We continued, at a slower pace, Evan and Kent remaining on either side of the phaeton rather than riding ahead. I finally saw what Kent had seen much earlier: the flash of metal and the rustle of movement in a denser patch of woodland. Even with such knowledge, I flinched when a soldier stepped out in front of us and called, “Halt!”

We halted.

More soldiers emerged from the woods to stand upon the road. Finally, a pair of very familiar figures stepped out, the slighter man approaching our phaeton.

“Captain Morland, we meet again,” I said.

“It would seem so, Lady Augusta. Two times in one night.” He stopped at my side of the phaeton and bowed. “Well met, Lady Julia.”

“How pleasant to see you again, Captain,” Julia said, at her most charming.

Morland tilted his head back to observe Evan through those shrewd eyes. “And Mr. Talbot.”

Evan nodded his greeting. “Captain. Allow me to introduce Mr. Kent.”

The two men acknowledged each other.

“A Baker,” Morland said, gesturing to the rifle in Mr. Kent’s saddle holster. “You were rifle brigade?”

“Cavalry,” Mr. Kent said. “Light Dragoons.”

His answer clearly impressed the captain, for he made a small grunt of collegiality. “On the Continent?”

“France.”

That elicited raised brows and a nod: even more impressed. Mr. Kent was lending us a great deal of credibility.

“Are you still seeking Luddites, Captain?” Evan asked, and although it was said in his usual measured manner, I knew he wanted to move us along. Away from the captain’s keen eyes and cleverness.

“We are. There has been some report of a fracas upon this road. I do not suppose you have seen any unusual activity? Apart from yourselves, of course.” He smiled, but it was the smile of a man who knew something was awry.

“None at all, Captain,” I said. “We are returning from delivering friends to their home, but it has been a quiet drive, has it not, sister?”

“Indeed, very quiet,” Julia said. She pointedly chafed her gloved hands again. “And very cold, Captain.”

“Of course.” Morland bowed and stepped aside. “We will not keep you any longer from the warmth of Davenport Hall.” As I raised my whip in salute, he added with a dry underpinning, “Perhaps I will see you again this night.”

“I hardly think so, Captain,” I said, and urged the horses onward again. We passed the soldiers on either side of the road, their tired eyes following our progress.

Mr. Kent and Evan rode past us to take positions a little ahead, any sign of fatigue gone from their bodies. There was nothing like an encounter with the British Army to galvanize one into new energy. I felt it myself, suddenly far more awake than I had been a few minutes ago.

I snapped the whip over the horses’ heads. The sooner we removed ourselves from the vicinity of Captain Morland, the better.

40