Page 24 of The Gift of Patience
There was a grunted response. “Well, we ’ave to find Devil. When ’is ’igh and mighty wants ’is shipment taken care of, Devil is the one ’e tells.”
Ashley’s gaze met Manners’, and he deliberately forced himself to take a drink of ale.
“Mebbe ’e was caught,” one noticeably younger, higher voice suggested.
“Devil would never let ’isself be caught, Billy,” one said with arrogant assurance.
“Then why ain’t ’e signalled in two days?”
“Mebbe we should go look for ’im. Search ’is lordship’s place.”
Ashley barely kept himself from flinching.
“Devil won’t like it.”
“’E will if ’e’s in trouble. It’s not like ’im to forget to signal. ’Specially when it’s ’is only job.”
“Besides, if we do not produce what ’is mightiness wants, then we’ve got bigger trouble than sneakin’ onto that toff’s land.”
“Let’s give it one more day. If ’e doesn’t signal tomorrow, then we go in and look for ’im.”
Chum pushed back from his seat. He angled his head towards the door. He was going to find the privy. It also meant he was going to get a look at their new friends. Ashley would have to change his plans and go back to Taywards that night to warn Westwood, Renforth, and Baines. Somehow, they would have to force Devil to signal his gang. But how could they guarantee he would signal appropriately? They couldn’t.
They had left Renforth on watch that night, but as the gang seemed to gather at The Anchor, he did not know how useful it would be for him to go across the water tonight anyway. As long as someone followed to see where they went.
When Chum returned from the necessary, they all seemed to be thinking the same thing.
“I was able to get a good look at them, but I think two of us should follow when they leave. I think it would be useful to discover where their location is across the river.”
“I need to return to warn Westwood and Renforth of their plans. Why do you not return with me, Fielding? You can help Baines with the prisoner and I will help Renforth keep watch.”
Plans decided, Manners and Chum remained to follow their gang. Once Fielding and Ashley left the front door of the tavern, he removed his hat and went around back to beg a ride back to Taywards. He did not want to waste precious time walking.
CHAPTER 7
Patience hated to admit it, but she was disappointed that all of the men had left her behind to go out and investigate. She still didn’t quite understand why cavalry officers of the Household Guard were out doing this kind of work, but that was a question for later.
Sitting in the window seat of her chambers, looking out over the estate in the darkness, it was difficult to think of what she could do to help. Perhaps going into the village and trying to glean information at the shops might offer a little information, but not likely anything useful.
This was definitely a situation where it was best to be a man. The people they were looking for were most likely to be found in seedier places, and if, as a female, she went there, they would only expect that she was a less than virtuous lady.
If only they let her have a go at the prisoner. She had even tried going to the stables to try and had been promptly turned away.
The moon was high in the sky, but it offered her no solutions. She reached over to close the window as the night was growing cold when she heard the sound of a carriage coming up the drive. Who could that be? It was quite late. Had they found somenew information? Patience was filled with excitement as the probability of just such a thing—a new clue—was dangled before her. She had to be in place to hear what had happened. Before waiting to see who it was, she made certain Xander was sleeping soundly, then she quietly rushed down the stairs and positioned herself to hear what she could behind the curtain in the study. There was a small ledge she was able to sit upon and hide herself as long as no one decided to open the window. She thought it more likely for them to open one of the doors overlooking the lawns.
It was not long before Major Stuart and Captain Fielding entered the house, then the study.
“I will just go fetch Westwood. Make yourself comfortable,” Stuart said to Fielding.
Whatever it was, it was important enough to rouse Dominic. Her excitement grew. It was not long until she heard two sets of footsteps approaching. Dominic must have still been awake. The door to the study closed behind them. She heard them take their seats and pour drinks.
“I was not anticipating seeing either of you so soon. What news is there?”
“We were fortunate to find our gang at The Anchor. It was a while before they arrived, but it was as if they were rendezvousing to discuss their findings for the day,” Stuart explained. “They were indeed signalling each other, and they are wondering why Devil hasn’t signalled for the past two days. If they do not receive a signal tomorrow, then they intend to come looking for him tomorrow night.”
“I see,” Dominic replied in a tone Patience recognized as most displeased.
Silence reigned for what felt like ten minutes before Stuart spoke again.
