there would be nothing like the hue and cry that your disappearance will have provoked. You are a young lady of quality, Miss Piper.'
'Then treat me as such and let me go,' she begged.
'All in good time,' he told her. 'You'll certainly be released without harm — provided that Captain Rawson does what he is told, that is. In the circumstances, he will have no choice.'
Edward Marston
Soldier of Fortune
Daniel was in the saddle again early next morning. Daylight helped him and his men to ride faster and see much better than on their previous outing. They split into two groups and went off in different directions so that they could search a wider area. The hunt was fruitless. When he returned to the camp that afternoon, Daniel was tired, apprehensive and jaded. As soon as Henry Welbeck saw him, he knew that the search had been futile.
'Send out more men, Dan,' he urged.
'I've already done that,' replied Daniel, having just despatched a fresh team of riders, 'but the man who sneaked
Abigail out of the camp had too big a start on us. He could be forty or fifty miles away.'
'I still think this is Will Curtis's doing.'
'I don't care who's behind this. My only interest is in Abigail's safe return.' He turned to his friend. 'Thank you, Henry.'
'What have I done to deserve thanks?'
'It's what you haven't done. We all know your opinion of women yet, from the moment that Abigail disappeared, you've never once used the situation to traduce the whole sex. You've been helpful.'
'I hate to see any young lady in distress,' said Welbeck, 'and there are few things more upsetting than being snatched away like that. The poor woman must be shaking with fear.'
'That's why we must rescue her soon.'
'Did you find no sign of her at all?'
'No,' said Daniel worriedly. 'Abigail obviously didn't have any more handkerchiefs with her or she could have left us a trail to follow.' He shrugged an apology. 'I'm sorry, Henry — that was a bad joke. The truth is the only whisper of evidence we have is from an inn where two men and a young lady spent the night.'
'That means Will Curtis has an accomplice.'
'All three of them left before dawn but the landlord had no idea in which direction they were heading. We pressed on until the horses tired then decided to come back here.'
They were in Daniel's tent. As he was talking, he took a bottle of brandy from a leather chest and poured out two glasses. He handed one of them to Welbeck.
'Here's to her safe return!' said the sergeant, raising his glass.
'Yes,' agreed Daniel. 'Drink to her immediate and safe return!'
They both took a long sip of their brandy. Welbeck savoured the drink as it coursed down his throat. Brooding on Abigail's plight, Daniel hardly noticed the taste. He was reminded yet again that, but for him, Abigail would never have been anywhere near an army camp. Instead of being at home in the bosom of her family, she was in grave jeopardy and he was unable to help her. It was excruciating.
'Captain Rawson!' called a voice from outside the tent.
'Yes?' said Daniel, opening the flap to look out.
'This came for you, sir.'
The private gave him a letter then waited while Daniel handed his glass to Welbeck so that he could open the missive. He read the contents and looked up at the messenger.
'When was this delivered?' he asked.
'It was handed to one of the sentries, sir,' answered the other. 'A carter said that he was paid to deliver the letter here.'
'Did he say by whom he was paid?'
'No, sir — he simply handed it over and went on his way.'
'Very well,' said Daniel, dismissing him. 'Thank you.' He went back into the tent. 'He's made me an offer, Henry.'
'Who has?' asked Welbeck.
'Whoever wrote this letter.'
'Private Will Curtis!'
'He was careful not to sign his name.'
'What exactly does he say, Dan?'
'Read it for yourself,' said Daniel, passing the letter to him. 'At least, it sounds as if Abigail is still alive, though what state she's in is another matter altogether.'
'He wants to exchange Miss Piper for you,' said Welbeck with dismay as he read the letter. 'No disrespect to her but the army gets the worse part of that deal. We gain a terrified young woman and we lose the best captain in the British ranks. That's a rotten bargain.'
'It's one you might have to accept,' said Daniel. 'Abigail's safety is paramount. If this is the only way to get her released — so be it.'
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Duke of Marlborough read the letter with deep concern then passed it to Adam Cardonnel. His secretary scanned it with equal disquiet. They were in Marlborough's quarters. Daniel Rawson had brought the anonymous letter regarding the fate of Abigail Piper. The two men were as disturbed as he had been.
'This is intolerable!' said Marlborough angrily. 'I'll not have anyone dictating terms like this. Abigail Piper must be found at once. I'll send out a whole regiment, if need be.'
'That would be unwise, Your Grace,' said Daniel. 'We are ordered to call off the search. If her kidnapper sees a large body of men hunting for Abigail, he'll kill her instantly.'
'That could be a bluff.'
'It doesn't sound like one,' said Cardonnel, returning the letter to Daniel. 'From the tone of his demand, I take him to be a ruthless and decisive man. And since he inveigled his way into our camp, he's not lacking in guile or bravado either.'
'It could be the second time he tricked us,' said Daniel.
'What do you mean?' 'According to Sergeant Welbeck, this man volunteered to join us under the name of Will Curtis. Immediately after the death of Lieutenant Hopwood, our new recruit disappeared.'
'We must catch this devil!' said Marlborough.
'Our first task is to rescue Abigail Piper, Your Grace.'
'Quite so.'
'She has already been in this man's hands far too long.'
'What do you suggest, Captain Rawson?' asked Cardonnel.
'That I abide by the terms stipulated in the letter.'
'But that would expose you to certain danger.'
'I know how to cope with danger, sir,' said Daniel calmly. 'The young lady does not.'
Marlborough was thoughtful. 'There has to be a way to get her safely back without putting your life at risk, Daniel,' he said. 'Could you not appear to meet his demands yet have a detachment of men within easy reach? As soon as Abigail is handed over, reinforcements could come out of hiding and ride to your assistance.'
'They would never get to me in time, Your Grace. A pistol shot takes less than a second. Lieutenant Hopwood was stabbed to death and beheaded within a couple of minutes.'
'Don't remind me.'
'I must acquiesce in the man's demands.'
'I can't see you walk off to your death like that.'
'Why not?' asked Daniel with a twinkle. 'After all this time, it must be a familiar sight to you. I've walked off
