Regency Mischief by Anne Herries Read Free Book Online Page B

For a moment she wondered if she were being abducted and then the absurdity of such a notion made her smile.
    The groom knew the name of her employer. It was quite possible that the marquis was a friend of Lady Sarah and that he had agreed to bring her companion to her.
    Feeling relieved to have settled the thing in her mind, Eliza sat back and took out the battered copy of a book she had bought from the second-hand stall at the market. It would serve to pass the time as they traveled, for she knew they would be some days on the road. She would need to take a room at more than one inn and she wouldhave to rely on the coachman to find a decent house that was not too expensive for her purse.
     
    Eliza looked out of the inn window and smiled as she saw it was yet another clear fine day. They had already been three days on the road and she would be glad when they reached Bath, which should not be more than another day at the most, for they had made good time. The Marquis of Cheadle’s carriage was well sprung and the journey had been less tiresome than it might have been had she travelled on the mail coach. She had been surprised to find herself staying at the finest inns on the road; when she tentatively asked how much she owed the first morning, she was told that the Marquis of Cheadle’s groom had settled the account.
    Eliza had immediately tried to settle the debt, but the groom shook his head. ‘I was given me instructions clear, miss. You wus to ’ave all the best and he would pay for yer lodgings.’
    ‘Oh…’ Somewhat taken aback by this statement, she was at first at a loss for words, then, ‘I suppose my employer has settled it with the marquis.’
    ‘Yes, miss. I dare say you are right.’
    She moved away from the window and picked up her portmanteau, which contained all she required for her immediate needs. Her trunk had already been loaded on to the carriage and they were ready to leave again.
    ‘How much further have we to travel?’ she asked as the groom opened the door for her.
    ‘If we make good time and meet no accidents, we should reach Bath before dark this night, miss.’
    ‘Thank you.’ She smiled at him, relieved that only one day of travelling remained. She had finished herbook and the last hours of the previous day had seemed tedious. ‘You are very kind.’
    ‘You are welcome, miss.’ He touched his hat. ‘I hopes as it is the lady you’re working for, miss.’
    ‘What do you mean by that? I told you at the start, I am to be a companion to Lady Sarah Manners.’
    ‘Right then, miss. Nothing to worry about then. Get in and we’ll be orf.’
    Sarah climbed into the carriage, feeling puzzled once more. Something in the groom’s manner had disturbed her. She wondered why she was riding in such luxury and once again a shiver of apprehension slithered down her spine. Had she been naïve in accepting the first offer she received?
    For a moment she felt a frisson of fear at the nape of her neck, but then she took a hold of her nerves. She was being very foolish. It was most unlikely that any marquis would go to so much trouble to abduct a girl he had never seen. She was hardly the most beautiful girl in the world. The thought made her laugh. She had been reading too many romances!
     
    Daniel looked across the square and saw the carriage drawn up outside the inn just as the young woman entered it. He frowned, feeling concerned as he recognised her and the crest on the carriage. What on earth was Miss Bancroft doing in the Marquis of Cheadle’s carriage? Alarm bells began to ring in his head. He recalled that she had been pleased to receive a generous offer of employment—was she being lured to a false promise? Would she join the legion of the missing?
    The thought of Miss Eliza Bancroft being sold into white slavery appalled him. He could not bear to contemplate such a thing. It must not be allowed to happen. He must do something—and quickly.
    Eliza must be warned that the marquis was