“I know. I do not like the fact of it, but I know it is true.” I looked at the two men riding ahead. “Different paths. Different lives.”

Julia leaned against me, her head upon my shoulder, an acknowledgment of this probable fork in our paths, and the bond between us.

•   •   •

Sometime later, Julia yawned and chafed her gloved hands.

“I should have thought to bring rugs,” she said. “I am chilled to the bone.”

I did not look at her, for my attention was fixed upon the road and the pair of hacks that the Hand Inn had supplied. The nearside gray was at least three hands taller than the bay, which had been causing a mismatch in their gait for most of the journey, particularly now that they were tired. “I would say we are not far from Davenport Hall. Half an hour at the most.”

Julia sighed. “I wish we did not have to go back.”

“Where do you propose we go otherwise?” I asked.

“I was only wishing. We have to go back or Duffy will have the whole estate out looking for us.”

“I do not fancy our audience with him.” I had the horses in a reasonable trot and smiled across at my sister. “Perhaps we could slip away before breakfast.”

“I am so tired I do not think I will be out of bed for a week, let alone before breakfast,” Julia said. “He is going to be so self-righteous and outraged.”

I nodded glumly and returned my attention to the road.

After another ten minutes or so, Mr. Kent suddenly sat forward in his saddle. He had plainly seen something. I peered along the dark road but saw only the moon-silvered woodland on either side and beyond it the vast, rolling moorlands. Both he and Evan pulled up their horses, waiting for us to halt between them.

“What is it?” Julia asked.

“Soldiers,” Mr. Kent reported. “They are combing the woodland on either side of the road up ahead.”

I still could not discern them, but he had soldiered for many years on the Continent before becoming a Runner, so he no doubt knew what he was talking about.

“It is probably Captain Morland, still searching for Luddites,” I said. “He will be surprised to see us again.”

Evan drew his mouth to one side, considering the potential problem. “I do not think it matters. What Lady Augusta and Lady Julia choose to do is no concern of the British Army. And Mr. Talbot and Mr. Kent and your footman are riding with you for safety’s sake.”

I was not entirely convinced. Captain Morland was not a fool, by any measure. To see us twice in one night coming from different directions might pique his curiosity.

Even so, we had to pass.

“Walk on,” I called to the horses, a short snap of my whip above their heads pressing home the command.