‘There is, there must be,’ he said fiercely. ‘I—’
He broke off. There was the rumble of voices and heavy footsteps coming closer. He felt Charity tremble, heard her whisper one word. ‘Phineas!’
Swiftly he put her away from him and threw himself down on the bench, stuffing the pistol into his jacket pocket.
‘Follow my lead,’ he commanded tersely. ‘You must get out of here and live for me!’
Charity had no time to reply. The door was flung open and Phineas strode in, followed by two gentlemen whom she recognised as Hutton and Keldy. From their damaged faces she surmised they had been involved in Ross’s capture. The constable came in behind them all, looking forlorn and anxious.
‘So—’ Phineas’s cruel, sneering smile swept over her ‘—am I interrupting a touching scene?’ He indicated the men behind him. ‘I set my people to watch the lock-up, knowing you would turn up.’ He snarled at Charity, ‘How much did you slip Rigg here to let you in?’
‘Not a penny,’ she answered coolly. ‘I appealed to his better nature. Is that not so, Mr Rigg?’
The constable gave a nod, the look on his face a mixture of fright and relief.
‘Mrs Weston is living up to her name,’ drawled Ross, slowly sitting up. He indicated the basket. ‘She is bringing a little charity to a condemned man.’
‘Comforting you, is she, Durden? The actress giving succour to her lover.’
‘Sir Mark Beverley asked her to come.’ Ross uttered the lie with all the assured confidence of a leading man. ‘You had best be careful, Weston. The lady has powerful friends in Allingford.’
He spoke quietly, but there was just enough conviction in his voice to make Hutton and Keldy take a step back. Phineas frowned, his eyes narrowing.
‘Not powerful enough to save you, Durden,’ he said silkily. ‘A search has been made of your house—’
‘I hope you haven’t alarmed my housekeeper.’
‘Of course not. My people treated her with the utmost respect.’
A faint smile lifted one side of Ross’s mouth. ‘I don’t doubt it, especially when she told you she was once cook to Sir Mark and Lady Beverley, and continues on good terms with them.’
‘My people were well aware of their duty, being within Sir Mark’s jurisdiction,’ snapped Phineas. ‘But nevertheless we found evidence that you are the highwayman—the black mask in your bedchamber, for example.’
Charity shot a glance at Ross. He was leaning back against the wall, apparently unperturbed by this revelation.
‘Is that all you have on me, Phineas? The relic of some masked ball?’
‘And the blacking in your stable. Your man has disappeared, but I don’t doubt when we find him he will tell us he used it on that black nag of yours. You will hang for this, Durden. We will find witnesses to testify against you.’
‘What, those two toadies behind you?’ Ross curled his lip. ‘Why not, they have already perjured themselves for you.’
Charity saw her father’s face darken alarmingly, but Ross was not looking at Phineas. Instead he turned his head to address her.
‘I think it is time for you to leave, madam, Sir Mark will be waiting for your report upon what you have found here. Pray thank Lady Beverley for her kindness in providing me with breakfast. You will not object if the lady leaves us, will you, Magistrate Weston?’
Charity met Ross’s eyes, but his were hard, indifferent. He was dismissing her, trying to keep her safe from danger.
I love you too much to allow that.
In the dark nightmare of this whole situation his words were like a beacon, a warm, bright light she could not ignore.
Phineas was glaring, his jaw working as he tried to curb his temper.
‘If Beverley is expecting you, then you had best go,’ he barked.
Charity looked at the two men, her father with his barely controlled fury and Ross who was gazing through her as if she was a stranger. She knew how much her father would like to keep her there, under his control, but Ross had given her a way out.
If she wished to take it.
‘Not just yet. There is something I should like to discuss with you, Magistrate. In private.’
She heard the violent hiss of Ross’s breath.
‘Madam, go. I have had enough of your prating sympathy. Return to Allingford, immediately.’
Charity forced herself to ignore him and the pain she knew lay behind his harsh words. She concentrated upon the arrested look in her father’s eye.
