Return of the Runaway (15 page)

‘One bullet against four men? The odds are not in your favour,
monsieur
.'

It was the truth and Raoul knew it, but he must give Cassie a chance to get clear. He was bracing himself for a tough fight when a voice spoke behind him.

‘Then let us make the odds a little fairer, shall we?'

A tall black-bearded figure in riding dress emerged from the bushes at the roadside, a pistol in each hand and a serviceable-looking sword at his side.

‘You see there are three pistols now,' the stranger continued. ‘And I warn you that I am an excellent shot.'

He stepped up beside Raoul, but even as he did so the four ragged assailants were backing away and a moment later they were crashing away through the bushes.

* * *

Cassie had watched the whole from a distance, her chest constricted with fear, but now the immediate danger had passed she jumped down, collecting up the reins of the loose horse and walking towards Raoul and the tall stranger.

‘We are very grateful for your assistance,
monsieur
,' she said, smiling up at the man and holding out her hand. ‘Your arrival was most opportune.'

He bowed over her fingers. ‘Do I have the pleasure of addressing Lady Cassandra Witney?'

Cassie stared up at him, surprised.

‘Why, yes,' she said. ‘How do you know my name?'

‘I am your cousin, Wolfgang Arrandale.'

Chapter Eight

‘W
olfgang!' Cassie exclaimed. ‘But how—? What—?'

Raoul cut short her stammering questions with a wave of one hand.

‘I suggest we move away from here. Those rogues might well return.'

‘I agree,' said Wolfgang. ‘My horse is hidden in the trees. I will collect him and we will ride on. There is an inn about half a mile ahead, we can talk there.'

He walked off, leaving Cassie to stare after him.

‘Let me help you to mount.'

Raoul's words took a few moments to penetrate her bemused state, but at last she allowed him to throw her up into the saddle.

‘So he claims to be your cousin,' said Raoul. ‘Do you recognise him?'

‘No, of course not. He fled England nearly ten years ago.'

‘Fled?'

‘Yes. He was accused of killing his wife and stealing her jewels.'

‘And did he?'

A tiny crease furrowed Cassie's brow.

‘I do not know,' she said slowly. ‘Why would he run away, if he is innocent?'

Raoul was tempted to remind her that he was doing just that, but at that moment the man calling himself Wolfgang Arrandale trotted up on a glossy black hunter and instead Raoul turned to appraise horse and rider.

‘I'd wager that beast is no hired hack.'

‘No.' The man leaned forward to pat the glossy neck. ‘Satan is my own. We have been through many adventures together.'

Cassie brought her mare alongside the black.

‘Is that how you live, Cousin, as a soldier of fortune?'

Cousin. Raoul's brows rose a little. So she had decided to accept that he was who he claimed to be.

Arrandale gave a little shrug and said indifferently, ‘Something like that. Shall we go?'

Raoul scrambled up into his saddle and trotted after the others. There was no doubt that Arrandale's intervention was timely, for the situation had been looking decidedly ugly, but Raoul could not help wishing it had been a chance stranger who had come to their aid. He might then have accepted their thanks and gone on his way. The fact that the fellow was Cassie's cousin could not be coincidence. If he
was
Wolfgang Arrandale. After all they only had his word for it.

He watched Cassie turn her head to look up at her companion and felt something twist in his gut. Something suspiciously like jealousy. He dragged his eyes away and glowered at his horse's ears.

‘Do not be ridiculous,' he muttered savagely to the hapless animal. ‘If the fellow is her cousin and he has come looking for her, then your job is done. He can take care of her'.

But as they clattered into the cobbled yard of the inn Raoul realised with a jolt that he did not wish to consign Lady Cassandra to anyone's care.

* * *

‘So, Cousin, what are you doing here?'

Cassandra could hardly wait until the landlord had left them at their table before she put the question.

‘I have been following you.'

‘So I was not imagining it.' She threw a triumphant glance at Raoul. ‘I thought I saw something in the woods last night.'

‘Yes, it was careless of me to get so close.'

‘But why was it necessary for you to hide?' demanded Raoul. ‘Why did you not declare yourself and ride with us?'

Wolfgang spread his hands. ‘I could have been wrong. It wasn't until I looked my cousin in the eye just now that I was sure.'

Raoul nodded. Despite Arrandale's full beard it was possible to see a strong similarity between him and Lady Cassandra. Both had an abundance of curling dark hair and thick, dark lashes fringing those unusually coloured eyes. In Wolfgang's case his eyes were more blue than violet, but the likeness was sufficient to convince Raoul that they were related.

