Moonstruck Madness (34 page)

The next morning he was making his way down the stairs when a soft voice spoke hesitantly, and looking around he saw a young girl standing below him in the hall.

"Yes."

The girl's eyes were drawn to his scar hypnotically as she said breathlessly, "There
be
a person wantin' a word with Yer Grace in the orchard. I'm a kitchen maid and Sims'll have my head if'n he was to find me in here and a'talkin' to yer."

She curtsied swiftly and excused herself before Lucien could ask who'd sent the message. Shrugging, he made his way outside and around to the back of the garden. A wrought-iron gate led to the orchard beyond, and opening it he winced as it squeaked protestingly and noisily. He passed through and walked into the orchard, the limbs of the trees heavy with ripening fruit. He looked around curiously, the only sound coming from a bird perched above him in the boughs.

The quiet peacefulness of the orchard was disturbed by the sharp, staccato snapping of twigs, and turning towards the sound Lucien came to a halt as two familiarly large figures emerged from behind a couple of tree trunks.

Lucien grinned humorlessly as he faced the two giants. "Well done, gentlemen," he complimented them sarcastically as they approached him warily. "Have you brought me a message from Bonnie Charlie? Ah, yes, I see that you have," he added in resignation as he became aware of their bunched fists.

"You've become a bit of a problem, Duke, and we thought we might be able to change your mind about staying where you're not wanted," Will
answered
menacingly.

"I see," Lucien spoke softly, taking a step forward and spreading his legs, his booted feet firmly planted in the soft soil. "I take it all parties concerned are agreeable to this action of yours?"

"If you be meanin' Charlie, then yeah, she wants you gone as well. You been treatin' the little lady kinda rough and we owes you for my shoulder and for tying up my brother."

"Nice to see you again, Duke," Will greeted him with a broad smile.

"And you intend to scare me off,
is
that it, and maybe inflict a few bruises while about it?"

Will smiled wider, and winking at John nodded his head. "You be real smart, Duke. Now, we're fair, don't believe in ganging up on a helpless town dandy, so I'll let my brother here have a go at you first, he owes it to you."

John came forward slowly, his big fists
raised
threateningly as he circled Lucien, who stood his ground despite the size of the approaching figure.

John suddenly charged like a mad bull, sending his great bulk into Lucien's slighter figure, but Lucien ducked and sent John tumbling over his shoulder to land with a thud on his back. Roaring like a bear John
rose
andcharged again, only to be tripped by Lucien's outstretched boot and as he fell forward received a punch in the stomach that left him breathless as he stumbled into the ground.

Lucien spun as Will's fist collided with his jaw, knocking him to the ground. He rolled quickly aside and caught Will's uplifted, booted foot and gave it a vicious twist, throwing him off balance. As he fell heavily to the ground Lucien followed on top of him and punched him in the eye, dodging the big fist that whizzed by his ear, and landed another of his own on the giant's nose. He heard the reviving moan of his other opponent and quickly jumped to his feet. Reaching into his coat pocket he withdrew a pistol, and waiting for the large brothers to slowly pick themselves up he stood pointing the barrel at the two men.

"Well, well, the mighty do fall hard," he commented with a grin, and then, feeling his own sore jaw, grimaced. "You
should have
known, gentlemen, that I do not frighten easily, nor do I take kindly to threats from country bumpkins. You may count yourselves lucky that I did not shoot one of you dead when you first threatened me. And you may tell Sabrina that her plan has failed and I am now, more than ever, determined to have my way. Do I make myself clear, my big friends?"

Will and John shuffled uncomfortably, a look of grudging respect for their would-be victim's prowess with his fists warring with chagrined anger on their faces as they mumbled an indistinct reply.

"Not quite so voluble now, are you? Tell Sabrina TO exact my revenge very shortly. She may count on it."

He turned and walked off, ignoring Will's, "Hey, wait
a
minute,
you've got it all wrong!"

They watched his figure disappear behind the trees,
then
looked at each other silently for a moment.

"
We done
it good this time."

"Yeah," Will answered, holding his sleeve to his bloodied nose.
"Made a bit more mischief than we'd planned.

Charlie ain't going to like this. He's really out to get her now."

"Should've left it alone, I guess."

"Come on, let's be off before he returns and decides to put a hole in our thick skulls."

They trudged off, their big shoulders slumped dejectedly.

"Never seen anyone punch like that."

"Oughta be wrestlin' at the fair, the way he moves."

"Knocked down by a London gent in lace.
Never hear the end of it if anyone knew," John complained.

"Been thinkin' maybe we ought not to tell Charlie about this," Will suggested.

John shook his massive head
in
agreement "Nope, don't think we oughta."

Sabrina greeted them happily when they showed up
in
the afternoon, but as they came closer and her eyes scanned their bruised faces, her grin faded.

"What happened?"

Will shrugged.
"Breaking up a fight in the
inn.
Couple of locals got carried away in an argument."

"You're in more danger running the Faire Maiden than you were as highwaymen," she laughed, accepting Will's explanation.

Sabrina sat down on a fallen tree trunk, the sun shining down on her shoulders and warming them. Her face was pale and drawn, throwing the smudges beneath her violet eyes into prominence.

John shuffled his feet as he said hesitantly, "You look pretty tired, Charlie, I wish you'd come and stay at Mam's. This marsh ain't good."

