His body grew lax. I wrapped my arms and legs around him and let my eyes drift shut. Our respiration slowed. Our hearts settled into a gentle rhythm.
We fell into a blissful sleep together.
Emmeline
Hampshire, England
13th July, 1867, 5:15 a.m.
It was Sebastian’s cry of pain that abruptly woke me. My eyes sprang open a split second before the sound of a riding crop striking his flesh had my blood curdling and his body jerking atop mine. He was flung to the floor, uncovering my nakedness. I jolted up, pulling the blankets from the cot to cover myself as the horrific scene unfolded before me. A tall, thin man stood over Sebastian with murder in his eyes. He pulled his arm back, ready to land another blow to Sebastian’s bloodied back. For too long, I sat frozen, trying to comprehend what was happening.
Who was this man?
Greying hair at his temples, finely tailored riding clothes, the devil in his sneer. I gasped. It had to be the earl. He had arrived early. How had he found us? Did he know who I was?
“Stop!” I cried.
“Silence, slattern,” he bellowed.
My eyes narrowed and I sprang to my feet, searching the room for a weapon. I grabbed a lantern and swung it at his head just as he delivered another blow to Sebastian’s battered body. The glass shattered, a shard biting into his temple. Oil trickled down his shirt. He paused briefly, snarling as he gritted his teeth and set me in his sights. He began to lurch towards me, but Sebastian wrenched to his feet. Charging at the man, he drove him into the wall. His head struck the brick with a crack. He fell to the floor, unconscious.
“We must hurry.” Sebastian tossed my nightgown on the cot before yanking on his trousers.
I reached for my bag and pulled out my chosen outfit of riding pants and shirt that I had stolen from the scullery. I stuffed my nightclothes in the satchel before pulling on some boots.
“Are you ready?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
We ran to Admiral’s stall, Sebastian harnessing the saddle as I secured the bridle. I opened the stable doors, alarmed to see Marybeth, Sebastian’s father, the steward, and my father running down the hill towards us.
“Get on!” Sebastian leaned down before pulling me onto the horse behind him.
I circled his waist with my arms. “They cannot catch us. Admiral is too fast.”
We set off at a clip, leaving the shouts of our fathers behind us.
“Not as fast with two of us, but we should gain some distance before they follow.”
I dug my fingers into his shirt. “What if they send a telegram to town?”
“We shall stay out of sight. Stick to the forest. They’ll have a harder time finding us.”
“Where will we go?”
He took his time to answer. “North. I have family in Scotland.”
“Do you think they will search for us there?”
“It is a possibility.” We ducked under a branch as Sebastian steered us through the trees. He circled around under the cover of thick greenery to head east towards New Forest. With any luck, they would search for us to the west, the direction in which we had set off.
Our first dilemma would be finding shelter, somewhere hidden and safe for Admiral Caine. The surrounding hills were largely exposed with the trees dispersed in sparse patches across the land. If we could safely retreat to the forest, we might have half a chance at freedom.
We came to a stream and followed along it for nearly half a mile to put them off our scent. If they were smart, they would call the dogs on us. Tripping up the shallow bank, we made it to an open field, a herd of deer scattering in our wake. Visible as only a speck upon the landscape, at the base of a valley I could see a township.
“We must skirt around it. The county police will likely be on alert.”
“Agreed.”
“Over there.” I need not have pointed to the thicket of bushes as Sebastian had already guided our steed towards the cover.
He spoke over his shoulder. “We may be unable to penetrate the thick growth, but we shall stick to its edges. ’Tis better than being exposed.”
“Indeed.”
I worried for Admiral. We had ridden him hard for longer than was advised. He would be tiring by now and at risk of injury if we pushed him any further. “If it is safe, we should find a spot to rest the horse.” No sooner had I voiced my concerns than the Admiral began to falter. His stride lost its seamless rhythm, a jagged canter taking its place.
“Okay, boy.” Sebastian patted the horse’s neck and pulled back on the reins.
We dismounted and walked for another couple of miles until we reached a second patch of forest. Following the sound of trickling water, we came upon a brook. Sebastian led Admiral Caine to the water’s edge, encouraging him to quench his thirst. He did so eagerly.
I kneeled on the moss-covered bank and leaned forward to scoop some water into my hands. Its cool medicine slid down my throat, a balm for my parched mouth and tired body. “Can we not rest for a spell?”
Sebastian wiped his face on his shirtsleeve, narrowing his eyes as he swivelled his head. Admiral’s ears pricked and he whinnied, backing away from the brook. Sebastian sprang to his feet, grabbing Admiral’s
