Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind Read Online Free PDF Page A

tied tighter the ribbons of her chip-straw bonnet against the breeze. “Then again, we wouldn’t be off to smell the roses if it weren’t spring, would we?”

    Sir Anthony sat next to her and took up the reins. “No, I don’t suppose we would” If someone had asked the same question just that morning, he wouldn’t have thought such a thing possible at any time of the year. Now, seated next to Ginny, with the sun on her lips and the brim of her bonnet throwing a cool shadow over her lively eyes, it seemed most natural. Even desirable.
    They were halfway to their final destination when Sir Anthony was forced to bring the landaulet to a creaking halt. In the middle of the road stood two masked highwaymen, one short, one tall, with pistols at the ready. Behind them was a carriage remarkably like Grandmama’s.
    “Put up your ‘ands and toss out your valuables,” the tall one demanded.
    “Make that toss out your valuables and then put up your ‘ands,” corrected the short one. “And ifs I see the flash o’ metal, I’ll shoot”
    Sir Anthony noticed that Ginny did immediately as she was told.
    “Have I permission to withdraw my watch?” he said. “It is metal and could be mistaken for a pistol.” He wasn’t willing to take any chances with the idiot Seb, as it surely must be.
    “All right. And all your money too. But no guns, you hear?”
    “A trusting soul, is he not, Miss Delacourt?” Sir Anthony drawled.

    “Yes, indeed. Now, please hurry and do as he asks. My arms are getting tired.”
    “That is a fine thing to say when you have nothing of any value on your person. I suppose you think it is my duty to give what I have to these poor unfortunates”
    “Pray, Sir Anthony, what will they do to us if you do not?” Ginny replied in a strained voice.
    Realizing she must truly be frightened, Sir Anthony threw his money purse, ring, quizzing glass, and fob onto the road along with his watch. He wished he hadn’t been so punctilious about retrieving it from Grandmama. “You may rest easy, Miss Delacourt. It is only those two idiots from the inn.”
    “Dobbs and Seb?” Ginny gasped, dropping her arms. “How is it that they have Grandaunt Regina’s carriage? And why are they holding us up?”
    “I understand it is the way such men earn their living,” Sir Anthony replied, biting back a sharper retort. “They must have stolen our carriage from the inn.”
    “Why, how ungrateful of them! And after I gave them each some money!”
    “You did what?” Sir Anthony felt an unaccustomed tide of emotion threatening to sweep away all his carefully crafted nonchalance.
    “Well, they wouldn’t have been in our parlor if they weren’t hungry. If they had money, they wouldn’t have to steal. When I went upstairs, they were waiting outside Nan’s door, and so very sorry for disturbing me earlier that I gave them each a coin.”

    Sir Anthony stared at the two scrambling in the dust over his things. “You have money, Miss Delacourt?” he drawled.
    “Yes, a little, but it’s mine.” She drew one of her hands to her lap and clutched a fold of her skirt.
    “You will take that money you have secreted in your gown and give it to Dobbs and Seb”
    “Ya,” Dobbs said, who appeared to have heard their conversation. “Give it over, priddy lady. We knows yous gots it.”
    A flash of anguish skittered across Ginny’s delicate features. “Perhaps it is partially my fault. But don’t lay this all in my dish. You are the one who is turned out fine as a new penny.” She took the money out of a pocket concealed in the folds of her gown and threw it into the road.
    Sir Anthony saw that Dobbs was quick about scooping it up and hustling Seb into Grandmama’s carriage. With a savage flick of the reins that made Sir Anthony wince for the sake of the horses, the two catapulted down the road. A cloud of dust rose up behind them.
    Sir Anthony lashed the reins against poor Bess and Bobby, who flew into action.
    “What