‘This is a personal matter, sir. It requires...discretion.’
‘Very well, we will go to the house.’ Phineas spoke over his shoulder to the men behind him. ‘Keldy, Hutton, I will speak to you later. Constable, lock up the prisoner when we leave and make sure you do not allow him any more visitors, do you understand?’
‘No!’ Ross jumped up. ‘One more word alone with the lady—I would send a message to Sir Mark—!’
‘Too late,’ declared Phineas. He paused, his cold eyes shifting between Ross and Charity, and a cruel smile lifted his lip. ‘Much too late, I fear, Durden. I think the game is now going very much my way.’ He turned to Charity. ‘Madam, shall we go?’
She ignored his outstretched arm and walked out of the lock-up. It was an effort not to look back at Ross and it took every ounce of her resolve to make her feet walk across the square to the grand house that Phineas now owned. She felt very much as if she was walking into a lion’s den.
* * *
Phineas ushered her into the drawing room, where Hannah was reclining on a couch, an open book in her hands.
‘My dear, we have a visitor.’
Hannah sat up quickly, her eyes narrowing.
‘So she did go to see him. Like a bitch in heat.’
Charity felt a sudden flash of anger and turned to Phineas. ‘What I wish to discuss with you is best done in private.’
‘What is this?’ he demanded with feigned amazement. ‘After you made such an effort to come and see my lady wife the other day, professing yourself repentant and wanting to make amends. Perhaps you would like to tell us what you were hoping to achieve by that?’ Charity remained silent and he continued, ‘But I have no secrets from my wife, especially in this matter. I think you are about to plead for Durden’s life and, since his capture was in no small measure due to my dear lady, I think she has every right to hear you.’
‘Oh, yes.’ Hannah’s malicious smile grew when she saw Charity’s brows rise in surprise. ‘I was in the audience at your last performance—dear Phineas is so busy these days that I had arranged the visit myself—and I would not have mentioned it to him, had I not seen something so alarming that I just could not keep it to myself.
‘That kiss, my dear, when you were making your curtsy. I had seen Mr Durden in the audience, and it was quite clear to me that you were directing your salute to him and him alone.’ She tittered. ‘Heavens, my dear, as I said to your father when I returned, you might as well have pinned your heart to your sleeve!’
Charity drew herself up. ‘And why should I not?’
‘Because the fellow is a damned scoundrel,’ retorted Phineas. ‘When Hannah told me about your shameless behaviour I realised how it was. Why, I’d wager that your visit here to see Hannah was at his instigation, trying to find some way to get his money back, I don’t doubt.’
‘So you admit you took his prize money.’ Charity fixed her eyes upon Hannah, thankful that they had no idea of the real reason for her visit.
‘A lovesick fool and his money are soon parted,’ Phineas sneered. ‘And now we have him safely locked away. He will stand trial for highway robbery.’
Charity shook her head. ‘You have no proof of any of this.’
‘I shall find sufficient proof to hang the fellow, you mark my
words.’
And he would, she knew it. What he could not prove he would fabricate and Ross would hang. She schooled her face to show none of the dismay she was feeling.
‘Let me save you the trouble of perjuring yourself and damning your soul,’ she said, meeting his eyes with a steady gaze. ‘I will make you a trade. Let Ross Durden go and I will return to the fold as your dutiful daughter.’
Hannah jumped to her feet, saying, ‘What sort of bargain is that? Phineas could keep you here now and still hang Durden.’
Charity shot her a contemptuous glance. ‘I came here at Sir Mark Beverley’s behest.’ She repeated Ross’s lie. ‘You could hold me here against my will, but would you want Sir Mark to come looking for me?’
‘She is right, my dear wife. This must be carefully handled.’
Hannah came up to her husband, saying in a wheedling voice, ‘But, Phineas, you promised me Ross Durden would hang.’