"I'm all right, really I am. All I need is a little rest Once this is all over, then I can relax." She smiled. "If you really want to help me, then tell me what you've heard. Is the Duke still at Verrick House, and has the Marquis shown up yet?"

"No, haven't heard a word about the Marquis, and
I
know for certain the Duke's still at Verrick House," Will replied sourly, despite John's warning look. "In fact, he's getting mighty close to your family."

Sabrina's eyes narrowed and a flush appeared on her thin cheeks. "What do you mean?"

"Well, heard tell he's takin' yer brother out shootin' and even ridin'."

Sabrina jumped to her feet angrily. "How dare he make friends with my
family!
He's up to something, I'm sure. If only I could be there to deal with him."

Will and John looked at each other over Sabrina's head, both having seen the feverish look in her eyes and the agitated movement of her hands, but Will shook his head helplessly as Sabrina's hands went to her hips and she took up her defiant stance, her booted legs spread and reminding him suddenly and ironically of the Duke.

"They'll all be sorry. No one mocks me. Lucien is going to be sorry he ever came here."

"Guess we better be gettin' back, and we'll see you tonight. Things been awful quiet the last day or two, hope somebody's on the road tonight at least."

Sabrina sighed. "All right, I'll see you then, and if you hear anything about a party let me know then. If we could just rob a few big parties that would be all we'd need to finish up this job."

As they turned to leave Sabrina got up and followed, calling to them. Coming up close she took one of each of their big hands and gave them a little squeeze. "Thank you for keeping me company last night. I truly appreciate it, but it's not really necessary."

"Don't like you being out here alone," Will replied gruffly. "Wouldn't be able to sleep anyway, thinkin' about it."

"Well, then, be sure to bring enough for us both to eat tonight. I don't like eating alone," Sabrina ordered good-naturedly.

"Sure, Charlie, John'll be here this evening," Will told her, feeling relieved at her acceptance of their company. Sabrina waved as they rode off, a smile on her face, but as they disappeared, so did her smile. If she did not feel so bad she would be bored senseless, sitting about this dilapidated hut worrying and wondering what was happening at Verrick House, unable to do anything except helplessly watch events move beyond her control.

She shivered with a chill and wrapping one of the blankets around her went outside again into the warm sunshine and leaned against the side of the hut, feeling the sun
's
rays beating down on her and soaking into her chilled bones. A muffled sneeze shook her body and closing her eyes against the brightness she slumped down, resting her aching head on her drawn-up knees.

By the next morning, after a long and unprofitable night waiting on the side of the road, she was congested and her throat was raw and hurt with every swallow. John hovered clumsily about trying to be helpful, but only succeeded in annoying her as she watched in suffering silence. When he left and Will returned in his stead, he was loaded down with salves and brews concocted to relieve her headache and sore throat.

"A bottle of rum would've done as well," Sabrina complained with a smile as Will unloaded his medicines and extra blankets.

"Mam said to brew these herbs and honey for you and to rub this on your—" he hesitated in embarrassment "—your chest."

"I think I can manage that much," Sabrina assured him in a husky whisper which ended in a painful cough. She gratefully accepted the hot brew, feeling its soothing qualities slide down her sore throat as she relaxed next to the fire Will had started.

"Brought some rum, too.
Figure it's always helped me the most," Will chuckled as he placed the bottle on the table and winked conspiratorially.

He straddled a chair and rubbed his ear as he gave a deep sigh of regret. "Wouldn't you know, there's a big party going on at Lord Newley's tonight, but you're in no shape to go, Charlie."

Sabrina looked up at him from her cocoon of blankets, her small nose pink from sneezing. "I have no choice but to go. This could be the last time, Will," she said in growing excitement.

"I don't know, Charlie. You're mighty sick with the fever.
Wouldn't do to pass out in the middle of Lord New-ley's guests."

Sabrina sniffed, whether at the thought of passing out or with her cold, Will couldn't tell. "You don't need to worry about
me,
I'll get through this night if it kills me:"

"That's what I'm afraid of," Will
commented
glumly.

"Who's supposed to be there? Is it really a big party?"

A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of Will's mouth. "Well, that's the odd thing about it,
Charlie,
you see it's in honor of you and the Duke. Sort of an engagement party you might call it."

Sabrina's eyes grew wide and she gave a weak laugh that turned into a cough. "Yes, it's appropriate that I should attend this party. I wouldn't miss it for the world," Sabrina chuckled, her feverish eyes glowing brighter in anticipation.

Late that evening Sabrina leaned against the table as she braided her thick hair with unsteady fingers and tucked it up under the white wig. Her face felt on fire and her head ached until she thought it would burst. For the last time, she hoped fervently, would she be putting this mask over her face. She set the cocked hat firmly on her head and pulled on her greatcoat, swayed dizzily as she stuck her pistol into her belt, and holding onto the edge of the table tightly, closed her eyes. She had to get through this night.

It meant everything—just this one last time, she prayed. She must find the strength to see it through. She opened her eyes and the room had stopped spinning, and lifting her chin she pulled on her gloves determinedly and left the hut, the swagger returning to her walk as she strode across the soft ground to meet Will and John, the spurs on her jackboots jingling into the quiet night