not this time. Daniel is the man I love. I will play a part in rescuing him.” Abby stepped out of her brother’s arms and to Dimity’s side. The fear was still there, cold and numbing, but so too was the determination that Daniel be returned to her.
“You love him?” Gabe looked more resigned than shocked.
“I do, more than anything.”
“Christ.” Gabe ran a hand over his face. “I should have drowned him when I had the chance.”
“Therefore, I will accompany you.”
Gabe grabbed her hands. “Think, Abby. I will be hampered if you do. You are not used to riding astride or for as long as it will take me to reach London. Put your trust in me, little sister. Trust that I will reach Daniel’s brother and bring him to the rendezvous.”
“I’m scared, Gabe.”
“As you should be, but also be sensible. I must do this alone, and you and Dimity will go back to the inn and wait. We will pass by there on the way to Hindmarsh Clearing.”
“I know what you say is right, know that I will slow you down, but the waiting will be endless.”
He kissed her gently on the forehead.
“I have failed you before, I will not do so now.” He released her.
She watched him mount his horse, and the desperation inside her climbed.
“Stay safe, Gabe. I love you.”
His smile was small. “As I love you.”
She stood there with Dimity’s arm around her shoulders, watched him until he had disappeared from her sight.
“I feel helpless.”
“Daniel is strong of mind and body, Abby, as is your brother. The first will stay safe until we reach him, the second will do what he must to ensure his return to you.”
…
The hours seemed to drag on leaden feet as Abby and Dimity waited at the inn for the carriage to reappear. She ate when food was placed in front of her and dozed during the night. Visions of Daniel and what he was enduring filled her head. She was also worried about Gabe. Would he reach London? What if something happened?
“You’ll make yourself ill with worry if you don’t stop gnawing on those thoughts,” Dimity said.
Abby was standing by the window, as she had been for hours, watching the road. They had to be close now as the day was advancing. The proprietor had told her Hindmarsh Clearing was an hour's ride from here, which meant they would need to travel there soon.
“How can I not worry? I have created so many scenarios inside my head I’m unsure which is fact and which is fiction.”
“It will not be long now.”
“Thank you for being here, Dimity. I would have gone mad had you not been.”
“You would have coped I have no doubt, but company helps in such times.”
She saw them then, men on horses, thundering into the courtyard. She was out the door seconds later, running to her brothers.
Chapter 32
They took Daniel to a stable to wait for the rendezvous with Oliver. He’d learned his captor’s name was Jenny Blackheath, and that she spoke only with two men during the long hours he sat bound hand and foot, against a wall, on a cold dirt floor. Brothers, he guessed as they shared a likeness. Both could rival Oliver for size. These three were clearly in control, as the others did not approach them and took the orders that were spoken without comment.
Daniel knew Hindmarsh Clearing as he’d ridden through it often over the last few years, on his way to Devon. He intended to buy property there one day soon. Would Abby like that? She said her aunt lived in Devon, so he thought it would likely suit her.
He would have a life with her.
“I’m sorry, Dillinger, there is not enough food for you. You will go hungry as my uncle did in prison,” Jenny Blackheath said. She was seated between the two men, and he wondered if one of them was her lover, or perhaps both.
“Your uncle was a murderer, Miss Blackheath; they would not waste their time feeding him when others were more deserving.”
“You’ll pay for what you and yours did!”
“Yes, yes, I have heard that repeatedly,” Daniel taunted her. “It’s growing tiresome.”
“I’m going to kill you first!” She spat the words at him.
“Of course you are welcome to try.” Daniel knew she wanted him alive until Oliver arrived, which he would, so he was safe to antagonize her.
“Why have you not carried this ridiculous, and can I say foolish, revenge out before now? Why wait?” The question