‘Thank you. I can’t tell you what this means to me.’
‘There’s no time to talk,’ he told them. ‘I need to sneak back into the camp for the wagon. I’ll be as quick as I can.’
After helping Amalia up into the saddle, he did the same for Sophie, repeating his orders once more. Scared that he’d no longer be with them, they left with misgivings. Daniel watched them go until they were swallowed up by the darkness. He then went back to the camp along the same route used to leave it, eluding the picquets and going in a wide circle towards the area where his wagon was waiting. The horse was harnessed and the vehicle was ready to leave even though he wasn’t entirely sure how or if he’d get it out of the camp. Alphonse had unwittingly shown him one possibility. It would involve taking the wagon across the stream higher up where the noise he’d create was less likely to be overheard.
The main object of the exercise had been achieved. Amalia had been rescued and she was now relatively safe. The presence of Sophie Prunier was an unforeseen complication but one that had to be accommodated. Daniel had seen the bond that had grown up between the two women during their imprisonment. Sophie had obviously helped Amalia endure the horrors of being in French hands and, for that reason alone, Daniel was willing to involve her in the escape. First, however, he had to retrieve his wagon.
Creeping between the tents, he reached the area where the camp followers were stationed and moved between their carts and wagons like a phantom. Nobody stirred. When he was almost there, Daniel allowed himself a moment of self-congratulation. So far his plan had worked to perfection. There was only one problem.
His wagon had disappeared.
‘They should have caught them by now,’ complained Welbeck.
‘I agree, Sergeant,’ said Jonathan Ainley. ‘But, as far as I know, they haven’t had so much of a glimpse of the band.’
‘They must be hiding somewhere.’
‘That’s the problem. In this terrain, there are far too many excellent hiding places. Whenever they see one of our patrols, the villains simply go to ground. At least,’ he added, ‘there have been no more incidents.’
‘That proves nothing, sir.’
‘No, I suppose that it doesn’t.’
They were standing outside Lieutenant Ainley’s quarters and Welbeck was showing impatience. Having seen the way that the marauding redcoats had destroyed a farm, he was desperate to hear of their arrest and annoyed that he could take no part in it. He found it frustrating that the patrols sent out after the men had made no apparent progress.
‘In a sense,’ said Ainley, ‘it’s really not our problem. Most of them deserted from the same cavalry regiment.’
‘You’re forgetting Private Lock, sir. He’s from the 24^th.’
‘We can’t be absolutely certain that he’s involved.’
‘I can,’ said Welbeck. ‘I feel it in my bones. It’s just the kind of thing that would attract a man like Edwin Lock. He has no respect for authority or for other people’s property. When I caught him stealing from the other men, I beat him to a pulp.’
‘You should have had him flogged, Sergeant Welbeck.’
‘I didn’t want to let him off so lightly.’
Welbeck gave a grim chuckle. Though he was no admirer of Ainley, he found him the most approachable of the officers and, as such, a useful source of information.
‘Is there any news of Captain Rawson?’ he asked.
‘I fancy that I should be asking that question of you,’ said Ainley with a smile. ‘You always seem to know far more about his movements than I do. All that I can tell you is that he left camp on his own.’
‘That much I already know. What he didn’t tell me is why.’
‘I can’t help you on that score, Sergeant. If he’s been given another assignment, then he could be anywhere. As you know, His Grace places the greatest trust in the captain.’
‘He sometimes asks too much of him.’
‘I’m not sure that that’s possible,’ said the other, admiringly. ‘Captain Rawson has nine lives. He’s gathered intelligence in the most dangerous places and always returned unharmed. And I don’t need to tell you how utterly fearless he is in battle.’
‘No, sir, I’ve served under him for a long time.’
‘He relies heavily on people like you.’
‘He does, sir,’ said Welbeck, meaningfully. ‘He knows that I can always tell if a man is lying or telling the truth. At first glance, I had my suspicions of Ralph Higgins.’
Ainley was contrite. ‘I’m still embarrassed about that little lapse on my behalf,’ he said. ‘I’ll be more careful in the future.’
‘I’m sure that you will, Lieutenant.’
Behind the deferential comment, Welbeck kept his scorn for the officer well concealed. He was on the point of taking his leave when he heard shouts and laughter. They were prompted by the arrival of two horses. One was ridden by an attractive young woman while the other carried a man and a woman. Ainley couldn’t understand why they were given such a noisy welcome but Welbeck recognised Daniel immediately, even though he was still in disguise.
Seeing his two friends, Daniel came across to them and whisked off his hat. Ainley was amazed to see who it was. Dismounting swiftly, Daniel helped Amalia down from the same horse then lifted Sophie down from the other animal. He introduced the two women to Ainley.
‘Lieutenant,’ he said, ‘would you be so kind as to escort the two ladies to His Grace? They have useful intelligence to impart. I’ll join them in His Grace’s quarters directly.’
‘Yes, Captain,’ said Ainley, pleased to be given the task. ‘I’ll pass on that message.’ He smiled at the women. ‘Follow me, ladies.’
‘I might have known there’d be a woman in the case,’ said Welbeck as he watched the others walk away. ‘You had two of them this time, Dan.’
‘That was unintentional,’ said Daniel. ‘Mademoiselle Prunier was being held captive with Amalia in the French camp. I had to rescue both of them.’
‘I see that you only brought two horses so that you had an excuse to put your arms around Amalia.’
‘That’s not true at all, Henry. I’d hoped to bring all three of us back in Ralph Higgins’ wagon but it went astray. I had to leave the French camp without it.’
‘Is that how you got there — in Higgins’ wagon?’
‘Yes…but I’ll have to find another way next time.’
‘You’re surely not going back.’
‘When I’ve given my report to His Grace, I have to return.’
Welbeck grinned. ‘How many more women need to be rescued?’
‘I’m not trying to release a hostage this time. I’m going back for my sword. It was hidden in the wagon that was stolen.’
‘Spare yourself the trouble and buy yourself another sword.’
‘I can’t do that. This one is very special to me. I’ve told you the story of how I came to acquire it.’
‘Yes,’ recalled Welbeck. ‘You were given it after the battle of Sedgemoor by His Grace — except that he was Lord Churchill in those days, and your father had fought against him.’
‘It’s because of what happened then that I’m certain His Grace will give me permission to go back, especially when I tell him that I have an inkling of where those renegades might be hiding.’
‘You do — where are they, Dan?’
‘You’ll be able to see for yourself,’ Daniel told him. ‘There’s something I forgot to mention — you’ll be coming with me.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The raid was a disappointment. After their setback at the preceding farm, they’d chosen a smallholding on this occasion so that they ran no risk of losing any of their number. In fact, there were only three people inside the little cottage and — to their disgust — they were all male. Deprived of their ritual assault on any available women, they killed the men with particular savagery, stole what little money there was and took some of the livestock. As they rode away, the night sky was lit by flames from the bonfire and the loud crackle pursued them for half a mile. It was almost dawn by the time they reached their refuge. Lurching into their farmhouse, the first thing they did was to assuage their fury with beer or wine.