* * *
After what seemed an eternity, the pony stopped. She was lifted off and roughly taken inside a building, out of the wind, down some stairs and into a room. Suddenly the sack was pulled off her head, and blinking in the light, with amazement she looked into the bland face of the Reverend Talbot, and beside him, Wyatt!
Unable to speak because of the gag, she could only stare in horror. As if reading her thoughts, Wyatt suddenly lashed out with his boot, catching her behind the knees, so that she fell heavily to the stone floor.
Realisation struck her. She was in the crypt of the church. Another boot, none too gently, rolled her over and she looked once more up into the face that she dreaded.
Wyatt snarled, ‘You stupid bitch! Your nosiness will cost you dearly this time.’
He swung his leg back to kick her again. Instinctively, Julia closed her eyes to avoid looking at his evil face and to brace herself for the blow.
‘That’s enough!’
The Vicar of Winchelsea’s voice was lethal as he cut in. ‘She will be dealt with later. Go and get word to Harris that he’ll have a passenger. And get a couple of men down here to take her. You stay with the run. Quickly now, get moving.’
Wyatt grunted and kicked her hard on the side of her body.
Her cry of pain was muffled by the gag. Terrified of the brutal man, she opened her eyes and was relieved to see him leave. The vicar murmured something under his breath to Wyatt and a vague memory jolted itself into her mind.
Julia was aware that Talbot was studying her, his face suddenly sinister in the lamplight.
‘You really are a fool. Why interfere with things you know nothing about. And dealing with revenue men!’
His voice was contemptuous. ‘You will be going on a sea voyage, my fine lady, and you won’t be coming back. I’ll leave you now to consider your own stupidity.’
The door opened slowly behind him and a man in a black cloak entered the room. The costume was different, but Julia recognised him immediately as the Lutheran Pastor she had seen in the dining room of the Rose and Crown in Tonbridge with Reverend Talbot.
His face registered surprise at seeing Julia and he uttered an oath in German.
The vicar intervened smoothly. ‘Don’t worry, Hermann. This is an uninvited guest who is no cause for alarm and will soon be going to visit Davy Jones’ locker.’ And he gave a beatific smile at the foreigner’s obvious confusion.
With that, he picked up the lantern and together they went out. In total darkness, Julia heard the door shut and the bar slammed across, and then, silence. In terror, she struggled with the ropes that bound her, but to no avail. She was completely trapped. Apart from the scurrying of what could have been rats, there was only a chilling silence. Tears of fear and rage fell from her eyes, and her mouth and face ached from the pressure of the gag.
If only Stephen Wareham knew what had happened to her! His face appeared in her mind’s eye and she prayed fervently for his presence, in the vain hope that he might somehow have been informed of the run. How long she lay there, struggling until she was exhausted, she didn’t know. Fear for her life was uppermost in her mind and obliterated all other thoughts.
Suddenly, there was a sound. Julia heard the bar being lifted very quietly from outside the door, and then the noise of it opening. Light footsteps could be heard, and in the blackness she could hear them coming towards her. It was the men Wyatt had gone for, coming to take her away. Almost fainting with terror, helplessly, she could only lie still and wait. The next moment, a leg came in contact with her body and the unknown intruder fell across her.
‘Miss, Miss, is it you?’ Jimmy’s voice was a frightened whisper.
Julia tried to speak inside the gag. Her relief was indescribable. Somehow, his hands found her face and his fingers began to try and loosen the knot of the gag. It seemed to take forever, but finally it was off. The feeling was incredible.
‘Oh Jimmy!’ Her voice was a croak. ‘How did you find me?’
He set to, trying to undo the rope around her ankles.
‘I saw you come out of the house and tried to stop you as the smugglers was there, but I were too late. I saw them take you and I followed them to here. I waited outside, saw the men come out and I crept down, but heard voices, so went back and waited. Then I saw Wyatt come out, and then the vicar.
‘Oh Miss, if only I had a knife. You must get out of here.’
It was obvious he couldn’t undo the ropes that bound her, and with mounting fear, Julia realised the smugglers would soon be there to take her away.
‘Jimmy, you must get help.’ Desperately she racked her brains.
‘Go and tell Ridges, quickly, and take Athene and ride to Lieutenant Wareham’s. Tell him everything, and that they mean to take me to a ship, and there’s someone called Harris, who’s taking me. He could be the ship’s master. Go quickly now, get whatever help you can.’
He hesitated, not wanting to leave her.
Almost sobbing, Julia implored him. ‘Please Jimmy, go, go!’
‘Lawks, Miss, I’ll be as quick as I can be.’
She felt him stand up, then he crouched down and retied the gag loosely around her mouth.
‘In case they come back,’ he whispered.
Then he was gone, the door shut, the bar back in place.
‘Oh, dear God, let him find Lieutenant Wareham in time.’
She spoke the words to herself, trying not to think of the alternatives. Once again she waited, praying that help would arrive before the smugglers came to get her. But to her horror, she heard footsteps outside. It was too soon! Then the sound of the bar being lifted and the door opened. Then the masked light of a lantern. Lying face down with beating heart and eyes tightly shut, she waited as the steps came nearer to her. Strong arms turned her and opening her eyes, she gasped, ‘Gerald!’