‘So ruining his career by your trumped-up blasphemy charges was not enough for you.’ Charity’s lip curled. ‘It appears Congreve is right: “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor Hell a fury like a woman scorn’d”.’
‘I never loved him. He was a means to an end. I intended to better myself.’
‘By stealing his money and running his estate into the ground.’
‘Estate, hah! A crumbling ruin and a few poor farms. I knew I could do better than that!’
‘So you married a ranting preacher turned magistrate.’
‘Enough,’ roared Phineas. ‘This is getting us nowhere.’
Charity shrugged. ‘Your wife insists you hang Ross Durden. Very well, try if you can do so. He is not without friends and this is no blasphemy case to rest upon the verdict of a magistrate and a couple dubious witnesses.’ She turned to go. ‘All pretence is at an end now. I am going back to Allingford, where I shall spare no pains in future to make it known you are my father—’
‘Wait.’ As she reached the door Phineas called to her, ‘If I let Durden go, you would give up the stage and return here? You would announce that you repented of your wickedness?’
A cold iron hand squeezed her heart. This was the point of no return.
Chapter Eleven
‘Put yer coat on, Mr Durden. Magistrate wants to see you.’
The constable stood by the open door, a second, burly individual at his shoulder, clearly on hand to prevent the prisoner escaping. Not that Ross had any such thought. Since Charity had walked out with Phineas he had been prey to the very worst apprehension and conjecture. She had gone off with the magistrate, determined to buy his freedom, and now he would discover just what price she was paying. The lock-up was cool, and as he stepped outside Ross paused for a moment, feeling the hot sun on his shoulders and blinking in the strong light.
He turned towards the inn where the magistrate held his court, and was surprised when the constable gripped his arm.
‘Not that way. Justice Weston will see you in his house.’
* * *
Phineas was in the study, sitting behind his desk with Hannah and Charity occupying chairs on either side of him. Ross was not surprised to see Hannah was present, gloating over his disgrace, no doubt. However, he gave her no more than a cursory glance before turning his attention to Charity. She was very pale, but composed, and the fact that she would not look at him only increased his fears for her.
‘Take off those chains, Constable,’ Phineas ordered. ‘You are free to go, Durden.’
‘Not until I know the price of my freedom.’ Ross did not move, save to rub his sore wrists once the manacles were removed.
Phineas scowled, but commanded the constable and his assistant to wait in the hall.
As the door closed Hannah said sweetly, ‘Your lover has bought your freedom, Ross.’
‘Then put me back in the lock-up. I will take my chances in court.’
‘I’m afraid that is not possible,’ replied Phineas. ‘My...daughter has decided to repent her wicked ways, in return for your liberty.’
Ross fixed his eyes on Charity, sitting pale and silent, her eyes lowered.
‘What have you done?’ he asked her, his throat dry with fear. ‘What have you promised them?’
Phineas rapped on the desk. ‘Do you hear me, Durden? Your horse is even now being fetched to the back door and you are free to go.’
‘Not that it will do you much good,’ murmured Hannah. ‘The charge still stands against you and you will be arrested if you are caught. And hanged, you may be sure of that.’
‘However,’ Phineas continued, ‘I have agreed to give you twenty-four hours to make your arrangements and get out of the area.’
‘At what price?’ he demanded. ‘For God’s sake, tell me what she has agreed to.’
‘Of course, you should know,’ Hannah purred, like a cat over a bowl of cream. ‘My stepdaughter has seen the error of her ways. She wants her father’s forgiveness, isn’t that so, my dear?’ Charity said nothing and Hannah continued. ‘She will give up the stage and make her life here with us. You used to tell me, Ross, that one volunteer is worth ten pressed men. Charity will become a servant to Phineas and me for seven years.’
‘No!’
‘But yes,’ said Phineas, and Ross’s fists clenched at his smug tone. ‘And just to make sure she does not change her mind, she will sign a contract to that effect. I am sure that will be time enough for me to teach my errant daughter the ways of the Lord.’
