard.
As she trekked through the woods, the pain began to diminish and a warm heady feeling flowed through her. Elizabeth began to envision her reunion when she finally made her way back to Brookside.
In her mind’s eye, she saw Frances’ tearful face, blubbering with joy as she cried and lectured her for being away for so long. At her side would be Mr. Barlough, stoic but happy to see her.
David would pretend to be brave but there would be water in his eyes also. And of course, her father would be the first to embrace her, declaring his relief loudly and with his usual dramatic flair.
Yet in her vision, she saw Leonard, his sparkling irises alight with gratitude that she had not only returned but saved him from giving his money to Cooper and Mark.
The sky was lightening before Elizabeth made her way out of the wood, her face scratched, dark hair entangled with twigs and leaves. She could imagine what a fright she was and wondered if any passerby would stop if anyone chanced along the seemingly remote road at that hour of the early morning.
She did not slow her pace but her head turned often, looking back for any sign of movement, partially with hope, and partially with fear that Cooper might still be about, searching for her.
Mark must know I have escaped by now. Will he join in the search or has he simply forsaken the idea that I will be captured?
She would not know unless she was again faced with the criminal duo.
And I will not escape a third time. They will see to that without a doubt.
Elizabeth rounded the slow bend of the dirt road, her bearings askew. Her lips were badly chaffed and she desperately needed water but she could not stop, not until she found help.
Suddenly, she stopped, her breath catching with excitement as her eyes fell upon a vast field. Three horses grazed just a couple of yards away. Elizabeth looked about with mounting elation, her heart thumping. If there were horses, then a farm must be nearby, but where?
Her eyes scanned the horizon, seeking a structure of some sort but her gaze found nothing. Tentatively, Elizabeth walked toward the majestic beasts and they did not move as she neared. They were not wild and when she laid her hand upon one brown mare, the equine dipped her black mane low for more affection. Elizabeth looked about again and bit on her cracked lower lip.
She did not see a single soul nor indication of a farm and yet the horses clearly belonged to someone.
“Where do you live, girl?” she murmured to the beast. “Are you close by?”
The mare snorted softly and nuzzled her hand. The sun chose that moment to break through the horizon, splaying golden rays across the field and Elizabeth’s breath was stolen.
That is a sign from God,she decided, pushing aside the inappropriateness of what she was about to do.He is telling me to do this.
“Come along, girl,” Elizabeth said gently, falling alongside the mare. She had not ridden bareback since she was a young girl, being mischievous. She was a noblewoman, after all. Viscount’s daughters did not ride horses in such a scandalous fashion.
Elizabeth mounted the horse with surprising ease, buried her face into the soft mane, and urged her forward. She reminded herself that she was not a Viscount’s daughter in that moment—she was a lady on the run for her life.
And if I must sin to save myself, so be it.
Elizabeth felt no guilt. She was going home.
Chapter 26
Herbert found the Duke in his mother’s gardens, staring aimlessly at the vivid colors as though he did not see them. The Duchess had not tended to the gardens once since Elizabeth had been taken and it troubled Leonard greatly to know that his mother remained in a laudanum induced sleep at all hours of the day and night.
“Your Grace,” the barrister murmured. “We have word as to where the ransom is to be paid.”
Leonard whirled quickly.