The gag slipped down her chin as she gazed in relief at his sardonic face.
‘Well, you have got yourself in a pretty pickle, my dear Julia.’
‘How did you know. Did Jimmy…?’
‘Your young cavalier was reluctant, but yes, he told me.’ He studied her for a moment. ‘Your groom took off like a startled rabbit. I don’t think he approves of me.’
‘Oh Gerald, please, please untie me. We must get out of here. The smugglers will be back, and they, oh please, please hurry. We must get away from here.’
He seemed remarkably unperturbed and made no attempt to untie her. ‘Well, one good turn deserves another, I suppose.’
His face was unreadable. ‘If I release you, you will naturally consent to become my wife.’
Julia gaped at him. She could not believe what she was hearing. ‘Gerald! Le..Le..Lenore?’ It came out as a gasp.
‘What of Lenore?’
‘She is your mistress!’
‘So? My dear Julia, you cannot have spent your time at Court without knowing something of the world. Every man in my position has a mistress. You will be my wife, quite a different thing. As for Lenore, well, I am sure you have heard of a ménage à trois. We should all manage together tolerably well, I’m sure.’
Stunned, Julia could only look at him. Noting her gaze, he reflectively stroked his chin.
‘If Lenore is a problem, my pet, do not fret yourself. I am getting a little weary of her tantrums and there are plenty of other ladybirds available.’
He smiled his brilliant, wicked smile. ‘You, my dear, are no beauty like the lovely Lenore, but you do have a certain something and will be a charming novelty along with Mr Farraday’s fortune. So, I am sure we will do very well together. Do I have your consent?’
Julia’s mind was in turmoil. Was he serious? What he was suggesting was unthinkable, and revulsion, mixed with anguish, flooded her entire being. Struggling with her emotions, she found she couldn’t speak. The words would not come out.
‘Very wise. I will treat you fairly and you will not interfere in my affairs, and all will be well.’
Th
e vague memory that had earlier that night flashed through her mind when the Vicar of Winchelsea sent Wyatt out into the night, made Julia speak.
‘Gerald. That day at the Wentworth’s.’ The words tumbled from her. ‘Was that the vicar with you and Sir Henry?’
He looked surprised in the flickering light. ‘Yes. Why do you ask?’
‘So, Sir Henry is involved in this too?’
His laughter echoed in the crypt. ‘Wentworth! That fool. No, of course not. All he wanted was to lease my land.’
‘Then what was Mr Talbot doing there?’
‘Why, to witness the lease documents when we signed the agreement.’
Bending down, he cut through the bindings on her ankles and stood her up. She swayed against him, the pain from her ankles searing through her. He started freeing her wrists, and with a cry, she began rubbing them vigorously to get the blood circulating.
‘You really should not interfere with things that do not concern you, my dear,’ he said gently, his face mocking in the lamplight. ‘You were far too friendly with our industrious Lieutenant. You ignored all warnings, which could have got you killed.’ His smile seemed almost demonic.
‘You mean, that was a warning when you rescued me on the cliff?’ Her voice was hoarse as the realisation hit her like a blow.
‘I planned that with Jeb Wyatt to give you a real fright, but I assure you, my pet, I didn’t want you dead. After all,’ and his hand caressed her cheek, ‘I made sure I rescued you, did I not?’
She could only stare at him, incredulous. Yet, she believed him.
‘Come!’
Holding the lantern he walked to the church door, and limping, Julia followed, relief flowing through her that Sir Henry was not a party to the smuggling ring. Of course, the vicar would have walked over to Wentworth Hall that day, as she had done, so naturally there was no carriage or riding horse. It was ironic, really. For once in his life, Gerald had told her the truth. As they climbed up the stairs into the church, Julia found her voice.
‘I will never marry you, Gerald Hamilton. Never, never, never!’ She stood furious and defiant beside him.
‘Oh, yes you will.’ His hand gripped her under the chin, making her wince with pain. ‘I like a woman with spirit and I’ve broken in some far more wilful than you. So don’t try and play games with me.’
His face was close to her, cruel and twisted as he tightened his grip, making her cry out.
‘That’s just a sample and I don’t hesitate to use a whip if I need to. Perhaps that’s just what you need, a good thrashing. However, I’d prefer to use more enjoyable methods to bend you to my will.’
In the lantern light she saw his boyish grin, and all the old charm she remembered flickered for a moment across his face, then in a flash it was gone.
Suddenly, he released her, his eyes wide. ‘Listen.’
Despite the wind, there was something else; the approaching thud of galloping hooves.
‘Dragoons, quickly.’
Grabbing her by the arm, he pulled her after him, the lantern forgotten as they reached the church door, then out into the darkness and the howling wind. They ran through the churchyard and headed towards the road, aware that other figures were also running.
Then came the thundering noise of horses, musket shots and men shouting. Julia tripped and fell. With a curse, Gerald turned to grab her. Out of nowhere, a dragoon galloped, a sabre raised. It arched down and struck Gerald. Julia rolled aside to avoid the horse’s hooves. She lay terrified in the damp of a sodden hedge. Was Stephen out there somewhere? As another shot rang out she prayed to God that he was safe.
Then there was a whole company of men, horses, noise and confusion, while Julia, her hands over her ears, lay trembling in the darkness of her hiding place.