The Highwayman's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page B

idle chatter from the servants.’
    ‘Not just the servants, husband. There’s talk in the town. People are frightened.’
    ‘Rest assured, something
will
be done. Jack and I are just on our way to see the magistrate. Would you be very much distressed, madam, if we postponed our morning walk?’
    Seemingly recovered from her initial shock, the countess sent her husband a tight smile. ‘Not at all. Seeing the magistrate is far more important. But how very kind of you to ask.’
    Jack looked from one parent to the other. He’d always marvelled at their harmonious relationship. He had even modelled his own ideas of matrimony on theirs, but this was the first time he sensed that perhaps they were being
too
nice in their dealings with each other. Perhaps it had always been there and he’d only just noticed. But what to make of it?
    ‘I’m sorry, Mother, if this causes you any inconvenience.’
    ‘Nonsense,’ said the countess. ‘I shall walk with Alethea instead. No doubt she will make sure I get my exercise.’ With that parting comment she glided back out of the breakfast room with the spaniel at her heels.
    Raking was thirsty work, and before long Cora was reaching for her flask. Despite the sensible neckline and the long sleeves of her dress, small particles of dried grass had worked their way through her clothes, and she was itching everywhere. Finally, when the sun was high in the sky, the labourers retreated to the edge of the field to take their lunch in the shade of the trees. Sitting with Ned and the others on a large fallen tree trunk, Cora took off her bonnet and enjoyed for a moment the sensation of the light breeze caressing her sweaty neck.
    Horses’ hooves pounded on the lane, and she turned to see who was approaching. Lord Heston and his son seemed to have sprung to attention and hastened towards the newcomers. Cora hid a sneer – another nobleman and his offspring, these two even more hoity-toity by the look of it. The older man sat stiff in his saddle as if he’d had a poker rammed up his backside, and the younger one—
    She stifled a gasp.
Dear God. No, it couldn’t be!
She bent down and pretended to be looking for something on the ground while she quickly put her bonnet back on. Surreptitiously she glanced over her shoulder. It was him, she was sure of it. The man from last night, shorn hair blowing in the breeze. But how had he found her so quickly? She trembled violently and had to steady herself against their makeshift seat.
    Stay calm
, she thought
. He can’t possibly know. He didn’t see you, a woman, he saw a young lad.
She should get away from here. She had to—
    But there was nowhere to go. If she ran, it would look strange and possibly rouse the man’s suspicion. If she stayed, he might recognise her. She could only hope that by keeping her head lowered, he wouldn’t think to notice her. Resolutely, she stayed close to her father and kept her eyes averted.
    ‘It’s a fine day, is it not?’ said a voice nearby and, startled, Cora glanced up despite herself.
    The man had ridden up to their small group and was addressing Ned and some of the other workmen kindly. Everyone rose, and she curtsied with the other women, but he waved his hand as if he didn’t think the gesture necessary.
    ‘Indeed, sir,’ Ned answered politely. ‘As fine as they come.’
    ‘Looks like you’ll be able to finish the wind cocks today.’
    Although he was speaking to Ned, the man’s eyes seem to roam over the little group, but when Cora looked up, and their eyes met very briefly, she could see nothing in his expression to indicate that he recognised her. Quickly, she lowered her head, making sure her bonnet shielded most of her face.
    ‘Yes, sir, I reckon we will,’ Ned replied.
    The man and Ned spoke for a few more minutes, mainly about the weather and matters relating to this year’s harvest. Emboldened by the fact he hadn’t recognised her, Cora risked another glance at him. This time he