Reckless Angel by Jane Feather Read Free Book Online Page A

people filled the dank air, adding to the desolation.
    â€œI do not see why you should have to appeal to Sir Daniel all the time,” complained Henrietta. “Why cannot ye make up your own mind for a change?”
    â€œI have made up my mind,” snapped Will. “You will just not listen to sense. My father would never forgive an elopement. He does not object to the match, but he will not permit me to marry you against yourfather’s will. You convince Sir Gerald to permit it, and then there will be no difficulties.”
    â€œOh, you know that is impossible!” Henrietta cried. “He would see me dead rather than happy. If we were wed, we could find work, couldn’t we?”
    â€œBut I do not wish to find work,” Will said, sighing heavily. “I wish to be Will Osbert, Esquire, of Osbert Court.”
    â€œOh, I do not think you love me the least little bit!” Henrietta exclaimed. “You have no romance in your soul, and no courage.”
    â€œThere are times,” Will said deliberately, “when I do not even like you.”
    â€œThat is the most dastardly thing to say!” Henrietta flung herself upon him, rolling in the damp straw.
    With an exclamation of exasperation, Daniel grabbed the belt at the back of her britches and hauled her off her opponent. “If you do not behave yourself, Mistress Ashby, you will find yourself out in the rain!”
    â€œThen I shall get the ague,” she objected. “And I shall have the fever again, and—”
    â€œQuiet!” But his lips twitched despite his ferocious tone. “I do not wish to hear another word out of you.”
    Henrietta slumped into her corner again, hugging her knees, shivering in baleful silence. The rain dripped monotonously and the wind howled; the horses shuffled on the straw; a rat scurried across the barn floor. This dismal state of affairs continued until the door was flung open to admit a dripping Tom.
    â€œThere’s bread and cheese and ale,” he announced, dumping his packets onto the floor. “There’s more Roundheads in town than fleas on a dog. A man can’t move without a pass.”
    â€œWhy do we not try to acquire passes?” Henrietta asked, her usual sunny humor restored as she fell upon the bread and cheese. “We have been a week upon the road and this hiding grows monstrous tedious.”
    â€œWas it an adventure ye were expecting?” Daniel inquired dryly, taking a deep draught of ale.
    â€œI did not think it would be quite so uncomfortablytedious,” she said through a mouthful. “But if we had passes, we could travel openly and stay in inns, could we not?”
    â€œOf course we could,” said Will, who had still not recovered his equanimity. “But we are hardly traveling in this fashion through choice. Are you suggesting we present ourselves at the nearest military post and ask politely for passes?”
    Daniel raised his eyes heavenward as he waited for the explosive response to this heavy sarcasm. It did not come, however.
    â€œI am not suggesting you should,” she said thoughtfully, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “But if Tom could procure me some women’s clothes, those of a servant girl would be best, I might be able to spin a tale to the officers that would suffice.” She looked at Will. “I am quite accomplished at spinning tales, am I not?”
    He nodded and a reluctant grin spread across the freckled face. “Aye, that y’are. ’Tis an accomplishment that has saved ye from many a scrape.”
    â€œAnd you,” she said. “What think ye, sir? I will say that I wish to visit my sick father—a good Parliamentarian—in London. And that I would be accompanied by…by…” She frowned, one hand gesturing vaguely as if she would pluck the words from the air. “By my grandfather and my brother,” she finished triumphantly. “And