‘Well I am very glad you decided to follow us,' said Cassie, smiling at her cousin in a way that made Raoul grit his teeth. ‘You saved us from those horrid men.'

‘I also saved your skin at the farm.'

‘Ah,' said Raoul, remembering the musket shots that had sounded so opportunely. ‘Was it you who drew off the soldiers?'

Those eyes, so like Cassie's, turned to look at him.

‘It was the least I could do, for a fellow fugitive.'

‘But how did you find us?' Cassie demanded. ‘And why were you even looking for me?'

‘Lady Hune.'

‘Grandmama's letters reached you? I did not think they would. No one has had any word from you for years. To be truthful I thought you were dead.'

‘My great-aunt—your grandmother—is very persistent. I believe she wrote many letters in the hope that at least one of them would reach me. She numbers amongst her acquaintances several members of the French aristocracy who survived the Terror and now live...er...outside the law. When I first came to France Lady Hune asked them to look out for me. Let us say I am returning the favour.'

Cassie frowned. ‘But that does not explain how you found us, or what Grandmama expects you to do.'

‘She wants me to spirit you back to England, of course.'

‘
Could
you do that?' asked Raoul.

‘Quite possibly. I went to Verdun with the intention of getting my cousin and her husband out of France, but I learned there that Witney was dead and his widow had left for England.' He looked at Cassie. ‘I had only missed you by a matter of days and thought there might be a chance to catch up with you, so I went to Rouen. There was no trace of a Lady Cassandra Witney ever having arrived there. However, I did learn of an English milady and her husband staying in the town, so I thought I might take a look, in case you had got yourself into some sort of scrape.'

Cassie straightened in her chair and said indignantly, ‘Why should you think I was in a scrape?'

‘Because you are an Arrandale, Cousin. We have a talent for getting into trouble.'

Raoul laughed at that.

‘Very true!' He saw the angry fire sparkling in Cassie's eyes and continued, before she could retort, ‘But never mind that, now. You followed us from Rouen?'

‘Yes. I arrived at the inn soon after the law officers. The tapster told me some government man from Paris was there to arrest a deserter and his English lover. The serving maid's description was enough to convince me the lady might well be my cousin. With so many
gendarmes
milling around the inn I thought it would be safer if I did not tarry so I retired to the street corner, keeping an eye on the place and trying to decide what to do. Then a commotion broke out. From my vantage point I think I was the only one to see a couple running away through the alley at the back of the inn. I followed you from there.'

Cassie remembered her unease as they had walked through the narrow streets.

‘But I do not understand. Why did we not see you?'

‘I had...
acquired
the clothes of a common seaman. It seemed more fitting, since we were so close to the quay.'

‘The snoring sailor,' remarked Raoul, grinning.

‘The very same.' Arrandale straightened in his chair and fixed Raoul with a piercing gaze. He said with a touch of hauteur that reminded Raoul strongly of Lady Cassandra, ‘But I have not yet discovered why
you
are escorting my cousin,
monsieur
.'

‘Oh, it is all quite simple,' Cassie rushed in to explain. ‘The courier I hired to take me to Rouen was a villain and Raoul rescued me.'

Her cousin did not look to be impressed. He kept his eyes upon Raoul.

‘Word in Rouen was that you are one Raoul Doulevant, a deserter from the navy.'

‘It is no such thing,' said Cassie indignantly. ‘That horrid man Valerin destroyed Raoul's records and put out a false report about him.'

Wolf sat back in his chair. ‘Really?'

‘You do not believe me,' she exclaimed. ‘It is true, Cousin, I assure you. Raoul is an honourable man.'

Without thinking she had put her hand over Raoul's, where it rested on the table, and he was obliged to quell the sudden soaring elation he felt at the gesture.

‘Your cousin is rightly concerned for you,' he said, reluctantly withdrawing his hand. ‘Rest assured,
monsieur
, we travel as man and wife in name only. Funds are low and milady has no maid to accompany her.'

‘I can see that,' growled Arrandale. ‘The question is, Doulevant, what is your plan?'

‘To find a ship to carry milady to England from Dieppe.'

Arrandale nodded. ‘The town is crawling with soldiers, but it should be possible. I have friends there who can help us.'

‘You will come to England with me?' Cassie asked hopefully.

