Debt of Dishonour by Mary Andrea Clarke

Author:Mary Andrea Clarke [Clarke, Mary Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781906790714
Publisher: Creme de la Crime

15

Georgiana rode home slowly, more confused than ever. She knew she had done well to obtain any information at all from a patron of the Lucky Bell, but the information she had been given made little sense. How did Boyce Polp come to be in possession of a trinket which someone else had been inquiring after some time earlier? Could it have been a gift? If that were the case, the giver must have secured its return remarkably quickly before presenting it to Mr Polp. Unless Mr Polp had purchased it himself from some source of dubious legality. Either way, it was ironic that he should have lost the item to a highwayman. Georgiana wondered who had been the original owner. She was not sure whether or not it was important, and clearly Harry’s friend would not have been able to tell her.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Georgiana urged Princess forward. The mare increased her speed to a canter, and Georgiana looked about her, ensuring the quiet of the night was not deceptive. She saw no sign of pursuit or travellers but remained alert for sounds as she guided Princess towards the road and home.

Her mind remained fully occupied as she tried to make sense of the volume of information which had assailed it in a short time. This evening’s developments aside, she was concerned about Harry, and wanted to help him if she could; and her conscience was niggling about Selina. Despite the words she had spoken in anger, Georgiana had not meant to drive her cousin from the house. It was too late to call at Edward’s house this evening, but she knew she should do so first thing in the morning.

Georgiana slowed Princess so she could look up and down the length of the road. The night was clear and still seemed quiet, but after a few moments Georgiana’s alert ears caught a faint thrumming. Reining Princess back, she turned her head and strained to hear. Gradually the sound grew louder, sending a pronounced, steady vibration through the road. Georgiana turned Princess’s head and guided her slowly into the cover of the trees. She ensured her mask was secure and sat watching the road, holding her breath and keeping her eyes steadily focused. Within a few minutes, the hum built up to the unmistakeable sound of carriage wheels. Georgiana slowly drew her pistol.

Her patience was soon rewarded as a travelling carriage pulled into view. It was substantial and well-built, the sort of vehicle that was capable of covering long distances. Being held up by a highwayman would not be a welcome end to a long journey, but Georgiana suppressed this twinge of conscience and moved forward with her pistol levelled. The coach pulled up.

The coachman raised his hands and swore, holding his whip upright in his right hand. “What the devil is going on?” demanded an angry voice from inside the coach. A man’s head appeared through the window, eyes narrowed, peering through the darkness. As it disappeared back into the carriage, Georgiana caught a repetition of the coachman’s oath.

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