‘I’ll be damned if I let that happen,’ declared Ross. He held out his hand. ‘Charity, come with me now. Let me take you back to Allingford—’
Phineas snarled. ‘My daughter may leave this house, Durden, but if you try to accompany her I will have you shot as an escaped felon.’
‘He will leave here alone.’ Charity spoke softly, but with conviction, her words falling into the tense silence. ‘I have given you my word, Phineas, and I will adhere to it, as long as you keep to your side of the bargain. Perhaps...’ She rose. ‘Perhaps you will allow me a few moments alone with Mr Durden.’
Hannah gave an exasperated cry. ‘Ungrateful hussy, how much more do you expect your father to grant you?’
Charity turned on her. ‘You will have seven years of my gratitude, madam. Is that not enough?’
‘Still so proud, still so insolent,’ declared Phineas, shaking his head. ‘Say your goodbyes here and now, madam, or not at all.’
Ross watched them in silence, afraid that whatever he might say would only make things worse for Charity. He was still raging inside. Quickly he assessed the situation, wanting to sweep her up and carry her out of the house. Phineas and Hannah would have to be overcome, then there were at least two men in the hall. High odds against a successful escape, but not impossible.
Charity came towards him and he reached for her hands, pulling her close as he lifted them to his mouth.
‘Come with me,’ he whispered.
She gave a slight shake of her head, moving closer so that only he would hear her whisper.
‘I am giving you time to find the evidence against Phineas. Pray God it will not take long—’
Phineas came towards them, saying angrily, ‘Enough of that. What are you saying to him?’
He dragged her away. Ross’s fists came up, but a word and a look from Charity kept him from attacking the magistrate.
‘Your horse is at the back gate,’ said Hannah, glancing out of the window. ‘Go now, while you still can.’
‘Yes, go, and quickly,’ begged Charity. She gave him a last, wavering smile and her lips moved silently over her final words.
I love you.
Phineas opened the door. ‘Rigg shall escort you to the yard.’
The constable and his assistant came in and grabbed Ross by his arms.
‘I will be back for you, Charity,’ he said as they marched him out of the door.
Phineas laughed. ‘An empty promise. If you show your face in Beringham again, sir, I will have you arrested for highway robbery. Oh, and, Durden—my offer to buy Wheelston still stands. Perhaps you would like to sign it over to me now. That will give you a little money to take away with you.’
From the doorway Ross stared at him, his lip lifting in contempt.
‘I would rather it was forfeit to the Crown.’
‘And so it will be, now that you are an outlaw. No matter, I think I have sufficient standing with my fellows to make sure I can get it eventually. Take him away!’
* * *
Phineas closed the door and as silence fell over the room, Charity moved to the window. It was a moment before Ross appeared, but then all too soon he had crossed the yard, mounted his horse and was gone.
There was a rustle of papers behind her.
‘Time for you to carry out your part of the bargain,’ declared Hannah. ‘Come here and sign this.’ She added with evident satisfaction, ‘It is the indenture for seven years’ employment.’
Charity came slowly towards the desk. She signed her name on the paper, and when the constable and his assistant came back Phineas called upon them to witness it before sending them on their way.
‘There, it is done,’ declared Phineas. ‘You are mine now, daughter. This is the Lord’s will. I had given up on your soul, but clearly He thinks you may still be saved.’
Charity ignored his gloating voice and glanced out of the window. The sun was still high and Ross would have plenty of time to get away. She knew Phineas would keep his word over this at least. His plans for her required her co-operation. She was to humble herself—nothing less than her total humiliation would appease her father.
Oh, Ross, please God your naval friends find damning evidence against Phineas and you can rescue me very soon!
‘And don’t look for Durden to come back for you,’ sneered Phineas, watching her. ‘His fine words count for nothing. He is a blaggard. He will most likely go off to sea and never be heard of again. But mark me, daughter, if he does come back then I shall make sure he hangs.’
At the Highwayman's Pleasure Page 21