‘Alas, I cannot return to England. You forget, Cousin, there is a price on my head. I am wanted for the murder of my wife.' He added bitterly, ‘Even worse in the eyes of the English, I am accused of stealing a diamond necklace belonging to her family.'

‘But if you are innocent—'

‘Who would believe me? Even my own father thought I was guilty. He shipped me out of the country before I could be arrested. It is better that I remain in France. There is nothing for me in England now.'

‘There is Arrandale,' said Cassie. ‘And your daughter.'

He looked up at that. ‘I have a daughter?'

‘Yes, a little girl called Florence. Surely you knew that?'

He shook his head. ‘I thought the child had died with her mother.' He was silent for a moment. ‘I moved around a great deal when I first came to France and in truth I did not wish to keep in touch with my family. I was angry that they should believe the worst without giving me a chance to defend myself. I saw only the report in an English newspaper that there was a reward for my capture. Where is Florence now?'

‘She lives with Lord Davenport's family.'

‘Then she is better off without me.'

‘But—'

‘No, Cassandra. I cannot accompany you to England. It is impossible. You will have to make do with Doulevant's escort.'

‘No, no, you misunderstand,' said Raoul quickly. ‘It was never my intention to go to England. My service to milady ends once she is safely aboard ship.'

* * *

Cassie was still smarting from the way Raoul had pulled his hand away from hers and his last words stung her even more. She should not care, after all it would not be long now before they parted for ever, but she was surprised how much it hurt to discover that he would be very relieved once she was off his hands. Wolfgang was speaking and she tried to concentrate upon his words.

‘You would send her alone? What do you think will happen once she reaches England?'

Cassie braced herself to hear Raoul say he neither knew nor cared. His reply was a tiny crumb of comfort.

‘I have been thinking about that. Is there a way we can send ahead to this Lady Hune? Then she could send someone to meet Lady Cassandra.'

‘That is possible, I suppose. It would mean delaying until we could get a message to the marchioness. Her letters to me were from London, but she may be back in Bath by now.'

‘No, she is in Essex,' put in Cassandra. ‘At Chantreys. The last letter I have from her says she will be staying at Lord Davenport's house there until December at least, to look after the earl's wards while he and his new wife are on honeymoon.'

Wolfgang looked up in surprise. ‘James has married again?'

‘Did you not know? James and his wife were drowned last winter. His brother Alex is now the earl.'

‘Alex!' Wolfgang exclaimed. ‘I did not think he was the marrying kind, he was always a wild one, but I suppose he must think about the succession.' He cast another searching look at Cassie. ‘And Alex is now my daughter's guardian?'

‘Yes, I believe so and also to James's daughter, Margaret. They are of a similar age.'

Her cousin frowned, as if digesting all he had heard, then he gave a shrug.

‘Essex is closer than Bath, so in the event it works out better for us. I will send word to Lady Hune as soon as I have organised your passage and we know where on the coast you will be coming ashore, Cousin.'

‘You seem to have forgotten the war,' put in Raoul. ‘It may not be so easy to arrange all this.'

For the first time since they met Cassie saw her cousin smile.

‘It is easy enough if you know the right people. I lived in this area for a few years when I first came to France and I still have friends along this coast. However, it may take a few days to arrange everything. In the meantime you would be best staying in Dieppe, I think. Strangers would attract less attention there than in any of the smaller ports along this coast.'

‘That will suit me very well,' agreed Raoul. ‘I have business in Dieppe.'

‘Then it is settled.' Wolfgang drained his tankard and set it down on the table. ‘We should press on, there will be much to do once we reach the town.' He leaned closer. ‘One more thing, I am known here as Georges Lagrasse, a citizen of Toulouse. I think it will be best if I claim acquaintance with Doulevant rather than you, Cassandra. Your French is good, but you are clearly a foreigner.'

‘Just what I told her,
monsieur
,' remarked Raoul, draining his own cup. ‘We are in agreement on one thing, at least.'

Cassie, offended by this display of male solidarity, swept out of the tavern before them.

* * *

By the time they reached Dieppe it was past noon and beginning to rain again. Wolfgang gave them directions to an inn.

‘It is clean and comfortable and I know the landlord, he is to be trusted. He is accustomed to travellers and is unlikely to ask you for your papers. If anyone
should
enquire, Cassandra, it would be best to say you are Irish. The recent bombardment of the town has made the people here less friendly towards the English.'

‘Let us hope it is not necessary to say anything,' put in Cassie. ‘I would rather we did not attract any more attention than necessary.'