Page 52 of The Noble Smuggler

What could he say? Yes, he had found her something at Alexander’s townhouse, but it was not what he would wish for her. And based on his mother’s concern when Miss Doyle had gone missing, it was not what Lady Langton would wish for her either. He was quite sure his mother desired the innkeeper’s daughter to stay on at Langton Manor as her companion.

“I have had some success,” he said.

She tensed. “May I start right away?”

“I believe so.”

“Thank you, Reynard.” To Jonas’s dismay, her voice broke. “It does not matter what the position entails; I am grateful to you for finding me a way to escape my current situation.”

“You have not been happy at Langton Manor?”

“Lady Langton and the Duchess of Kelbrook have treated me with more kindness than I’ve ever known.” Her voice dropped. “I do not know why they have been so good to me, and I will never forget their benevolence, but I am an innkeeper’s daughter. I do not belong amongst the nobility.”

Jonas had to agree, but he did not like it. No matter her upbringing, Miss Doyle possessed more nobility of character than any of the simpering, featherheaded young women he’d met in fashionable Society.

“Reynard!” She turned her head sharply. “Listen! There’s someone coming.”

At Miss Doyle’s alarmed whisper, Jonas shook off his brooding and focused on the sound of hooves behind them. The rider was traveling fast. Too fast.

“Hold on,” he said.

Miss Doyle wrapped her arms around his waist, and Jonas urged Patriot into a gallop. They raced along the road, the moonlight tracing their way between the hedgerows. Up ahead and to the left, a large shadow loomed out of the darkness, and Jonas recognized it as the cottage of one of his tenants.

If it were daylight, he’d cut through the fields to reach the manor. But traveling at this speed in the dark, the risk was too great. One misstep could cause Patriot a catastrophic injury and send him and Miss Doyle hurtling to the ground. He would have to stick to the road and hope his horse was faster than their pursuer’s despite the extra load.

“We’re on Langton land,” he said. “It’s not much farther to the turn off to the house.”

Miss Doyle’s only response was a tightening of her grip.

A large ash tree marked the beginning of the driveway. Knowing that he could not safely take the corner at such speed, Jonas reined Patriot in. As the horse’s hooves slowed, he became aware that the other rider was gaining ground on them. He heard a shout. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the horse and rider appear around the bend. A portion of the man’s white shirt and one white sock on the horse’s foreleg were all that were visible, but it was sufficient to check Jonas’s pounding heart.

“It’s James,” he said, slowing Patriot still more.

“You’re sure?” Miss Doyle still held him in a viselike grip.

“I recognize the horse’s marking.”

Slowly, she released her hold on his coat and drew back her arms. She was trembling. He wanted to pull her close again, to hold her until the trembling subsided, but James was almost upon them. He slowed Patriot still further, grateful to see James’s familiar figure take shape as he rode up beside them.

“You had us worried,” Jonas said. “Any sign of pursuit?”

“Not as far as I can tell.” James was panting slightly. He glanced at Patriot’s extra rider. “It’s good to have you back safely, Miss Doyle.”

“Thank you, James. Reynard told me what you did to facilitate our escape. I am most grateful.”

James swiveled to face Jonas, but his expression was hidden in the darkness. Would the groom give him away? Jonas half hoped he would. He was more than ready for his subterfuge to end.

“Those at the inn enjoyed the unexpected refreshments and entertainment,” James said. “I’m happy to know that our ruse worked so well.”

“Was there any inkling of suspicion amongst Doyle or the patrons?” Jonas asked.

“Not that I could tell, my lord. When I left, the singers were in fine fettle still.”

His title had slipped out. It had been so natural for James and so normal for Jonas that neither had noticed. But Miss Doyle had. Jonas realized it as soon as he felt her stiffen.

“You did well, James. I add my appreciation to Miss Doyle’s.”

James’s teeth glinted in the darkness, and he knew the groom was smiling. “It was my pleasure, my lord. It felt good to be part of making something right.”